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. Living
Hope Fellowship Church
Basic Bible Study Course
PRAYER
Lesson
#6
OUTLINE:
1.
WHY PRAY
2.
KINDS OF PRAYER
3.
HINDRANCES
4.
HELPS
Definitions
are taken from Webster's Dictionary.
PRAYER
is an humble entreaty addressed to God. PRAYER
is a necessary part of finding God and then staying "saved".
You can pray anywhere. In Acts 16:13 it tells
how they went out by a river side and prayed. A jailer got
saved outside the prison cell (Acts 16:23-34). Saul (Paul)
got saved on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-20). One man got
saved coming out of the tombs (Mark 5:1-20). Jonah repented
in the belly of the great fish that swallowed him (Jonah 1:17-Jonah
3:5). Philip explained the scriptures to a man in a chariot.
He got saved and baptized (Acts 8:26-40). Read in Luke 18:9-14
the account where two men went into the temple to pray. One
received mercy because he humbled himself in prayer. Isaiah
56:7 speaks about the house of God being called an "house
of prayer for all people".
WHY
PRAY?
We pray
for one another that we may be healed. We pray for each other
that we would be perfect and stay in the will of God. It is
God's will and command that we pray. If we disobey God it
is sin. Read 2 Thessalonians 1:11 and James 4:17.
Confess
your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that
ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous
man availeth much. James 5:16.
Epaphras,
who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always
labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand
perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Colossians 4:12.
Pray
without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
I will
therefore that men pray every where, lifting
up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1 Timothy 2:8.
And he
spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always
to pray, and not to faint; Luke 18:1.
Watch
ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted
worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass,
and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:36.
Moreover
as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the
LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach
you the good and the right way: 1 Samuel 12:23.
JESUS
IS OUR EXAMPLE. Jesus is the author and finisher
of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Read Mark 1:35. Luke 6:40 says
that "The disciple is not above his master: but every
one that is perfect shall be as his master."
And it
came to pass in those days, that he went out into
a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Luke 6:12. Read Luke 5:16.
Next
are two passages of scripture where Jesus taught us how to
pray.
(9) After
this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name. (10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done
in earth, as it is in heaven. (11) Give us this day our daily
bread. (12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
(13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13.
(1) And
it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place,
when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord,
teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. (2) And
he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art
in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will
be done, as in heaven, so in earth. (3) Give us day by day
our daily bread. (4) And forgive us our sins; for we also
forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not
into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Luke 11:1-4.
We
pray because we need God. He is our creator and heavenly
Father. Spending time in prayer is one way we wait on God.
But they
that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run,
and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah
40:31.
KINDS
OF PRAYER
PRAYER
OF REPENTANCE. If you are not a child of God, you
must first pray and repent if you want God to hear your other
prayers. To repent is to change or decide to change one's
ways. Not every one that says Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom
of heaven (Matthew 7:21.)
Now
we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a
worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. John
9:31.
PRAYER
OF PETITION. A petition is a solemn, earnest supplication
or request to a superior or to a person or a group
in authority; prayer; entreaty. Read James 4:2 and 1 John
5:15.
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. Luke 11:9.
PRAYER
OF SUPPLICATION. Supplication is an humble request,
prayer, or petition. Read Ephesians 6:18 and Philippians 4:6.
(1) I
exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made
for all men; (2) For kings, and for all that are
in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life
in all godliness and honesty. 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
PRAYER
OF INTERCESSION. Intercession means pleading or prayer
in behalf of another or others. Christ makes intercession
for us to God. We are to make intercessory prayer for others.
Wherefore
he is able also to save them to the uttermost that
come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession
for them. Hebrews 7:25.
I exhort
therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1 Timothy 2:1.
PRAYER
OF THANKSGIVING. A prayer of thanksgiving to God
is more like praising God, rather than asking for something,
like we do in most prayer. Read Colossians 4:2 and Psalm 116:17.
Be careful
for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known
unto God. Philippians 4:6.
By him
therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually,
that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Hebrews 13:15.
PRAISE:
To commend the worth of, to express approval or admiration
of, glorify. Read Luke 17:12-19. There were 10 lepers. They
lifted up their voices and asked Jesus for mercy. He healed
them. One of them turned back, and glorified God. He fell
down at the feet of Jesus, giving him thanks. Jesus asked
where the other 9 were! We are instructed to ask things
of God in prayer AND to thank God in prayer. Read Psalm
149:6, Psalm 150:1-6, 1 Peter 2:9, 2 Samuel 22:4, Revelation
19:5, and Psalm 113:3.
Whoso
offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth
his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.
Psalm 50:23.
But thou
art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises
of Israel. Psalm 22:3.
While
I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my
God while I have any being. Psalm 146:2.
PRAYING
IN THE SPIRIT. This means being filled with the Holy
Ghost and praying in the Holy Ghost tongues. Many times a
prayer of intercession will be prayer in the Spirit. Read
Ephesians 6:18.
(26)
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know
not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit
itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot
be uttered. (27) And he that searcheth the
hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he
maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of
God. Romans 8:26-27.
But ye,
beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying
in the Holy Ghost, Jude 1:20.
PRAYER
THAT BINDS OR LOOSES. These scriptures also teach
about agreeing in prayer.
(18)
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall
be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth
shall be loosed in heaven. (19) Again I say unto you, That
if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that
they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which
is in heaven. (20) For where two or three are gathered together
in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:18-20.
PERSEVERING
PRAYER. Persevere means to continue doing something
in spite of difficulty, opposition, etc; be steadfast in purpose;
persist. Read again Philippians 4:6 and 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
Praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and
watching thereunto with all perseverance
and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18.
(1) And
he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men
ought always to pray, and not to faint; (2) Saying,
There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither
regarded man: (3) And there was a widow in that city; and
she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. (4)
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within
himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; (5) Yet because
this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual
coming she weary me. (6) And the Lord said, Hear what the
unjust judge saith. (7) And shall not God avenge his own elect,
which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with
them? (8) I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless
when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Luke 18:1-8.
PRAYER
OF FAITH, Effectual and Fervent. Read 1 John 3:21
and Matthew 21:22. Effectual: means producing,
or capable of producing, the desired effect. Effective:
having an effect; producing a result. Fervent
means hot, burning, glowing, or intensely earnest. Read Romans
12:11.
(15)
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick,
and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed
sins, they shall be forgiven him. (16) Confess your faults
one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much. James 5:15-16.
From
whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by
that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual
working in the measure of every part, maketh increase
of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians
4:16.
All true
believers in Christ Jesus make up the body of Christ and Jesus
is the head (Ephesians 5:23 and Colossians 1:18). Each believer
needs to be effective so we can increase the body of Christ.
Edify
means improving morally or spiritually. Therefore, when we
pray effectively, EACH doing his part, souls will be added
to the kingdom of God and the love of God will be perfected
in us (read 1 John 4:12). When you pray effectively, you drive
the devil away, you get your answers, and God reveals to you
things about yourself and others that you need to know.
INDIVIDUAL
PRAYER. Prayer is calling upon God. Read Psalms 145:18,
Isaiah 55:6, and Psalm 18:6. Romans 10:12 says the Lord is
rich to all that call upon him.
(5) And
when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are:
for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the
corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.
Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (6)
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when
thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret;
and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
(7) But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen
do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much
speaking. (8) Be not ye therefore like unto them:
for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before
ye ask him. Matthew 6:5-8.
UNITED
PRAYER. Read 2 Chronicles 7:14.
And when
they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God
with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which
hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in
them is: Acts 4:24.
For
where two or three are gathered together in my name, there
am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20.
HINDRANCES
TO PRAYER: things that make your prayers of none
effect.
1.
Sin/Iniquity. Read Ezekiel 14:3.
(1) Behold,
the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither
his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) But your iniquities
have separated between you and your God, and your
sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Isaiah 59:1-2.
If
I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
Psalm 66:18.
(20)
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart,
and knoweth all things. (21) Beloved, if our heart condemn
us not, then have we confidence toward God. (22) And whatsoever
we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments,
and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 1 John
3:20-23
2.
Wrong motives and wrong attitudes. Read Matthew 6:5-8
(given earlier).
If your
prayer is not according to God's will, don't expect God to
answer, "Yes."
(2) Ye
lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot
obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask
not. (3) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss,
that ye may consume it upon your lusts. James 4:2-3.
Griping
and complaining is why the children of Israel did
not enter into the promised land. Read Hebrews 3:19, Numbers
14:29, and 1 Corinthians 10:9-11.
(14)
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if
we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth
us: (25) And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask,
we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
1 John 5:14-15.
That
is why it is important to receive the Holy Ghost and to pray
in tongues. The Spirit makes intercession for the saints according
to the will of God (Romans 8:26-27).
3.
Laziness/not being whole hearted. It takes effort
and obedience to pray.
That
ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through
faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews
6:12.
And
ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me
with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13.
4.
Doubt. Rebuke doubt when you pray. Believe God. DISOBEDIENCE
CAUSES DOUBT that God will answer because you know
he hears not sinners. Disobedience is sin. "And all things,
whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing,
ye shall receive." Matthew 21:22.
(6) But
let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For
he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the
wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall
receive any thing of the Lord. (8) A double minded
man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:6-8.
(23)
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things
are possible to him that believeth. (24) And straightway
the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord,
I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Mark 9:23-24.
5.
Pride.
The wicked
through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after
God: God is not in all his thoughts. Psalm 10:4.
Read
2 Chronicles 7:14.
6.
Unforgiveness. Read Matthew 18:21-35 and Matthew
6:14-15.
(23)
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest
that thy brother hath ought against thee; (24) Leave there
thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be
reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Matthew 5:23-24.
7.
Stinginess.
Whoso
stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry
himself, but shall not be heard. Proverbs 21:13.
8.
Wrong relationships.
Likewise,
ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving
honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being
heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers
be not hindered. 1 Peter 3:7.
Hatred
or strife in a marriage can hinder prayer. Living in sinful
relationships hinders answers to prayer. God hears not sinners.
True repentance, with a change toward God and righteous living,
is required for God to hear you.
HELPS
IN PRAYER
Quit
worrying and start believing God to supply your needs. Matthew
6:33 teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness
and he will supply our needs. Life gets busy and varies much
but it is needful to set an appointment time with the Lord
(for you to pray) every day. Don't neglect
the Word because it builds faith (Romans 10:17) which is necessary
to please God (Hebrews 6:11). Praise and thank God as you
petition him. Use a prayer list. Sometimes you have to pray
alone. Sometimes you need to pray with other children of God.
Prayer meetings are vital to Christians, whether it consists
of an individual, or two, or three, or many.
CLICK
HERE to go to Lesson 6 Exam.
Living
Hope Fellowship, Inc.
E-mail
livinghope@hughes.net
Phone 618-634-2541
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