Prayer: An intimate communication with God.

The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you can pray

(1 Peter 4:7, NIV)

Sober and watch unto prayer (KJV), Be serious and be sensible (CEV)

Everything necessary for the culmination of all things has already taken place. I.e.:

Jesus has already come, lived and died (1 Peter 3:18); and resurrected (3:21), ascended to the father and is now reigning over the universe (3:22).

Jesus is now ready to judge all who live and have ever lived (1 Peter 4:5).

Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; he’ll appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him (Hebrews 9:27).

**Knowing that the end is near, what do we do? We should be alert, sober, serious and watchful unto prayer. ***

Jesus said to the disciples to watch and pray so that they’d not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body (flesh) is weak (NLT). Matthew 26:41. v40b He asked them, “were you not able to keep watch with me for one hour?” They were sleeping instead of praying!

***Likewise today, the hour is near but people are ‘sleeping’ instead of being sober and alert.

House of prayer:

Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, Mathew 21:12-13.  v13 “It is written, he said to them, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you’re making it a den of robbers” (Also, Mark 11:17, Luke 19:46).

There is joy in the house of prayer – Isaiah 56:7

It is a house of prayer for all nations/people – Jeremiah 7:11 **All nations praying in oneness and prying for all nations**

• We become the house of prayer once we receive Jesus (a temple of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19).
• The church/assembly of believers are a house of prayer – (“For where two/three have gathered together in my name, I am in their midst” Matthew 18). Hebrews 24:25 encourages us to assemble together.

***A house of prayer should be FULL of PRAYER, and no other business**

Further instructions on prayer:

Is anyone of you in trouble? Let them pray James 5:13

Instead of being anxious, pray – Philippians 4:6

When you don’t know what to say – Pray, and allow the Holy Spirit to intercede for you with GROANS which cannot be expressed in WORDS – Romans 8:26

Pray in the SPIRIT with all KINDS of prayers and petitions – Ephesians 6:18

Pray from your heart; Hannah was praying in her HEART, and her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard – 1 Samuel 1:13

The prayers of the upright are like INCENSE/pleasing to God.

Incense:

Altar of incense – Exodus 30, v35……and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be SALTED and PURE and SACRED.

Prayers like incense before God (sweet smell) – Psalms 141:2

The prayers of the saints ascend to heaven like incense (they perfume heaven) – Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4.

Nadab and Abihu died for using unauthorised fire to burn incense – Leviticus 10:1-2.

God sent and angel to strengthen Jesus in prayer on the Mount of Olives – Luke 22:43.

***Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold – Matthew 24:12 – PRAY!

***Jesus gave the parable of a window who was very persistent in prayer, so that we cannot give up in praying – Luke 18:1-8

***We should pray without ceasing – 1 Thessalonians 5:17