PRAYER

Resources

• References– Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology, Chapter 18.– Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for the

Christian Life, Chapter 4.• Application:– Arthur, Kay. Lord, Teach Me to Pray in 28 Days.– Mueller, George. The Autobiography of George

Mueller.

Important Aspects of Prayer1. Prayer is Expected– Jesus expects us to pray– God's word makes it clear

2. Prayer is Learned– by praying– by meditating on scripture– by praying with others– by reading about prayer

3. Prayer is Answered

Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

What is Prayer?• Prayer is personal communication with God. **• What we call “prayer” includes:

– prayers of request for ourselves or for others (sometimes called prayers of petition or intercession)

– confession of sin – adoration – praise – thanksgiving– God communicating to us indications of his response.

• Genuine prayer is conversation with a Person whom we know well, and who knows us. Such genuine conversation between persons who know each other never depends on the use of certain formulas or required words, but is a matter of sincerity in our speech and in our heart, a matter of right attitudes, and a matter of the condition of our spirit.

Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, p. 376.

Why is Prayer Important?Acts 6:2-4

“So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve

tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry

of the word.”

• The apostles knew that prayer and the ministry of the Word were absolutely vital.

• They were building a church, and the church had to be built on the solid principles or prayer and bible study.

The Lord’s PrayerMatthew 6:6-13

“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your

Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen’”

The Lord’s Prayer

1. Worship - Acknowledge who God is and honor Him accordingly.2. Allegiance - Give him our allegiance.3. Submission - We tell Him we want His will to be done here on earth in us as it is

done in heaven.4. Petition & Provision - We are to live out our day-by-day lives in total dependence

on God.5. Confession & Forgiveness – Repentance and intercession. 6. Watchfulness & Deliverance - It is a reminder or a call to vigilance in “preventive”

prayer. Your heart is set on righteousness and you do not want to fall or fail. We don’t want to be caught in the devil’s snare.

7. Worship - It is a hallelujah of triumph

‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen’

Intercession in The Lord’s Prayer“Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen”

The “us”, “our”, and “we” all indicate that prayer is not just about ourselves. It includes others. When you pray “this way”, the way Jesus taught us to pray, you are praying for yourself, as well as for the body of Jesus Christ. You are also praying for the lost, who have yet to hear and respond to Him. Each sentence is meant to stimulate not only petition

for yourself but also intercession for the body of Jesus Christ.

“There is no ministry that will bring more power and blessing than the habit of believing, definite, and persistent prayer for the progress of Christ’s kingdom, for the needs and work of His church, for His ministers and servants, and especially for the evangelization of the world

and the vast neglected myriads who know not how to pray for themselves.”

A.B. Simpson

Psalm 119 – Hebrew Acrostic

1 Kings 8:54Heb. Crouching/Kneeling(Like a Lion)