PRAYER
What Is Prayer?
The Bible has many things to say about the subject of prayer. Prayer is talking to God. It is our way of communicating our thoughts, needs, and desires to Him. It can also be a sharing of thoughts or feelings with Him. You can worship Him or praise Him in prayer simply by telling Him that you love Him. It is an avenue that God has provided for the believer of making known the deepest feelings of our heart.
Prayer Is An Act
Prayer is an act, not merely an attitude. This can be seen by the way the Scripture speaks of people praying.
“Once when Jesus had been out praying, one of his disciples came to him as he finished and said, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."” (Luke 11:1).
Asking God
The main idea behind prayer is petition, asking God for things. Jesus said:
“Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.” (Matthew 7:7-8).
How Often Should We Pray?
“Keep on praying” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Pray Privately
“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6).
When you pray under your breath, that is to yourself, no one but God can hear you. You can pray anywhere you want in a car or a bus, walking or just sitting, just close that door to your mind and no one is able to read it except your Heavenly Father.
Continue In Prayer
We are also to continue in prayer. We do not just pray for something once and then go on.
In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed three times for the same thing. Hence it is not a lack of faith to continue to pray for something. Furthermore we are commanded to keep on praying for things.
Summary
Prayer is talking to God. It is a specific thing that we do, not merely an attitude. The main idea behind prayer is petition—asking God for things. From the Scripture we discover that prayer is an act that we are to perform between us and God. It should be done in private without calling attention to the fact that we are praying.
To Whom Do We Pray: The Father, The Son, Or The Holy Spirit? To “saints”? To Mary?
The Bible says we are to pray to God the Father, through God the Son, by means of God the Holy Spirit.
The Father
Jesus taught that we are to pray to God the Father.
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored,’ ”. Matthew 6:9
Therefore God the Father is the ultimate one to whom we are praying.
Christ The Mediator
Though we are to address our prayers to God the Father it is through the mediation of Jesus Christ that are prayers are heard.
“For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5
It is only through the mediation of Jesus Christ, God's Son, can a person have access to the living God. The Apostle Paul in describing the nature of God said:
Who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no human has seen or can see (1 Timothy 6:16).
By definition, God cannot be approached by sinful humanity. Hence we have the need for a mediator. It is through the mediation of Christ and Christ alone that an individual can reach the presence of God. No one else has access to God because of sin. Sin has caused a separation between God and sinful humanity.
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, is also to participate in our prayers. He is the One who prompts us to pray and teaches us what to pray for.
Romans 8:26, 26 “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.”
Summary
When we pray it is to God the Father, through God the Son, by means of God the Holy Spirit.
Why Should We Pray?
There are many reasons as to why we should pray. Above all, is the fact that He commands us to pray. The Bible says:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6,7).
Paul wrote to Timothy:
“I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument” (1 Timothy 2:8).
Example Of Godly People
Another reason why we should pray is to follow the example of godly people throughout Scripture. We see such people as Moses, Joshua, Hannah, David, Anna, Peter and Paul all engaging in prayer. If the godly people in Scripture felt it necessary to pray, so should we.
Jesus
Finally, we find that prayer was an important part of the experience of the Lord Jesus.
And it was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God (Luke 6:12).
If He felt the need to pray, then so should we.
What Are Some Of The Things We Should Not Do With Prayer? Certain prayer practices that the Bible says we are not to participate in. They include:
Endless Repetition
Jesus told us not to use endless repetition in our prayers:
“When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again.” (Matthew 6:7).
Public Spectacle
When we pray we should not do it in such a manner to attract attention to ourselves.
‘"And now about prayer. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I assure you, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.”’ (Matthew 6:5).
Jesus is telling us that we should not put on a show for others. If we put on a show that means we are not sincere and He knows it. The other people might think you are really sincere, so all the rewards you will get will be from them, not God.
Pride
We should not have a proud or demanding attitude when we pray:
‘"Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a dishonest tax collector. The proud Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: `I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don't sin, I don't commit adultery, I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, `O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.' I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored."' (Luke 18:10-12).
Unbelief
Unbelief is another thing that hinders our prayers. When we pray we should pray in faith that God will answer our prayers because He has promised to do just that. James said:
“‘But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do.” (James 1:6-8).
This does not mean the answer will be yes. God answers prayers by saying either yes, no, or wait.:
“even though I have received wonderful revelations from God. But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
Don't Ask God To Do Something You Could Do Yourself
We should never ask God in prayer to do something we ourselves are able to do. Prayer is asking God to work.
Don't Ask God For Something Sinful
When we pray we should never ask God for something that we know is a sin. This will guarantee the answer to be no.
Conclusion
Prayer should be a special personal communication between the believer and God. There are certain practices that the believer should not be engaged in when it comes to prayer.
What Should A Person Pray For? - Everything
Prayer should always be made for things that are important. However, we should remember that nothing is too small for God. Basically we can pray for anything great or small.
“Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Philippians 4:6).
The opposite of “worrying” is “praying”.
Jesus' Example
We can get an idea of what sort of things to pray for by observing the prayers recorded in the Bible. For example, Jesus prayed for workers to be sent into the harvest.
“He said to his disciples, "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields.” (Matthew 9:37-38).
Others
Our prayers should also contain requests for others. The Apostle Paul encouraged us to think of others.
“Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.” (Philippians 2:4).
Make a List
A practical thing to do is to make a list of those for whom you are praying. Among other things this list should include: the unsaved, people who are sick, those who are in the ministry, friends and relatives.
Summary
We should not be only be looking after our own interests but also the interest of others. Our prayers should reflect that.
How Can You Be Certain You Are Hearing God's Voice? The Bible tells us that God is attempting to communicate with us.
“My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27).
How do we determine what is from God and what is not?
Scripture
God will not tell us to do anything that is against the commandments laid down in Scripture. The Bible is the standard of authority on all matters of faith and practice.
Prayer
Confirmation From Others
If God is speaking to us the truth of what He is saying will be confirmed to others.
Peace Of God
The Bible says we are to let the peace of God rule in our hearts.
“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15).
Summary
The believer can hear the voice of God. The Bible is God speaking to us. Prayer is our speaking to God. The peace of God will rule in our hearts when we seek to know His will.
Whose Prayers Does God Hear?
Mediator
The Bible is clear that God only hears the prayers of believers.
“For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5).
It is only through the mediation of Jesus Christ, God's Son, can a person have access to the living God. The Apostle Paul in describing the nature of God said:
“He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No one has ever seen him, nor ever will. To him be honor and power forever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:16).
By definition, God cannot be approached by sinful humanity. Hence we have the need for a mediator. It is through the mediation of Christ and Christ alone that an individual can reach the presence of God. No one else has access to God because of sin. Sin has caused a separation between God and sinful humanity.
Mercy
The unbeliever can have their prayer answered by God if they pray for God's mercy—the salvation of their soul. That prayer God will answer. Once a person prays that prayer they become a child of God! This allows God to answer all their prayers. The Bible says:
“For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10).
Summary
The only prayers that God answers are those from His children. The unbeliever has no access to Him because they are not His family. Once a person trusts Christ as Savior, access is available to God and prayers are answered.
What If A Person Is Not Certain They Have Been Saved?
What can we say to a person who is still not certain they were ever saved but wants to be sure?
Steps To Take
If this is the case, then here is what that person should do.
1. They should tell the Lord that they are not certain if they ever have been saved but they want to end the doubt right here and now.
2. The person should then repeat a simple prayer. This prayer should acknowledge they are a sinner and cannot save themselves.
3. Then they should acknowledge what Christ has done for them on the cross—He has died in their place, on their behalf
4. Finally, the person should acknowledge that they accept Christ's sacrifice on their behalf as their only hope of becoming saved.
Sincere Heart
If a person prays something like that with a sincere heart, then the Bible says they are saved. Scripture makes it clear what it takes. The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved:
“He brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with your entire household."” (Acts 16:30-31).
Believing Is Enough
According to the Word of God, believing on Christ is enough to save someone. When any doubts arise in the future the person should turn back to Acts 16:30-31 or a passage like Romans 10:9-10 which says.
“For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.”
This says it all. If a person believes on Jesus and confesses that He is Lord, then that person is saved. Therefore when doubts ever arise again that person should go right back to the Scripture.
Why Do So Many Prayers Seem To Go Unanswered?
Christians often complain that God did not answer their prayers. But such is not the case. All of our prayers are answered.
The Answer May Be No
Sometimes God answers our requests by saying no. God has also promised to give us the grace to accept any answer that he gives us. Not everything we pray for is granted. The Apostle Paul said of his experience:
“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).
In this case the prayer of the Apostle Paul was answered but it was answered differently than he expected.
Saying No Is For Our Benefit
Christians have to remember that God only has the believers best interest in mind. When He says no to our prayers He does it for our best.
Wait
Oftentimes God does not give us a yes or no answer but rather says for us to wait.
A delayed answer is not necessarily a no answer. A case in point can be found in Scripture with Zacharias—the father of John the Baptist. God delayed the answer to the prayer of he and his wife to have a child. The reason is that God had something in mind that was better than they ever dreamed. Their child was to be the forerunner of the Messiah. Yet they had to wait until they were very old before they saw the birth of this child because of God's timing. They wanted a son but got a prophet instead.
Can Have Bad Result
There are occasions when the granting of our requests can have detrimental result. An example of this would be Hezekiah. When the prophet Isaiah informed Hezekiah that he was about to die he prayed to God to prolong his life. God granted his request and gave him fifteen extra years to live. However in those fifteen years two things occurred that had terrible consequences on the future of his people. Hezekiah showed the Babylonians the great treasures of the Temple. One hundred years later these same Babylonians plundered the Temple and its treasures.
He also conceived a son in those fifteen years who became one of the worst kings in the nation's history. His name was Manasseh. Manasseh led the people into all types of idolatry and idol worship and caused the nations to stray away from the service of the Lord.
Sin
The Bible indicates that sin can hinder our prayers being answered in an affirmative manner. The psalmist wrote:
“If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have listened.” (Psalm 66:18).
Honor With Their Mouths
The prophet Isaiah records the Lord as saying:
“And so the Lord says, "These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away. And their worship of me amounts to nothing more than human laws learned by rote. ” (Isaiah 29:13).
Greek version reads “Their worship is a farce, for they merely teach human commands and teachings”
Marital Problems
Marital problems can hinder the granting of prayer requests:
“In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat her with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. If you don't treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard.” (1 Peter 3:7).
Lack Of Faith
Sometimes a lack of faith can keep our prayers from being answered:
“But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:6-7).
Not Staying Joined to Christ
Our prayers will be answered if we remain in Christ.
“But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted!” (John 15:7).
Not According To His Will
Often times our prayers are answered with a no because it is not according to His will.
“And we can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will.” (1 John 5:14).
Summary
There are several reasons why prayers seem to go unanswered though all prayers are indeed answered. One of the answers that God gives is, “No”. God also may answer with, “Wait”. Whatever the case may be, God does answer all the prayers of believers.
Matthew 6:5-12: "And now about prayer. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I assure you, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you. "When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again. Don't be like them, because your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be honored.
May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done here on earth,
just as it is in heaven.
Give us our food for today,[a]
and forgive us our sins,
just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.”
WHAT IS TRUE PRAYER?
1. TRUE PRAYER gives access to the Father. Sin hinders access to a holy God and must forever create a barrier between God and the creature He has created unless it can be righteously removed.:
a. Hebrews 10:19 “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus.”
b. Ephesians 3:12 “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God's presence, assured of his glad welcome.”
2. TRUE PRAYER gives fellowship and communion with God:
a. 1 John 1:3 “We are telling you about what we ourselves have actually seen and heard, so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” (fellowship = “koinonia”)
3. TRUE PRAYER puts God first, others second, self last:
a. 1 Timothy 2:1 “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks.”
b. Matthew 5:44 “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” Some manuscripts add “Bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you.”
c. James 5:16 “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.”
d. Paul’s prayers:
i. Romans 1:9-12 “God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by telling others the Good News about his Son. One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. For I long to visit you so I can share a spiritual blessing with you that will help you grow strong in the Lord. I'm eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other.”
ii. 1 Corinthians 1:4-7 “I can never stop thanking God for all the generous gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. He has enriched your church with the gifts of eloquence and every kind of knowledge. This shows that what I told you about Christ is true. Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
iii. Ephesians 1:15-20 “Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for Christians everywhere, I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people. I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.”
iv. Ephesians 3:14-21 “When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.”
v. Philippians 1:4-6 “I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.”
vi. Colossians 1:3 “We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard that you trust in Christ Jesus and that you love all of God's people.”
vii. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3. “We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we talk to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and your continual anticipation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
4. TRUE PRAYER rests upon and claims God’s promises:
a. James 5:16-18 “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for the next three and a half years! Then he prayed for rain, and down it poured. The grass turned green, and the crops began to grow again.”
5. TRUE PRAYER watchers (lies sleepless) and waits for the Lord’s answer:
a. Habakkuk 2:1 “I will climb up into my watchtower now and wait to see what the LORD will say to me and how he will answer my complaint.”
b. Mark 13:33-37 “And since you don't know when they will happen, stay alert and keep watch "The coming of the Son of Man can be compared with that of a man who left home to go on a trip. He gave each of his employees instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. So keep a sharp lookout! For you do not know when the homeowner will return--at evening, midnight, early dawn, or late daybreak. Don't let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. What I say to you I say to everyone: Watch for his return!"”
c. Luke 21:36 “Keep a constant watch. And pray that, if possible, you may escape these horrors and stand before the Son of Man."
d. 1 Peter 4:7 “The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers”
e. Colossians 4:2-3 “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Don't forget to pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to preach about his secret plan--that Christ is also for you Gentiles. That is why I am here in chains.”
f. Ephesians 6:18 “Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.”
6. TRUE PRAYER has an intensity and earnestness behind it:
a. Colossians 4:12 “Epaphras, from your city, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident of the whole will of God.”(prays earnestly = “agonize” from “agon” – race or contest)
7. TRUE PRAYER is offered to God the Father in Christ’s Name:
a. Ephesians 3:14 “When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,”
b. Ephesians 3:21 “May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen” (offered in the Name of the Lord Jesus)
c. Romans 8:26 “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” (interpreted by the Holy Spirit)
8. TRUE PRAYER is protection:
a. Luke 22:31-32 “"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to have all of you, to sift you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen and build up your brothers."”
9. TRUE PRAYER will conform to the will of God:
a. Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.”
10. TRUE PRAYER is answered only if unconfessed sin has been removed:
Psalm 66:18-20 “If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have listened. But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer and did not withdraw his unfailing love from me.”
The Bible has many things to say about the subject of prayer. Prayer is talking to God. It is our way of communicating our thoughts, needs, and desires to Him. It can also be a sharing of thoughts or feelings with Him. You can worship Him or praise Him in prayer simply by telling Him that you love Him. It is an avenue that God has provided for the believer of making known the deepest feelings of our heart.
Prayer Is An Act
Prayer is an act, not merely an attitude. This can be seen by the way the Scripture speaks of people praying.
“Once when Jesus had been out praying, one of his disciples came to him as he finished and said, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."” (Luke 11:1).
Asking God
The main idea behind prayer is petition, asking God for things. Jesus said:
“Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.” (Matthew 7:7-8).
How Often Should We Pray?
“Keep on praying” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Pray Privately
“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6).
When you pray under your breath, that is to yourself, no one but God can hear you. You can pray anywhere you want in a car or a bus, walking or just sitting, just close that door to your mind and no one is able to read it except your Heavenly Father.
Continue In Prayer
We are also to continue in prayer. We do not just pray for something once and then go on.
In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed three times for the same thing. Hence it is not a lack of faith to continue to pray for something. Furthermore we are commanded to keep on praying for things.
Summary
Prayer is talking to God. It is a specific thing that we do, not merely an attitude. The main idea behind prayer is petition—asking God for things. From the Scripture we discover that prayer is an act that we are to perform between us and God. It should be done in private without calling attention to the fact that we are praying.
To Whom Do We Pray: The Father, The Son, Or The Holy Spirit? To “saints”? To Mary?
The Bible says we are to pray to God the Father, through God the Son, by means of God the Holy Spirit.
The Father
Jesus taught that we are to pray to God the Father.
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored,’ ”. Matthew 6:9
Therefore God the Father is the ultimate one to whom we are praying.
Christ The Mediator
Though we are to address our prayers to God the Father it is through the mediation of Jesus Christ that are prayers are heard.
“For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5
It is only through the mediation of Jesus Christ, God's Son, can a person have access to the living God. The Apostle Paul in describing the nature of God said:
Who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no human has seen or can see (1 Timothy 6:16).
By definition, God cannot be approached by sinful humanity. Hence we have the need for a mediator. It is through the mediation of Christ and Christ alone that an individual can reach the presence of God. No one else has access to God because of sin. Sin has caused a separation between God and sinful humanity.
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, is also to participate in our prayers. He is the One who prompts us to pray and teaches us what to pray for.
Romans 8:26, 26 “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.”
Summary
When we pray it is to God the Father, through God the Son, by means of God the Holy Spirit.
Why Should We Pray?
There are many reasons as to why we should pray. Above all, is the fact that He commands us to pray. The Bible says:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6,7).
Paul wrote to Timothy:
“I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument” (1 Timothy 2:8).
Example Of Godly People
Another reason why we should pray is to follow the example of godly people throughout Scripture. We see such people as Moses, Joshua, Hannah, David, Anna, Peter and Paul all engaging in prayer. If the godly people in Scripture felt it necessary to pray, so should we.
Jesus
Finally, we find that prayer was an important part of the experience of the Lord Jesus.
And it was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God (Luke 6:12).
If He felt the need to pray, then so should we.
What Are Some Of The Things We Should Not Do With Prayer? Certain prayer practices that the Bible says we are not to participate in. They include:
Endless Repetition
Jesus told us not to use endless repetition in our prayers:
“When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again.” (Matthew 6:7).
Public Spectacle
When we pray we should not do it in such a manner to attract attention to ourselves.
‘"And now about prayer. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I assure you, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.”’ (Matthew 6:5).
Jesus is telling us that we should not put on a show for others. If we put on a show that means we are not sincere and He knows it. The other people might think you are really sincere, so all the rewards you will get will be from them, not God.
Pride
We should not have a proud or demanding attitude when we pray:
‘"Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a dishonest tax collector. The proud Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: `I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don't sin, I don't commit adultery, I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, `O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.' I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored."' (Luke 18:10-12).
Unbelief
Unbelief is another thing that hinders our prayers. When we pray we should pray in faith that God will answer our prayers because He has promised to do just that. James said:
“‘But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do.” (James 1:6-8).
This does not mean the answer will be yes. God answers prayers by saying either yes, no, or wait.:
“even though I have received wonderful revelations from God. But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
Don't Ask God To Do Something You Could Do Yourself
We should never ask God in prayer to do something we ourselves are able to do. Prayer is asking God to work.
Don't Ask God For Something Sinful
When we pray we should never ask God for something that we know is a sin. This will guarantee the answer to be no.
Conclusion
Prayer should be a special personal communication between the believer and God. There are certain practices that the believer should not be engaged in when it comes to prayer.
What Should A Person Pray For? - Everything
Prayer should always be made for things that are important. However, we should remember that nothing is too small for God. Basically we can pray for anything great or small.
“Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Philippians 4:6).
The opposite of “worrying” is “praying”.
Jesus' Example
We can get an idea of what sort of things to pray for by observing the prayers recorded in the Bible. For example, Jesus prayed for workers to be sent into the harvest.
“He said to his disciples, "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields.” (Matthew 9:37-38).
Others
Our prayers should also contain requests for others. The Apostle Paul encouraged us to think of others.
“Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.” (Philippians 2:4).
Make a List
A practical thing to do is to make a list of those for whom you are praying. Among other things this list should include: the unsaved, people who are sick, those who are in the ministry, friends and relatives.
Summary
We should not be only be looking after our own interests but also the interest of others. Our prayers should reflect that.
How Can You Be Certain You Are Hearing God's Voice? The Bible tells us that God is attempting to communicate with us.
“My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27).
How do we determine what is from God and what is not?
Scripture
God will not tell us to do anything that is against the commandments laid down in Scripture. The Bible is the standard of authority on all matters of faith and practice.
Prayer
Confirmation From Others
If God is speaking to us the truth of what He is saying will be confirmed to others.
Peace Of God
The Bible says we are to let the peace of God rule in our hearts.
“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15).
Summary
The believer can hear the voice of God. The Bible is God speaking to us. Prayer is our speaking to God. The peace of God will rule in our hearts when we seek to know His will.
Whose Prayers Does God Hear?
Mediator
The Bible is clear that God only hears the prayers of believers.
“For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5).
It is only through the mediation of Jesus Christ, God's Son, can a person have access to the living God. The Apostle Paul in describing the nature of God said:
“He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No one has ever seen him, nor ever will. To him be honor and power forever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:16).
By definition, God cannot be approached by sinful humanity. Hence we have the need for a mediator. It is through the mediation of Christ and Christ alone that an individual can reach the presence of God. No one else has access to God because of sin. Sin has caused a separation between God and sinful humanity.
Mercy
The unbeliever can have their prayer answered by God if they pray for God's mercy—the salvation of their soul. That prayer God will answer. Once a person prays that prayer they become a child of God! This allows God to answer all their prayers. The Bible says:
“For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10).
Summary
The only prayers that God answers are those from His children. The unbeliever has no access to Him because they are not His family. Once a person trusts Christ as Savior, access is available to God and prayers are answered.
What If A Person Is Not Certain They Have Been Saved?
What can we say to a person who is still not certain they were ever saved but wants to be sure?
Steps To Take
If this is the case, then here is what that person should do.
1. They should tell the Lord that they are not certain if they ever have been saved but they want to end the doubt right here and now.
2. The person should then repeat a simple prayer. This prayer should acknowledge they are a sinner and cannot save themselves.
3. Then they should acknowledge what Christ has done for them on the cross—He has died in their place, on their behalf
4. Finally, the person should acknowledge that they accept Christ's sacrifice on their behalf as their only hope of becoming saved.
Sincere Heart
If a person prays something like that with a sincere heart, then the Bible says they are saved. Scripture makes it clear what it takes. The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved:
“He brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with your entire household."” (Acts 16:30-31).
Believing Is Enough
According to the Word of God, believing on Christ is enough to save someone. When any doubts arise in the future the person should turn back to Acts 16:30-31 or a passage like Romans 10:9-10 which says.
“For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.”
This says it all. If a person believes on Jesus and confesses that He is Lord, then that person is saved. Therefore when doubts ever arise again that person should go right back to the Scripture.
Why Do So Many Prayers Seem To Go Unanswered?
Christians often complain that God did not answer their prayers. But such is not the case. All of our prayers are answered.
The Answer May Be No
Sometimes God answers our requests by saying no. God has also promised to give us the grace to accept any answer that he gives us. Not everything we pray for is granted. The Apostle Paul said of his experience:
“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).
In this case the prayer of the Apostle Paul was answered but it was answered differently than he expected.
Saying No Is For Our Benefit
Christians have to remember that God only has the believers best interest in mind. When He says no to our prayers He does it for our best.
Wait
Oftentimes God does not give us a yes or no answer but rather says for us to wait.
A delayed answer is not necessarily a no answer. A case in point can be found in Scripture with Zacharias—the father of John the Baptist. God delayed the answer to the prayer of he and his wife to have a child. The reason is that God had something in mind that was better than they ever dreamed. Their child was to be the forerunner of the Messiah. Yet they had to wait until they were very old before they saw the birth of this child because of God's timing. They wanted a son but got a prophet instead.
Can Have Bad Result
There are occasions when the granting of our requests can have detrimental result. An example of this would be Hezekiah. When the prophet Isaiah informed Hezekiah that he was about to die he prayed to God to prolong his life. God granted his request and gave him fifteen extra years to live. However in those fifteen years two things occurred that had terrible consequences on the future of his people. Hezekiah showed the Babylonians the great treasures of the Temple. One hundred years later these same Babylonians plundered the Temple and its treasures.
He also conceived a son in those fifteen years who became one of the worst kings in the nation's history. His name was Manasseh. Manasseh led the people into all types of idolatry and idol worship and caused the nations to stray away from the service of the Lord.
Sin
The Bible indicates that sin can hinder our prayers being answered in an affirmative manner. The psalmist wrote:
“If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have listened.” (Psalm 66:18).
Honor With Their Mouths
The prophet Isaiah records the Lord as saying:
“And so the Lord says, "These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away. And their worship of me amounts to nothing more than human laws learned by rote. ” (Isaiah 29:13).
Greek version reads “Their worship is a farce, for they merely teach human commands and teachings”
Marital Problems
Marital problems can hinder the granting of prayer requests:
“In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat her with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. If you don't treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard.” (1 Peter 3:7).
Lack Of Faith
Sometimes a lack of faith can keep our prayers from being answered:
“But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:6-7).
Not Staying Joined to Christ
Our prayers will be answered if we remain in Christ.
“But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted!” (John 15:7).
Not According To His Will
Often times our prayers are answered with a no because it is not according to His will.
“And we can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will.” (1 John 5:14).
Summary
There are several reasons why prayers seem to go unanswered though all prayers are indeed answered. One of the answers that God gives is, “No”. God also may answer with, “Wait”. Whatever the case may be, God does answer all the prayers of believers.
Matthew 6:5-12: "And now about prayer. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I assure you, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you. "When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again. Don't be like them, because your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be honored.
May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done here on earth,
just as it is in heaven.
Give us our food for today,[a]
and forgive us our sins,
just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.”
WHAT IS TRUE PRAYER?
1. TRUE PRAYER gives access to the Father. Sin hinders access to a holy God and must forever create a barrier between God and the creature He has created unless it can be righteously removed.:
a. Hebrews 10:19 “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus.”
b. Ephesians 3:12 “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God's presence, assured of his glad welcome.”
2. TRUE PRAYER gives fellowship and communion with God:
a. 1 John 1:3 “We are telling you about what we ourselves have actually seen and heard, so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” (fellowship = “koinonia”)
3. TRUE PRAYER puts God first, others second, self last:
a. 1 Timothy 2:1 “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks.”
b. Matthew 5:44 “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” Some manuscripts add “Bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you.”
c. James 5:16 “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.”
d. Paul’s prayers:
i. Romans 1:9-12 “God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by telling others the Good News about his Son. One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. For I long to visit you so I can share a spiritual blessing with you that will help you grow strong in the Lord. I'm eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other.”
ii. 1 Corinthians 1:4-7 “I can never stop thanking God for all the generous gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. He has enriched your church with the gifts of eloquence and every kind of knowledge. This shows that what I told you about Christ is true. Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
iii. Ephesians 1:15-20 “Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for Christians everywhere, I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people. I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.”
iv. Ephesians 3:14-21 “When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.”
v. Philippians 1:4-6 “I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.”
vi. Colossians 1:3 “We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard that you trust in Christ Jesus and that you love all of God's people.”
vii. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3. “We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we talk to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and your continual anticipation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
4. TRUE PRAYER rests upon and claims God’s promises:
a. James 5:16-18 “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for the next three and a half years! Then he prayed for rain, and down it poured. The grass turned green, and the crops began to grow again.”
5. TRUE PRAYER watchers (lies sleepless) and waits for the Lord’s answer:
a. Habakkuk 2:1 “I will climb up into my watchtower now and wait to see what the LORD will say to me and how he will answer my complaint.”
b. Mark 13:33-37 “And since you don't know when they will happen, stay alert and keep watch "The coming of the Son of Man can be compared with that of a man who left home to go on a trip. He gave each of his employees instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. So keep a sharp lookout! For you do not know when the homeowner will return--at evening, midnight, early dawn, or late daybreak. Don't let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. What I say to you I say to everyone: Watch for his return!"”
c. Luke 21:36 “Keep a constant watch. And pray that, if possible, you may escape these horrors and stand before the Son of Man."
d. 1 Peter 4:7 “The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers”
e. Colossians 4:2-3 “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Don't forget to pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to preach about his secret plan--that Christ is also for you Gentiles. That is why I am here in chains.”
f. Ephesians 6:18 “Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.”
6. TRUE PRAYER has an intensity and earnestness behind it:
a. Colossians 4:12 “Epaphras, from your city, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident of the whole will of God.”(prays earnestly = “agonize” from “agon” – race or contest)
7. TRUE PRAYER is offered to God the Father in Christ’s Name:
a. Ephesians 3:14 “When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,”
b. Ephesians 3:21 “May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen” (offered in the Name of the Lord Jesus)
c. Romans 8:26 “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” (interpreted by the Holy Spirit)
8. TRUE PRAYER is protection:
a. Luke 22:31-32 “"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to have all of you, to sift you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen and build up your brothers."”
9. TRUE PRAYER will conform to the will of God:
a. Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.”
10. TRUE PRAYER is answered only if unconfessed sin has been removed:
Psalm 66:18-20 “If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have listened. But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer and did not withdraw his unfailing love from me.”
posted by Oakview Bible Fellowship at 4:02 AM
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