Lesson 4a – Understanding Prayer
Every learner will be able to:
Explain four reasons why we need prayer.
Identify what to pray for.
State God‘s three responses to prayer.
Explain the 5 tools for effective prayer.
Describe the 5 attitudes that result from prayer.
Prayer is ―talking‖ with God and ―listening‖ to God. When you pray you should be clear and sincere, just as the Bible records how Jesus ―talked‖ with God and taught His disciples.
Why do we need to pray?
1. This is God‘s command:
―You should _______ pray.‖ (Luke 18:1)
―And pray in the Spirit, _____________________________
_________________________.‖ (Eph. 6:18)
2. This is how we show and express our need:
You can ______________________________ (1 Peter 5:7)
3. To Seek God‘s leading:
―If you call upon Me, I will show you great and mighty things which you do not know.‖ (Jer. 33:3)
4. To ―receive mercy and find grace in your time of need.‖ (Heb. 4:16)
What things do you need to pray for?
―Do not be anxious about anything, but in _____________by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your _____________to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.‖ (Phi. 4:6-7)
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The content of prayer
Draw a line between the verse and the correct description of prayer.
Praise: praise God‘s nature 1 Joh. 1:9
Thanksgiving: thank God for His grace Phil. 4:6-7
Ask: ask God to meet your own needs Psa. 135:3
Intercession: ask God to meet the needs of others 1 Thes. 5:18
Confession: ask God to forgive your sins 1 Tim. 2:1
Three Responses to Prayer:
1. Yes: You can proceed.
2. No: You cannot proceed.
3. Wait: God does not respond: You must be patient!
The Three-Fold Will of God
A. What God has commanded us to do: His Perfect Will. This is what God has already determined; it can never be changed by what or how a person prays.
B. What God allows: His permissive Will. Sometimes, because a person pleads with God, He will allow us to receive something, but we must take responsibility for what we receive.
C. What is pleasing to God – (Rom. 12:2)
Tools for Effective Prayer:
1. Pray ―in Jesus‘ name‖ (Joh. 14:13), because only through Jesus can a person come before God, (Joh. 14:6). This is what Jesus would have me to pray. He would approve.
2. Ending our prayer with ―Amen‖ means praying with one‘s true heart (Mat. 6:13). Amen means ―Let it be so.‖
3. Prayer has many parts: praise, thanksgiving, requests, intercession, andconfession. Utilize each of these parts.
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4. Pray in a natural and understandable manner; avoid babbling.
5. One can pray at any time of the day and at any place. There is no limit on the time and/or place of prayer.
Attitudes of Prayer
Attitude:
Verse:
1. Have faith….
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt…‖ (James 1:6)
2. Have the right motivation…and proper respect
―You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives.‖ (James. 4:2-3)
3. Confess our sins…
―Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!‖ (Psalm 51:2)
4. Ask according to His will…
―This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us.‖
(1 John 5:14)
5. Pray with a faithful heart…
―That…they should always pray and not give up.‖
(Luke 18:1)
Action Steps:
Begin/praying 5 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 5 people on your list, specifically for their salvation.
Begin/Continue praying for the person of peace.