Prayer
Prayer is a way of talking to God; it is an offering up of our desires to God, for
things agreeable to His will and a thankful acknowledgement of His mercies. It is
not to inform God of matters that He would otherwise be ignorant of, and the
validity of prayer is not affected by length or repetitiveness; private prayer is to be
discreet and secret. When asked by His disciples, Jesus taught them how to pray
(Matthew 6:5-15) “and when you pray, you shall 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 to you, they have their reward. But
you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door,
pray to your Father which is in secret, and your Father which sees in secret shall
reward you openly. But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen
do; for they thing that they shall be hear for their much speaking. Be not you
therefore like to them; for your Father knows what things you have need of,
before you ask Him. After this manner therefore pray you, Our Father which art in
heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven. give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as
we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,
for Yours is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever amen”.
Unforgiveness is a snare to answered prayer; verses 14-15 says “for if you
forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if
you forgive not men, their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
trespasses”.
Prayer is our weapon; it enables us to receive strength from our heavenly
Father. The New Testament believer is a son, no only a servant. The Spirit who
has come to us as a result of Christ’s triumph, is the Spirit of adoption, enabling
the Christian to come to God as his Father, with all his needs. Paul says “my God
shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”
(Philippians 4:19).
Prayer is a part of the Christian’s armor against satanic attack; the effective
ministry of the word of God depends on the prayers of God’s people (Ephesians 6:
17-18) “and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the
word of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and
watching thereto with all perseverance and supplications for all saints”.
Christians are encouraged to pray; Jesus tells us to pray for our enemy (Matthew
5:44) says “but I say to you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do
good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and
persecute you”. When we do this we should pray as Jesus said “the harvest truly
is great, but the laborers are few; pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that
He would send forth laborers into His harvest”; and as Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:
17-18 “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you
the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. The eyes of your
understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His
calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints”. As we
are praying for others, we are sowing seed.
Paul writes in II Timothy 2:1-4 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. For kings, and
for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our
Savior. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the
truth”. The world complains and talks about people that they disagree with, but
God said that by praying for them, we can lead a quiet and peaceable life. Prayer
for others is an obvious expression of love for one’s neighbor. Our prayers do
make a difference in how God acts in the world.
Prayer has power over everything, God can intelligently act in any part of the
universe or human history. Although some people think prayer is a waste of time,
the Bible declares that “all the promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him amen,
to the glory of God by us” (II Corinthians 1:20). Philippians 4:6-7 says “be careful
for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your request be made know to God. And the peace of God, which passes all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.
The Bible also declares that “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man
avails much”; in order to pray effectual fervent prayers, one must have knowledge
of every good thing that is ours in Christ Jesus. We have promises through the
covenant we have with God ratified by the shed blood of Jesus. As you pray
decide what you want from God and then find scripture for it; example: Father
Your word says in Isaiah 53 “by His stripes we are healed” so I rebuke that pain
which has come upon me, and I cast it forth into the sea, in the name of Jesus.
The most meaningful prayer comes from a heart that places its trust in God.
Jabez prayed for enlarged borders and protection from harm (I Chronicles 4:9-
10) which says “and Jabez was more honorable than his brethren, and his mother
called his name Jabez, saying, because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called
on the God of Israel, saying, Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my
coast, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from
evil, that it may not grieve me. And God granted him that which he requested”.
God speaks to us through the Bible, and we in turn speak to Him in trustful,
believing prayer. Assured by Scripture that God is personal, living, active, all
knowing, all wise, and all powerful, we know that God can hear and help us. A
confident prayer life is built on the cornerstone of Christ’s work, and words.
When we pray, we should expect an answer. The Bible says in Matthew 7:7-8
“ask, and it shall be given you, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be
opened to you, for every one that asks receives and he that seeks finds, and to hi
that knocks, it shall be opened”. As we ask God for what we want, we must
believe that we receive it (John 15:7) says “if you abide in Me, and My words
abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you”. Again in I
John 5:14-15 which says “and this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if
we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hear
us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of
Him”. Pray the word of God, for it is God’s will. Through prayer, we discover the
will of God, thus, prayer should be a vital part of every Christian’s life.
When you pray according to His will, remember that His will is for you to pray in
faith (Mark 11:23-24), Jesus said “for verily I say to you, that whosoever shall say
to this mountain, be you removed, and be you cast into the sea, and shall not
doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to
pass; he shall have whatsoever he says. Therefore I say to you, what things so
ever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them and you shall have
them”.
We find that after the coming of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the early
church is characterized by prayer (Acts 2:42) which says “and they continued
steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and
in prayers”. The church praises God for the gift of His Son and His Spirit, and
petition God in times of difficulty (Acts 12:5) “Peter therefore was kept in prison,
but prayer was made without ceasing of the church to God for him”; and the result
of that prayer is that the angel of the Lord came and released Peter and when he
came to the house where they were praying “he beckoning to them with the hand
to hold their peace, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the
prison, And he said, go show these things to James, and to the brethren, and he
departed and went into another place” (Acts 12:17).
More positively, God has promised to answer our requests when we ask in Christ’
s name (John 14:13-14); when we believe that we have receive what we ask
(Mark 11:22-24); when you abide in Christ and His words abide in you (John 15:
7); when we pray in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18).
Remember that before you pray, you should have the word of God concerning
what you are praying about. Therefore you can stand strong in the Lord and the
power of His might. Effective prayer, must be a scriptural informed response of
persons saved by grace to the living God, who can hear and answer.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: January 6, 2009
Prayer is a way of talking to God; it is an offering up of our desires to God, for
things agreeable to His will and a thankful acknowledgement of His mercies. It is
not to inform God of matters that He would otherwise be ignorant of, and the
validity of prayer is not affected by length or repetitiveness; private prayer is to be
discreet and secret. When asked by His disciples, Jesus taught them how to pray
(Matthew 6:5-15) “and when you pray, you shall 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 to you, they have their reward. But
you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door,
pray to your Father which is in secret, and your Father which sees in secret shall
reward you openly. But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen
do; for they thing that they shall be hear for their much speaking. Be not you
therefore like to them; for your Father knows what things you have need of,
before you ask Him. After this manner therefore pray you, Our Father which art in
heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven. give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as
we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,
for Yours is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever amen”.
Unforgiveness is a snare to answered prayer; verses 14-15 says “for if you
forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if
you forgive not men, their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
trespasses”.
Prayer is our weapon; it enables us to receive strength from our heavenly
Father. The New Testament believer is a son, no only a servant. The Spirit who
has come to us as a result of Christ’s triumph, is the Spirit of adoption, enabling
the Christian to come to God as his Father, with all his needs. Paul says “my God
shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”
(Philippians 4:19).
Prayer is a part of the Christian’s armor against satanic attack; the effective
ministry of the word of God depends on the prayers of God’s people (Ephesians 6:
17-18) “and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the
word of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and
watching thereto with all perseverance and supplications for all saints”.
Christians are encouraged to pray; Jesus tells us to pray for our enemy (Matthew
5:44) says “but I say to you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do
good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and
persecute you”. When we do this we should pray as Jesus said “the harvest truly
is great, but the laborers are few; pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that
He would send forth laborers into His harvest”; and as Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:
17-18 “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you
the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. The eyes of your
understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His
calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints”. As we
are praying for others, we are sowing seed.
Paul writes in II Timothy 2:1-4 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. For kings, and
for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our
Savior. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the
truth”. The world complains and talks about people that they disagree with, but
God said that by praying for them, we can lead a quiet and peaceable life. Prayer
for others is an obvious expression of love for one’s neighbor. Our prayers do
make a difference in how God acts in the world.
Prayer has power over everything, God can intelligently act in any part of the
universe or human history. Although some people think prayer is a waste of time,
the Bible declares that “all the promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him amen,
to the glory of God by us” (II Corinthians 1:20). Philippians 4:6-7 says “be careful
for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your request be made know to God. And the peace of God, which passes all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.
The Bible also declares that “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man
avails much”; in order to pray effectual fervent prayers, one must have knowledge
of every good thing that is ours in Christ Jesus. We have promises through the
covenant we have with God ratified by the shed blood of Jesus. As you pray
decide what you want from God and then find scripture for it; example: Father
Your word says in Isaiah 53 “by His stripes we are healed” so I rebuke that pain
which has come upon me, and I cast it forth into the sea, in the name of Jesus.
The most meaningful prayer comes from a heart that places its trust in God.
Jabez prayed for enlarged borders and protection from harm (I Chronicles 4:9-
10) which says “and Jabez was more honorable than his brethren, and his mother
called his name Jabez, saying, because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called
on the God of Israel, saying, Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my
coast, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from
evil, that it may not grieve me. And God granted him that which he requested”.
God speaks to us through the Bible, and we in turn speak to Him in trustful,
believing prayer. Assured by Scripture that God is personal, living, active, all
knowing, all wise, and all powerful, we know that God can hear and help us. A
confident prayer life is built on the cornerstone of Christ’s work, and words.
When we pray, we should expect an answer. The Bible says in Matthew 7:7-8
“ask, and it shall be given you, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be
opened to you, for every one that asks receives and he that seeks finds, and to hi
that knocks, it shall be opened”. As we ask God for what we want, we must
believe that we receive it (John 15:7) says “if you abide in Me, and My words
abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you”. Again in I
John 5:14-15 which says “and this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if
we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hear
us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of
Him”. Pray the word of God, for it is God’s will. Through prayer, we discover the
will of God, thus, prayer should be a vital part of every Christian’s life.
When you pray according to His will, remember that His will is for you to pray in
faith (Mark 11:23-24), Jesus said “for verily I say to you, that whosoever shall say
to this mountain, be you removed, and be you cast into the sea, and shall not
doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to
pass; he shall have whatsoever he says. Therefore I say to you, what things so
ever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them and you shall have
them”.
We find that after the coming of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the early
church is characterized by prayer (Acts 2:42) which says “and they continued
steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and
in prayers”. The church praises God for the gift of His Son and His Spirit, and
petition God in times of difficulty (Acts 12:5) “Peter therefore was kept in prison,
but prayer was made without ceasing of the church to God for him”; and the result
of that prayer is that the angel of the Lord came and released Peter and when he
came to the house where they were praying “he beckoning to them with the hand
to hold their peace, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the
prison, And he said, go show these things to James, and to the brethren, and he
departed and went into another place” (Acts 12:17).
More positively, God has promised to answer our requests when we ask in Christ’
s name (John 14:13-14); when we believe that we have receive what we ask
(Mark 11:22-24); when you abide in Christ and His words abide in you (John 15:
7); when we pray in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18).
Remember that before you pray, you should have the word of God concerning
what you are praying about. Therefore you can stand strong in the Lord and the
power of His might. Effective prayer, must be a scriptural informed response of
persons saved by grace to the living God, who can hear and answer.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: January 6, 2009
