Jesus modeled it - habit of prayer - Luke 5:16 (NLT) “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.”
Jesus expected it - “...when you pray...” - Matthew 6:5,6,7
Jesus commanded it - parables in Luke 11 & Luke 18
Jesus taught on it - Lord’s Prayer - Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-5
Jesus hears it & answers it - Psalms 17:6 (NLT) “I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.”

Pray without delay - 1 Peter 4:7 (NLT) “The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.”
Pray without ceasing - 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray about everything - Philippians 4:6 (NLT) “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
Pray with persistence - Luke 18:1-8 Parable of the Persistent
Listen - prayer is not about speaking many words (Matthew 6:7), but also listening for God’s response
“The primary way that a Christian hears God’s voice is through reading and studying Scripture and then obeying and applying what the Scripture says.”
“Don't say God has been silent when your Bible has been closed.”
Pray Scripture - use the Psalms as examples
Pray by yourself AND with others
Solo - Mark 1:35, Mark 6:46, Matthew 14:23
Small group - John 17
Whole community Loaves and fish - Matthew 15, Mark 6, John 6, Mark 8, Acts 2:42
Forgiving others - Mark 11:25, 1 Timothy 2:8 (NLT) “In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.”
Devote yourselves to prayer - Colossians 4:2 (NLT) “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.”
House of Prayer - Mark 11:17, Isaiah 55-56

What to Pray About?

Pray about everything
Philippians 4:6 (NLT)Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Workers for the harvest
Matthew 9:38So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.

Pray for each other
James 5:16 (NLT)Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Ephesians 1:19-20 (NLT)I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Pray for church leaders
1 Thessalonians 5:25 (NLT)Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.
Ephesians 6:20 (NLT)I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

Pray for those in authority
1 Timothy 2:2Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.

Pray for yourself
Psalms 139:23 (NLT)Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalms 27:4 (NLT)The one thing I ask of the Lord — the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord ’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.
Psalms 51:10 (NLT)Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Pray for all people
1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT)I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

Pray against the darkness
Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Pray for those that stand against you
Matthew 5:44 (NLT)But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
Luke 6:28 (NLT)Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.

Pray for healing
Psalms 30:2 (NLT)O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health.
James 5:13 (NLT)Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.

Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.