Great Prayers Of The Bible Page 1
Introduction: There are more in the Bible than those listed in this class, but these quoted prayers included in the Scriptures are wonderful for knowledge, for building faith, and for instruction in how to better pray ourselves. We are going to search for at least five lessons from each, though there may be more. Five statements of each prayer are suggested as a place to start. A Prayer of Jesus - John 17 People often call the model prayer Jesus gave to His disciples early in His earthly ministry in response to their request to teach them how to pray, the Lord s prayer, when actually this one recorded just before his crucifixion is more like what His daily prayers may have sounded like. The Our Father prayer was more of a template. 1. I glorified You, now glorify me. (4-5) 2. I am not praying for the world, but for those whom You have given me (9) 3. Keep them from the Evil One (15) 4. That they all be one (21) That they may be with Me where I am (24) Page 2
4. Weeping bitterly helps prayers (3, 5) We need to do our part in healing ourselves (7) Prayer of Solomon at Dedication of the Temple - I Kings 8:22-54 Solomon s dedication of the magnificent temple for the Lord was dedicated with much celebration, but it is also of interest to read his prayer recorded by the Holy Spirit for all thereafter to read, hear and learn. Nehemiah's Prayer for Success - Nehemiah 1:1-2:9 Nehemiah hears of the suffering of the returned exiles. After grieving in fasting and prayer, Nehemiah prays for success -- and commits himself to God's will for his life. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. There is no God like you (23) 2. Let your word be confirmed (26) 3. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? (27) 4. Then hear in heaven their prayer and their plea, and maintain their cause. (45) He arose from before the altar of the LORD, where he had knelt with hands outstretched toward heaven. (54) The Prayer of Jabez - 1 Chronicles 4:10 When the author of Chronicles provides a list of Judah s descendants, he can t help but stop himself. Right in the midst of all these names, he comes to Jabez, a man he wants us to notice, a man of Page 10 Page 3
true honor. If you ve ever felt like you ve caused pain or if you ve ever wanted to believe that God can do more than you can ask or imagine, this prayer is for you: 1. We can pray and be seen and not be praying to be seen (10) 1. Jabez called upon God saying 2. That you would bless me 3. and enlarge my territory 2. Praise of God can be lengthy (10-13) 3. Humbly regard all done for the Lord, recognizing our stewardship (14-16) 4. Interceeding for others is God s way. Don t just think of yourself (17-19) 4. that your hand might be with me God blesses, but so do we. In what way? (20) keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain (also see vs. 9) Hannah s Prayer of Praise - 1 Samuel 2:1 10 When Hannah received the child she begged God for, her first instinct is to praise the One who provided. She wants to thank Him for His greatness and His deliverance. Too often we pray before receiving, but then forget to pray after God answers. Hezekiah's Petitions for Healing - 2 Kings 20:1-7 Here's a godly king who has just heard from a prophet that he should prepare to die soon. And it is a sure thing. 1. As long as there is breath, continue to pray. (1-2) 2. Reminding God of how we have been good is good (3) 1. There is none holy like the LORD (2) Page 4 3. Answers can be immediate (4) Page 9
Moses' Prayer for Israel in the Wilderness - Exodus 32:9-14 Incredible example of Moses pleading with God to preserve his own name and character and not destroy Israel. Can prayer actually change anything? 1. Reasoning with the Lord in prayer is acceptable (12) 2. Reminding God is good (13) 2. The Lord (count the times and comment) 3. The Lord makes poor and makes rich (7) 4. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord s (8) He will give strength to his king (10) - who is this? 3. God can change His mind. (14) 4. Daniel s Prayer of Confession - Daniel 9:1-23 God s people had sinned and were under His judgment. Rather than blame God, make excuses, or simply despair, the prophet Daniel instead voiced one of the most moving prayers of repentance recorded in the entire Bible. 1. With fasting and sackcloth and ashes (3) David's Prayer at the End of Life - 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 A psalm of praise and David's prayer for his son Solomon to build the temple. Many of the Psalms are prayers of David and others. 2. We have sinned and done wrong (5) - WE? Including Daniel? 3. As it is written in the Law of Moses (13) 4. Delay not, for your own sake (19) Page 8 Page 5
At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out (23) Habakkuk Rejoices in Prayer - Habakkuk 3 The prophet s prayer is both a song of praise (verse 19) and a plea for mercy. It is a perfect picture of a believer recognizing God s power in events of the past and present, asking for that power to be seen now. Give as many lessons as you can from the text. 1. Jehoshaphat Prays for Deliverance - 2 Chronicles 20:5-12 Faced by an overwhelming force of enemies bent on his destruction, king Jehoshaphat called out to God with a prayer that acknowledges his own powerlessness, and entreats God to intervene. His closing statement We don t know what to do, so we re looking to you could be the motto of any Christian faced with challenges. 1. All questioning of God is not wrong (vs. 6, 7, 12) 2. Urging God to do what is known of Him to do is a good thing (8-9) 2. 3. Ask God for deliverance from enemies 3. 4. We are hopeless and helpless in dealing with adversity. (12) 4. Page 6 Page 7