Prayer
1. Its importance:
Prayer is of vital importance and indispensable for the Christian. Prayer is both a privilege and a duty of the Christian (1 Timothy 2:8; Luke 18:1). I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 1 Timothy 2:8
Luke 18:1
Through prayer the soul draws near to God (Hebrews 10:19-22), 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. 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 10:19-22
- To worship and praise Him for His mercies (Psalms 103:1-3; Philippians 4:6),
Psalms 103:1-3
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
- To ask for what we need (1 John 5:14; Matthew 7:7),
1 John 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:
Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
- To intercede on behalf of others (Ephesians 3:14-17; 1 Samuel 12:23).
Ephesians 3:14-17
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
1 Samuel 12:23
Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:
2. How it should be made:
- Prayer must be directed to God in the name of Jesus Christ (John 14:13-14).
John 14:13-14
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.
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.
- In the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:18; Romans 8:26).
Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Romans 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.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
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.
- With the understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15).
1 Corinthians 14:15
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
- Whatever our need may be, we must bring it to God in prayer (Philippians 4:6).
Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
3. Conditions for effective prayer:
- It must be made in contrition (2 Chronicles 7:14).
2 Chronicles 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.
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.
- With all the heart (Jeremiah 29:13).
Jeremiah 29:13
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
- In faith (Mark 11:24).
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.
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
- In righteousness (James 5:16; Psalms 66:18).
James 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.
Psalms 66:18
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
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.
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
- In obedience (1 John 3:22).
1 John 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.
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
The Christian who prays serves the Lord better and is an effective and beneficial influence in the Church. We must make use of the greatest spiritual resources God has placed at our disposal. "Pray without ceasing" is the exhortation Saint Paul gives us, for prayer, more than an isolated act, should be a permanent state in the Christian.
Questions
1. Explain the place prayer occupies in the Christian's life.
2. How should prayer be made?
3. Mention some conditions for effective prayer.