The Bible shows the absolute necessity of prayer.
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and
pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from
heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." II Chronicles 7:14
1. Why Should Believers Pray?
2. Who provides the Greatest Example of Prayer?
The Lord Jesus, Luke 3:21; Luke 5:15, 16. If Jesus, the Son of God, needed
t pray, how much more do we? Jesus was a man of prayer. "And in the morning,
rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary
place, and there prayed." Mark 1:35
3. What is Prayer?
- Prayer is a discipline. It is a bending of the will of man before God to
admit his need. II Chronicles 7:14, Matthew 6:9, 10
- Prayer is rendering homage to an all-wise and benevolent heavenly Father.
Psalms 108:5
- Prayer is spending time in conversation with God. Conversation is a two
way communication. "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." Matthew 6:6
4. What should be our Attitude in Prayer?
- We should pray in faith, Hebrews 11:6
- We should pray without wavering. James 1:6-8; Mark 11:24
- We should pray according to God's will. I John 5:14-16. God's Word is His
will and His will is His Word. When we know God's will and add, "If it
be Your will," this nullifies our prayer.
- We should come to the Father through Jesus Christ, our intercessor. Hebrews
7:25.
5. What Are the Hindrences to Prayer?
- Asking amiss. James 4:1-4
- Wrong motives. Matthew 6:5-8
- Pride. Psalm 138:6
- Iniquity. Isaiah 59:1-3; Proverbs 28:13
- An unforgiving Spirit. Matthew 5:23,24; 18:21-35
- Bitterness. Hebrews 12:15-17; II Peter 2:21,22
- Heart idols (covetousness). Ezekiel 14:3
- Stinginess. Proverbs 21:13
- Doubts. James 1:5-7
- Wrong relationships. I Peter 3:7
6. What Are Various Types Of Prayer?
- Persevering prayer. Philippians 4:6; Luke 11:5-13
- Intercessory prayer. Romans 8:26, 27
- In the Spirit. I Corinthians 14:14; Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20
- Supplication. I Timothy 2:1,2
- Giving thanks. I Timothy 2:1, 2; Philippians 4:6
7. Who Can Be Involved In Prayer?
- Individuals. Matthew 6:5-7
- Two or three. Matthew 18:19-20
- A whole church. Acts 2:42; 4:24. When the church comes together it is scriptural
for all to lift up their voices in one accord in prayer, praise and thanksgiving.
Psalms 64:1; 66:19. "In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried
unto my God: He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him,
even into His ears." Psalm 18:6
"...If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
(II Chronicles 7:14).
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