Prayer

Your personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ cannot grow without having proper communication. The two basic elements of spiritual survival for a Christian are the Word of God and prayer. God speaks to you as you read the Bible, and you speak to God through prayer. Your relationship with God will only be as strong as your dependence upon prayer.

The key word of this lesson is:

Communication

The key question:

How important is prayer in my life?

The key purpose of this lesson:

To teach you how to cultivate an effective intimate prayer life.

The key point of this lesson:

Prayer is the communication from the heart of a believer to God.

Memory Verses:

John 14:13–14 ESV

13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

6 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.

What is prayer?

The Key point of this lesson…

Prayer is the communication from the heart of a believer directed to God. We have bold access to God’s throne through our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:12 ESV

12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

A. Prayer can be spoken audibly and silently.

Psalm 17:6 ESV

6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.

1 Samuel 1:13 ESV

13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman.

B. Prayer can be spoken publicity and privately.

Acts 20:36 ESV

36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

Matthew 6:6 ESV

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.

Why should you pray?

The topic of prayer can be overwhelming. Many believers are missing out on the blessings that God promises because they do not spend time with God in prayer. God is interested in every intimate detail of your life, and He promises to hear your prayers no matter how large or small they may be.

A. God answers prayer.

You should be confident when you prayer, knowing that God hears your prayers.

Psalm 86:6-7; Psalm 145:18-19

You should be confident when you pray, knowing that God will answer your prayers according to His will.

John 14:13-14; 1 John 5:14-15

B. Prayer produces a change in you.

Prayer produces peace within your heart and mind.

Philippians 4:6-7

Prayer conforms you to the will of God. It does not conform God to your will.

Matthew 26:36-39; Colossians 1:9

Prayer changes your perspective in the midst of your circumstances.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

C. Prayer draws you close to God so that He alone can prove His sufficiency for your every need.

2 Corinthians 3:4–5 ESV

4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,

God knows exactly what you need even before you ask.

Matthew 6:8

God allows needs to come into your life life so that He can draw you closer to Himself.

Psalm 50:15

You must recognize that you have needs in your life. It is dangerous to convince yourself that you do not need anything.

Revelation 3:16-17

Discussion:

Are you sometimes afraid to pray in front of others?

Do you ever doubt that God is really listening to your prayers?

Has your attitude ever change after spending time with God in prayer?

When should you pray?

A. God desires that you continuously communicate with Him in prayer.

Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17

B. God desires that you give thanks in every circumstance in your life.

1 Thessalonians 5:18; Ephesians 5:20

Learn from the many examples in scripture of individuals with a consistent lifestyle of prayer:

Nehemiah prayed instantly when he had an immediate need.

Nehemiah 1:4; 2:4

Daniel continued to pray even when a law was passed forbidding it.

Daniel 6:4-10

David maintained a lifestyle of prayer at all times.

Psalm 5:3; 55:17

How should you pray?

A. You do not need to go through any other person to talk to God. You have direct access to God personally.

1 Timothy 2:5; Ephesians 2:18

B. Talk to the Lord as a friend.

John 15:13-15; Exodus 33:11

C. It is not necessary or biblical to use repetitious prayer.

Matthew 6:7

D. Pray specific prayers. The prayers of many believers are wasted because they are to general and are not biblically based.

Philippians 4:6

Discussion:

Do you find that your prayers are sometimes vague and sound repetitious?

What are you specifically trusting God for in your life right now?

What should you pray?

There is not a special “formula” to follow when you prayer. However, the Word of God does mention and demonstrate different types of prayer throughout the Bible. You will not have an effective communion with God without spending careful and committed time with Him in four major areas of prayer.

1 Timothy 2:1 ESV

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

A. Supplication– These are earnest and fervent requests for God to move.

Psalm 6:8-9; James 5:16

B. Prayers– These are communications with God that are based in His Word.

Psalm 145:18-19

C. Intercessions– These are specific requests on the behalf of others.

Romans 15:30-32

D. Thanksgiving– These express gratitude to God for His wonderful works.

Psalm 100:4.

Important note:

God want you to live in complete fellowship with Him in prayer. Many believers choose not to pray because they do not believe that God is interested in working in their lives or their specific circumstances. When believers fail to pray, they will fail to see answers to prayer. God commands you to watch with expectation to see how He will answer your continuous prayer.

Colossians 4:2 ESV

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

“We have need, too, to give thought to that mysterious fact of prayer-- certainty that there will be delays, denials, and seeming failures, in connection with its exercise. We are to prepare for these, to brook them, and cease not in our urgent praying. Like a brave soldier, who, as the conflict grows more stern, exhibits a superior courage than in the earlier stages of the battle; so does the praying Christian, when delay and denial face him, increase his earnest asking, and ceases not until prayer prevail.” – E. M. Bounds (The Necessity of Prayer)

Discussion:

How often do you pray?

Can you share a recent example of how God answered your prayer?

Review and Discussion:

List three ways prayer will change you.

Use Scripture to describe why prayer is important to you.

When is the best time for a believer to pray? Why?

What can we learn from the following verses about prayer?

List four major areas of prayer and scripture reference for each.

what is the key purpose of this lesson, and what has it taught you?

Personal Bible study:

Explain in your own words what 1 Timothy 2:1-2 teaches you concerning prayer.

Describe the hindrances to prayer mentioned in the passages below.

Describe in your own words what Jesus was teaching His disciples about prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.