LESSON #6 – EFFECTIVE PRAYER “How Important is Prayer in My Life?”

Someone once said that a Christian is only as strong as his prayer life.

There is a great deal of truth in this statement because prayer is simply your direct communication to 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 proper communication.

The purpose of this lesson is to acquaint the individual with the basics of a proper prayer life so that these lines of communication can be open and effective in his life.

I. What is the purpose of prayer?

A. It is NOT to move God for you or to change His mind; it is for you to be conformed to His will.

B. A proper prayer life results in a peace of heart and mind. Philippians 4:6-7

Philippians 4:6–7 KJV 1900

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

C. It is to draw you closer to God so that He can prove His sufficiency for your every need.

1. God is active in every detail of your life, and He knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him. Matthew 6:8

Matthew 6:8 KJV 1900

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

2. God allows needs to come into your life so that He can draw you to meet with Him. Psalm 50:15

Psalm 50:15 KJV 1900

15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

3. The most dangerous time in your life is when every single need is met and you have need of nothing - including God. Revelation 3:16-17

Revelation 3:16–17 KJV 1900

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

4. God uses your needs to draw you to a place where He can bless you and reveal to you that your real need is simply the Lord Jesus Christ and His grace. The classic example of this tremendously important principle is Paul’s thorn in the flesh. II Corinthians 12:7-10

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 KJV 1900

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

5. This is why it is absolutely essential to give thanks for everything, including the needs and difficult times in life. I Thessalonians 5:18

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV 1900

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

6. That is also why it is essential to develop a consistent prayer attitude where your first reaction in a difficult moment is to go to God in prayer. I Thessalonians 5:17

1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV 1900

17 Pray without ceasing.

II. How do I pray?

A. Romans 8:26-27 makes it clear that we do not always know how to pray or what to pray for. That is why the Spirit, who lives inside you, intercedes for you in prayer.

Romans 8:26–27 KJV 1900

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

B. These are some basic guidelines.

1. Pray always - develop a lifestyle of prayer. I Thessalonians 5:17

1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV 1900

17 Pray without ceasing.

2. Do not repeat the same words over and over. Matthew 6:7

Matthew 6:7 KJV 1900

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

3. Talk to the Lord as a friend.

He is your friend!

a. John 15:13-14

John 15:13–14 KJV 1900

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

b. Exodus 33:11

Exodus 33:11 KJV 1900

11 And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

c. Proverbs 18:24

Proverbs 18:24 KJV 1900

24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

4. Realize that you have DIRECT access to God personally. You do not need to go through any man to talk to God. I Timothy 2:5; Ephesians 2:18

1 Timothy 2:5 KJV 1900

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Ephesians 2:18 KJV 1900

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

C. Be sure to keep your basic relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ proper.

D. There are some things in your life which will hinder your prayers.

1. Unconfessed sin. - Isaiah 59:1-2; Psalm 66:18

Isaiah 59:1–2 KJV 1900

1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; Neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, And your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Psalm 66:18 KJV 1900

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

2. Unforgiving spirit. - Matthew 6:14-15

Matthew 6:14–15 KJV 1900

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

3. Bitterness toward your mate (as well as others).- I Peter 3:7

1 Peter 3:7 KJV 1900

7 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.

4. Not asking for the needs and desires of your heart. James 4:2

James 4:2 KJV 1900

2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

5. Asking with wrong or selfish motives. - James 4:3; Proverbs 21:13

James 4:3 KJV 1900

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

Proverbs 21:13 KJV 1900

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

6. Insensitivity to the Word of God. - Proverbs 28:9

Proverbs 28:9 KJV 1900

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

III. There are four basic types of prayer. I Timothy 2:1

1 Timothy 2:1 KJV 1900

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

A. Supplication - specific requests. Philippians 4:6 says to “... let your requests be made known unto God.” Too many prayers are wasted because they are so general. For example: “God, please give me a blessing.” God would undoubtedly reply: “Which one? How do you want me to bless you?”

Philippians 4:6 KJV 1900

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

B. Prayers - This is the summation or term used for all communication with God.

C. Intercessions - prayers for others. This is important to keep your motives pure and your eyes off of yourself.

D. Giving of thanks - Psalm 100:4 makes it clear that we enter the presence of God through thanksgiving and praise.

Psalm 100:4 KJV 1900

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise: Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

IV. Keep track of your prayer request.

A. Making a list will help you remember what to pray for.

B. Keeping a list of answered prayers is tremendously important to reinforce our faith in God’s ability to answer prayers.

V. Common questions.

A. Does God answer all of my prayers?

Yes, but not always the way you may want or at the time you want.

As you learned in Lesson #1, God is your Heavenly Father and all His ways are perfect.

There will be times when in His infinite wisdom the best answer to prayer will be “NO” or “NOT YET.”

In those times, simply trust Him.

B. How important is it to pray for others?

1. Paul prayed for others continually (Romans 1:9) and requested prayer on many occasions. Hebrews 13:18; II Thessalonians 3:1

Romans 1:9 KJV 1900

9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

Hebrews 13:18 KJV 1900

18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

2 Thessalonians 3:1 KJV 1900

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. I Samuel 12:23 says it’s a sin against God not to pray for others.

1 Samuel 12:23 KJV 1900

23 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:

3. The English preacher George Mueller is an excellent example of an effectual prayer warrior. He prayed for the salvation of several people for sixty years. When he died some of these people were still unsaved. However, some were saved at his funeral, and many were saved within the next year.

4. Be faithful. The full results of your prayer will never be completely known until you get to heaven.

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS ABOUT PRAYER. LESSON #6

1. What is something prayer does not accomplish?

2. What is the result of a good prayer life?

3. Prayer keeps you close to God so He can prove His sufficiency for your every need. What do the following verses teach us about God and our needs?

A. Matthew 6:8

Matthew 6:8 KJV 1900

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

B. Psalm 50:15

Psalm 50:15 KJV 1900

15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

4. Give the most dangerous situation for the Christian?

5. According to I Thessalonians 5:18 we are to give thanks for everything. This includes the ____________ and _______________ ______________ of our lives.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV 1900

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

6. What should be our first reaction in a tough situation?

7. There are some primary principles concerning prayer.

Briefly explain them from the following verses:

A. I Thessalonians 5:17

1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV 1900

17 Pray without ceasing.

B. Matthew 6:7

Matthew 6:7 KJV 1900

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

C. Exodus 33:11

Exodus 33:11 KJV 1900

11 And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

8. List the attitudes that will interfere with your prayer life.

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

9. What are two ways that help you keep your prayer requests in order?

A.

B.

10. God answers your prayers but not always the way you expect. His answer will sometimes be ________ or __________ _________.

11. Man is instructed not to pray to idols or to other men.

Explain I Timothy 2:5 in light of this truth.

1 Timothy 2:5 KJV 1900

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

12. Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson. Key Memory Verses: Memorize at LEAST ONE of these verses. I Timothy 2:5; Psalm 66:18; I Thessalonians 5:18

1 Timothy 2:5 KJV 1900

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Psalm 66:18 KJV 1900

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

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV 1900

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

NOTE: Can you see that some churches wrongly teach that:

1. Man should pray to idols, saints, or other men.

2. If you pray long enough or hard enough, God will change His mind and do what you want.

3. The best prayers are those that have been written by others and are just “said” by you.

4. Prayer must be at a set time in a set format. Write any questions you may have concerning the subjects in this lesson.

What changes can you see developing in your life since starting these lessons?