Prayer is an important ministry that benefits both God and others. It allows us to praise and serve God as our High Priest. Prayer is also how we ask God for help in times of need and bring our requests to Him with thanksgiving. Additionally, prayer is a ministry for others as we can pray on their behalf and access God's power through prayer to do good for others. The document provides guidelines for an effective prayer life, suggesting that prayer should be purposeful, reaching out to God, abiding with God continually, and yielding ourselves to God's will.

2. Introduction: What good can I do in prayer? Is there really a ministry in prayer? What should my prayer life be like?

3. Ministry is defined as… 1. Agency; service; aid; interposition; instrumentality. -- Webster’s Dictionary It is certainly the person or thing through which something is accomplished. Intercession is defined as… 1. Entreaty in favor of another, especially a prayer or petition to God in behalf of another. --Freedictionary.com

4. Prayer Is a Ministry to God! It is just one way that we serve Him by praise. Hebrews 13:15 We do this through Jesus Christ the High priest. 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10; Philippians 4:13 Jesus is the mediator between us and God. 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25

5. Prayer Is a Ministry For Us! We are expected to come to God in prayer for help. Hebrews 4:14-16 Jesus wants us to ask for help. John 15:16 God doesn’t want us to worry. Phil. 4:6-7 (ISV) “Never worry about anything. Instead, in every situation let your petitions be made known to God through prayers and requests, with thanksgiving.”

6. Prayer Is a Ministry for Others Prayer is something that you can do to minister in behalf of others . 1 Tim. 2:1 Examples: Phil. 1:4; Col. 1:9; 4:12 God’s mighty power can be accessed by prayer. Ephesians 3:20 By prayer you can do good for others!

7. P.R.A.Y. Prayer should be… Purposeful! Our purposes in prayer start with thanksgiving to God. 1 Thes. 5:16 Pray to praise and adore God! Heb. 13:15 We need to intercede in behalf of others. 1 Tim. 2:1 Prayer is about confession to God. 1 Jn. 1:9 Praying for help is supplication . Phil. 4:6

8. P.R.A.Y. Prayer should be… Reaching. Our hands and hearts are lifted up to Him. We reach out to God for many things… Mt. 7:7-11 We go to Him because He’s our friend. John 15:13-15 We talk to Him because we have a loving relationship with Him. John 14:15; 1 John 4:19; Mark 12:30 God wants us to reach out in our faith in Him and His ability. Mark 11:24

9. P.R.A.Y. Prayer should be… Abiding! It shows endurance in many ways. “ Continually be prayerful.” 1 Thes. 5:17 (ISV) Helps us to constantly grow in our care for all people. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Helps us grow closer to God. We respond to His talking to us through the Bible. James 4:8 Helps us to get the right perspective in life. Col. 1:27; Phil. 4:4-7; Psalm 5:3; 63:1-8

10. P.R.A.Y. Prayer should be… Yielding. We must give ourselves to God… Decide to submit to the will of God the Father, this was what Christ did. Luke 22:42; James 4:7 By doing what he asks! 1 John 3:22 Through communicating to Him by Prayer! 2 Corinthians 13:7; Colossians 3:17 In living for and following Jesus! 2 Corinthians 5:15; Luke 9:23

11. Do Not Underestimate Prayer! Praying for others helps us to take our eyes off of self. Phil. 2:4 Jesus prayed for you! John 17:20-21 Come to Jesus and be saved! Hebrews 5:9 Hear and believe the gospel. Mark 16:15-16 Repent of your sins. Acts 3:19 Confess your faith in Christ. Acts 8:37 Be baptized into Christ. Gal. 3:26-27; Ac. 22:16