Teach Me to Pray (Questions based on pp. 3-4 of Bible Witness, Volume 12, Issue 3 BASICS OF PRAYER) 1. In the introduction of the article, some reasons are cited as to why people tend to habitually neglect prayer. Can you name these? 2. Do you know the widely known prayer that the Lord Jesus taught His disciples? How many petitions are there in this prayer and to whom are these petitions submitted (Matthew 6:9-13)? 3. What do we mean when we pray to our Father in heaven, Hallowed be thy name? 4. Name the two parts of the kingdom of heaven as expounded by the writer and discuss the sanctifying effect these will have in the lives of believers. 5. The petition Thy will be done in earth carries with it a human responsibility. Highlight how this can be gleaned from the following verses: a) Romans 12:1-2 b) Ephesians 6:5-7 c) 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3 d) 1 Thessalonians 5:18 e) 1 Peter 2:13-15 f) 1 Peter 4:1-2 Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church Page 1
6. The general request for physical needs is expressed as Give us this day our daily bread. Why can t one ask for a week or a month s supply? Share your thoughts on this. 7. While we rely upon God to provide for our needs, what should be our human responsibility according to 2 Thessalonians 3:10 and Malachi 3:10? 8. What influenced the wording of the fifth petition of the Lord s Prayer? Which particular word in this petition differs from the Bible text? 9. What is the implication if one has an unforgiving attitude towards the trespasses of others? Is there a limit as to how many trespasses one can commit before we stop forgiving (Matthew 18:21-22)? 10. Name the events in life that Satan uses to tempt us. Draw out important principles from James 4:7 that are vital to the believers deliverance from evil. Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church Page 2
Addressing God (Questions based on pp. 5-7 of Bible Witness, Volume 12, Issue 3 BASICS OF PRAYER) 1. Explain, giving as many reasons as you can, why a proper protocol must be observed in addressing certain persons in their respective circumstances. 2. During occasions of prayer, what important rule or manner should we observe in addressing God? Share some of the names you often use to address God in prayer. 3. The word pray in Matthew 6:9a is in the imperative mood written in the middle voice. Discuss the implications of such a grammatical structure in the introduction to the Lord s Prayer. 4. God being the Father, what particular benefits do His children enjoy as pointed out in the following OT verses? a) Deuteronomy 32:6 b) Psalm 89:26 c) Isaiah 63:16 d) Isaiah 64:8 e) Jeremiah 3:4 f) Jeremiah 3:19 Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church Page 3
5. Just as Jesus calls God Father, we as His followers can do likewise. However, there is a difference between Jesus Sonship and that of believers. Explain this distinction by looking at John 1:14 and Romans 8:14-16. 6. Why is it inappropriate to use terms like dad, pops or old man to address God? 7. How about calling God dear? Why is it wrong when the Bible does use the same word to describe Jesus in Colossians 1:13? 8. Give some reasons as to why prayer must not be reduced to a mere dialogue between two persons. Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church Page 4
In Jesus Name (Questions based on pp. 8-9 of Bible Witness, Volume 12, Issue 3 BASICS OF PRAYER) 1. According to the article s introduction, what circumstances serve as insufficient grounds for people to approach God in prayer? What then serves as the only basis for God to answer prayer? 2. Compare the cries of distress of the Israelites in Exodus 2:23, 24 with that of the Egyptians in Exodus 12:30. What was the difference which led to the contrasting result? 3. What is God s forbearance in granting man forgiveness and salvation based upon (Romans 3:25)? How should the OT and NT believers relate their faith to this fact? 4. Discuss why prayers must be made in Jesus name as taught in these passages: a) John 15:16 b) John 16:23, 24 Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church Page 5
5. What does it imply when a believer prays and ends his prayers in Jesus name? 6. The article instructs us not to utter the phrase in Jesus name perfunctorily, mindlessly or mechanically. Why? 7. Having been justified and sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ, how should believers approach God in prayer, according to the following verses? a) Ephesians 2:13-16 b) Hebrews 4:14-16 Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church Page 6
The Spirit s Help (Questions based on pp. 10-12 of Bible Witness, Volume 12, Issue 3 BASICS OF PRAYER) 1. What does it mean when the Bible says, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought (Romans 8:26)? 2. Describe the particular help that the Holy Spirit extends to the believer in prayer. 3. Since the Holy Spirit will make intercession for us in prayer, can we just pray nonchalantly or in any way we like? How should the Holy Spirit s intercession affect our prayer life? 4. The prayers and tongue-speaking of the Charismatic movement cannot be likened to the Spirit s intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered? Discuss why this is so. 5. Romans 8:27 says that the Spirit searcheth the hearts of the believers. What does this mean? Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church Page 7
6. As the minds of God and the Holy Spirit are in total and absolute agreement, what can believers expect when the Holy Spirit intercedes for them? 7. What should every Christian know about the fact that the Holy Spirit continues to intercede for them (Romans 8:28)? 8. Romans 8:28 talks about all things work together for good. What do these things refer to and what are they supposed to work together with? 9. Explain what particular goodness is brought about by the working together of all circumstances and situations in the believer s life. 10. Discuss how the Bible describes them who are the specific recipients of this goodness. Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church Page 8
The Bible and Prayer (Questions based on pp. 13-15 of Bible Witness, Volume 12, Issue 3 BASICS OF PRAYER) 1. What are the two integral parts of Christian life and ministry and how do these correspond to the Christian's relationship with God? How would you describe a person who does not care much about engaging in these endeavours? 2. Discuss why it is so important that God s Word and prayer must go together as stated by our Lord Jesus in John 15:7. 3. When the apostles said, But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word, what did they mean (Acts 6:4; cf. Colossians 4:12)? 4. Explain the implications that result from the imbalanced pursuit of either the Word of God or prayer. 5. The Bible is the basis of all prayer, for it provides the perfect knowledge of God. Learn the importance of knowing God intimately by discussing the following verses: a) Hosea 4:1, 6 b) Matthew 22:29 c) John 5:39 Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church Page 9
d) John 15:7 e) Psalm 119:58, 76, 170 6. Differentiate the various kinds of prayers mentioned in the following verses: a) petitions (1 John 5:15) b) supplications (1 Timothy 2:1; 5:5) c) intercessions (1 Timothy 2:1) d) thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2) e) confession (Daniel 9:20; Psalm 51) 7. Discuss the corrective measures that ought to be implemented in the following instances of unanswered prayer: a) Psalm 66:18 b) Proverbs 21:13 c) Isaiah 1:15 d) Matthew 6:5 e) Matthew 6:7 f) Matthew 6:15 g) James 4:3 Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church Page 10
8. Share some of your experiences in which you were moved to pray after reading particular Bible verses or when you remember them. 9. How can you apply the instruction the Bible should be the main subject of our prayer to your own prayer life? 10. Hebrews 13:7 tells us to remember to pray for our pastors and preachers who have spoken the Word of God unto us. How should we pray for them (2 Thessalonians 3:1; Colossians 4:3)? 11. Point out the blessings that one may receive from these biblical prayers: a) Psalm 25:5, 6 b) Psalm 86:11 c) Psalm 119:35, 36 d) Psalm 119:169 e) Psalm 143:10 f) Colossians 1:9, 10 Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church Page 11
Facts About Prayer (Questions based on pp. 16-19 of Bible Witness, Volume 12, Issue 3 BASICS OF PRAYER) 1. Unto whom is Christian prayer directed? How is it said to be unidirectional (Philippians 4:6)? 2. Why can t we pray to angels, saints or any other created being (Psalms 115:4-8; 118:8)? How about seeking them to mediate for us before God (Romans 5:2; Hebrews 4:16; 1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:6)? 3. Describe how the omniscient and omnipotent character of God can assure us of the blessings of prayer (Isaiah 65:24; Psalm 145:18). 4. What should be the Christian's ideal posture in prayer (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 6:5)? 5. Which place should be the most ideal for the Christian to pray in (1 Timothy 2:8)? Can you share an experience where you were prompted to pray in a most unusual place? Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church Page 12
6. The Bible tells us to pray at all times (Psalm 88:1). At which time of the day or night do you often find yourself praying? 7. Since there are no language barriers in prayers, can we then utter gibberish and engage in babbling like the charismatics (Acts 2:4; Romans 8:27)? 8. Discuss these various forms of prayer and relate them to your own particular experiences in life when you came before God in like manner: a) praying with broken hearts (Psalm 34:18) b) praying with vows (1 Samuel 1:11) c) praying with songs (Psalm 59:16, 17; Acts 16:25) d) praying in sore trials and misfortune (Job 1:20, 21) e) praying in persecution (Psalm 35:11-13) f) praying for God s mercy (Luke 18:13) g) praying in agony (Luke 22:44) Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church Page 13
Daniel s Prayer (Questions based on pp. 20-22 of Bible Witness, Volume 12, Issue 3 BASICS OF PRAYER) 1. Daniel risked his life because of the king s decree concerning prayer. What was the decree all about? Did the decree prevent Daniel from praying to God (Daniel 6:7-10)? 2. Why can we say that Daniel s prayer was based on God s Word, in line with God s will (Daniel 9:2)? 3. How did Daniel exhibit an attitude of humility in prayer (Daniel 9:3)? Contrast Daniel s prayer with that of the Pharisee in Luke 18:11, 12. 4. When Daniel said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, what did he mean (Daniel 9:4)? What kind of attitude is reflected by those words? Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church Page 14
5. Why is it so important that we must confess our sins before God (Daniel 9:19; 1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13)? 6. What do sinners deserve before a just and holy God (Daniel 9:12-14)? 7. Why can t we present our supplications to God on the basis of our righteousnesses (Daniel 9:9, 18; Isaiah 64:6)? 8. What things ought we to pray for in view of this prayer mentioned in Daniel 9:17, 19? How often do you pray for others welfare over your own personal concerns? Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church Page 15