Key Scriptures
-Matthew
6:5-18 -Hebrews
10:19-22
-Luke
11:1-13 -Philippians
4:6-7
-Romans
8:26-27 -Mark
11:22-25
-1
John 5:14-15
1. What is Prayer?
- Prayer is talking to and listening to God. It is
a two-way communication with us speaking to God and Him
speaking to us.
- Prayer has many facets which include:
-Isaiah 40:31 -Psalm
6:1 -Psalm
27:14
- Interceding or praying for others.
-Ezekiel 22:30 -1
Timothy 2:1 -Isaiah
59:16
- Asking God for what we need.
-Matthew 7:7-11
-John 10:27
- Standing in spiritual warfare.
-Ephesians 6:10-18
-1 Timothy 2:1 -1
Thessalonians 5:18
- Asking God to forgive our sins.
-1 John 1:9 -Matthew
6:12
- Offering sacrifices of praise.
-Hebrews 13:15
2. Why Do We Need To Pray?
- Prayer enables us to grow spiritually.
- It releases forgiveness.
- It releases strength.
- It releases peace.
- It brings guidance through the Holy Spirit into our lives.
- Prayer enables us to cooperate with God.
- We have God’s commitment to act in answer to
prayer.
-Luke 11:9-10
- God is willing to change His plans in response to prayer.
-Genesis 18:20-32 -Exodus
32:9 -2
Kings 20:1-6
- Prayer will fully establish God’s Kingdom on
earth.
-Matthew 6:10
- Prayer draws us closer to God to build relationship
with Him.
-Acts 10:1-21
- Through prayer, we can change circumstances and situations
in line with God’s Word.
-Ezekiel 22:30
- Through prayer, believers can bless others and save
them.
-2 Kings 4:8-17
-1 Samuel 12:23
3.Two Forms of Prayer
- Personal or Private Prayer
- You can pray alone.
-Matthew 6:6
- Corporate or Agreement Prayer
- You can pray in agreement with one or two others.
-Matthew 18:19
- You can pray with groups of other believers.
-Acts 12:11-18 -Matthew
18:18-20
4. Praying Effectively
- It is not enough to pray, but praying effectively makes
prayer more powerful.
-Matthew 21:22
-John 16:23 -John
14:13
- Pray with confidence at the throne of grace.
-Hebrews 4:16
- Pray with a clear mind and self-control.
-1 Peter 4:7
- Pray according to the will of God.
-1 John 5:14-15 -Matthew
6:10
-Jude 20 -Ephesians
6:18
- Pray with godly motivation and not just for selfish gain.
-James 4:3
-Romans 8:26
- Pray with praise and thanksgiving.
5. Hindrances to Effective Prayers
- The devil doesn’t want our prayers to be answered
so the devil’s ways make our prayers ineffective.
- Avoid unforgiveness.
-Mark 11:25
- Avoid unbeliever
-Hebrews 11:6
- Avoid doubt and lack of faith.
-James 1:6-8
- Avoid laziness.
-James 4:2
- Avoid wrong motives.
-James 4:3
- Avoid unconfessed sin.
-1 John 1:7-9 -Isaiah
59:1-2
- Not respecting your marriage partner.
-1 Peter 3:7
6. Three Foundations for Confidence in Answered
Prayer
- The Character of God
- Nothing is too difficult for God.
-Genesis
18:14 -Jeremiah
32:17
- God is faithful and lives up to His promise.
-Psalm 91:4 -Psalm
115:1 -1Kings
8:56
- God loves us and wants to give us hope and a future.
-Jeremiah 29:11-14
- God has committed Himself to answer prayer.
-Jeremiah 33:3
- Your Son ship
- We have been adopted as sons of God.
- We have access to God the Father through Jesus Christ.
-Ephesians 2:18 -Ephesians
3:12
- God wants to make the nations our inheritance.
-Psalm 2:8
- The Holy Spirit
- He helps us in our weakness.
-Romans 8:27
- He intercedes for us according to God’s Will.
- He gives us the mind of Christ.
-2 Corinthians 10:10-16
- He helps us to pray in the Spirit.
-Ephesians 6:18
Questions
- Give three examples of what prayer is.
- Why do you need to pray?
- Is there anything that could hinder your prayer life?
- Name four hindrances to prayer.
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