STUDY No. 19 - LET US PRAY

The Lord Jesus Christ took time to teach His disciples to pray. We all agree prayer is a must for a Christian, but do we really pray as much as we ought? We are prayerless when we should be powerful.

WHY SHOULD WE PRAY?

I hope you have realised the value of simply reading carefully and pondering over the suggested verses. Don’t rush, but THINK upon each sentence and allow the Holy Spirit to apply truth from the Word of God.
 Matthew 5:44  Matthew 6:5-15  Matthew 26:41
 Luke 11:1-13  Luke 18:1-14  Luke 21:36  Luke 22:40
Motivation to pray is important and these verses will impart it as nothing else can.
WHAT GOD COMMANDS, HE ENABLES THROUGH HIS WORD

THE LORD TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES TO PRAY

Luke 11:1-10 contains a model or pattern prayer and then teaches us to be definite in our prayers.

Luke 18:9-14 teaches us not to be self-confident in prayer, but to recognise our need. The Lord spoke parables on the necessity of constant prayer.

THE LORD GIVES EXAMPLES IN PRAYER

 Matthew  26:36-46
 Mark  1:35  6:46, 47
 Luke  3:21  9:18  23:34  5:15, 16  9:28, 29  23:46  6:12,13  11:1
 John  6:15  17:1-26

Compare the references in Luke with Matthew 5:44

All these instances reveal His fellowship with and dependence on the Father.

Some of these are lengthy passages and you may need more time on this study - however it will be well worth the time spent.

COMMANDS AND EXHORTATIONS TO PRAY ARE FOUND IN THE EPISTLES

(WITH SO MUCH ENCOURAGEMENT AND INSTRUCTION, THIS MUST BE A VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE)
 
 Romans 12:12  1 Thessalonians 5:17  Hebrews 4:16  James 5:13
 Ephesians 6:18-20  2 Thessalonians 3:1  Hebrews 12:12  James 5:16-18
 Philippians 4:6  1 Timothy2:1,2  James 1:5,6  1 Peter 4:7
 Colossians 4:2  Philemon 22  James 4:2,3  Jude 20-25

THE EXAMPLE OF THE EARLY CHURCH AND THE APOSTLES

 Acts 1:14  Acts 4:23-31  Acts 9:11
 Acts 2:1, 42  Acts 6:4, 6  Acts 12:5
 Acts 3:1  Acts 7:59  Acts 13:1-3

This is a very important lesson to learn - the early Church advances triumphantly on its knees!

It might be helpful at this stage to pause and ask "Can my prayer life be improved? Could the prayer life of my church be? Is there any way in which I could encourage this?"

THE EXAMPLES OF MEN OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Here are a few to jog your memory - Abraham, Moses, Samuel, David, Daniel and Nehemiah. Can you think of others?

These men knew what it was to walk and talk with the Lord!

We hear it said ‘Where is the God of Elijah?" It could be He is looking for the ‘Elijah’ of God!

WE NEED TO PRAY - PRAYER IS VITAL

If we are to teach or lead others - Luke 11:1. Paul in his letters frequently asks others to PRAY for him.
Romans 15:30, 32        2 Corinthians 1:8-11      Philippians 1:19
"We need to pray about that" should be heard more often - and appropriate action taken!

THE NATURE OF PRAYER

Prayer leads us to a fuller understanding of the mind and will of God.
 He speaks to us - we to Him. 
 We too often neglect the former!
  Acts 10:9-20
 Prayer can help us resolve doubtful issues:
  2 Corinthians 2:9-16
 Romans 8:26, 27
 It can help us determine God’s will
  Acts 13:1-3
 Prayer and praises go together.
Praise is an important aspect of prayer, but not the only aspect!
  Ephesians 5:20
 Philippians 4:8
 Colossians 4:2
 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

There are many aspects of prayer. Notice the words used in Scripture:
 

ask
pray
praise
beseech
request
call
groan
sigh
supplicate
confess
wait
seek
knock
strive
labour
agonise
Thou art coming to a King.
Large petitions with thee bring,
For His grace and power are such,
None can ever ask TOO MUCH!
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