* There a spiritual battle all around us

* We are unequipped to win on our own

* The "Lord is our Banner"

"The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray." (Samuel Chadwick)

"When we rely on organization, we get what organization can do; when we rely on education, we get what education can do; when we rely on eloquence, we get what eloquence can do. But when we rely on prayer, we get what God can do." (A. C. Dixon)

1. Give God time

2. Stand on the merits of Christ's blood alone

3. Focus on the Spirit's help

4. Keep prayer God-centered rather than problem-centered

5. Pray in agreement with others