John 17:1-26

How should we pray?

What should we pray for?

How many of our "prayers" are just receiting and not a personal communication with God?

"Saying words" is one thing and "praying God's will" is totally different!

We should Pray for God's will, not for our self will.

Prayer is Communication with God!

God longs for us to pray seeking HIM and HIS WILL!

The Upward Purpose of Prayer.

vv 1-5

Our purpose of Prayer should be Upward FIRST!

Prayer's purpose is to focus on the Worship of God.

*Our prayer life should start with the worshiping of God and His mighty power and grace!

Prayer's purpose is to focus on the Work of God.

*We should seek out what God has planned for us to do for His Work.

Prayer's focus is to bring about the Will of God.

*All that we pray for should be asked for only if it is in God's will.

* God is wanting for us to seek His will before it happens.

The Inward Purpose of Prayer.

vv4-5

Physical necessity.  (Matthew 6:11)

*We need bread everyday to live; pray for what we need to stay alive.

Relational necessity. (Matthew 6:12)

*We need to forgive and be forgiven!

   *Our Manward relations must be right.

*Forgive those who hurt us because God forgives us.

    *Our Godward relation must be right.

*Ask for forgiveness of our sins.

Spiritual necessity. (Matthew 6:13)

*Keep us from and deliever us from evil.

   *Protection against evil.

   *Provision against evil.

The Outward Purpose of Prayer.

vv 9-26

*If Jesus prayed mostly for others and not self, where does that put us?

   *Should we not pray for others before we pray for ourselves?

Outward prayer is focused on the Saints.

*What is on God's heart?

   *Their Service.

*Doing God's works.

   *Their Sanctification.

*Being seperated from the world.

Outward prayer is focused on the Sinners.

*He is praying for sinners to be saved.

  *Their Salvation.

*For those who will be born again.

  * Their Symetry.

* That we will all be one.

      *Harmony with the Saints

*God wants us to be 1 but not the same.

IE: A symphony, they aren't the same instruments, but are in harmony under the conductor.  Symphony = Church (born again believers)  Conductor = God

      *Harmony with the Sovereign.

*All the unity is uesless without doing God's will.

   *Being in tune is good, but without being in tune with God it doesn't matter! (it's a disaster!)

Something to think about!

Is our prayer full of asking for things or seeking God's will for our lives and others'?

Are we praying or receiting?

notes taken from Dr.WDavis sermon August 6th, 2006

PLEASE remember to read the scripture and pray on it for yourself. 

These are just the notes and leadings of ones interpretations! 

Christian Love!