Prayer INTRODUCTION Prayer is the soul s sincere desire, Unuttered or expressed; The motion of a hidden fire That trembles in the breast. O Thou, by whom we come to God, The Life, the Truth, the Way! The path of prayer Thyself hast trod; Lord, teach us how to pray. 1) What ideas about prayer are expressed in this hymn? (James Montgomery, ELH 387:1,6) 2) If you had to describe prayer in your own words, what would you say? In the last line of that hymn, the hymn writer prays: Lord, teach us how to pray. That was also the prayer of Jesus disciples that led Jesus to give them the Lord s Prayer (Luke 11:1). And that s our goal today: To sit at God s feet and hear him teach us about prayer. We ll look to God to answer these questions for us: What is prayer? Why do we pray? How should we pray? What can we learn from the Lord s Prayer? WHAT IS PRAYER? Read Abraham s prayer in Genesis 18:16-33 3) Why could Abraham pray to God? Look especially at their relationship (v. 18-19). 4) Describe Abraham s attitude. 5) What was the content of Abraham s prayer? Whom was he praying to? What did he appeal to? 6) Apply Abraham s boldness to us: How much can we ask for in prayer? 7) Did God find 10 righteous people in Sodom? Did God answer Abraham s prayer? Did he answer it in the way Abraham expected?
Growing in Faith Prayer Page 2 So as we consider what prayer is, we need to know To whom do we pray? Matthew 4:10 Jesus said to him, Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. 8) Why won t I pray to my old Uncle Bill? Whose prayers does God hear? Revelation 22:8-9 Isaiah 8:19 Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 9) Does God hear the Buddhist s chant or the Muslim s Call to Prayer? Isaiah 1:15 1 Peter 3:12 How can we be sure God hears our prayers? Matthew 21:21-22 Jesus replied, Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, Go, throw yourself into the sea, and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. 10) How does what we know about God give us confidence as we pray to him? John 16:23 Psalm 65:2-5 Matthew 28:20 So, how would you answer the question: WHAT IS PRAYER? WHY DO WE PRAY? Read Hannah s prayer in 1 Samuel 1:1-20 11) What was Hannah s problem? What led her to take that to God in prayer? 12) Did Hannah s vow make it more likely that God would answer her prayer? 13) What can we learn about prayer from Hannah?
Growing in Faith Prayer Page 3 We have many reasons to go to our God in prayer God invites us to pray: Psalm 50:15 Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me. Luke 18:1 1 Timothy 2:8 14) Do we often take God s words here too literally? We have plenty of troubles to take to God James 5:13-16 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 15) Agree or Disagree: God will always answer yes to a Christian s prayer. God gives us great promises connected to prayer Matthew 7:7-11 [Jesus speaking:] Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 16) What promises does God connect with prayer? Romans 8:26-28 Ephesians 3:20-21 So, how would you answer the question: WHY DO WE PRAY? HOW SHOULD WE PRAY? Read Jesus parable about prayer in Luke 18:9-14 17) What do you know about Pharisees and tax collectors? Why would Jesus chose those people for his parable? 18) Compare the two prayers. 19) When are we guilty of praying like a Pharisee? Can you give a modern-day example? Nehemiah 8:5-6
Growing in Faith Prayer Page 4 20) What can we learn here about our posture in prayer? When we talk about the hows of prayer, we might ask When? 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray continually. Ephesians 6:18 Daniel 6:10-13 21) How can we pray continually? Where? Matthew 6:5-6 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 men. I tell you the truth, 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. 22) What s the point of praying in secret? Why do we pray publicly in church? Long or Short? Psalms 26:12 Acts 2:42-47 Matthew 6:7-8 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 23) Agree/Disagree: Shorter is always better.... Proper or Improper? James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. 24) Agree/Disagree: It s possible to pray a foolish prayer. Matthew 20:20-23 So, how would you answer the question: HOW SHOULD WE PRAY?
Growing in Faith Prayer Page 5 WHAT SHOULD WE PRAY ABOUT? Read the Lord s Prayer in Matthew 6:9:13 25) Jesus prayer isn t that long, but what are some of the many features it includes? 26) What requests does Jesus place the priority on: physical or spiritual requests? 27) What is it so great for us that Jesus begins with Our Father in heaven, Here s a good template for our prayers the ACTS of prayer: John 1:12-13 Luke 8:21 Galatians 4:6 Adoration (Praise): Revelation 7:12 Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen. Psalm 106 Confession: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Psalm 32:5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Thanksgiving: Psalm 51:5 Psalm 105:1 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Supplication (Requests): Psalm 107 Psalm 118 Luke 22:42 Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Psalm 145:15-16
Growing in Faith Prayer Page 6 As you pray, don t forget to pray for others too! 1 Timothy 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone. And don t forget that God promises to hear and answer your prayers! James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. So, how would you answer the question: What should we pray about? TAKING IT DEEPER A) Agree or Disagree Since God already knows what I need and has promised to give me all good things, I don t need to pray. B) Agree or Disagree When I am sick and pray to God for healing, I shouldn t seek medical treatment because that would show a lack of faith. C) Agree or Disagree It is better to pray from the heart than from a prayer book. D) Agree or Disagree I should pray to Mary instead of Jesus because she is more likely to hear me. F) Agree or Disagree I can change God s mind when I pray. G) Agree or Disagree God talks to me in prayer. Extra Credit: I) Agree or Disagree Prayer is a Means of Grace.