Starting Out - Prayer (Study 8)

Prayer

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Prayer is an immense privilege — yet even the youngest Christian has a right to pray. It is an astonishing fact that God invites us to speak with Him, and that He works powerfully as a result of our prayers. It has been said "Not to pray is to be guilty of the incredible folly of ignoring the possibility of adding God to our resources". Supernatural strength can be obtained only from a supernatural source.

1. PRAYER: A SIGN OF LIFE

The first sign of life in a new-born child is its cry. The first sign of spiritual life in a new-born Christian is the cry "Abba, Father". As an adopted member of God’s family, and with the help of God’s Spirit, he is able to address God as his Father:

Romans 8:15 (NKJV)
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear,
but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

What do you think is meant by this passage?

Prayer, then, is an expression of our relationship with God. It is through prayer that we obtain a deeper awareness of the fatherly love of God:

Matthew 7:11
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

What do you think is meant by this passage?

Prayer comes naturally to a new Christian. One of the first things we learn about the newly converted Saul of Tarsus is that he prayed! (Acts 9:11).

2. PRAYING IN PRIVATE

Private prayer is vital to our spiritual growth:

Matthew 6:6
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door,
pray to your Father who is in the secret place;
and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

We all need time on our own with God. This was a notable feature of Jesus’ own life:

Mark 1:35 (NIV)
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up,
left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

Sometimes, when in public places, it is not convenient to go away and pray, yet we may be in urgent need of God’s help. At such times we can reach God in silent prayer, like Nehemiah who had a special request to make of a king. God hears and answers our short and specific requests just as He does all our prayers:

Nehemiah 2:4
Then the king said to me, "What do you request?" So I prayed to the God of heaven.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

3. PRAYING WITH OTHERS

Praying with others at church gatherings, or in home prayer groups, is a great encouragement to Christians. But it is also the means of great spiritual power. The united prayer of the Early Church preceded the outpouring of the Spirit of God at Pentecost and the conversion of many. Prayer is the powerhouse of the Church:

compare:
Acts 1:14 (NKJV)
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication,
with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

With:
Acts 2:1-2 (NKJV)
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind,
and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

And:
Acts 2:41-42 (NKJV)
Then those who gladly received his word were baptised;
and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship,
in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

What do you think is meant by these passages?

Praying in public is an ordeal for some people, but it need not be. Pray to God as you would speak to a friend, but at the same time remember who He is. If the whole idea fills you with terror, do not despair! You can still attend prayer meetings and pray silently — God will hear you just the same.

4. THE CONTENT OF PRAYER

a) We should bring the whole of life to God, just like small children communicating with their

parents. The prayer which Jesus gave us in Matthew 6:9-13 (and Luke 11:2-4) is a helpful guide:

"Our Father in Heaven" reminds us of our relationship to God
"Hallowed be Your Name" we pray about Gods honour and glory.
"Your kingdom come. Your will be done" a prayer for God’s work on earth.
"Give us this day we bring to Him our daily needs.
"Forgive us our sins we confess our sins.
‘‘Do not lead us into temptation’’ a prayer for help in the spiritual battle.

Note the way in which the Lord’s Prayer is arranged. God’s concerns come first, then ours.

b) Another helpful approach to prayer can be summed up by the letters A.C.T.S.

ADORATION: When we pray, we should remember who God is, and bring Him our worship and adoration:

Compare:
Rev. 4:11 (NIV)
"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honour and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."

With:
1 Chronicles 29:10-11 (NIV)
David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,
"Praise be to you, O LORD,
God of our father Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendour,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.

What do you think is meant by these passages?

CONFESSION: Sin mars our relationship with God. We should admit our faults and pray for God’s forgiveness, and His help to do better:

Compare:
1 John 1:9 (NKJV)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

With:
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

What do you think is meant by these passages?

THANKSGIVING: We should remember God’s kindness and thank Him for all that He has done for us:

Psalm 103:2 (NIV)
Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits

What do you think is meant by this passage?

SUPPLICATION: An old-fashioned word that refers to prayers of "asking" - for ourselves and for others. Both are necessary:

Compare:
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

With:
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

What do you think is meant by these passages?

FINALLY

Ask for those things that please God. Prayer is not a blank cheque. God in His wisdom and love will sometimes say "no" to our requests, as any sensible parent must do. But if we ask according to His will, we shall receive it:

1 John 5:14
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

Perhaps the most important thing in prayer is sincerity. God knows our heart, so there is no point in pretending to be what we are not; nor should we use words that we do not really mean. We should always beware of putting on a performance (Matthew 6:5-8).

Prayer is something that takes effort. It is a discipline to be learned, not a "technique" to be mastered.

It is consciously living in the presence of God, so that we continuously relate everything to Him as a matter of course:

1 Thessalonians 5:17
pray without ceasing,

What do you think is meant by this passage?

The best way to learn to pray is — to pray!

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