Pastor s Bible Study Tuesday, November 13, :30 pm. What the Bible Says About

Transcription

1 St. Matthew A.M.E. Church 336 Oakwood Avenue Orange, NJ Rev. Melvin E. Wilson, Pastor/Teacher Cell: (914) Pastor s Bible Study Tuesday, November 13, :30 pm What the Bible Says About

2 5 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:5-15 (NIV) I. What We Hope to Accomplish In This Bible Study A. Addressing the whole concept of prayer. B. Getting all of us comfortable (more comfortable) with prayer and being able to pray publicly. C. Addressing what prayer is and what it is not. D. Providing information on how to pray. 1. What we should and should not say. E. Helping us to be convinced and convicted that every area and aspect of our lives MUST be built on prayer. II. III. Please Don t Be Insulted, But What Is Prayer? A. The process of entreating, asking for, petitioning, beseeching, confessing, praising, giving thanks B. Normal, historical concept we ask, God provides C. Expanded concepts that you will hopefully embrace: 1. Prayer/praying is RELATIONAL 2. Prayer/praying is DIALOGICAL 3. Prayer/praying is CONFRONTATIONAL 4. Prayer/praying is FOUNDATIONAL 5. Prayer/praying is CONVERSATIONAL Can Someone Really Be Taught How to Pray? A. Most of us were taught various prayers. Most of us were not taught how to pray. Taught prayers: 1. Grace over food. 2. Now I lay me down to sleep Page 1 of 7

3 3. The Lord s Prayer a. What was Jesus doing? Teaching his disciples how to pray. Our Father who is in heaven Address Jehovah God as the one you are talking to Hallowed be Your name Your kingdom come (Kingdom came in 33AD) Your will be done Give us this day our daily bread Forgive us of our debts as we forgive others Lead not into temptation, deliver from evil Yours is the kingdom, power and glory Amen Adoration & praise with emphasis on honor Spiritual requests: save the lost, wisdom, harmony in church Selflessly acknowledge God as supreme, Physical requests: food, job, health Confession of sin and request for forgiveness Expectation of God's providential guidance Adoration & praise with emphasis on being all in all Close of prayer: Literally, "so be it". 4. Observational Learning About Prayer IV. Things to Know/Ask BEFORE We Pray A. Does God hear those who have no significant relationship with God? 1. Disobedience Deut. 1: Unconcern Isa. 58: Injustice Isa. 1:15-17; 59:1-2, 4, 9; Micah 3:1-4 C. What is the will of God for your life? D. Who can pray? E. The direction of prayer 1. Early church directly to God - 1 Cor. 1:4; Col. 1:3 2. To God through Christ Romans 10:9-13; 1 Cor. 1:9 V. The Basic Parts Of A Prayer A. Praise/Adoration B. Supplication/Petition/Request C. Thanksgiving D. Intercession E. Confession Page 2 of 7

4 F. Forgiveness G. The ACTS Model Adoration - "Putting into words the gratitude that ought to swell up in our hearts whenever we review all that God has done for us." Adoration addresses who God is. Confession Thanksgiving For what God has done. Supplication Includes petitions for ourselves, intercessions for others. VI. Different Types Of Prayers (Flexible) A. Personal, Individual 1. Prayer of Faith (James 5:15) B. Corporate, Public 1. Prayer of Agreement (Acts 1:14) 2. Invocation C. Prayer of Thanksgiving what God has done D. Prayer of Worship who God is 1. Collects 2. Liturgical E. Prayer of Consecration F. Prayer of Intercession G. Prayer of Healing H. The Prayer of Salvation/Sinners Prayer 1. Evangelical Roots 2. Unbiblical 3. Not a bad thing Page 3 of 7

5 VII. What We Should And Should Not Say When We Pray A. Personal B. Corporate/Public 1. Where are you? VIII. How Long Should We Pray? A. Privately B. Publicly (Worship) IX. What Should Be Our Prayer Posture? A. Kneeling - Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60; 9:40; 20:36; 21:5; Ephesians 3:14; 2 Chronicles 6:13; Daniel 6:10 1. The Altar and the Altar Railing A. Sitting 2 Samuel 7:18 B. Standing Mark 11:25 C. Prostrate/Falling on Face Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:35 D. Lifting up Hands 1 Timothy 2:8 E. Eyes open/closed? F. What is most important; REVERENCE FOR GOD. God does not answer our prayers based on when we pray, where we pray, what position our body is in, or in what order we word our prayers John 5:14-15 Page 4 of 7

6 X. Helpful Tips On Praying A. Be brief. B. Make it the first thing in the day. C. Set aside some time each day like Daniel did. Daniel 6:10 D. Use a prayer list unless you have a perfect memory. E. Pray for other people. G. Don't let your mind wander, prayer is work. Colossians 4:12 H. Get away from distractions. Matthew 14:23; 6:6 I. Pray out loud - it will become conversational & coherent. J. Choose a posture that will keep you alert. (laying down/soft chair can make you drowsy) K. Pray using the "prayer chain method" with one or more Christians. 1. Everyone gives their prayer requests which are divided up by those leading the prayers. 2. Different individuals are assigned a different element of the A.C.T.S of prayer. 3. When each is finished they don't close prayer with amen, but name the next one to pray. In this way it is one continuous prayer rather than many separate prayers. Page 5 of 7

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8 AMEC Bishops Laying Hands on Senator Obama at the 48 th Session of the General Conference of the AMEC in 2008 Page 7 of 7