TEACHING ON PRAYER

TEACHING ON PRAYER

According to Acts 2:42, the young Christians, along with the older believers, “continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, AND IN PRAYERS.”

These Christians 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 speaks back to God. Yet in this busy, bustling world, both Bible study and prayer are neglected by so many.

I. WHAT IS PRAYER

A. To ask

The Word prayer means to ask

John R. Rice used to say “Prayer is asking and Receiving.”

B. Communication with God

1 John 5:14 AV

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

Philippians 4:6 AV

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

C. Synonyms of prayer

There are many words that have to do with prayer in the Bible, some of which we have already mentioned

Supplication

Thanksgiving

Praise

Petitions

Alms

Requests

II. WHY SHOULD I PRAY?

The Bible teaches us that prayer is both a COMMAND and a PRIVILEGE.

A. We Are Commanded To Pray

Luke 18:1 AV

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

Colossians 4:2 AV

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

1 Thessalonians 5:17 AV

Pray without ceasing.

Matthew 7:7 AV

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

B. We Have the Privilege to Pray

John 16:24 AV

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

Hebrews 4:16 AV

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

III. The Right Attitudes in Prayer

A. Reverence

Hebrews 12:28 AV

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

B. Boldness

Hebrews 4:16 AV

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

C. Faith

James 1:6 AV

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.

D. Thanksgiving

Philippians 4:6 AV

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

E. Persistence

Luke 18:1-5

F. Dependence

John 6:68 (AV)

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

G. Earnestness

Showing intense and sincere conviction about something.

We need to pray and pray to have our prayer answered.

Titus 2:7 AV

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

H. Confidence

James 1:6 AV

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.

I. Openness

James 5:16 AV

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

IV. WHAT ARE SOME HINDRANCES TO ANSWERED PRAYER?

A. Unconfessed Sin

Psalm 66:18 AV

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

Isaiah 59:1–2 AV

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 AV

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 (AV)

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

1 Peter 3:7 AV

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 heed to the Bible

Proverbs 28:9 AV

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

F. Lack of compassion

Proverbs 21:13 AV

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

G. Stubbornness or Rebelliousness

Zechariah 7:8-14

How do we get any hindrances removed?

1 John 1:9 AV

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

Acknowledge your sin and confess it to the Lord with the intent of not doing it again.

V. WHAT THINGS SHOULD I PRAY FOR?

A. Others

Romans 10:1 AV

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

What is the old saying we always like to use and is appropriate – God first, others second and me last.

B. Laborers

Matthew 9:37–38 (AV)

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.

C. Preachers/Teachers

Ephesians 6:19–20 (AV)

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

1. Our missionaries

2. Your Pastor

3. Preachers and Evangelists you know

4. Your teachers

Ephesians 4:11–12 (AV)

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

D. Enemies

Matthew 5:44 AV

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;

E. Sickness

2 Corinthians 12:7–8 (AV)

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. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

F. Not to pray is a sin

1 Samuel 12:23 AV

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:

VI. WHERE TO PRAY?

A. Personal Prayer

Matthew 6:6 AV

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. Pray, not in order to impress others

2. Pray, so that God will here you, not with wrong motives.

B. Public Prayer

Acts 4:24; Acts 12:5,12 and Ephesians 5:19,20.

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

In such meetings one person at a time speaks the public prayer (1 Corinthians 14:23,40).

When one leads the congregation in prayer, sometimes others participate in the prayer by saying Amen (“so be it”) at its conclusion (1 Corinthians 14:16).

C. Partnership Prayer

Samuel prayed for others, and certainly others prayed for him. We read:

1 Samuel 12:23 AV

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:

Paul prayed with other Christians

Acts 20:36 AV

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

It will be a blessing in your life if you seek out another believer in the Church to become “prayer partners” with. Ask God to lead you to someone with whom you can spend time in prayer together.

D. Prodding Prayer

What I mean by a prodding prayer, that means with the Holy Spirit is dealing with your heart, do business with him right then, unashamedly.

Romans 10:11 AV

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

The publican did business with God while in the temple

Luke 18:13 AV

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

After the first preaching service of the church, many accepted Christ as their Saviour, right then and there