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"A CLOSER WALK WITH GOD"
The Practice Of Prayer
INTRODUCTION
- In our previous lesson, we discussed Principles Of Prayer, such as:
- Characteristics of acceptable prayer
- Obstacles to prayer
- Answers to prayer
- With a desire to encourage disciples of Jesus to more diligent praying, this lesson will offer suggestions as to The Practice Of Prayer...
- WHEN SHOULD WE PRAY?
- HAVING "SET TIMES" TO PRAY CAN HELP TO CREATE THE HABIT OF PRAYING...
- For example, consider the practice of:
- David, whom God described as "a man after My own heart" - Ps 55:17
- Daniel, whom the angel of God described as "O man greatly beloved" - Dan 6:10
- These great men of God made it a habit to pray at set times throughout the day; we would do well to imitate their example
- At the very least...
- Find some time each day to be alone with God in prayer
- Early morning may be best for some
- Others might find it easier to be alone late at night
- Make it a special time to be alone with your Heavenly Father!
- YET PRAYERS SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO "SET TIMES"...
- Special needs call for special times of praying
- Consider the examples of:
- Jesus, praying on important occasions - Lk 6:12-13
- Paul, praying in trying circumstances - Ac 16:25
- Nehemiah - praying on the spur of the moment - Neh 2:4-5
- THE GOAL IS TO "PRAY WITHOUT CEASING" - 1Th 5:17
- Having "set times" will help develop the experience in praying
- Praying "spontaneously" as needs arise will develop the disposition to pray in every circumstance (i.e., "without ceasing")
- WITH WHOM SHOULD WE PRAY?
- JESUS EXHORTED US TO PRAY "IN SECRET" - Mt 6:5-6
- Private prayer should occupy the largest portion of our total life of prayer
- Consider the value of "secret prayer":
- It forms a close union, communion and fellowship with God (it is just you and Him!)
- It is a true test of your sincerity and devotion
- You certainly are not doing it to please men (they can't see you)
- You can't be trying to falsely impress God (He will see right through you)
- Your Father will reward you "openly" - Mt 6:6
- JESUS ALSO SPOKE OF PRAYING WITH "TWO OR THREE" - Mt 18:19-20 -- Therefore, "praying with others" should be done as often as possible
- HOW SHOULD WE PRAY?
- JESUS TAUGHT HOW TO PRAY - Lk 11:1-4
- The "Lord's Prayer", as it is commonly called, is a model, a guide for learning how to pray
- A careful examination of this prayer reveals that proper prayer includes:
- To "whom" we should pray ("Our Father in heaven")
- Praising God ("Hallowed be Your Name")
- Supplication
- For God's purposes ("Your kingdom come. Your will be done...")
- For our physical needs ("Give us this day our daily bread")
- For our spiritual needs ("Forgive us our sins...")
- For spiritual needs of others ("For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us")
- He also stressed the importance of simplicity in our prayers - Mt 6:7-8
- A HELPFUL ACROSTIC IN LEARNING TO PRAY IS "A-C-T-S"
- A = ADORATION
- I.e., praising God
- A good example of this is found in 1Ch 29:10-13
- Spending time in sincere praise of God's greatness will help put us in the proper spirit of humility
- C = CONFESSION
- I.e., acknowledging our sins before God
- When we understand how sin can break the fellowship we have with God, we naturally desire its quick remission
- Fortunately, as Christians we can be cleansed by the blood of Jesus as we confess our sins - 1Jn 1:9
- T = THANKSGIVING
- An important part of prayer, even those in which we are making requests - Php 4:6
- The benefits of giving thanks are many:
- Causes us to acknowledge God's existence, love, and care
- Reminds us of His goodness
- Helps to shift our focus from what we don't have to what we do have
- The kind of things to be thankful for:
- Things we can see in our lives...
- Health
- Family and friends
- God's guidance, answers to previous prayers
- Things we may not be able to see...
- Our adoption as His children
- The forgiveness of sins
- The hope of eternal life
- The assurance of His continued presence
- God's people have every reason to be thankful, and to be known for "abounding in thanksgiving" - Col 1:12; 2:7; 3:15; 4:2
- S = SUPPLICATION
- I.e., making requests of God - Php 4:6
- If we are faithful in including the first three (adoration, confession, thanksgiving), this last will prevent prayer from being simply a spiritual "shopping list"
- When we broaden our requests to include others, we enter into one of the most noble realms of prayer: intercession
- Something which God wants us to do - 1Ti 2:1
- Examples of whom we can pray for are given in the next section...
- FOR WHAT SHOULD WE PRAY?
- IN THE SCRIPTURES, GOD INDICATES THAT HE WISHES US TO PRAY FOR:
- Self
- For physical daily needs - Mt 6:11
- For personal growth in Christlikeness and devotion to God - Col 1:9-12
- Family
- For spouse, children, parents, siblings, etc.
- For their nurture and growth in the teaching of the Lord - Ep 6:4
- Community
- For peace to prevail
- E.g., Jer 29:7
- Church
- For love and unity to prevail - Jn 13:35; 17:20-21
- For the spiritual growth of each member - Php 1:9-11
- For the gospel to have free course - 2Th 3:1
- Nation
- For national repentance and consciousness of who God is - Psa 33:12; Pr 14:34
- For leaders to rule wisely - 1Ti 2:2
- Nonbelievers
- For their salvation - Ro 10:1
- For the effort of those involved in teaching them - Ep 6:18-20
- The sick
- For their restoration to health - Jm 5:14-15
- For spiritual strength and peace of mind - Jm 5:16
- The poor and oppressed
- Such as the homeless, fatherless, unborn children - Pr 29:7
- Those in other nations oppressed by their own rulers or outside influences
- IT MIGHT HELP TO HAVE A "PRAYER STRATEGY"...
- On Monday - Family
- Pray for both immediate and extended family members
- For both their physical and spiritual well-being
- On Tuesday - Church
- For members in the local congregation
- For Christians and congregations throughout the world
- On Wednesday - Community
- For community leaders
- For your neighbors
- On Thursday - Nation
- For elected officials
- For efforts to bring peace and righteousness
- On Friday - World
- For world peace
- For nations that are "closed" to the gospel
- On Saturday - Afflicted
- For the poor, homeless, jobless
- For those in prison
- For those who are sick
- For widows, single mothers, fatherless children
- These are simply suggestions, to help us see that there is much we can be praying for; other suggestions could include:
- A "daily prayer strategy" (morning-family; noon-church; evening-community)
- When praying for the nation and the world, pray about the events described in the newspaper
- Keeping a "list" or "journal" of those for whom you are praying
- The important thing is to PRAY, and to do so:
- "always"
- "in everything"
- "earnestly"
- "being vigilant"
- "without ceasing"
- I hope these last two lessons will encourage us to be more diligent in utilizing this wonderful privilege of prayer!
- Do you spend time each day in prayer to God?
- Do you find prayer an easy or difficult activity?
- Do you pray with other people at times other than before meals, in Bible classes, or in the assembly?
- Do your prayers include the needs of others, or just your own concerns?
CONCLUSION
SOME QUESTIONS TO STIMULATE YOUR THINKING...
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2022