I have a confession to make. I like data. And charts and graphs. Its how I sort things out in life. It brings clarity out of confusion.

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Pray without ceasing

1 Thessalonians 5:17

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The command for Christians to pray is obvious. Examples are given throughout scripture and the Lord Jesus prayed frequently and fervently. He also gave instructions of how to pray.

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First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people

1 Timothy 2:1

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The word “pray” shows up 98 times in the ESV of the Bible. 30% of the time, someone is praying for another person. How many of our prayers are for others? How often do we ask someone to pray for us? Telling someone you will be praying for them is an encouragement. But be sure to do it!

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if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

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In the old testament, we find 33% of the prayers spoken are seeking forgiveness. Too often we fail to seek Gods forgiveness from the sinful things we do, say, and think. We try to push that out of our mind, failing to realize we cannot have a restored relationship with Christ if we are not seeking His forgiveness on an ongoing basis.

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…Lord teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples

Luke 11:1b

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We can learn much from the model of prayer that Jesus gave us. Additionally, 24% of the time when prayer in mentioned in the NT, it is instructional – teaching us how to pray.

• Give God the honor due Him – “hallowed be your name”
• Pray for others
• Seek forgiveness
• Seek spiritual rescue from sin and temptation