PRAYER

A Study of the Christian's Walk With God

Lesson Eleven

Memory Verse:  1 Corinthians 12:27                             Lesson Verses:  Psalm 116:1,2

I.         Introduction - How Important is Prayer in my Life?

A.      Someone once said that a Christian is only as strong as his prayer life. There is a lot of truth in this because prayer is simply your direct communication with God. When you read the Bible, God speaks to you; when you pray, you speak to God. Your personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ cannot grow without this proper communication. You were created to walk with God in prayer!

B.       Leonard Ravenhill writes, "Poverty-stricken as the church is today in many things, she is most stricken here in the place of prayer. We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and payers, but few prayers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, but few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferers, few intercessors; many writers, but few fighters. Failing here, we fail everywhere."

C.       The purpose of this lesson is to acquaint the believer with a powerful prayer life so he or she can effectively "______ with God" (Gen 6:9).

II.       Prayer Defined - Hebrews 4:16

A.      Prayer simply is walking and talking with Jesus, sometimes for brief moments, and sometimes for extended periods of time.

B.       It is the soul of man offering up desires and burdens to God with humble confidence that we shall obtain the help we need because of Jesus (He 4:16)

C.       Prayer is also our worship addressed to the Father, in the authority of the name of Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

D.      Finally, prayer is God's answer to need! By praying, we should know that we already have the answer to our need (Mt 6:7,8; 1Jn 5:14,15)!

III.     The Challenge to Pray!

A.      Prayer is God's appointed way for Christians to get things (James 4:2). God already _________ what you need (Matt 6:7,8), but often waits for you to come to Him for those things, instead of just expecting things.

B.       God urgently commands prayer in the Bible (Luke 18:1; 1 Thes 5:17; Phil 4:6; 1 Tim 2:1; Eph 6:18).

C.       Prayer is part of the process that God uses to give Christians the fullness of ________ (John 16:24).

D.      Prayer is the Christian's way out of all trouble, and the cure for all worry and anxious care (Phil 4:6,7; 1 Pet 5:7).

E.       Prayer is the only way to get the power of the Holy Spirit in your life for God's work (Acts 4:31; See also 2 Chron 7:14).

F.       Prayer accomplishes things:

1.        Through it, we fight the spiritual warfare (Eph 6:11-18)

2.        It is a spiritual watchdog against _________ (Matt 26:41; 1Cor 10:13)

3.        It __________ God (Heb 11:6).

IV.    The Place of Prayer - Where Should a Christian Pray?

A.      Everywhere (1 Timothy 2:8). Don't limit your prayer life to the church house! Wherever you are, if you have a need, or are thankful, pray!

B.       Christians are not to pray as a public show, but rather in a "_______" (Mt 6:5,6). The principle is, have a special place of prayer in your home (the closet is as good as any), as well as everywhere you go, but not for show!

C.       In church (Acts 12:5), with other believers in the meetings.

V.      How Does a Christian Pray?

A.      Like you were speaking directly face to face with your very best Friend (John 15:15,16)! There are three sides to prayer (Matt 7:7,8):

1.        Asking (not demanding; John 16:24; Matt 21:22). Never be afraid to ask God for things that you believe you need. Not with vain repetitions (Matt 6:7), or with prepared prayers - but from the heart!!!

2.        Seeking (Heb 11:6). Make sure that your request is not "flippant" (not being serious about it), but that you are fully persuaded that it is what you or someone needs (James 1:5-8).

3.        Knocking (2 Cor 12:7-9). If at first God does not seem to answer your request, keep "knocking" until either He answers the need, or has said NO, or tells you to wait.

B.       You pray by _________ (Heb 11:6), not by just “expectation,” knowing that God hears you and believing that He will answer your requests - sometimes with a YES, sometimes with a NO, and sometimes with a WAIT.

C.       Pray persistently (Lk 11:1-13; 18:1-8) committed to getting what you need.

D.      Pray constantly (1 Thes 5:17) – at every opportunity. Have a mind to pray.

E.       Pray humbly (2 Chronicles 7:14), from the heart, not the head.

F.       Pray honestly - repent of sin in your life before asking (Psalm 51:1-4).

G.       Pray specifically. You want God to answer specifically don't you?

H.      Pray listening (1 Kgs 19:11,12)

I.         Pray with the following ingredients:

1.        Worship and adoration instead of selfishness (Ps 95:6)

2.        Confession - Repentance from every known sin (Ps 32:5)

3.        Thanksgiving (Phil 4:6) - Be thankful ahead of receiving your request.

4.        Supplication (1 Tim 2:1) which involves not just asking, but spending time moving God's heart toward your need, and other people’s needs.

VI.          What to Pray For

A.      Wisdom – the ability to make right decisions (Jam 1:5).

B.       People in authority over us (1Tim 2:1-3).

C.       Courage (Acts 4:23-32). Never did anyone pray for the gift of tongues!

D.      People who are serving the Lord – that they would always be protected.

E.       Every need (Philp 4:6; 1Pet 5:7; Ps 34:6; 55:22) – A Christian is someone who has discovered they are totally dependant upon the Lord for everything! There is nothing to big, or too small to pray about.

VII.  The Conditions for Answered Prayer

A.      Ask according to God's __________, and not yours (Matt 26:39)

B.       Make sure that you first forgive others their sins against you before you ask God for things (Mark 11:25).

C.       Pray in faith, believing (Mark 11:24; Heb 11:6; James 1:6,7)

D.      Make sure you are not in rebellion to God's commands and will for your life (1 John 3:22; Ps 66:18)

E.       _________ with Christ as opposed to only coming to God when you are in trouble or in desperate need (John 15:7).

F.       Pray to the Father, with the help of the Holy Spirit, in the ______ of Jesus Christ (John 16:23,24). You cannot approach God and make requests without Authority - Jesus is our Authority for getting any and every thing!

VIII.            Hindrances to Answered Prayer - Take This Spiritual Inventory

o      Are you saved (Prov 15:29)?

o      How is your confidence in God's sufficiency - are you uncertain, or hesitant about what you are praying for (James 1:6,7)? If so, you are hindering it.

o      Do you have an _______________ attitude (Mark 11:25,26)?

o      Is there any ________ (sin) in your life that you won't let go of (Ps 66:18)?

o      Are you asking ____________ (i.e., for the wrong things, James 4:3)?

o      Do you have improper relationships with others (1 Pet 3:7; Eph 4:26).

•          Like being angry  with your mate, children, co-workers, or your boss

•          Like being out of fellowship with your pastor, or with other Christians

o      Do you have only selfish reasons for praying (James 4:3)? Not for others?

o      Is your life over-scheduled - is your time prioritized, putting God first? If not, God feels no obligation to answer your prayers right away!

o      Are you lazy? Not making the effort; and doing everything else but pray!

Will you right now make a promise to God that you will spend at least 15 minutes in heart-to-heart prayer every day before the throne of God? Will you learn to walk with God, and depend upon Him for your deepest need?

                               o Yes

                              o No

Signed _________________________   Date ____________