Prayer
1. HOW TO PRAY:
Luke 11:1–4 Lord, teach us to pray … when ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven (See also Matthew 6:9–13.)
A. Praise and thank God before petitioning Him:
Psalm 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving
Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful … and bless his name
Philippians 4:6 With thanksgiving let your requests be made known
B. If you have the gift of tongues, pray and praise in it:
1 Corinthians 14:2,4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh … unto God [and] edifieth himself
1 Corinthians 14:39 Forbid not to speak with tongues
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with … supplication in the Spirit
Jude 1:20 Building up your … faith, praying in the Holy Ghost
C. Be specific and ask for what you need:
1 Kings 3:5,9–10 [God told Solomon:] Ask what I shall give thee
Matthew 7:7–8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find
Matthew 21:22 Whatsoever ye ask in prayer … ye shall receive
John 16:24 Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full
Philippians 4:6 Let your requests be made known unto God
James 4:2 Ye have not, because ye ask not
D. Pray to the Father in Jesus’ name:
John 14:13–14 Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do
John 16:23 Whatsoever ye … ask Father in my name, he will give
(See also John 15:16; 16:26; Ephesians 2:18.)
E. Prayer also includes you listening to God:
Genesis 24:63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field at eventide
Numbers 9:8 Stand still, and I will hear what the Lord will command
1 Samuel 3:9–10 If he call thee … say, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth”
Psalm 4:3–4 Lord will hear … commune with your heart … and be still
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God
(See also Ecclesiastes 5:1; Zephaniah 1:7; Zechariah 2:13.)
F. Listen by meditating on God’s Word:
Joshua 1:8 Thou shalt meditate therein [the Law] day and night
Psalm 1:2 In his law doth he meditate day and night
Psalm 119:148 [Before] the night watches … I meditate in thy word
1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate on these things; give thyself wholly to them 33
G. Be diligent in prayer:
Isaiah 64:7 There is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth himself to take hold of thee
Daniel 9:13 All this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer
Jonah 1:6 What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God
Luke 18:1 Men ought always to pray, and not to faint
Luke 22:46 Why sleep ye? Rise and pray
2. CONDITIONS TO GETTING PRAYER ANSWERED:
A. Pray in faith:
Matthew 21:21–22 Have faith … doubt not … whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive
Mark 11:24 When ye pray, believe that ye receive and ye shall have
Romans 4:21 Being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform
Hebrews 11:6 He that cometh to God must believe that he is
James 1:5–7 Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering
(See also Matthew 17:18–20; Luke 7:1–10.)
B. Obey God and do His will:
John 9:31 If any man … doeth God’s will, him he heareth
John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you
1 John 3:22 We ask, we receive, because we keep his commandments
(See also Isaiah 58:6–9.)
C. Pray according to God’s will:
Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God
Matthew 6:10 Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven
Luke 22:42 Nevertheless not my will, but thine [God’s], be done
John 5:30 [Jesus]: I seek not mine own will, but [God’s] will
1 John 5:14 If we ask anything according to his will, he heareth
D. Pray humbly:
Daniel 9:18 We do not present our supplications [because of] our
righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies
Luke 18:10–14 The publican [said], God be merciful to me a sinner
James 4:6 God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble
3. PRAYER PROMISES:
2 Peter 1:4 Are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises
A. Remind God of His promises when praying:
Genesis 32:6–12 Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed [and prayed, reminding God of His promises of protection]
Nehemiah 1:4–11 [Nehemiah prayed:] Remember … the word that thou commandest thy servant Moses
B. Some promises to claim in prayer:
Psalm 37:4–5 Delight thyself in the Lord: and he shall give thee desires
Psalm 81:10 Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it
Isaiah 65:24 Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear
Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee and shew thee great and mighty things
John 15:7 Ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you
John 15:16 Whatsoever ye ask in my name … [God will] give it
C. God promises to hear prayer:
2 Samuel 22:7 In my distress I called … he did hear my voice
Psalm 34:15,17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth
Psalm 72:12 He shall deliver the needy when he crieth
Psalm 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him
D. God’s blessings for those who seek Him:
2 Chronicles 26:5 As long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper
2 Chronicles 31:21 He [sought God] with all his heart, and prospered
4. THINGS THAT HINDER OUR PRAYERS:
A. Disobedience:
Deuteronomy 1:43–45 Ye would not hear, but rebelled against [the word] of the Lord … the Lord would not hearken to your voice
Deuteronomy 3:23–27 [Moses’ request to enter Canaan denied] (See also Numbers 20:12.)
1 Samuel 28:5–6 When Saul enquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not (See the reason in 1 Samuel 28:15–19.)
Isaiah 1:15 When ye make many prayers, I will not hear
Micah 3:4 Then shall they cry unto the Lord, but he will not hear … they have behaved themselves ill
(See also 1 Samuel 13:8–14; 14:37; Hosea 5:6.)
B. Disbelief:
Job 9:16 If I called, and he answered me; yet would I not believe he had hearkened unto my voice
Matthew 17:19–20 Why could not we cast him out? Because of your unbelief
Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is
C. Unconfessed sin:
Psalm 68:18–19 If I regard iniquity in my heart, Lord will not hear
Isaiah 59:1–2 Your sins have hid his face … that he will not hear
James 5:16 Confess your faults … and pray one for another
D. Doubts:
Proverbs 1:24–28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer
Proverbs 28:9 He that turneth ear … his prayer shall be abomination
Zechariah 7:12–13 Therefore … they cried, and I would not hear
James 1:5–7 Let not that man [who doubts] think he shall receive anything of the Lord
E. Resentment:
Mark 11:25 When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought
F. Selfish motives:
Deuteronomy 23:4–5 They hired against thee Balaam … curse thee. [But] the Lord would not hearken unto Balaam
James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts
G. Pride:
Matthew 6:5–6 Not be as hypocrites [who] love to pray [publicly]
Luke 18:10–14 God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are
H. Don’t pray long, repetitive prayers:
Ecclesiastes 5:2 God is in heaven … let thy words be few
Matthew 6:7–8 When ye pray, use not vain repetitions
Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you [who] for a pretence make long prayer
Joshua 7:6,10 [God told Joshua to stop praying and get up]
I. What happens when we don’t pray:
James 4:2 Ye have not, because ye ask not
(See also Isaiah 64:7.)
5. PRIVATE PRAYER AND UNITED PRAYER:
A. Private prayer:
Matthew 6:6 When thou prayest, enter into thy closet … in secret
Mark 1:35 He … departed into a solitary place, and there prayed
Mark 6:46 He sent them away, he departed to a mountain to pray
Luke 5:16 He withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed
B. United prayer:
Matthew 18:19–20 Where two or three are gathered together in my name
Acts 1:13–15 These all [120 people] continued with one accord in prayer … in an upper room
Acts 4:23–31 [After a beating, Peter and John held a prayer meeting]
Acts 12:12 House of Mary … many were gathered together praying
C. “Watching” in prayer:
1 Samuel 15:11 It grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night
Matthew 26:40–41 Could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray
Luke 6:12 He [Jesus] continued all night in prayer to God
Acts 12:5 Peter was kept in prison … prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always … and watching thereunto
6. WHEN TO PRAY:
A. Be in a continual attitude of prayer:
1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the Lord … seek his face continually
Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct
Luke 18:1 Men ought always to pray
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing (See also Ephesians 6:18.)
B. Pray in time of special need:
Psalm 27:8 When thou saidst, “Seek ye my face”
Psalm 50:15 Call upon me in the day of trouble
Psalm 107:19 They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth
Hebrews 4:16 Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may … find … help in time of need
James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray
(See also 2 Chronicles 14:11–12; Psalm 34:4,6.)
C. Pray in the morning:
Psalm 5:3 In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee
Psalm 63:1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee
Psalm 119:147 I [rose before] the dawning of the morning, and cried
Proverbs 8:17 Those that seek me early shall find me
Mark 1:35 In the morning, rising up before day, he … prayed
D. Pray in the evening:
Genesis 24:63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field at eventide
Psalm 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray
Daniel 6:10 Daniel … kneeled three times a day, and prayed
Mark 6:46–47 [Jesus] departed to mountain to pray … even was come
E. Pray at night:
Psalm 42:8 In the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer
Psalm 63:5–6 When I … meditate on thee in the night watches
Isaiah 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night
Lamentations 2:19 Arise, cry out in the night … pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord
Luke 6:12 [Jesus] continued all night in prayer to God
Acts 16:25 At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises
(See also Psalm 4:4; 119:55,62.)
7. WHOLEHEARTED FERVENT PRAYER:
A. Stir yourself up; call on God wholeheartedly:
1 Samuel 15:11,16 It grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night
Isaiah 64:7 None … stirreth up himself to take hold of thee
Jeremiah 29:13 Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye search for me with all your heart (See also Deuteronomy 4:29.)
Lamentations 2:19 Arise, cry out … poor out thine heart like water
Luke 22:44 Being in an agony, he [Jesus] prayed more earnestly
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly … in time of need
Hebrews 5:7 [Jesus] offered up prayers … with strong crying and tears
James 5:16 Effectual fervent prayer … availeth much
(See also Psalm 61:1–2; 119:10.)
B. Pray fervently for others:
Romans 15:30–31 Strive together with me in our prayers to God
Colossians 4:12 Epaphrus … always labouring fervently for you in prayers
C. Don’t give up; be persistent:
Genesis 18:23–32 [Abraham repeatedly asks God to spare Sodom for the sake of the righteous. God agrees, if there are 10]
Genesis 32:24–28 [Jacob refuses to let angel go until he blesses him]
Luke 11:5–10 Because of his importunity [insistence] he will give
Luke 18:1–8 [Widow and unjust judge] Lest by her continual coming
Romans 12:12 Continuing instant [steadfast, persevering] in prayer
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always … watching thereunto with perseverance
James 5:16–18 The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man (See also 1 Kings 18:2,41–45.)
D. Challenge God to keep His Word and answer prayer:
2 Kings 2:14 [Elisha challenges:] “Where is the God of Elijah?”
Isaiah 45:11 Concerning the work of my hands command ye me
(See also Exodus 32:11–14.)
E. Sometimes you can change God’s mind through prayer:
Genesis 19:17–21 I will not overthrow this city [Zoar], for the which thou hast spoken
Exodus 32:9–14 Moses besought the Lord … and the Lord repented of the evil which he [had] thought to do
2 Kings 20:1–6 [King Hezekiah was told he would die, but when he prayed, God changed His mind and healed him]
Amos 7:1–6 The Lord repented for this: This also shall not be
Jonah 3:4–10 [Nineveh repented, so God spared it]
F. Praying repeatedly:
1 Kings 18:42–43 Elijah [prayed] seven times
Matthew 26:44 [Jesus] prayed the third time, saying the same words
G. Fasting and prayer:
Ezra 8:23 So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us
Joel 2:12 Turn ye to me with all your heart, and with fasting
Matthew 17:21 This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting (See also Deuteronomy 9:9,18; Acts 13:2–3; 1 Corinthians 7:5.)
8. OTHER POINTS ON PRAYER:
A. Jesus prays for us:
Romans 8:34 Christ … who is at the right hand of God … maketh intercession for us
Hebrews 7:25 He ever liveth to make intercession for [us]
(See also Luke 22:32; John 17:9.)
B. The Holy Spirit prays for us:
Romans 8:26–27 [The Spirit] maketh intercession for the saints
C. Be thankful to God for answering prayer:
Psalm 116:1–2,7 I love the Lord, because he hath heard my [prayers]
(See also Psalm 30:1–4; 66:16–17,19–20.)
D. Prayer is precious:
Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be set before thee as incense
Proverbs 15:8 The prayer of the upright is his delight
Revelation 5:8 Golden vials full of odours are the prayers of saints
(See also Revelation 8:3.)
E. Give thanks before eating:
1 Samuel 9:13 People will not eat till he … bless the sacrifice
Matthew 14:19 Looking up to heaven, he blessed and brake … the loaves
Matthew 26:26 Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave
Mark 8:6 He [Jesus] took the seven loaves, and gave thanks
Acts 27:35 He [Paul] took bread, and gave thanks to God
1 Timothy 4:3–5 [Food] sanctified by prayer
9. WAYS GOD ANSWERS PRAYER:
A. The answer can surpass the request:
1 Kings 3:7–14 [Solomon prayed for wisdom and God granted him much more]
Acts 12:1–16 [Church prayed for Peter, but they were surprised at his miraculous release from prison]
Ephesians 3:20 Able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask
B. The answer can be delayed (which tests our faith):
Job 30:20 [Job’s prayer not answered immediately]
Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord, and he … heard my cry
Jeremiah 42:4,7 [Jeremiah’s prayer answered 10 days after he prayed]
Lamentations 3:25–26 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him (See also Psalm 62:1.)
Daniel 10:2,12–13 [The answer to Daniel’s prayer was delayed for 21 days]
Luke 16:7–8 [Answer] his elect … though he bear long with them
Hebrews 10:36 Patience … after ye have done will of God, receive
Revelation 6:10–11 How long, O Lord? [Answer:] Rest yet a little season
C. The answer can be different from the request:
Deuteronomy 3:23–27 [Moses allowed to view the promised land, not enter]
John 11:1–3,6 [Jesus is asked to heal Lazarus, but lets him die,
then resurrects him] (See also John 11:14–15,32,37,43–45.)
2 Corinthians 12:7–9 [Paul prays for healing; instead is given grace to bear his affliction]
(See also 2 Kings 5:9–13.)
D. Beware about insisting that God grant your request:
Psalm 106:15 He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul
(See also 1 Samuel 8:4–22; 12:1,13,16–19, about when the Israelites asked God for a king.)