June 29th - PRAYER

Prayer is as old as man, as universal as religion and as instinctive as breathing. Genesis 4:26 Prayer springs from the heart.

Most men try to pray, yet so few know how. There are two kinds of prayers: the prayer—the one that meets God’s standard and the one that does not. This is illustrated by our Lord in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. Luke 18:9-14 Both men went to the same place, at the same time, for the same purpose—to pray.

The Pharisee prayed in his religious pride, expecting God to answer because he thought himself worthy. It is self-righteous prayer.

The publican and his prayer…He came to God in great humility, conscious of his unworthiness, confessing himself a sinner and begging for mercy. This is a righteous prayer.

It is a rare privilege to pray, because it brings you into close fellowship with God, admitting your need for Him and your utter dependence upon Him.

Prayer is asking and receiving; it is talking with God. Matthew 7:7
The Lord instructs the believer to ask, seek and knock, because these three words cover the whole spectrum of prayer.

Prayer is asking and receiving. When you know the will of God regarding a need, whether it be material or spiritual, you can ask and receive. This prayer according to the revealed will of God. I John 5:14-15 of Him.

Prayer is seeking and finding. When you do not know the will of God regarding a need, then you are to seek His will in prayer concerning this need until you find it. This is prayer for a knowledge of the unrevealed will of God in a specific need. Col. 3:1

Prayer is knocking and opening. When you know the will of God and yet you find a closed door, you are to knock, and keep on knocking until God opens the door. This is tenacious prayer—prayer for mountain-moving faith. Matthew 14-21

To ask, to seek, to knock are the Lord’s instructions for prayer.

PRAY Luke 18: 1 Prayer is imperative. You are commanded to pray. Matt. 26:41
…because prayer is the way to God for things. James 4:2
…because there is joy in prayer. John 16:24
…because prayer can unlock the treasure chest of God’s wisdom. James 1:5
…because prayer is a channel of power. Jer. 33:3 –the Lord’s telephone number!
…because it is a sin not to pray. I Samuel 12:23
…because sinners can be saved when they pray to receive Christ. Romans 10:13, 14
…because Jesus prayed often to the Father. Now, if Jesus, the Son of God prayed, then we also should pray. I Thess. 5:17

PRAY IN THIS MANNER:
Matthew 6:9-13 Luke 11:1
We are to pray to our Father Who is in heaven – He is all-wise, all-loving, and all-powerful. We are also instructed to pray in the name of Jesus. John
14:13-14 Our dependence is not on what we say but the meditative influence of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:26-27
We are to pray for His will to be done in everything.
We are to pray for the coming of the Kingdom. Matt 25: 31-46
We are to pray for our daily necessities.
We are to pray for forgiveness, and practice forgiving others.
We are to pray for the leading of the Lord and deliverance from evil.
We are to pray in faith. Heb. 11:5-6

There was a remarkable change in the prayer life of the disciples after the resurrection of Jesus, and it is noted again after Pentecost. Before the death of Jesus, the disciples slept while Jesus prayed in the Garden. Matt. 26:36-46 But after His death and resurrection:
They assembled in the Upper Room waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit and they prayed. We should always pray when assembled with believers. Acts 1:13-14 They prayed as they went from house to house. Acts 2:42-47
They prayed as a church when Peter was in prison. Acts 12:5-19
Paul and Silas prayed in prison. Acts 16:25
The most important place to pray is any place where you can be alone with God. Matt. 6:6
We are instructed to pray in all places at all times. I Timothy 2:8

HINDRANCES to Prayer:
When prayers are not answered, you should examine yourself in the light of God’s Word. If you find anything not pleasing to God, confess it, believing God for forgiveness that your prayers may be answered. I John 1:9
An unharmonious relationship between husband and wife will hinder prayer. I Peter 3:1-17
Selfishness will hinder prayer. James 4:3 ual pleasures.
An unforgiving spirit will hinder prayer. Matt. 5:22, 24 (at the altar offering gift…) MANY CHRISTIANS go without answers to prayer because they have wronged others; or have been wronged and have failed to humble themselves and seek reconciliation.
Unbelief will hinder prayer. James 1:6-7 Heb. 11:1
Known sin in the heart will hinder prayer. Isa. 59:1-2 Psa. 66:18
When you pray, go to God in all humility. Ask Him to reveal anything in your life that is not pleasing to Him. Judge it, confess it, calling it by name and forsake it! Pray in all simplicity and earnestness, believing God will hear and answer.

The Bible is filled with answered prayers from Genesis to Revelation. You are commanded to pray and God has promised to answer. Jer. 3:3
John 15:7 Romans 12:1-2 …as a living sacrifice
*His words are to abide in you…they are to become a vital part of your life. You are to be filled with and guided by His words. Col. 3:16-17
The answer is sometimes immediate. Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, and as he began to sink, he prayed, “Lord, save me.” –the answer was immediate. Matt. 14:22-31
The answer is sometimes delayed. The delay is according to His will. Romans 8:28 The resurrection of Lazarus is a good example of delayed answer to prayer. The answer was delayed but not denied. John 11:1-44
The answer is sometimes NO. When God answers with NO, He always accompanies the answer with peace. Phil. 4:6,7 and grace: II Cor. 12:7-10
The answer is sometimes different from what you expect. You pray for patience and God send tribulation—because “tribulation worketh patience” Romans 5:3 God answers all your prayers—according to His perfect will. (Old Testament…”gave them their requests, but gave them leanness of heart” – don’t beg God for fleshly wishes!!!!!)