Christian Growth Lesson 21 Prayer

P --- Prayer

According to Acts 2:42 the young Christians ,along with the older believers, continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread,

and in prayers.

Acts 2:42 (KJV 1900)

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

These believers had developed from the very beginning of their NEW LIFE in Christ some definite habits -----including Prayer

Through His Word, the Bible, God speaks to the Christian. IN PRAYER, the Christian talks to God. Yet in this busy, bustling world, both Bible study, and prayer are neglected by so many.

1. What is Prayer?

A. The word prayer means to “ASK”

B. Give a scripture reference showing this to be so: Matthew 7:7a

Matthew 7:7a KJV 1900

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

C. Read I John 5:13- 15 Prayer is asking for anything according to his will.

1 John 5:13–15 KJV 1900

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

D. Read Philippians 4:6

Philippians 4:6 KJV 1900

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Prayer is asking for everything.

2. Why Should I Pray?

The Bible teaches us that prayer is both a command and a privilege.

A. We are commanded to pray

1) Luke 18:1 

Luke 18:1 KJV 1900

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2) Colossians 4:2

Colossians 4:2 KJV 1900

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

3) I Thessalonians 5:17

1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV 1900

Pray without ceasing.

4) Matthew 7:7

Matthew 7:7 KJV 1900

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

B. We are privileged to pray

1) John 16:24 Prayer brings fullness of joy because it confirms our relationship with God!

John 16:24 KJV 1900

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

2) Hebrews 4:16

Hebrews 4:16 KJV 1900

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

3. How Do I Pray?

In Luke 11:1, the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ asked of Him a noble thing when they said “Lord, teach us to pray.”

In response, Jesus gave them the MODEL PRAYER (the Lord’s Prayer).

Some of the essentials of prayer are:

A. What physical posture should I adopt when praying? (IT DOES NOT MATTER!)

1) Mark 11:25

2) I Kings 8:54

3) Acts 16:13

4) Matthew 26:39

B. To whom do I address my prayers?

1) Matthew 6:9 9: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

2) John 16:23 23: And in that day ye shall ask me nothing.

John 16:23 KJV 1900

And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

3) Acts 12:5

Acts 12:5 KJV 1900

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

4) John 15:16

John 15:16 KJV 1900

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

C. I whose name (authority) do I pray?

1) John 14:14

John 14:14 (KJV 1900)

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

2) John 16:24

John 16:24 (KJV 1900)

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

When we present a check a teller, the teller verifies it’s authenticity by looking at the signature.

If we sign our checks with our own name (instead of the name of Jesus, the check would be a fraud.

Read Ephes 3:8

Ephesians 3:8 KJV 1900

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

D. In whose power am I to pray?

I am to pray in (the power of) the Holy Spirit – the helper

1) Ephesians 6:18

Ephesians 6:18 KJV 1900

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

2) Jude 20

E. The right attitudes in prayer

• Reverence: Matthew 6:9

Matthew 6:9 KJV 1900

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

• Boldness: Hebrews 4:16

Hebrews 4:16 (KJV 1900)

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

• Faith: Hebrews 11:6

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV 1900)

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

• Thanksgiving: I Thessalonians 5:18

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV 1900)

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

• Persistence: Philippians 4:6

Philippians 4:6 (KJV 1900)

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

• Dependence: Luke 11:3

Luke 11:3 KJV 1900

Give us day by day our daily bread.

• Earnestness: Romans 15:30

Romans 15:30 KJV 1900

Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

• Confidence: Psalm 62:8

Psalm 62:8 (KJV 1900)

Trust in him at all times; ye people, Pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

• Openness: Matthew 6:10

Matthew 6:10 (KJV 1900)

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

4. When Should I Pray?

A. I am to pray without ceasing! I Thessalonians 5:17

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV 1900)

Pray without ceasing.

This means that we are to be in the attitude of prayer, ready to pray at all time.

There is NO TIME when we cannot pray.

B. I am to have definite set times of prayer:

1) Daniel prayed 3 times a day. Daniel 6:10

Daniel 6:10 (KJV 1900)

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

2) David prayed each morning. Psalm 5:3

Psalm 5:3 (KJV 1900)

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

3) The Lord Jesus prayed in the morning also. Mark 1:35

Mark 1:35 (KJV 1900)

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

4) The apostles practiced set times of prayer. Act 3:1

Acts 3:1 (KJV 1900)

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

It is vital to develop a pattern of regular prayer.

Always begin the day with prayer.

Proverbs 8:17

Proverbs 8:17 (KJV 1900)

I love them that love me; And those that seek me early shall find me.

5. Where Should I Pray?

A. Personal private matter. Matthew 6:6

Matthew 6:6 (KJV 1900)

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.

1) Jesus calls the place for this kind of praying a closet, which means we can pray with out interruption.

2) Jesus assures us God hears and answers our SECRET prayers.

B. Public prayer Read:

1) Acts 4:24

Acts 4:24 (KJV 1900)

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:

2) Acts 12:5,12

Acts 12:5 (KJV 1900)

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Acts 12:12 (KJV 1900)

And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

3) Ephesians 5:19-20

Ephesians 5:19–20 (KJV 1900)

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

4) Public Prayer Notes:

• This kind of praying is usually done in church meetings and gatherings of believers.

• In such meetings, the public prayer is worded by ONE person at a time –

I Corinthians 14:23, 40

1 Corinthians 14:23 (KJV 1900)

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

1 Corinthians 14:40 (KJV 1900)

Let all things be done decently and in order.

• When one leads the congregation to prayer, everyone participates in the prayer saying AMEN (so be it) at its conclusion.

I Corinthians 14:16

1 Corinthians 14:16 (KJV 1900)

Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

• In mixed company, public prayers are offered by men.

o I Corinthians 14:34

1 Corinthians 14:34 (KJV 1900)

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

o I Timothy 2:8

1 Timothy 2:8 (KJV 1900)

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

C. Partnership prayer Matthew 18:19 – 20:

Matthew 18:19–20 (KJV 1900)

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.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

It will become a blessing in your life if you seek out another believer in the Church to become “prayer partners”.

Ask God to lead you to someone with whom you can spend time in prayer together.

Great things can happen through this kind of praying.

Acts 3:1-9

Acts 3:1–9 (KJV 1900)

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength.

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

6. Will My Prayers Always Be Answered?

A. There are two conditions for prayer to be answered.

1) I John 5:14  John 15:7

1 John 5:14 KJV 1900

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

John 15:7 KJV 1900

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

2) Matthew 21:22

Matthew 21:22 KJV 1900

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

It Is a necessary exercise When we Pray.

• Hebrews 11:6

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

• James 1:6

James 1:6 KJV 1900

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. What Are Some Hindrances To Answered Prayer?

A. Unconfessed sin

1) Psalm 66:18 1

Psalm 66:18 KJV 1900

If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear me:

2) Isaiah 59:1-2

Isaiah 59:1–2 KJV 1900

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; Neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, And your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

B. Selfish motives James 4:3

James 4:3 KJV 1900

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

C. Failure to forgive others. Mark 11:24-25

Mark 11:24–25 KJV 1900

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

D. Poor relationships in marriage. I Peter 3:7

1 Peter 3:7 KJV 1900

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.

E. Failure to listen to God’s Word: Proverbs 28:9

Proverbs 28:9 KJV 1900

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer shall be abomination.

F. Lack of compassion. Proverbs 21:13

Proverbs 21:13 KJV 1900

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

G. Stubbornness. Zechariah 7:8-14

Zechariah 7:8–14 KJV 1900

And the word of the Lord came unto Zechariah, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, And shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; And let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, And stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, And the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: Therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; So they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts: But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: For they laid the pleasant land desolate.

How do get these hinderances removed?

Read I John 1:9

1 John 1:9 KJV 1900

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

8. What Things Should I Pray For? 

A. Read Romans 10:11

Romans 10:11 KJV 1900

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

1) For whom was Paul concerned? Israel

2) What was his prayer for them? That they might be saved.

B. Read I Timothy 2:1-4

1 Timothy 2:1–4 KJV 1900

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 Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

• Pray for all men

• Pray for the leadership

• Pray for the salvation of all men

C. What does the Lord want us to pray for in Matthew 9:37-38

Matthew 9:37–38 KJV 1900

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

D. According to Ephesians 6:19-20, for those in the ministry, we should pray for:

Ephesians 6:19–20 (KJV 1900)

1) And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

2) For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

E. Pray for your Enemies -

Matthew 5:44

Matthew 5:44 KJV 1900

But I say unto 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;

F. According to I Samuel 12:23, failure to pray for others is sin.

1 Samuel 12:23 KJV 1900

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:

From verse 20: I Samuel 12:20-25

1 Samuel 12:20–25 KJV 1900

And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart; And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people. 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: Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.

G. Look up these scripture and make a prayer list of things we can ask for ourselves:

1) Matthew 6:11

Matthew 6:11 KJV 1900

Give us this day our daily bread.

2) Matthew 26:41

Matthew 26:41 KJV 1900

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

3) James 1:5

James 1:5 KJV 1900

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

4) Psalm 19:14

Psalm 19:14 KJV 1900

Let the words of my mouth, And the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

5) Psalm 34:4

Psalm 34:4 KJV 1900

I sought the Lord, and he heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.

6) Psalm 37:1- 11 ) Note v 5

Psalm 37:1–11 KJV 1900

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, Neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; So shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, And thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: But those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: Yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

7) Psalm 51:2, 10 •

Psalm 51:2 KJV 1900

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 51:10 KJV 1900

Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.

8) Psalm 119:18

Psalm 119:18 KJV 1900

Open thou mine eyes, That I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

9) Psalm 119:34

Psalm 119:34 KJV 1900

Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; Yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

10) Psalm 119:133

Psalm 119:133 KJV 1900

Order my steps in thy word: And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Commit to memory: John 16:24

John 16:24 KJV 1900

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Some Basic Teaching on Prayer.

In your daily quiet time with the Lord, you will want to pray.

. But we’ll just briefly discuss the basics here:

A. What is prayer?

i) Look up: Matthew 6:5-7

Matthew 6:5–7:5 KJV 1900

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. 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. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy 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 thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

ii) Look up: Matthew 7:7a

Matthew 7:7a KJV 1900

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Prayer is asking – it is the cry of a Christian unto God, a request of a child to his Father. B. To whom do we pray (address our prayers to)? (God the Father) Look up:

• John 15:16f

John 15:16f KJV 1900

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.

• John 16:23c • Luke 11:2

John 16:23c KJV 1900

And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

Luke 11:2 KJV 1900

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.

Note: This verse is not the Lord’s prayer… it is an example (model) Jesus used to instruct the disciples.

See Luke 11:1

Luke 11:1 KJV 1900

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.

A Adoration – praising and worshiping God Psalm 107:8

Psalm 107:8 KJV 1900

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!

C Confession – searching one’s heart and life Psalm 51:10

Psalm 51:10 KJV 1900

Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.

• T Thanksgiving – thanking God for all his blessings Hebrews 13:15 15 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 KJV 1900

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.

• S Supplication – making requests known to God Ephesians 6:18 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Ephesians 6:18 KJV 1900

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

C. In whose name do we pray? We pray in the name of Jesus. Look up: • John 14:14 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. • John 16:24 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

John 14:14 KJV 1900

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

John 16:24 KJV 1900

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

D. What things may we ask for?

• Matthew 6:11 11 Give us this day our daily bread.

Matthew 6:11 KJV 1900

Give us this day our daily bread.

• James 1:5 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

James 1:5 KJV 1900

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

• II Thessalonians 3:1 1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

2 Thessalonians 3:1 KJV 1900

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

• Acts 4:29 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

Acts 4:29 KJV 1900

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

• Psalm 34:4 4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4 KJV 1900

I sought the Lord, and he heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.

• Psalm 119:18 18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Psalm 119:18 KJV 1900

Open thou mine eyes, That I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

• Psalm 119:133 133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. There are many things we can ask for. As a general rule:

Psalm 119:133 KJV 1900

Order my steps in thy word: And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

• Begin your prayer by thanking God for blessings

• In the middle, pray for others and their needs

• At the end, pray for yourself and your needs

J – Jesus first,

O – Others next,

Y – Yourself last

E. Keep an on-going prayer list.

i) Keep a prayer list with your Bible.

On it write down definite requests you have:

(1) Special family needs

(2) Church needs

(3) Other Christians needs

ii) Write down the answers as they come

Outline - Prayer

1. What is Prayer?

2. Why Should I Pray?

3. How Do I Pray?

4. When Should I Pray?

5. Where Should I Pray?  

6. Will My Prayers Always Be Answered?

7. What Are Some Hindrances To Answered Prayer?

8. What Things Should I Pray For?