On
Wednesday morning, "Chris" does what he does every
morning. He prays. Considering what has happened to Chris
this week, he has a lot to pray about. But Chris' prayers
are not just for his own needs. He prays about other things
too.
?
What
types of things do we usually pray about?
What is Prayer?
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Christian prayer may be defined as "conversation
and fellowship with God." Prayer is an essential part
of the believer's personal relationship with God.
What
is the Purpose of Prayer?
?
What
is the purpose of Christian prayer?
"Prayer
is a mighty instrument, not for getting man's will done in
heaven, but for getting God's will done on earth." (Robert
Law)
When
to Pray?
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Some religions specify the particular times for
prayer. When should Christians pray?
"Be
joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,
for
this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians
5:16-18, NIV)
"And
pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers
and requests. With this
in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
(Ephesians 6:18, NIV)
Andrew
Murray said, "whoever does not have an appointed time
for prayer has no prayer."
Obstacles/Hindrances
to Prayer
*
Sin (in general). "For the eyes of the Lord are on
the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against all who do evil."
(1 Peter 3:12, NIV)
* Lack of relationship with God (sin as it applies
to the nonbeliever). "In [Christ] and through faith in
him we may approach God with freedom and confidence."
(Ephesians 3:12, NIV)
* Wrong motives. "When you ask, you do not receive,
because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what
you get on your pleasures." (James 4:3, NIV)
* Unbelief; lack of trust. "But when he asks,
he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like
a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man
should not think he will receive anything from the Lord"
(James 1:6-7a, NIV)
* Pride; self-sufficiency. "God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6)
* Satan; spiritual forces of evil. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
* Others?
How
to Pray
*
Jesus' Model Prayer
"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he
finished, one of his disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us
to pray, just as John taught his disciples.' (Luke 11:1, NIV)
How did Jesus respond? Read Luke 11:2-4.
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Address: "Father"
Jesus told his followers to address God as "Father,"
expressing the intimate, personal relationship between the believer
and God. "to all who received [Jesus Christ], to those
who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children
of God" (John 1:12, NIV).
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First Petitions (11:2)
Before asking God to give us things, the model prayer states
these petitions (requests):
*
hallowed be your name,
*
your kingdom come.
These
petitions concern God's glory in relation to his name, rule,
and will.
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Next Petitions (11:3-4)
The model prayer then states the following petitions:
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Give us each day our daily bread.
*
Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone
who sins against us.
*
And lead us not into temptation.
These
petitions recognize our need of God's forgiveness; and recognize
our total dependence upon Him for our physical and spiritual
needs.
*
Prayer "According to God's Will"
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that
if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And
if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know we
have what we asked of him." (1 John 5:14-15, NIV) How
do we pray "according to God's will?"
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Jesus said, "If you remain in me and my words
remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given
you." (John 15:7, NIV)
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"pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit"
(Jude 20, NLT)
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Humility, whole-heartedness (Jeremiah 29:12-13); thanksgiving
(Philippians 4:6); praise (Hebrews 13:15); confidence in Christ
(Hebrews 4:14-16); persistence (Matthew 7:7-8); desire for
intimate knowledge of God (Psalm 42:1-2)
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Others?
An
Example of Prayer
There are many good examples of prayer in the Bible, including
Nehemiah's prayer recorded in Nehemiah 1:4-11.
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The Concern of Nehemiah's Prayer
?
Read
Nehemiah 1:1-4. What is Nehemiah's concern? Why does he respond
like he does?
?
How
does the level (or intensity) of our concerns affect our praying?
What types of concerns do we have?
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The Content of Nehemiah's Prayer
?
Read Nehemiah 1:5-11. What is the content of Nehemiah's prayer?
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P__________________ (v. 5)
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C___________________________________ (vv. 6-7)
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Reference to G________________ W_________________ (vv. 8-10)
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Specific Request (v. 11)
?
What attitudes are evident in Nehemiah's prayer?
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The Consequences of Nehemiah's Prayer
?
Read Nehemiah 2:1-8. What are the consequences (results)
of Nehemiah's prayer?
A Few Suggestions for Personal Prayer
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Establish regular times for prayer (daily). Also,
have special times of prayer.
*
Pray with an open Bible. Scripture can adjust
our attitude and guide our praying. Also, God may answer prayer
through His Word (the Bible).
*
Allow some "quiet time" during prayer
("listen" to God).
*
Develop a prayer list. For example, list family,
friends, colleagues, authorities (1 Timothy 2:1-2),
church leaders, other Christians (Ephesians 6:18-20),
missionaries, persecuted Christians (Hebrews 13:3),
countries/regions of the world, and the advance of God's kingdom
& righteousness (Matthew 6:10; 9:28). Arrange by
category, or by prayer calendar.
*
Develop a prayer journal, listing prayer concerns
& requests, related Scripture (if identified), and answers
to prayer. Regularly review your prayer journal.
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Others?
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He reads Psalm 91 for encouragement, and reflects
on the goodness and greatness of God. He praises God as his
"refuge and fortress."
*
He confesses his worry and self-centeredness,
and acknowledges his need of God's grace.
*
He prays about his job situation, which seems
to be his greatest, most immediate burden.
*
He prays about other immediate needs involving
family, friends, and church. He seeks to pray with a God-centered
attitude - that is, that God's purpose and will be accomplished.
*
He prays through items on his prayer list. Though
some of the items seem distant, he seeks God's heart in praying
for each item.
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He finishes his prayer time by praising and thanking
God, and committing himself to God's service (Romans 12:1-2),
again acknowledging his need of God's grace.
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As a Christian, do you regularly spend time in prayer? Are
you talking with your heavenly Father? Set aside time each
day for focused prayer, and pray often throughout the day.
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When you pray, what are your motivations? What is primary?
God's glory, or your comfort and success? Is it God's will,
or only your will? Are you praying about "kingdom business?"
Seek to grow more concerned about God's concerns.
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Read all of the Scriptures referenced in
this handout, and commit to learn more about prayer. But remember
that we learn to pray by praying, in both personal prayer
and group prayer.
