The heart of all true prayer, mark this people.

The heart of all true prayer is an initial awareness that you don't even belong there to begin with.

You see?

I mean, you don't even belong in the presence of God.

You don't have one thing in and of yourself to commend you to him.

Welcome to Grace to You with the Bible teaching of John MacArthur. I'm your host, Phil Johnson.

What's on your mind today? What are your concerns for your husband or wife or your kids, your friends from church, and others in your life? There is so much to think about, so much you want to bring to the

Lord. But is that all prayer is? Making requests? Bottom line, what is prayer supposed to be?

What does God expect? Are there any examples you can follow? See if you're

approaching God's throne of grace the right way, both in what you say and the attitude behind it,

as John MacArthur continues his study titled Elements of True Prayer. So if you have your Bible

close by, turn now to Daniel chapter 9. That's the basis for our study.

And with today's message now, here's John MacArthur.

When we study the book of Daniel again and again, chapter by chapter, we find unfolding in a very

unassuming way, the marvelous traits of the character of Daniel.

And one of them has to be prayer.

He understood that prayer was living in the presence of God and nothing could change that.

Not the threat of death, not the threat of the loss of reputation or place.

Nothing. Prayer was a vital link with God. Not the threat of the loss of reputation or place, nothing.

Prayer was a vital link with God.

And so does Daniel pray.

And as he prays, we find eight elements of true intercessory prayer emerging, flowing out of this marvelous prayer.

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