Lesson Two                                                                                                                     October 10,

Tucson                                                         PRAYING                                                            1998

 

I.          WHAT IS PRAYER? Prayer is talking to God the Father, whether privately or publicly, whether silently or audibly. Prayer is talking to God about many things, not just talking to Him about things we think He needs to do for us. Prayer is talking to God about what we think:

A.        Of Him. Prayer is praise.

B.         Of ourselves. Prayer is confession.

C.        Of what He has done for us. Prayer is thanksgiving. We should thank God for our spiritual as well as our physical blessings.

D.        He needs to do for other people. Prayer is intercession.

E.         He needs to do for us. Prayer is supplication.

 

II.         WHY MUST WE PRAY? God knows our needs before we ask Him. Matthew 6:8B. Why, therefore, must we pray?

A.        God says. Matthew 7:7-11.

B.         To release the power of God. God wants to help us, but He does not force Himself on anyone. James 4:2B.

C.        Properly stating what God already knows blesses us in many wonderful ways.

1.         We are reminded and grow in appreciation of God’s greatness, our unworthiness, our blessedness, and our duties to God and man.

2.         By first engaging in praise, confession, thanksgiving, and intercession, we are then properly prepared to make proper supplication to God.

D.        If, in prayer, we do our best, then, and only then, will God do the rest. Romans 8:26.

 

III.       WHOSE PRAYERS DOES GOD HEAR? 1 Peter 3:12; 1 John 3:22; Proverbs 28:9. 

 

IV.       WHAT SPECIFICALLY CAUSES GOD TO NOT HEAR OUR PRAYERS?

A.        Refusing to be baptized for the remission of sins.

B.         Praying to be seen by men. Matthew 6:5-6.

C.        Vain repetitions. Matthew 6:7-8.

D.        Selfishness and worldliness. James 4:3.

E.         Pride. Luke 18:9-14.

F.         Ingratitude. Luke 17:11-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 1 Timothy 4:4-5.

G.        Doubting. James 1:5-8.

H.        An unwillingness to forgive. Matthew 6:14-15.

I.          A lack of genuine and whole-hearted repentance. Psalm 66:18; Acts 8:20-23.

J.          A failure to fulfill marital responsibilities. 1 Peter 3:7.

K.        A lack of compassion for the poor. Proverbs 21:13.

L.         Etc.

 

V.        FOR WHAT SHOULD WE PRAY?

A.        Above all, that God’s name will be hallowed and that His will shall be done. Matthew 6:9-10.

B.         Temporal needs (not wants). Matthew 6:11;  Proverbs 30:8B-9. Food, clothing, shelter, health, etc.

C.        Spiritual needs. Matthew 6:12-13. Forgiveness, avoidance of temptation, strength to overcome temptation, soul winning for Jesus, unity, understanding, wisdom, growth, boldness, etc.

 

VI.       FOR WHOM SHOULD WE PRAY? We should pray for ourselves and for other people—our brethren, the lost, family, government officials, ans even our enemies. Matthew 5:43-48.

 

VII.      HOW SHOULD WE PRAY? Earnestly. Colossians 4:2.

 

VIII.     WHEN SHOULD WE PRAY?

A.        Morning, noon, and night. Psalm 55:15. Always. Luke 18:1. Without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

B.         Before we do anything else. 2 Chronicles 14:11; 16:7-9, 12-13.

 

IX.       HOW DOES GOD ANSWER PRAYER?

A.        The means. While God could answer prayer miraculously (through supernatural means), He now chooses to answer prayer providentially (through natural means). Explain and illustrate with 1 Kings 18:32-38 and 1 Kings 18:41-45A. It is in the latter manner that righteous men and women can influence God to act today. James 5:16B-18.

B.         The ends.

1.         Yes. James 5:16-18.

2.         No. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

3.         More that we ask. Ephesians 3:20.

4.         Less than we ask, but more than nothing. Deuteronomy 3:23-29.

5.         Not now, later. Luke 1:13, 7. Therefore, we must not lose heart. Luke 18:1-8.

6.         In the best possible way. In this sense, God always answers a Christian’s prayers. Romans 8:28.

a.         “So far as our other longings go, there is a great security in knowing that if, in our innocence and genuineness of spirit (‘for we know not how to pray as we ought ...’, Romans 8:26), we ask for a stone instead of bread, our Father will not grant it. The thought of being able to ask God for anything with the absolute assurance of receiving it would be a frightening one. Alex Motyer expresses it well: ‘If it were the case that whatever we ask, God was pledged to give, then I for one would never pray again, because I would not have sufficient confidence in my own wisdom to ask God for anything ...’ (as quoted by John R. W. Stott in Christian Counter-Culture, p. 187).  There are few of us who have not lived long enough to thank our heavenly Father for prayers that went unanswered” (Earnhart).

b.         The Creed of a Soldier. He asked for strength that he might achieve; he was made weak that he might obey. He asked for health that he might do greater things; he was given infirmity that he might do better things. He asked for riches that he might be happy; he was given poverty that he might be wise. He asked for power that he might have the praise of men; he was given weakness that he might feel the need of God. He asked for all things that he might enjoy life; he was given life that he might enjoy all things. He had nothing that he asked for, but everything that he hoped for. His prayer is answered. He is most blessed.

X.        THE BLESSINGS OF PRAYER. James 5:16B.

A.        The Creator of the universe listens to us. 1 John 5:14.

B.         Continued fellowship with God. 1 John 1:5-2:2.

C.        The immeasurably powerful help of God in time of need. Hebrews 4:16.

D.        Teaches and reminds.

E.         Prepares us to ask.

F.         Peace that surpasses understanding. Philippians 4:6-7.