Prayer is the means by which people communicate with God. Prayer is also one of the most misunderstood, controversial, and awkward practices in the Christian community. This sermon outline on prayer, written for Christian audiences and particularly for Baptist congregations, addresses what the Bible reveals as the key to effective prayer.
Why Use Sermon Outlines
Pastors do more than teach and preach. Today's busy pastors are expected to lead their congregations, guide planning efforts, administer church business, visit the sick, counsel married couples, and much more. It's understandable that many pastors search for free sermon outlines to help them in their sermon preparation.
It must be noted that congregations rightfully expect a pastor's sermon to be from that pastor's heart and to be the result of prayer and study on the part of that pastor. This sermon outline is not intended to replace personal preparation, but merely to supplement it.
The following is simply an outline for a sermon on effective prayer. The pastor wishing to utilize this outline will need to fill in the gaps with his own preparation.
The Key to Effective Prayer
Introduction - Prayer is critical, but misunderstood.
Main Text - "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' " ~James 4:6
According to the Bible, the key to effective prayer is humility. Now, a look at what the Bible says about humility in prayer.
I. God Resists the Proud
- A. The first sin is Pride. It's what started it all. It was pride that brought Lucifer down and started the vicious cycle of rebellion and sin. (See Isaiah and Ezekiel).
- B. God hates Pride (Proverbs 16:5, 18:12)
- C. A person cannot even approach God in pride...God will not receive such a person.
II. Humility is the Prerequisite to Grace
- A. Salvation requires humility (Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 10:13)
- B. To obey God is to humble oneself before God
- C. People should rely on God's grace and not on their own merit or wisdom
III. Humility and God's Grace are the Fundamental Ingredients of Prayer
- A. Prayer is an act of humility
- B. Answering prayer is an expression of God's grace
Conclusion: In the passage Luke 18:9-14, Jesus introduces his audience to a Pharisee boasting of all he's done for God and the needy and a publican who would not even look to heaven, but simply beat on his breast, saying: "God, be merciful to me a sinner." Which best describes you? Are you the one who believes you're entitled to certain things because of how "good" you are or all that you've done or are you simply humbling yourself before God?
Preparing a Sermon on Prayer
Any pastor preparing a sermon on prayer should do so in prayer. This should go without saying, but prayer is (sadly) not always front-and-center in sermon preparation. Make sure that prayer is at the center of preparing a sermon, especially when the topic of the sermon itself is prayer.
The biblical key to prayer is humility. It is also the key to effective sermon preparation and pastoral ministry.
Related Reading
Readers who found this article interesting should also read "Preaching Tips for the Busy Pastor."
