Introduction: Have you ever not known how to pray or what to pray? It happens. So what should we do? The apostle Paul gives us some insight as to what we need to do.

1. Our need! (Rom 8:26)

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought.”

Do you see the word “infirmities”? What does it mean? The word is ἀσθένεια, (as-then’-i-ah). It means want of strength, or even weakness, illness, suffering, calamity, or it can even refer to frailty. That covers a lot of ground! Certainly, we have all been at these different places at one time or another.

2. The Spirit’s help! (Rom 8:27)

“27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

The word intercession means to make petition. In other words, to pray in behalf. The word groanings means sighing. The words cannot be uttered means unexpressed or that baffles words.

Sometimes this is the case. Do you Remember when Jesus Christ groaned in His spirit as He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane? At times, we can only groan. Our Lord knows our heart.

Introduction: How should we pray when the enemy comes against us? Please take note of King Jehoshaphat’s prayer in its entirety:

(2Chron 20:7-12)

“And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, 6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? 7 Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? 8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, 9 If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help. 10 And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let  Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; 11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. 12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.”

1. Our Focus! (vv 7-9)

Our Focus should be on our God not the enemy. After all He’s bigger than any of our enemies. Where is your focus?

2. Our Fight! (vv 10,11)

The fight raged on different fronts. Usually we are not wrestling against flesh and blood. But rather, we war against principalities and powers; i.e. the rulers of darkness – demonic forces. Therefore, we need to know our weapons (2Cor 10:3-5).

Have you identified the real enemy?

3. Our Faith! (v 12)

I love how Jehoshaphat prayed. He admitted that he did not have “all the answers”! And yet, he confessed his need and dependency on the God of the Bible.

Have you?

Introduction: Do you ever pray for our President? Governor? Congressmen and women? Judges? Law enforcement? First responders? Teachers? Administrators? etc. 

Paul reminded Timothy to practice praying for those in authority.

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour” (1 Tim 2:1-3). 

1. How? Who? Why? 

The word “exhort” is παρακαλέω (par-ak-al-eh’-o), which means to call to or for, to encourage. It can mean to send for, summon, invite. Also it has yo do with beseeching, entreating, begging, or admonishing. And lastly it can including comforting.

The word “supplications” is δέησις, which included a need, or an entreaty supplication, prayer. 

The next word is self explanatory-prayer.

Then there is the word “intercession” which is ἔντευξις. It means a petition, supplication. An illustration can be approaching the king.

Don’t forget “thanksgiving”!

Next, the Spirit of God inspired Paul to write,

2. Who?

“….be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority.”

3. Why should we pray for these?

“…..that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.”

Conclusion: The only thing left is to pray. Will you take a moment and pray?

Introduction: Do you ever pray for the ministry? What about our Lord’s ministry for you? How should we pray?

1. Pray to Fulfill your calling? (1Cor 1:26-29)

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are.”

The world’s heroes are God’s zeros! But our Lord’s heroes are the world’s zeros!

Being faithful to the finish should be every believer’s PRAYER! Is this yours?

2. Pray that as the servants of Jesus Christ that we would not glory in the flesh! (1Cor 1:29)

“That no flesh should glory in his presence.”

Robbing our Lord from the glory He deserves can be detrimental to our spiritual growth. This can be very subtle, and even be mixed with our motives. Are you ever tempted to rob (take credit) God of His glory?

3. Pray for understanding for who we are in Christ Jesus and what we have! (1Cor 1:30-31)

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

Did you notice the list of what we have in our relationship with Jesus Christ? This should cause us to rejoice!

Introduction: Should a CHRISTIAN pray for his or herself? The answer is yes. Look at this example in the Bible.

1. David prayed for himself – His heart felt CONFESSION! (Psa 51:1-12)

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin….”

David had grossly sinned. But instead of confessing his sin, he could have excused it or worse blamed it on someone else. “It was Bathsheba’s fault for bathing.”! Have you ever done that?

2. David prayed for himself – Soul Sin CLEANSING! (Psa 51:7-10)

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniqui
ties. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

Sin separates us from God. It causes guilt and shame, an unworthy feeling. We were created to be in fellowship with our God. Are you in communion with your Lord?

3. David prayed for himself- Life CHANGING CALLING! (Psa 51:12-13)

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”

Being set free because of the grace of God caused David to want to tell others. Can you say the same? Are you telling others? If not, why not start?

1. Pray for believers to have great Faith in Jesus Christ! (Eph 1:15,16)

“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.”

Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Faith is taking God at His Word. Are you doing that?

2. Pray for believers to have meaningful Love for all the saints! (Eph 1:15,16)

“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.”

Can you say you love everyone? Love is the hallmark of Christianity. Unfortunately, far too often, this is lacking in many Churches. The opposite of love is hate; i.e. bitterness vs forgiveness.

3. Pray for illumination of the Holy Spirit! (Eph 1:17-18)

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.”

These power packed verses include wisdom derived from Jesus Christ, and experiential knowledge of the God of the Bible…His calling.

4. Pray for inspiration from the Holy Spirit! (Eph 1:19,20)

“And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.”

Our Lord’s resurrection power is limitless! That same power is available according to this verse. Who wouldn’t want this glorious power?

1. Pray with confidence! (1Tim 2:4,5)

2. Pray for conviction! (John 16:8)

“7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”

Please understand that we cannot save anyone. It takes the Holy Spirit to convince someone that they are in need of forgiveness of their sin and a relationship with Jesus Christ.

3. Pray for conversion! (Eph 2:3-6)

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ.”

Once the Holy Spirit brings conviction upon an individual, then by grace through faith they are saved as they receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

1. Don’t place too high, unrealistic expectations on people! (Luke 22:31-34)

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.”

Jesus knew every man’s heart. Therefore, He was not disappointed per se; however, He also knew that Peter would come around, and forgiveness for us is an absolute when we’ve been hurt or disappointed. Are you willing to forgive?

2. Throw your care on the Lord! (1Pet 5:6,7)

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all you
r care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Humbling ourselves before our Lord is crucial, if we do not want to get bitten with bitterness.

3. Set some God – given goals! (Neh 2:4-5)

4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.”

Please notice that God put it in his heart to do a work!

4. Reject the devil’s lies! (John 8:44)

“44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

The devil is the arc enemy of every Christian. Jesus said that he is a liar. That should tell us that he will lie to us. Is he insinuating lies to you?

Introduction: What does it mean to be double minded? Do you find it difficult to make decisions? Why? Is it perfectionism? Is it fear of rejection? Or is it insecurity? How can we be decisive? The half brother of Jesus Christ named James gives us some truths that transform.

1. Lacking & needing wisdom! (James 1:5)

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Admittedly, we all need heavenly wisdom. Why? Because our Lord looks down the road and knows the results. We do not always have that ability. Therefore, our trust must be in Him.

2. Exercising Faith! (James 1:6,7)

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”

A lady once told this Pastor that “Prayer is the key to heaven but Faith unlocks the door!”

3. Persevering when in a trial! (James 1:2-4)

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

Not giving up is a sign of perseverance. Are you a quitter? Quitters never Win and Winners never Quit!

4. Stability in our relationship with Jesus! (James 1:8)

“8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

To be double minded means two souls. The word is δίψυχος, which means of two minds, wavering, of two souls, of two selves, wavering.

At times, truthfully we all can be double minded.