PRAYER REVISITED
(A COMPLETE LESSON)
· What have you learned about prayer in the last year?
· Why are there so many books, Bible studies, classes, and sermons about prayer?
· In spite of all the teaching and preaching we have heard and read about prayer, it is still a topic that needs to be revisited by us. Why?
Matthew 6:6 - 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.
John 15:7 - If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
· Private prayer is personal. It gives me a private audience with the ruler of the universe.
· Private prayer allows me to pour out my heart to a God who cares and listens. 1 Peter 5:7
· Private prayer brings me personally to the “Throne of Grace”. Hebrews 4:14-16
· Private prayer gives me intimacy with God and the promise of public answers.
· Why do we shun away from private prayer?
James 5:16 – 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.
· How would you describe fervent prayer? Why do we often lack fervency?
James 5:17-18 - Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. [18] And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
1 Kings 18:37 - Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
· Elijah cared enough to pray earnestly for a drought because he was concerned about the righteousness of God. Elijah cared enough to pray down fire from Heaven.
· What are some appropriate prayers we should be praying for the Spiritual needs of our congregation?
Mark 11:22-24 – And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. [23] For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. [24] Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
· What do the verses above tell you about the power of prayer?
Luke 18:1-8 - And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; [2] Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: [3] And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. [4] And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; [5] Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. [6] And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. [7] And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? [8] I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
· How are we to be like the widow in this story?
· Why does God love persistent prayer?
· How is God different from the unjust judge?
· What does Luke 11:5-13 add to the concept of persistent prayer?
1 Timothy 2:1-6 - I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; [2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
· “Supplications” means to ask for what is needed.
· “Prayers” is the general word for prayer and would
include worship.
· “Intercessions” would include praying for others.
· “Giving of thanks” reminds us to be grateful as a
congregation.
· According to this passage, what are some of the things we should be praying for and why?
· What motivation do we have to pray for the souls of others?
1 Timothy 2:8 - I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
· What hinders the prayers of a congregation?
Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. [10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
· Let us talk through this prayer and pick out the specific things we should be praying for according to this text.
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