The Practice Of Prayer

INTRODUCTION

1. In our previous lesson, we discussed Principles Of Prayer, such as:
   a. Characteristics of acceptable prayer
   b. Obstacles to prayer
   c. Answers to prayer

2. With a desire to encourage disciples of Jesus to more diligent
   praying, this lesson will offer suggestions as to The Practice Of
   Prayer...

I. WHEN SHOULD WE PRAY?

   A. HAVING "SET TIMES" TO PRAY CAN HELP TO CREATE THE HABIT OF
      PRAYING...
      1. For example, consider the practice of:
         a. David, whom God described as "a man after My own heart"
            - Ps 55:17
         b. Daniel, whom the angel of God described as "O man greatly
            beloved" - Dan 6:10
      2. These great men of God made it a habit to pray at set times
         throughout the day; we would do well to imitate their example
      3. At the very least...
         a. Find some time each day to be alone with God in prayer
            1) Early morning may be best for some
            2) Others might find it easier to be alone late at night
         b. Make it a special time to be alone with your Heavenly
            Father!

   B. YET PRAYERS SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO "SET TIMES"...
      1. Special needs call for special times of praying
      2. Consider the examples of:
         a. Jesus, praying on important occasions - Lk 6:12-13
         b. Paul, praying in trying circumstances - Ac 16:25
         c. Nehemiah - praying on the spur of the moment - Neh 2:4-5

   C. THE GOAL IS TO "PRAY WITHOUT CEASING" - 1Th 5:17
      1. Having "set times" will help develop the experience in praying
      2. Praying "spontaneously" as needs arise will develop the
         disposition to pray in every circumstance (i.e., "without
         ceasing")

 II. WITH WHOM SHOULD WE PRAY?

   A. JESUS EXHORTED US TO PRAY "IN SECRET" - Mt 6:5-6
      1. Private prayer should occupy the largest portion of our total
         life of prayer
      2. Consider the value of "secret prayer":
         a. It forms a close union, communion and fellowship with God
            (it is just you and Him!)
         b. It is a true test of your sincerity and devotion
            1) You certainly are not doing it to please men (they can't
               see you)
            2) You can't be trying to falsely impress God (He will see
               right through you)
         c. Your Father will reward you "openly" - Mt 6:6
      -- Therefore, "private prayer" should be a priority!

   B. JESUS ALSO SPOKE OF PRAYING WITH "TWO OR THREE" - Mt 18:19-20
      1. The early Christians prayed together often...
         a. In times of trouble - Ac 4:23-24; 12:5,12; 16:25
         b. In times of departure - Ac 20:36; 21:5
      2. A sweetness of fellowship and sense of strength comes when
         God's people pray together
      -- Therefore, "praying with others" should be done as often as
         possible

III. HOW SHOULD WE PRAY?

   A. JESUS TAUGHT HOW TO PRAY - Lk 11:1-4
      1. The "Lord's Prayer", as it is commonly called, is a model, a
         guide for learning how to pray
      2. A careful examination of this prayer reveals that proper prayer
         includes:
         a. To "whom" we should pray ("Our Father in heaven")
         b. Praising God ("Hallowed be Your Name")
         c. Supplication
            1) For God's purposes ("Your kingdom come.  Your will be
               done...")
            2) For our physical needs ("Give us this day our daily
               bread")
            3) For our spiritual needs ("Forgive us our sins...")
            4) For spiritual needs of others ("For we also forgive
               everyone who is indebted to us")
      3. He also stressed the importance of simplicity in our prayers
         - Mt 6:7-8

   B. A HELPFUL ACROSTIC IN LEARNING TO PRAY IS "A-C-T-S"
      1. A = ADORATION
         a. I.e., praising God
         b. A good example of this is found in 1Ch 29:10-13
         c. Spending time in sincere praise of God's greatness will help
            put us in the proper spirit of humility
      2. C = CONFESSION
         a. I.e., acknowledging our sins before God
         b. When we understand how sin can break the fellowship we have
            with God, we naturally desire its quick remission
         c. Fortunately, as Christians we can be cleansed by the blood
            of Jesus as we confess our sins - 1Jn 1:9
      3. T = THANKSGIVING
         a. An important part of prayer, even those in which we are
            making requests - Php 4:6
         b. The benefits of giving thanks are many:
            1) Causes us to acknowledge God's existence, love, and care
            2) Reminds us of His goodness
            3) Helps to shift our focus from what we don't have to what
               we do have
         c. The kind of things to be thankful for:
            1) Things we can see in our lives...
               a) Health
               b) Family and friends
               c) God's guidance, answers to previous prayers
            2) Things we may not be able to see...
               a) Our adoption as His children
               b) The forgiveness of sins
               c) The hope of eternal life
               d) The assurance of His continued presence
         d. God's people have every reason to be thankful, and to be
            known for "abounding in thanksgiving" - Col 1:12; 2:7; 3:15;
     4. S = SUPPLICATION
         a. I.e., making requests of God - Php 4:6
         b. If we are faithful in including the first three (adoration,
            confession, thanksgiving), this last will prevent prayer
            from being simply a spiritual "shopping list"
         c. When we broaden our requests to include others, we enter
            into one of the most noble realms of prayer:  intercession
            1) Something which God wants us to do - 1Ti 2:1
            2) Examples of whom we can pray for are given in the next
               section...

 IV. FOR WHAT SHOULD WE PRAY?

   A. IN THE SCRIPTURES, GOD INDICATES THAT HE WISHES US TO PRAY FOR:
      1. Self
         a. For physical daily needs - Mt 6:11
         b. For personal growth in Christlikeness and devotion to God
            - Col 1:9-12
      2. Family
         a. For spouse, children, parents, siblings, etc.
         b. For their nurture and growth in the teaching of the Lord
            - Ep 6:4
      3. Community
         a. For peace to prevail
         b. E.g., Jer 29:7
      4. Church
         a. For love and unity to prevail - Jn 13:35; 17:20-21
         b. For the spiritual growth of each member - Php 1:9-11
         c. For the gospel to have free course - 2Th 3:1
      5. Nation
         a. For national repentance and consciousness of who God is
            - Psa 33:12; Pr 14:34
         b. For leaders to rule wisely - 1Ti 2:2
      6. Nonbelievers
         a. For their salvation - Ro 10:1
         b. For the effort of those involved in teaching them - Ep6:18-20
      7. The sick
         a. For their restoration to health - Jm 5:14-15
         b. For spiritual strength and peace of mind - Jm 5:16
      8. The poor and oppressed
         a. Such as the homeless, fatherless, unborn children - Pr 29:7
         b. Those in other nations oppressed by their own rulers or
            outside influences

   B. IT MIGHT HELP TO HAVE A "PRAYER STRATEGY"...
      1. On Monday - Family
         a. Pray for both immediate and extended family members
         b. For both their physical and spiritual well-being
      2. On Tuesday - Church
         a. For members in the local congregation
         b. For Christians and congregations throughout the world
      3. On Wednesday - Community
         a. For community leaders
         b. For your neighbors
      4. On Thursday - Nation
         a. For elected officials
         b. For efforts to bring peace and righteousness
      5. On Friday - World
         a. For world peace
         b. For nations that are "closed" to the gospel
      6. On Saturday - Afflicted
         a. For the poor, homeless, jobless
         b. For those in prison
         c. For those who are sick
         d. For widows, single mothers, fatherless children

 CONCLUSION

1. These are simply suggestions, to help us see that there is much we
   can be praying for; other suggestions could include:
   a. A "daily prayer strategy" (morning-family; noon-church;
      evening-community)
   b. When praying for the nation and the world, pray about the events
      described in the newspaper
   c. Keeping a "list" or "journal" of those for whom you are praying

2. The important thing is to PRAY, and to do so:
   a. "always"
   b. "in everything"
   c. "earnestly"
   d. "being vigilant"
   e. "without ceasing"

3. I hope these last two lessons will encourage us to be more diligent
   in utilizing this wonderful privilege of prayer 

For more information, Prayers and counseling you can contact,
Rev. Adbhuta Rao. Garnepudi
Millinium Baptist Church
Nambur, Guntur (Dist), A.P
milliniumbaptistchurchministries@yahoo.com
mbcministries.india@gmail.com
(+91)9848150491, 9908054910 

Principles Of Prayer

INTRODUCTION

1. One of the greatest blessings enjoyed by Christians in this life is

   the privilege of PRAYER, by which we can approach God

   a. Through prayer, the Christian can find FORGIVENESS for sins

      - 1Jn 1:9

   b. Through prayer, the Christian can find PEACE to replace anxiety

      - Php 4:6-7

   c. Through prayer, the Christian can receive STRENGTH from God

      through His Spirit - Ep 3:14-16

2. For such reasons, Paul frequently exhorted Christians to be diligent

   in their prayers...

   a. "praying always with all prayer and supplication..." - Ep 6:18

   b. "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanks-

      giving" - Col 4:2

   c. "Pray without ceasing" - 1Th 5:17

3. Yet Jesus knew that people would tend to become slack in their

   prayers - Lk 18:1

   a. It is out of a similar concern that prompts two lessons devoted

      specifically to "PRAYER"

   b. It is hoped that you will be encouraged to be more diligent in

      prayer as we examine:

      1) Basic PRINCIPLES of prayer taught in God's Word

      2) Suggestions concerning the PRACTICE of prayer in our daily

         lives

I. CHARACTERISTICS OF ACCEPTABLE PRAYER

   A. IT MUST BE OFFERED "IN FAITH"...

      1. "And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you

         will receive." - Mt 21:22

      2. We must have faith in God, and in His ability to answer

         - He 11:6

      3. Otherwise, prayer will not be answered - cf. Jm 1:5-8

      4. Is our faith weak?  Then increase it with the help of God's

         Word - Ro 10:17

   B. IT MUST BE OFFERED "IN THE SPIRIT OF HUMILITY"...

      1. Notice the example of the Pharisee and the publican

         - Lk 18:9-14

      2. Remember, "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,

         and saves such as have a contrite spirit" - Ps 34:18

      3. As quoted by James:  "God resists the proud, but gives grace

         to the humble" - Jm 4:6

   C. IT MUST BE OFFERED "IN HARMONY WITH GOD'S WILL"...

      1. God answers prayer that is offered "according to His will"

         - 1Jn 5:14

      2. Jesus provided the example for us in His prayers at Gethsemane

         - Lk 22:42

      3. Too often, prayers are unanswered because they are more con-

         cerned with OUR will, rather than GOD'S will! - cf. Jm 4:3

   D. IT MUST BE OFFERED "BY THOSE RIGHTEOUS BEFORE GOD"...

      1. "For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears

         are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against

         those who do evil" - 1Pe 3:12

      2. The prayers of the righteous person are effective

         - Jm 5:16-18

      3. But those continuing in sin He will not hear! - Pr 28:9;

         Is 59:1-2

      4. To be righteous before God...

         a. Requires that we submit to the "righteousness of God"

            offered in Christ - cf. Ro 10:1-4

         b. I.e., respond to the gospel of Christ - Ro 1:16-17

   E. IT MUST BE OFFERED "IN THE SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING"...

      1. "giving thanks always for all things to God" - Ep 5:20

      2. "in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving"

         - Php 4:6

      3. "...prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving" - Col 4:2

      4. "pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks"

         - 1Th 5:17-18

      -- Do we think God will help us with our PRESENT BURDENS if we

         don't take the time to thank Him for PAST BLESSINGS?

   F. IT MUST BE OFFERED "WITH PERSISTENCE"...

      1. Jesus illustrated this aspect of prayer through two parables

         a. The parable of the persistent friend - Lk 11:5-10

         b. The parable of the persistent widow - Lk 18:1-8

      2. The virtue of persistence is demonstrated in the prayers of:

         a. Jesus at Gethsemane - Mt 26:44

         b. Paul, pertaining to his "thorn in the flesh" - 2Co 12:7-8

         c. The early church - Ac 2:42

   G. IT MUST BE OFFERED "IN THE NAME OF JESUS"...

      1. "Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the

         name of our Lord Jesus Christ" - Ep 5:20

      2. This means much more than simply adding a little phrase "in

         Jesus' name" at the end of our prayers!

         a. We must realize that Jesus is the only way by which we can

            approach God - Jn 14:6

         b. We must view Him as our "high priest" who intercedes for us

            - He 7:24-25; Jn 14:13

      3. Appealing to God in the name of His Son can give us great

         confidence that God will give us what we need! - He 4:14-16

II. OBSTACLES TO PRAYER

   A. UNCONFESSED SIN...

      1. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear"

         - Ps 66:18

      2. The BASIS for prayer rests upon our being in fellowship with

         Him; such fellowship is broken if we do not confess our sins

         to Him!

   B. IMPROPER TREATMENT OF OTHERS...

      1. How we treat others has a bearing upon whether God will hear

         our prayers!

         a. E.g., how we treat the poor - Ps 41:1-3

         b. E.g., how one treats his friend - Mt 5:23-24

         c. E.g., how a husband treats his wife - 1Pe 3:7

      2. We must correct our relationships with others (if possible)

         before we can expect God to hear our prayers!

      3. Especially if we desire to receive forgiveness for our sins!

         - Mt 6:14-15; 18:21-23

III. ANSWERS TO PRAYERS

   A. "REQUEST GRANTED"...

      1. God may answer "YES" , and grant the petitions we ask of Him

      2. Such will be the case the more we try to do His Will in our

         lives - 1Jn 3:22

   B. "REQUEST GRANTED, BUT NOT YET"...

      1. God may grant our request, but in time and according to His

         purpose for our lives

      2. "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose

         under heaven" - Ec 3:1

      3. So we may think God is saying "NO", when He is really saying

         "YES, BUT WAIT"

   C. "REQUEST GRANTED, BUT NOT AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT"...

      1. Sometimes God says "YES", but answers it in way differently

         than we anticipated

      2. Remember, God's thoughts and methods are often much different

         than ours - Is 55:8,9

      3. Like asking God for strength and perseverance...

         a. He may give us trials to bear

         b. Which in turn develops the virtues we prayed for!

      4. We should be careful and not dictate to God HOW to answer our

         prayers...

         a. Limit the "HOW" and we might be limiting the "RESULT"

         b. For example, the way some pray for the sick, they limit God

            as to how He might restore them

   D. "REQUEST DENIED"...

      1. Often God says "NO"

      2. But we must trust that God, who knows all and what is best,

         would do so only if granting our request might not be for our

         good - cf. He 12:5-11

      3. We may not fully understand, but we can still fully trust Him!

         - cf. Hab 3:17-19

      4. Especially in light of the promise in 1Co 10:13

CONCLUSION

1. The ability to pray to God and receive answers in our lives is truly

   one of the greatest blessings we can have as children of God!

2. Hopefully, understanding and applying the principles discussed in

   this lesson will assure greater success in having our prayers

   answered

3. Our next lesson will deal with "THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER", offering

   suggestions on the when, with whom, how and what of prayer

For more information, Prayers and counseling you can contact,
Rev. Adbhuta Rao. Garnepudi
Millinium Baptist Church
Nambur, Guntur (Dist), A.P
milliniumbaptistchurchministries@yahoo.com
mbcministries.india@gmail.com
(+91)9848150491, 9908054910