When Jesus died on the cross the veil of the temple was torn from top to
bottom (Matt. 27:51). That area of intimacy to God was limited to one
high priest. Jesus’ death opened the way into a deeper relationship with
the Father allowing us to be recognized by God through the perfection of
Jesus. Hebrews 10:19-22 encourages us by stating, “Having therefore,
brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a
new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil,
that is to say, his flesh; And having
an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart
in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil
conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 4:15,
16 says, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with
the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as
we are, yet without sin. Let us
therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Prayer is an
important aspect of our relationship with God. He desires to here from
us.
What prayer is not
It’s not reading words
It’s not repeating words
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (Matt. 6:7)
It’s not
re-directing God’s will
What prayer is
Communication
Call unto me, and I will
answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest
not. (Jer. 33:3)
Confession
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Connection
Hebrews 10:19-22 (see above)
Types of prayer
Be careful for nothing;
but in ever thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(Phil. 4:6, 7)
Adoration (worship)
Petition (request)
Thanksgiving (in everything)
Intercession
And I sought for a man among
them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for
the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Ezek. 22:30
How to pray
Recognize whom you’re addressing:
Humility:
2 Chron. 7:14
“If my people, which are called by my
name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from
their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their
sin, and will heal their land.”
Submission:
Luke 22:422 Chron. 7:14
“If my people, which are
called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will
forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Without ceasing:
1 Thess. 5:17 “Pray without
ceasing.”
Assistance provided:
Rom. 8:26 “Likewise
the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should
pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us
with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
What to pray for
Salvation:
The Lord is not slack
concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is
longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that
all should come to repentance. (2 Peter. 3:9)
Sickness:
Is any sick among you? let him
call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing
him with oil in the name of the Lord: (James 5:14)
Strength:
And be not drunk with wine,
wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Eph. 5:18)
Sensitivity
to gifts:
Follow after charity, and
desire spiritual gifts, but rather
that ye may prophesy. (1 Cor. 14:1)
Service to the
Lord:
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: (Mat. 3:8)
Unanswered Prayer
Incorrect actions:
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell
with them according to knowledge,
giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being
heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
1 Peter 3:7
Sin:
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear
me: (Psalm 66:18)
Doubt:
But let him ask in faith,
nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven
with the wind and tossed. James 1:6
Wrong motives:
Ye ask, and receive not,
because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it
upon your lusts. (James 4:3)
God’s perfect timing
Psa 13:1 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt
thou hide thy face from me?
Psa 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
Psa 69:3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.
Joh 11:6 When he
had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the
same place where he was. Joh 11:21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if
thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
Positions for prayer
Our physical position is merely an inward expression of the condition of our hearts.
Kneeling:
And he was withdrawn from them
about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, (Luke 22:41)
And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven. (1 Kings 8:54)
Spreading of hands:
Hear the voice of my
supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy
holy oracle. (Psalm 28:2)
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. (1 Tim. 2:8)
Falling prostrate:
And he went a little farther,
and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be
possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as
thou wilt. (Matt. 26:39)
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Rom 8:26
Standing:
“And she said, Oh my lord,
as thy soul liveth, my lord, I
am the woman that stood by thee here,
praying unto the LORD.” (1
Sam. 1:26)
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (Mark 11:25)
Hidden:
“And when thou prayest, thou
shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in
the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen
of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou
hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy
Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” (Matt. 6:5, 6)
What’s your attitude?
Many people believe that prayer is a way of getting what they want from
God. They have a I want, I need, give me, give me, give me mentality
towards prayer. A popularly misquoted verse is John 14:13-14 which reads,
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father
may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I
will do it.” However, read within context you’ll find that this
statement is being made towards those whose lives are completely devoted
to Christ. Then what should our attitude be?
Humility vs. Pride:
2Ch 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble
themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;
then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal
their land.”
Whole-hearted vs.
Lazy:
Jer 29:13 “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search
for me with all your heart.”
Faith vs. Doubt:
Mark 11:24 “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire,
when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
Heb 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Righteousness vs.
Sinfulness:
Jam 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for
another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a
righteous man availeth much.”
Obedience vs.
Disobedience:
1Jo 3:22 “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep
his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”
God’s will vs. My
will:
1Jo 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we
ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”
Approach Him with;
Boldness:
Heb 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that
we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Heb 10:19 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,”
Humility:
2Ch 34:27 “Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble
thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and
against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and
didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also,
saith the LORD.”
Dan 10:12 “Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.”
Reverence:
Gen 22:12 “And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do
thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing
thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.”
Exo 18:21 “Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:”
Act 10:1-4 “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.”
In Conclusion
God’s desire is for us to communicate with Him. To ask His will for us.
To appreciate who He is and all He has done for us. The Holy Spirit will
help us in our prayer life. Just continue and watch your relationship
with the Lord blossom. Remember, when a child goes to their parent, they
are not criticized for not fully understanding the language. In the same
respect, a child who doesn’t fully understand the language can still
make their needs known. Just pray!
Now unto him that is able to
do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the
power that worketh in us, Unto him be
glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without
end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20, 21
Food for thought
What have you learned about prayer that you may not have already known?
Can you think of a time when you exercised the different prayer types?
When was the last time you saw prayer come to pass?