Prayer (Pt. 2 Types of Prayer)

Sanctification & Spiritual Disciplines

Session 4: Getting Started with Prayer

I. Introduction: Types of Prayer

PRAYER = DIALOGUE....SPEAKING W/ GOD...

EASIER SAID THAN DONE...

OFTEN WONDERING: WHAT to SAY,, HOW to SAY IT, ETC.

---HOPEFULLY THIS TEACHING HELPS YOU---

A. Supplication/Petition: Praying for personal needs.

TURN & READ: 1. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

1. Question: With this verse in mind, how many things are we authorized to pray about?

---------------------------------

B. Intercession: Praying for the needs of others.

TURN & READ1. Ephesians 5:12-20 ESV “12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Taking the armor of God,, concluding w/ prayer.

Pray at all times

all prayer & supplication

all perseverance

all the saints

specifically for Paul,, that he would be able to BOLDLY PROCLAIM the GOSPEL...

PRAYER MAKES the DIFFERENCE in PREACHING MINISTRIES...

-----------------------------------------------------

C. Confession: Praying for forgiveness from sin.

TURN & READ: 1. Psalm 51:1-12 ESV “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

1. Assurance of forgiveness comes from 1 John 1:9.

------------------------------------------------------

D. Praise/Worship: Praying to praise God for what He’s done and for who He is.

TURN & READ1. Psalm 103:1-5 ESV “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

-----------------------------------------------

E. Thanksgiving: Praying to thank God for things He has done.

TURN & READ1. 1 Thess. 5:18 ESV “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

TURN & READ2. Psalm 54:6-7 ESV “With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good. 7 For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.”

---------------------------------------------------------

F. Complaint: Bringing frustrations and complaints to God in prayer seeking understanding.

1. Isn’t it comforting to see that at times even biblical authors and characters had questions and things they didn’t understand so they took their questions and complaints to the Lord?

1. SHOULDN’T BE IRREVERENT…BUT WE CAN TAKE OUR FRUSTRATIONS to GOD in PRAYER...

TURN & READ2. Psalm 44:23-26 ESV “Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever! 24 Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? 25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground. 26 Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!”

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

II. Praying Scripture/Biblical Examples of Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

TURN & READ 1. Matthew 6:9-13 ESV “Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’”

B. There are a total of six petitions in the Lord’s prayer.

1. That God’s name would be kept holy, that it would be “hallowed.”

2. That God’s Kingdom would come.

3. That God’s will would be done.

4. That God would provide our daily bread.

5. That God would forgive us of our sins that hinder fellowship with Him.

6. That God would lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

C. Focusing in on the pattern and individual petitions:

1. “Hallowed be your name” (v9).

1. PRAYER BEGINS—ACKNOWLEDGING WHO GOD IS....

SETS TONE W/ REVERENCE...

GOD = FATHER....

BUT HE’S ALSO in HEAVEN,, SOVEREIGN GOD,, WHO is HOLY!

***· We can draw near to the throne of grace with confidence (Heb. 4:16) but we shouldn’t come with indifference! Prayer is a great privilege.***

o The ESV Study Bible offers this helpful comment: “The concern of this first petition (see note on Matt. 6:9–13) is that God’s name would be hallowed—that God would be treated with the highest honor and set apart as holy.”[1]

TURN & READo Psalm 103:19 ESV “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.,,

-------------------------------------------------

2. Then, we pray that God’s Kingdom would come. A prayer that we know will ultimately be granted!

1. Rev. 11:15 ESV “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.’”

------------------------------------------

3. Then, we pray for God’s will to be done, This should be the heart of every prayer.

TURN & READ1. Psalm 135:5-7 ESV “For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. 6 Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. 7 He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.”

TURN & READ§ 1 John 5:14-15 ESV “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”

**Note that GOD’S SIDE of prayer is PRESENTED FIRST.

· OPENING W/ PRAISE — REMEMBER WE’RE COMING into KING’S PRESENCE.

***THEN HIS KINGDOM & HIS PLANS***

THEN WE BRING PERSONAL PETITIONS...

GOD’S AGENDA B4 OURS

-------------------------------------------------------------

4. Then, at this point, we bring our own petitions, beginning with a petition for daily provision. This is a natural, practical provision.

1. THIS = PRACTICAL---BECAUSE GOD ANSWERS & PROVIDES...

IT ALSO OFFERS OPPORTUNITY FOR us TO RECOGNIZE… “GOD = PROVIDER”… SHOULD LEAD US to PRAISE & THANKSGIVING!

THANK GOD FOR MEALS

RUNS @ GROCERY STORE

MONEY on PAYDAY

ROOF OVER HEAD/CLOTHES to WEAR @ NIGHTTIME PRAYERS...

**DON’T ALWAYS GET ALL OUR WANTS…BUT GOD SUPPLIES OUR NEEDS....**

>>> DAILY PROVISION = DAILY PRAYERS! <<<

----------------------------------------------------------------

5. Then Jesus taught us to pray for God’s forgiveness and here we move onto His provision of our spiritual needs.

***Forgiveness rests in the finished work of Christ.***

o Nevertheless, our SINS CAN CAUSE SEPARATION BETWEEN US & GOD RELATIONALLY...

**THEREFORE WE SHOULD CONTINUALLY ACKNOWLEDGE SIN & PRAY FOR FORGIVENESS...

**CERTAINLY THERE’S UNKNOWN/UNINTENTIONAL SINS (O.T. SACRIFICES FOR THIS!)

2. And here we see the horizontal implications of prayer.

We praise God,

we thank God,

we pray for provision,

and now we see an acknowledgment of the need we have to even forgive others around us.

***All vertical truths have horizontal implications!***

------------------------------------------------

6. Then, finally, we pray for God’s protection from temptation and evil, that God would spare us from these things.

1. James 1—GOD DOESN’T TEMPT to SIN...

WE SHOULD PRAY to BE SPARED FROM THIS…FOR GOD’S MERCY...

POSTURE: SEEKING GOD’S WILL & DESIRES...

SERVING HIM

NOT HAVING HIM as HEAVENLY BUTLER...

**BEFORE WE COME W/ OUR LIST,, WE SHOULD COME WITH OUR PRAISE**

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

The Prayers of Paul (3 of them)

2. FOLLOWING PAUL’S PRAYERS; MODEL,, FOR US & OTHERS...

TURN & READ Col. 1:9-14 ESV “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

1. Question: What is the first thing Paul prays for here?

o A knowledge of God’s will.

o Then, Paul prays for a knowledge of God’s will in order that we can walk worthy of Him!

§ Question: Anyone here today in raising children/being raised here something along the lines of, “We’re last name and therefore we. . .work hard, or something like this.”

IF WE CALL OURSELVES “CHRISTIANS” WE SHOULD REPRESENT OUR FATHER WELL,, WALKING WORTHY....

WHAT IS WORTHY??

---> § Bearing fruit in good works and increasing in the knowledge of God (v10).

HOW DO WE ACCOMPLISH THIS??

--->> Well, the prayer continues with a request that we would be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might

§ For endurance and patience, with joy.

· That in everything we would persevere in faith, joyfully!

· And FINALLY THAT WE GIVE THANKS to GOD WHO SAVED US!!

----------------------------------------------------------

TURN & READ4. Eph. 1:15-23 ESV “For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

1. Noting similarities:

o Praying for wisdom/knowledge of God.

2. This time, PAUL PRAYS THAT WE WOULD BE ENLIGHTENED... that we would know:

o The great hope to which God has called us

o The wonderful riches of our glorious (heavenly) inheritance

o The great power that God has toward us that we have available.

§ **Note that in this prayer, Paul is praying by in large for revelation. The facts are already in place regarding our inheritance, the power of God at work within us, and all these different things…

· Here we see that the main purpose is that we might realize what we already have in Christ!!

o We have access to the immeasurable power of God by which He raised Christ from the dead,

that same Spirit resides within us, whether we realize it or not!

§ Paul is praying that God would awaken our senses that we would have an idea of these wonderful privileges that God has given to us!!

-----------------------------------------------------

TURN & READ5. Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

1.PAUL PRAYING FOR POWER—SPIRITUAL STRENGTH to SERVE GOD WELL...

**ROOTED & GROUNDED in GOD’S LOVE FOR US…HAVING REVELATION of LOVE of CHRIST...

&& FILLED W/ FULLNESS of TRIUNE GOD!! WOW!!

>> DOXOLOGY—GOD ISN’T LIMITED EVEN BY OUR IMAGINATIONS! <<

--------------------------------------------

E. Fixed Hour Prayer/Liturgical Prayers

1. DANIEL PRAYED to GOD 3X DAILY

The apostles went to the TEMPLE at the “HOUR of PRAYER”

There’s NOTHING WRONG W/ REGIMENTED TIMES of PRAYER and even specific prayer,, as long as you don’t lose sight of what you’re doing and can pray reverently to God.

2. Valley of Vision

3. . The Divine Hours

1. It’s not wrong to follow helps to help you to open the horizons a bit and get you out of typical ruts of prayer where you’re incredibly repetitive…

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

III. The Heart of Prayer: How is More Important Than What.

A. In prayer we must not lose sight of the purpose in prayer.

Our INTENTION = COMMUNION W/ GOD...

NEVER as a SHOW...

TURN & READ Matthew 6:5-8 ESV “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

C. PRAYER = HUMBLE ACT of DEPENDENCE on GOD....

TURN & READ: Luke 18:9-14 ESV “He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

1. We must always remember that God is not our heavenly butler. He isn’t here to do our will, we are here to do His. Prayer should be a humble thing.

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

IV. Practical Thoughts Before Closing

A. FIND DEDICATED TIMES/PLACES/RHYTHMS....

1. Remember, prayer is to be continual in the life of the believer. We won’t ever do it constant, but if we’re to be consistent it often requires times or places.

1. Things I try to do:

o When I arrive in my office in the morning, once I’m settled, I take a few minutes to pray.

o When I shut my laptop off or close a book or whatever in the office and I’m closing up shop ready to head home, I take a minute to pray.

o We pray (Selah does at least) at mealtimes.

o We pray as a family nightly for various things, thanking God for His blessings, praying for various church members, and for the family.

TRY to THANK GOD WHEN WE ARRIVE HOME AFTER SAFE PASSAGE...

TRY & FIND TIMES/SPACES IN YOUR SCHEDULE to OFFER SHORT PRAYERS THROUGHOUT the DAY EVEN...

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

V. Takeaways

1. There are a variety of types of prayer that are shown throughout the Scripture including:

1. Supplication/Petition

2. Intercession

3. Confession

4. Praise/Worship

5. Thanksgiving

6. Complaint

7. Praying Scripture

8. Fixed-Hour/Liturgical Prayer

-----------------------------------------------------

2. With prayer we can come confidently, but we must remember that God is God, and He is Holy.

1. He is Father, but His name is also hallowed.

-----------------------------------------------------

3. Prayer is for the purpose of communing with God and presenting our needs, but it is never meant to be a performance or a self-gratifying action.

-----------------------------------------------------

4. Prayer should be a consistent part of the Christian’s life, and one of the best ways to implement this is by finding rhythms in life with prayer at certain points in the day.