"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened," Luke 11:9-10.

(Preached on Lord's Day evening, May 4th, 1986, in Kilskeery FPC by Rev Ivan Foster)

My subject was suggested by the fact that we have just had a special week of prayer meetings each evening in the church as well as a time of prayer yesterday (Saturday) morning for the overthrowing of the present attempt by our enemies to foist upon Ulster the evil device called the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

Does it pay to pray?

Does prayer really work?

Let me begin by defining prayer. No better definition exists than that contained in the Shorter Catechism in response to question 98.

Question 98: What is prayer? Answer: Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.

Here are five elements of true prayer. Where you find prayer of this nature you will find answers from the Lord.