SINCE GOD IS EVERYWHERE WE CAN PRAY EVERYWHERE

1. Jesus said, "that men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1); and, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."(Matthew 26:41). The New Testament teaches, "Continuing instant in prayer"(Romans 12:12); "continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving" (Colossians 4:2); pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (I Thessalonians 5:17,18).

2. Prayers that are to no avail.

1) People yet in their sins. "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." (Isaiah 59:2).

2) Those who will not listen to God's Word. "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." (Proverbs 28:9).

3) People praying to be seen of men. "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." (Matthew 6:5).

4) Religious pretenders "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye devour widows houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation" (Matthew 23:14).

3. We must first get rid of our sins for God to hear our prayers. Salvation from sins comes when a person hears the gospel, believes it, turns from his sinful ways, confesses his faith in Christ and is baptized. "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house" (Acts 16:31). "For Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation" (2 Corinthians 7:10). "With the mouth confession is made to salvation" (Romans 10:10). "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:37). "Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). When these things are obeyed from the heart then a person is made free from sin and becomes the servant of righteousness (Romans 6:17, 18). As such "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers" (I Peter 3:12). Also, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16).

4. We must pray in faith as the children of God. "If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven of the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." (James 1:5- 7).

5. The proper attitude of prayer is expressed by the LORD to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

1) Notice that to pray we would have to be the people of God.

2) Notice also that we would have to be called by the Lord's name. In the New Testament it will be the name of Christ (Colossians 3:17; Philippians 2:9-11; Romans 16:16).

3) Notice again that to pray we have to humble ourselves.

4) Also Notice that prayer has to be uttered.

5) It is not just a thought but we have to seek the face of God by really talking to him. No form prayer someone wrote will do.

6) We have to turn from any wicked ways we might have. Then God will hear and grant our petitions.

6. Instead of a "show off prayer" listen to Jesus Christ, "When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 5:6). Real prayer can be engaged in anywhere but we should be in earnest to the Father in heaven with our petitions, intercessions, and supplications. It's a personal matter between each child of God and his Father which is in heaven.

7. Jesus Christ put some form in prayer.

1) It needs to be addressed to God our Father in heaven.

2) It needs to be in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior who is the only mediator between us and the Father. Jesus said, "Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (John 14:13).

8. No government can stop prayer in schools nor The Bible being understood and followed in the schools. The way to do this is by putting it into the hearts of the students and the teachers and they can show its principles in their lives. Prayer and Bible reading are personal matters to be done in the home, in the church, on the job, in the school, and in any place we are. They grow out of our relationship to God. Teach the children from babies up to pray and study the Bible. Let your children know how to pray and the real meaning of the Bible. Spend time in prayer with your children. Memorize key passages and meditate on them. Then you can carry the Bible to School with you by having it in your heart. He that worships God and does His will - God will hear. (John 9:31). Everywhere you are the Lord asks you to pray, and in everything you do.