A MINI COURSE ON PRAYER COMPRESSED INTO 13 SIMPLE QUESTIONS
1. What Is Prayer? Prayer is a child talking to his father. (Matthew 6:9-10) Prayer is talking to your best friend. Prayer is your direct communication with God. Prayer is a dialogue, not a monologue.
2. What Is The Purpose of Prayer? Not to change God’s will but to know Him and be conformed to His will – Matthew 6:9-10. Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance buy laying hold of God’s highest purpose.
3. Why Should Prayer Be The First Objective in A Christian’s Life? Because through prayer we come into God’s presence and He meets every need we have. He reveals that our only real need is simply the Lord Jesus Christ and His grace. Paul is a classic example of this important truth – 2 Cor. 12:7-10; Heb. 4:16.
4. What Is The Most Dangerous Time in One’s Life? It is when one thinks every single need is met and one has need of nothing – Revelation 3:16-17.
5. Simple Guidelines for Prayer-
a. Talk to God as your best friend – John 15:14.
b. Don’t repeat the same words over and over – Matthew 6:7.
c. Realize you have direct access to God – Hebrews 4:16.
d. Make prayer your lifestyle – 1 Thess. 5:17.
e. Remember that the more childlike you are to your Father, the more Fatherly He will be to you – 1 Peter 5:6.
f. Pour out the desperation of your soul unto God – Psalm 62:8.
g. Keep praying no matter how you feel or the results you experience. “Pray when you feel like it, pray when you don’t feel like it, keep on praying until you do feel like it.” (Graham Scroggie) – Matthew 7:7.
h. Be encouraged by the Intercessions of the Holy Spirit and Jesus– Romans 8:26; Heb. 7:25.
i. If possible, follow Jesus in rising before day- Mark 1:35; Prov. 8:17.
6 . What Are Some Common Hindrances to Prayer – see HB. pp. 53-54
a. Lostness – John 14:6
b. Not asking – James 4:2
c. An unforgiving Spirit – Matthew 6:14-15.
d. Broken Relationship with others – Matthew 5:23-24.
e. Lack of faith – Heb. 11:6.
f. Asking with wrong motives – James 4:3; Proverbs 31:13.
g. Insensitivity toward your spouse – 1 Peter 3:7
h. Insensitivity to the Word of God – Proverbs 28:9
i. Insensitivity to the poor – Proverbs 21:13
a. Unconfessed Sin- Isaiah 59:1-2.
b. Form without fervor – James 5:16
c. Incomplete praying – Matthew 7:7.
d. Mouthing heartless words – Matthew 15:7-8.
e. Distracted and double-minded praying – James 5:6-8.
7. What Are The 6 Basis Types of Prayer.
a. Adoration – Praise – Psalm 34:1
b. Confession – acknowledging and forsaking all known sin – 1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13.
c. Giving of Thanks – Psalm 104
d. Supplication – specific request – Philippians 4:6
Illus. Too many prayers are wasted because they are so general. Such as “God please give me a blessing.”
e. Prayer – this is a summary term used to classify all communication with God. Literally “to bow before the Lord.”
f. Intercessions- Prayer for others.
8. How Important Is It To Pray For Others?
a. Jesus’ last ministry was to pray for others – John 17
b. Paul prayed for others continually – Romans 1:9; Philippians 1:4.
c. Samuel said it was a sin against God not to pray for others – 1 Samuel 12:23.
9. When Will The Full Results of Our Prayers Be Known? Not until we get to heaven – Rev. 6:10.
10. Does God Answer All My Prayers? Yes, but sometimes His answer has to be No. God is your heavenly Father and all of His ways are perfect. There will be times, therefore, in His infinite wisdom His answer will be No, Slow or Grow.
a. If your prayer is wrong – He answers “No”.
b. If your timing is wrong – His answer has to be “Slow”.
c. If your life is wrong – His answer has to be “Grow”.
11. What Are The 7 Great Guidelines for “Having A Meaningful Time with God Daily.” See Handbook pp. 42-45.
a. You need a Special Time
b. You need a Sufficient Time
c. You need a Special Place
d. You need a Special Plan
e. You need a Special Book
f. You need a Special Spirit
g. You need a Special Hunger for God
12. Are You Translating All The Principles of The Lord’s Prayer into Your Praying? – Matthew 6:9-13
13. Are You Familiar With A C T S As A Pattern For Prayer?
a. Adore or praise the Lord. Praise is your adoration for Him for who He is – Psalm 103:1
b. Confess. Sin clogs the lines of communication between you and God – Isaiah 59:1-2. Claim the promise of 1 John 1:9. Read Prov. 28:13. Be sure to repent.
c. Thank. Thanks is verbal expression to God for all He has done for you. Be specific – Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thess. 5:18.
d. Supplication. This is petition and intercession – Mark 11:24.
(1) Focus your prayer on personal needs (petition)
(2) Stand in the gap between God and the person for whom you pray (intercession).