1. What is entailed in the Lord's instruction?
Matt 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 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. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 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. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (KJV)
A. Prayer is to be sincere and genuine, verse 5, no pretense.
B. Prayer to be rewarded. Not to impress the bystanders, verse 6.
C. Prayer is communication (talking) with God, verse 9.
D. Prayer is to be in reverence and awe, verse 9. The word hallowed means to "render or declare sacred or holy, consecrate...hence to render or acknowledge to be venerable, to hallow..." (Thayer, P.6).
E. Prayer is to be in respect to the Lord's will, verse 10.
F. Prayer is offered in view of our needs and dependence upon our heavenly Father, verse 11.
G. Prayer is offered with a forgiving spirit, verse 12.
H. Prayer is offered in view of our sin and the need of the Father's forgiveness, verse 12.
I. Prayer is offered in light of our desire for purity and deliverance, verse 13.
2. Prayer is a way of life not an act performed only in the face of a crisis.
3. Matthew Henry said, "The Bible is a letter God has sent us; prayer is a letter we send God".
4. As we approach our heavenly Father (Who is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.
2Cor 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; (KJV)
Let us do so with the attitude of the Psalmist David, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer".
Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (KJV)
5. As we develop our thought we will do so by considering some important questions.
6. The intent (purpose) of our study will be trifold:
A. To help us have a better understanding and appreciation of prayer.
B. To encourage us to pray more.
C. To help us pray more effectively.
A. It is asking of God.
John 11:22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. (KJV)
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (KJV)
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (KJV)
1John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. (KJV)
B. It is making our request (petition) known to God.
C. It is coming boldly to the throne of God.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (KJV)
(The word boldly denotes "All outspokenness i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity..." It has to do with one coming to God with the assurance that He can)
D. It is calling upon God.
Psalms 88:9 Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee. (KJV)
F. Al Martin comments regarding prayer, "For what is prayer in the last analysis? It is a conscious spreading out of my helplessness before god". (Gathered Goal, by John Blanchard, p. 222).
A. In the name of Christ.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (KJV)
B. In faithfulness to God.
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. (KJV)
1John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (KJV)
C. In harmony with the Lord's will.
1John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (KJV)
D. In faith (without doubting).
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (KJV)
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (KJV)
E. In persistence.
1Thess 5:17 Pray without ceasing. (KJV)
Col 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (KJV)
F. With a spirit of forgiveness.
Matt 6:12 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. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (KJV)
A. For leaders of the land.
1Tim 2:1 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. (KJV)
B. For gospel preachers.
Heb 13:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. (KJV)
Col 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: (KJV)
C. For all Christians.
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (KJV)
Eph 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. (KJV)
D. For the sick.
James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: (KJV)
E. For our enemies.
Matt 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (KJV)
F. For a brother who does not sin unto death.
1John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. (KJV)
G. For one another.
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. (KJV)
IV. WHO ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF PRAYER?
A. Abraham's prayer for Sodom.
Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? 25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? 26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. 27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: 28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. 29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake. 30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. 31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake. 32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. (KJV)
B. Moses' prayer for Israel.
Exodus 32:11 And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? 12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. 14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. (KJV)
C. Samuel prayed for Israel.
1Sam 7:5 And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD. (KJV)
1Sam 12:23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: (KJV)
D. Daniel prayer for Israel.
Daniel 9:3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: 4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; 5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: 6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. 8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; 10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. 12 And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. 14 Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice. 15 And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. 18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name. (KJV)
E. Stephen prayed for those who stoned him.
Acts 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (KJV)
F. Peter and John prayed for the Samaritans.
Acts 8:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (KJV)
G. Paul prayed for Christians in various places.
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (KJV)
Colossians chapter 9 to 12
2Thess 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: 12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)
V. WAS THE FIRST CENTURY CHURCH A PRAYING CHURCH?
A. On the day of Pentecost when about three thousand obeyed the gospel, the Bible records that they continued staedfastly in the apostles doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers.
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (KJV)
B. The company of Christians joined by Peter and John (who had been strengthened by the Jewish council prayed.
Acts 4:24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: (KJV)
C. The church prayed earnestly for Peter while he was in prison.
Acts 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (KJV)
D. Paul and Silas while in prison prayed and sang praises to God.
Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. (KJV)
E. Paul and the Ephesian elders kneeled down and prayed.
Acts 20:36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. (KJV)
F. The church is admonished to pray.
Rom 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; (KJV)
1Cor 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. (KJV)
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (KJV)
Phil 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (KJV)
Col 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (KJV)
1Thess 5:17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (KJV)
G. Since the church of Christ is to be like Christ in mind,
Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (KJV)
and action,
1Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (KJV)
perhaps we should ask, was Jesus given to prayer?
1. Following His baptism He prayed.
Luke 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, (KJV)
2. The night before selecting the twelve to be apostles He went into the mountain and spent all night praying.
Luke 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. (KJV)
3. When He sent the multitudes He went up onto the mountain to pray.
Mark 14:23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. (KJV)
4. Some mornings a great while before day He went into a desert place to pray.
Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. (KJV)
Also note.
Luke 5:16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. (KJV)
5. Jesus prayed for the disciples in John Chapter 17.
6. In Gethsemane just prior to His suffering and death, He prayed three times.
Matt 26:36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. (KJV)
7. While dying on the cross, He prayed.
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. 36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, 37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. 38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. 44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. (KJV)
A. His ears are open to the prayers of the righteous.
1Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (KJV)
What does it mean to be righteous? It suggests being made being right in the sight of God through the redemptive work of Christ and continuing to do right as one walks according to His word.
Rom 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (KJV)
1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. (KJV)
Psalms 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. (KJV)
The word righteous in the text is diametrically opposite to "they that do evil".
B. We are to be keepers of God's commandments when we pray.
1John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (KJV)
C. Prayers are to be offered in faith.
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. (KJV)
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (KJV)
D. Prayer is to be in harmony with the Lord's will.
1John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (KJV)
E. Prayer is to be offered in the Lord's name.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (KJV)
F. Must be forgiven we pray.
Matt 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (KJV)
G. Prayer must be offered out of a proper motive.
James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (KJV)
H. Surely we can see that acceptable prayer is conditional.
VII. WILL GOD HEAR THE PRAYER OF HIS FAITHFUL PEOPLE?
A. 2Sam 22:7 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears. (KJV)
B. 1Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (KJV)
Psalms 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. (KJV)
C. James 5:4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. (KJV)
D. 1John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (KJV)
E. John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. (KJV)
F. John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (KJV)
VIII. SOME ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.
A. Does God hear (in the sense of answer) the prayers of sinners?
1. Prov 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. (KJV)
2. John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. (KJV)
3. Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (KJV)
4. 1Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (KJV)
B. Should we pray for sinners?
1. Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (KJV)
2. Matt 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (KJV)
3. Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (KJV)
C. Shall we sanction the mourners bench?
1. The mourner's bench system is that of praying for alien sinners to be saved without obeying the conditions of salvation.
2. God saves only those who comply with the conditions set out in scripture.
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (KJV)
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (KJV)
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (KJV)
Acts 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. (KJV)
Matt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (KJV)
3. When a person is walking contrary to the will of God by not obeying His conditions, not only is he not saved, his prayer is in an abomination to God.
Prov 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. (KJV)
4. The difference between prayer and the mourner's bench is prayer is from heaven, the mourner's bench is from the saw mill.
1. In our study we have considered:
A. What prayer is.
B. How we are to pray.
C. For whom we are to pray.
D. Some examples of those who were prayerful.
E. That the first century church was a praying church as it follows in the steps of Jesus who himself serves as the model for prayer.
F. Prayer is conditional.
G. God will hear the prayer of faithful children of God.
H. Additional questions.
2. Prayer is a blessed privilege extended from the Father to His children. Let us cherish this blessing and give ourselves to a continual exercise of it.
1Thess 5:17 Pray without ceasing. (KJV)
3. Song "Did You Think to Pray". (Church Gospel Songs and Hymns, P. 39)
Back to lesson index [an error occurred while processing this directive]