Prayer and the Believer

The purpose of prayer is to express our submission to the sovereignty of God and our trust in His faithfulness.

Prayer is the means by which we express all that is in our hearts to our loving and wise heavenly Father.

Prayer is not to give God information, because God knows everything.

Prayer brings us into reverent communion with God, worshiping Him and acknowledging Him as the giver of all things.

I. THE NATURE OF PRAYER

A. For the believer, prayer is a learning experience that must be developed into a spiritual discipline.

1. In Luke 11:1, what did the disciples ask of Jesus?

Luke 11:1 ESV

1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”

“Teach us to pray.”

2. Romans 8:26

Romans 8:26 ESV

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

According to the apostle Paul, who assists us in our prayers? The Holy Spirit: “we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

In light of that, what should we do when we are not sure what to pray for? Pray and express our uncertainty to God and trust the Spirit to intercede for us.

B. Prayer is communication with God. Scripture tells us that God is very interested in our personal struggles.

1. What does Psalm 34:15 say about the Lord? His eyes are “toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry.”

Psalm 34:15 ESV

15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.

2. What did David bring before God in prayer (Psalm 142:2)? his complaints; his troubles

Psalm 142:2 ESV

2 I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.

3. How are we encouraged to approach God (Hebrews 4:16)? “Let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace.”

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.

4. Though we have the privilege of access, what caution does Ecclesiastes 5:2 advise? “Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought … let your words be few.”

Ecclesiastes 5:2 ESV

2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

5. What comfort does 1 Peter 5:6–7 offer believers? “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:6–7 ESV

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

C. Prayer is effective. It can change situations—and people. We are encouraged to pray expecting results.

1. For whom did the church pray in Acts 12:5? Peter, who was in prison

Acts 12:5 ESV

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

2. How did God answer their prayers (Acts 12:7)? “An angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ And his chains fell off his hands.”

Acts 12:7 ESV

7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.

3. Besides answers, what else does God grant to those who pray (Philippians 4:6–7)?

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.

“the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension.”

“The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”—JAMES 5:16

James 5:16 ESV

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

II. THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER

A. Throughout the Bible, God encourages and commands believers to persevere in prayer.

1. In Luke 18:1, the disciples were taught that they should always pray and not lose heart.

Luke 18:1 ESV

1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

2. What is God’s will for believers in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:17)?

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV

17 pray without ceasing,

3. When should believers pray (Ephesians 6:18)? at all times

Ephesians 6:18 ESV

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,

B. In the Bible, you will discover many guidelines to help you develop the practice of prayer.

1. In this parable in Luke 11, what did Jesus teach His disciples to expect if they persisted in prayer (Luke 11:5–10)? Luke 11:5-10

Luke 11:5–10 ESV

5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

“Everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.” (that their prayers would be answered)

We can start to understand praying without ceasing by looking at the life of our Lord Himself since He did that.

He was obviously in constant communion with the Father. And we see Him in Scripture rising up early to pray.

We see Him spending all night in prayer.

It must have been an unending and nonstop communion between Himself and the Father.

Hebrews tells us that He offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears.

That is a fascinating insight. There was an intensity in the prayers of Jesus that is utterly unique, that is utterly amazing.

When He prayed on a number of occasions, there was a great agonizing. And we can assume that even though the Scripture does not chronicle for us all the details of all of His praying, it had much of the same kind of intensity as those prayers that we do see and have revealed to us in the text.

When the Bible tells us that He went to the Mount of Olives and prayed all night, there was no doubt an intensity in that kind of praying that we know very little about, if anything.

2. What does Jesus teach as a requirement for answered prayer (John 15:7)?

John 15:7 ESV

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

3. According to 1 John 5:14, what is our confidence as we pray?

1 John 5:14 ESV

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

“if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

Jesus’ Pattern for Prayer: Matthew 6:9–13

Pray to God Our Father who is in heaven

Exalt Him, saying Hallowed be Your name

Submit to Him, praying Your kingdom come, Your will be done

Look to Him, seeking Our daily bread (sustenance)

Confess to Him, pleading Forgive us our debts (sins)

Depend on Him, asking Do not lead us into temptation

Trust in Him, requesting Deliver us from evil

C. Some of the hindrances to answered prayer.

1. Psalm 66:18

Psalm 66:18 ESV

18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

2. James 4:3

James 4:3 ESV

3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

3. Isaiah 59:1–2

Isaiah 59:1–2 ESV

1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

James 4:3 ESV

3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Four Important Areas of Prayer

Adoration: Reflect on God Himself. Praise Him for His attributes, His majesty, and His gift of Christ.

Confession: Admit to God that you have sinned. Be honest and humble. Remember, He knows you and loves you.

Thanksgiving: Tell God how grateful you are for everything He has given you, even the unpleasant things. Your thankfulness will help you see His purposes.

Supplication: Make specific requests. Pray first for others and then for yourself.

Notice that the first letters of these four words form the word “ACTS.”

You can use this acronym as a guide to maintain balance as you pray.

III. THE STRUGGLE OF PRAYER

A. Prayer can be hard work, but that should not keep us from praying, even when it requires sacrifice.

1. How long did Jesus pray before He selected the 12 apostles (Luke 6:12)?

Luke 6:12 ESV

12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.

He spent the whole night in prayer.

2. Describe the intensity of Jesus as He prayed in anticipation of the cross (Luke 22:44).

Luke 22:44 ESV

44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

“Being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.”

3. What should believers be careful to do when we devote ourselves to prayer (Colossians 4:2)?

Colossians 4:2 ESV

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

Keep alert; have an attitude of thanksgiving.

B. Even when we are frustrated or discouraged, we can still approach God in prayer.

1. Why was David discouraged in Psalm 13:1–2? He thought God had forgotten him.

Psalm 13:1–2 ESV

1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

2. What was David’s complaint in Psalm 22:2

Psalm 22:2 ESV

2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.

C. Prayer is governed by God’s sovereignty, and His purpose determines His answer to our prayers.

1. 2 Corinthians 12:7–9

2 Corinthians 12:7–9 ESV

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

a. What did Paul pray for?

b. How many times did he pray for it?

c. Did he receive what he asked for?

2. Read Mark 14:35–36

Mark 14:35–36 ESV

35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

a. What did Jesus ask of the Father concerning His “hour” of suffering?

b. But what was He willing to do? His Father’s will

IV. APPLICATION

Compose a simple prayer, following the ACTS model.

Surrender your requests to God’s wise and loving plan, acknowledging your willingness to receive His answer with thankfulness.