PRAYER
1. How to pray:
Luke 11:1-4 Lord, teach us to pray…when ye pray, say, Our Father which art in Heaven… (See also Matthew 6:9-13)
A. Praise & thank the Lord before petitioning Him:
Psalms 95:2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving
Psalms 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, & into His courts with praise: be thankful…& bless His name
Philippians 4:6 With thanksgiving let your requests be made known
B. If you have the gift of tongues, pray & praise in it:
1 Corinthians 14:2,4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh…unto God (&) edifieth himself
Romans 8:26,27 The Spirit…maketh intercession for us with groanings
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with…supplication in the Spirit
Jude 20 Building up your…faith, praying in the Holy Ghost
1 Corinthians 14:39 Forbid not to speak with tongues
C. Be specific & ask for what you need:
1 Kings 3:5,9,10 [God told Solomon,] Ask what I shall give thee
Matthew 7:7,8 Ask, & it shall be given you; seek, & ye shall find
Matthew 21:22 Whatsoever ye ask in prayer…ye shall receive
John 16:24 Ask, & ye shall receive, that your joy may be full
Philippians 4:6 Let your requests be made known unto God
James 4:2b Ye have not, because ye ask not
D. Pray to the Father in Jesus’ name:
John 14:13,14 Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do
John 16:23 Whatsoever ye…ask Father in My name, He will give
(See also John 15:16b; 16:26; Ephesians 2:18)
E. Prayer also includes you listening to God:
1 Samuel 3:9,10 If He call thee…say, “Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth“
Genesis 24:63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field at eventide
Numbers 9:8 Stand still, & I will hear what the Lord will command
Psalms 4:3,4 Lord will hear…commune with your heart…& be still
Psalms 46:10 Be still, & know that I am God
(See also Ecclesiastes 5:1; Zephaniah 1:7; Zechariah 2:13)
F. Listen by meditating on God’s Word:
Proverbs 1:8 Thou shalt meditate therein (the law) day & night
Psalms 1:2 In His law doth he meditate day & night
Psalms 119:148 [Before] the night watches…I meditate in Thy Word
1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate on these things; give thyself wholly to them
G. Be diligent to pray, don’t be lazy:
Isaiah 64:7 There is none that calleth upon Thy name, that stirreth himself to take hold of Thee
Daniel 9:13 All this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer
Jonah 1:6 What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, call upon God
Luke 22:46 Why sleep ye? Rise and pray
Luke 18:1 Men ought always to pray, & not to faint
2. Conditions to getting prayer answered:
A. Pray in faith:
Matthew 21:21,22 Have faith…doubt not…whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive
Mark 11:24 When ye pray, believe that ye receive & ye shall have
Romans 4:21 Being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform
Hebrews 11:6 He that cometh to God must believe that He is
James 1:5-7 Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering
(See also Matthew 17:18-20; Luke 7:1-10)
B. Obey God & do His will:
John 9:31 If any man…doeth God’s will, him He heareth
John 15:7 If ye abide in Me, & My Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, & it shall be done unto you
1 John 3:22 We ask, we receive, because we keep His (commands)
(See also Isaiah 58:6-9a)
C. Submit yourself to God & pray according to His will:
Psalms 143:10 Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God
Matthew 6:10 Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven
Luke 22:42 Nevertheless not My will, but Thine (God’s), be done
John 5:30 [Jesus:] I seek not Mine Own will, but will of (God)
1 John 5:14 If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth
D. Pray humbly:
Daniel 9:18b We do not present our supplications…(because of) our righteousnesses, but for Thy great mercies
Luke 18:10-14 The publican (said), God be merciful to me a sinner
James 4:6 God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble
3. Prayer promises:
2 Peter 1:4 Are given unto us exceeding great & precious promises
A. Remind God of His promises when praying:
Genesis 32:6-12 Jacob was greatly afraid & distressed [& prayed, reminding God of His promises of protection]
Jonah 1:4-11 [Nehemiah prayed:] Remember…the word that Thou commandest Thy servant Moses
B. Some promises to claim in prayer:
Psalms 37:4,5 Delight thyself in Lord: & He shall give thee desires
Isaiah 65:24 Before they call, I will answer; & while they are yet speaking, I will hear
Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto Me, & I will answer thee & shew thee great & mighty things
John 15:7 Ask what ye will, & it shall be done unto you
John 15:16b Whatsoever ye ask in My name…[God will] give it
Psalms 81:10b Open thy mouth wide, & I will fill it
C. The Lord promises to hear prayer:
2 Samuel 22:7 In my distress I called…He did hear my voice
Psalms 34:15,17 The righteous cry, & the Lord heareth
Psalms 72:12 He shall deliver the needy when he crieth
Psalms 91:15 He shall call upon Me, & I will answer him
D. God’s blessings for those who seek Him:
2 Chronicles 26:5 As long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper
2 Chronicles 31:21 He (sought God) with all his heart, & prospered
4. How not to pray:
A. Don’t be disobedient:
Deuteronomy 1:43,45 Ye would not hear, but rebelled against (Word) of the Lord…the Lord would not hearken to your voice
Deuteronomy 3:23-27 [Moses’ request to enter Canaan denied.–Numbers 20:12 ]
1 Samuel 28:5,6 When Saul enquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not [See the reason in1 Samuel 28:15-19 ]
Isaiah 1:15 When ye make many prayers, I will not hear
Micah 3:4 Then shall they cry unto the Lord, but He will not hear… they have behaved themselves ill (See also 1 Samuel 13:8-14 & 14:37; Hosea 5; 6)
B. Don’t be disbelieving:
Job 9:16 If I called, & He answered me; yet would I not believe He had hearkened unto my voice
Matthew 17:19,20a Why could not we cast him out? Because of your unbelief
Hebrews 11:6 Without faith is it impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is
C. Don’t harbour unrepented sin in your heart:
Psalms 66:18,19 If I regard iniquity in my heart, Lord will not hear
Isaiah 59:1,2 Your sins have hid His face…that He will not hear
James 5:16 Confess your faults…& pray one for another
D. Don’t doubt & disobey the Word:
Proverbs 1:24-28 Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer
Proverbs 28:9 He that turneth ear…his prayer shall be abomination
Zechariah 7:12,13 Therefore…they cried, & I would not hear
James 1:5-7 Let not that man [who doubts] think he shall receive anything of the Lord
E. Don’t hold resentment or “oughts” in your heart:
Mark 11:25 When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought
F. Don’t have selfish motives:
James 4:3 Ye ask, & receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts
Deuteronomy 23:4,5 They hired against thee Balaam…to curse thee. [But] the Lord would not hearken unto Balaam
G. Don’t pray in pride, but sincerely & humbly:
Matthew 6:5,6 Not be as hypocrites (who) love to pray [publicly]
Luke 18:10-14 God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are
H. Don’t pray long, repetitive prayers:
Ecclesiastes 5:2 God is in Heaven…let thy words be few
Matthew 6:7,8 When ye pray, use not vain repetitions
Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you (who) for a pretence make long prayer
Proverbs 7:6,10 [God told to stop praying & get up]
I. What happens when we don’t pray:
James 4:2 Ye have not, because ye ask not
(See also Isaiah 64:7)
5. Private prayer & united prayer with others:
A. Private prayer:
Matthew 6:6 When thou prayest, enter into thy closet…in secret
Mark 1:35 He…departed into a solitary place, & there prayed
Mark 6:46 He sent them away, He departed to a mountain to pray
Luke 5:16 He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, & prayed
B. United prayer:
Matthew 18:19,20 Where two or three are gathered together in My name
Acts 1:13-15 These all [120 people] continued with one accord in prayer…in an upper room
Acts 4:23-31 [After a beating, Peter &John held a prayer meeting]
Acts 12:12 House of Mary…many were gathered together praying
C. “Watching” in prayer:
1 Samuel 15:11 It grieved Samuel; & he cried unto the Lord all night
Matthew 26:40,41 Could ye not watch with Me one hour? Watch & pray
Luke 6:12 He (Jesus) continued all night in prayer to God
Acts 12:5 Peter was kept in prison…prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always…& watching thereunto
6. When to pray:
A. Be in a constant attitude of prayer:
1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the Lord…seek His face continually
Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, & He shall direct
Luke 18:1 Men ought always to pray
Luke 21:36a Watch ye therefore, & pray always
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing (See also Ephesians 6:18)
B. Pray in time of special need:
Psalms 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble
Psalms 27:8 When Thou saidst, “Seek ye My face”
Psalms 107:19 They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, & He saveth
Hebrews 4:16 Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may…find…help in time of need
James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray
(See also 2 Chronicles 14:11,12; Psalms 34:4,6)
C. Morning prayer:
Psalms 5:3 In the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee
Psalms 63:1 O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee
Psalms 119:147 I [rose before] the dawning of the morning, & cried
Proverbs 8:17 Those that seek Me early shall find Me
Mark 1:35 In the morning, rising up before day, He…prayed
D. Evening prayer:
Mark 6:46,47 (Jesus) departed to mountain to pray…even was come
Genesis 24:63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field at eventide
Psalms 55:17 Evening, & morning, & at noon, will I pray
Daniel 6:10 Daniel…kneeled three times a day, & prayed
E. Prayer in the night:
Lamentations 2:19 Arise, cry out in the night…pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord
Psalms 42:8 In the night His song shall be with me, & my prayer
Psalms 63:5b,6 When I…meditate on Thee in the night watches
Isaiah 26:9a With my soul have I desired Thee in the night
Luke 6:12 (Jesus) continued all night in prayer to God
Acts 16:25 At midnight Paul & Silas prayed, & sang praises
(See also Psalms 4:4; 119:55,62)
7. Wholehearted desperate prayer:
A. Stir yourself up; call on God wholeheartedly:
1 Samuel 15:11,16 It grieved Samuel; & he cried unto the Lord all night
Isaiah 64:7a None…stirreth up himself to take hold of Thee
Jeremiah 29:13 Ye shall seek Me, & find Me, when ye search for Me with allyour heart (See also Deuteronomy 4:29)
Lamentations 2:19 Arise, cry out…pour out thine heart like water
Luke 22:44 Being in an agony, He (Jesus) prayed more earnestly
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly…in time of need
Hebrews 5:7 (Jesus) offered up prayers…with strong crying & tears
James 5:16b Effectual fervent prayer…availeth much
(See Psalms 61:1,2; 119:10)
B. Praying fervently & desperately for others:
Romans 15:30,31 Strive (agonise) together with me in our prayers to God
Colossians 4:12 Epaphrus…always labouring fervently for you in prayers
C. Don’t give up; be persistent:
Genesis 18:23-32 [Abraham repeatedly asks God to spare Sodom for the sake of the righteous. God agrees, if there are 10]
Genesis 32:24-28 [Jacob refuses to let angel go until he blesses him]
Luke 11:5-10 Because of his importunity (insistence) he will give
Luke 18:1-8a [Widow & unjust judge] Lest by her continual coming
Romans 12:12 Continuing instant (steadfast, persevering) in prayer
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always…watching thereunto with perseverance
James 5:16b-18 The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man (See 1 Kings 18:2,41-45)
D. Challenge God to keep His Word & answer prayer:
2Kings 2:14 [Elisha challenges:] “Where is the God of Elijah?”
Isaiah 45:11b Concerning the work of My hands command ye Me
(See also Exodus 32:11-14)
E. Sometimes you can change God’s mind through prayer:
Genesis 19:17-21 I will not overthrow this city (Zoar), for the which thou hast spoken
Exodus 32:9-14 Moses besought the Lord…& the Lord repented of the evil which He [had] thought to do
2Kings 20:1-6 [King Hezekiah was told he would die, but when he prayed, God changed His mind & healed him]
Amos 7:1-6 The Lord repented for this: This also shall not be
Jonah 3:4-10 [Nineveh cried out & repented, so God spared it]
F. Repeating your desperate prayer:
1 Kings 18:42,43 Elijah…put his face between his knees…Go 7 times
Matthew 26:44 (Jesus) prayed the third time, saying the same words
G. Fasting & prayer:
Ezra 8:23 So we fasted & besought our God for this: & He was intreated of us
Joel 2:12 Turn ye to Me with all your heart, & with fasting
Matthew 17:21 This kind goeth not out but by prayer & fasting
(See also Deuteronomy 9:9,18; Acts 13:2,3; 1 Corinthians 7:5)
8. Other points on prayer:
A. Jesus mediates & prays for us:
Romans 8:34 Christ…Who is at the right hand of God…maketh intercession for us
Hebrews 7:25 He ever liveth to make intercession for [us]
(See also Luke 22:32; John 17:9)
B. The Holy Spirit prays for us:
Romans 8:26,27 (The Spirit) maketh intercession for the saints
C. Be thankful to the Lord for answering prayer:
Psalms 116:1,2,7 I love the Lord, because He hath heard my (prayers)
(See also Psalms 30:1-4; 66:16,17,19,20)
D. Prayer is precious:
Psalms 141:2 Let my prayer be set before Thee as incense
Proverbs 15:8b The prayer of the upright is His delight
Revelation 5:8 Golden vials full of odours are the prayers of saints (See also Revelation 8:3)
E. Giving thanks before eating:
1 Samuel 9:13 People will not eat till he…bless the sacrifice
Matthew 14:19 Looking up to Heaven, He blessed & brake…the loaves
Matthew 26:26 Jesus took bread, & blessed it, & brake it, & gave
Mark 8:6 He (Jesus) took the seven loaves, & gave thanks
Acts 27:35 He (Paul) took bread, & gave thanks to God
1 Timothy 4:3-5 [Food] sanctified (cleansed) by prayer
9. Ways God answers prayer:
A. Answer to prayer greater than request:
1 Kings 3:7-14 [Solomon prayed for wisdom & God granted him much more]
Ephesians 3:20 Able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask
Acts 12:1-16 [Church prayed for Peter, but not quite expecting his miraculous release from prison (vs.15,16)]
B. Answer to prayer delayed (It tries our faith):
Job 30:20 [Job’s prayer not answered immediately]
Psalms 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord, & He…heard my cry
Jeremiah 42:4,7 [Jeremiah’s prayer answered 10 days after he prayed]
Lamentations 3:25,26 The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him (See also Psalms 62:1)
Daniel 10:2,12,13 [The answer to Daniel’s prayer was delayed for 21 days]
Luke 18:7,8 [Answer] His elect…though He bear long with them
Hebrews 10:36 Patience…after ye have done will of God, receive
Revelation 6:10,11 How long, O Lord? [Answer:] Rest yet a little season
C. Answer to prayer different from request:
Deuteronomy 3:23-27 [Moses allowed to view the promised land, not enter]
John 11:1-3,6 [Jesus is asked to heal Lazarus, but lets him die, then resurrects him] (See John 11:14,15,32,37,43-45)
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 [Paul prays for healing; instead is given grace to bear his affliction]
(See also 2Kings 5:9-13)
D. Beware about insisting that God grant your request:
Psalms 106:15 He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul
(See 1 Samuel 8:4-22; 12:1,13,16-19 re: asking for a king)
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