CONTINUE IN PRAYER

PRAYER

Probably the most neglected blessing of being a Christian is that we have the ability to speak with our Lord in prayer and do not do so. Jesus spent many hours in prayer with his father, sometimes all night, while we often find it difficult to pray more than a few minutes at a time. In our Lord, we have a true loving friend who wants to fellowship with us. He wants to share in times of joy as well as in our times of need. We can always confide in Him. Often this is not possible with our earthly friends.

1. Matthew 5:45 "That ye may be the children of our Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust."

A. Why do Christians, more than others, have the right to pray to the Lord?

B. Why, in many ways, does God also bless the people of the world?

2. Matthew 6:8 "Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."

A. Who would be the "them" spoken of in the first part of thgis verse? (Verse 5)

B. Why were they praying in the manner they did? (The same reference)

C. What is the "reward" of such a prayer?

D. Why should we "enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door."?

E. How has our Father promised to reward us if we do this? (Verse 6)

F. What are the characteristics of the prayers of the heathen? (Vain repetition, much speaking)

1. They may use beads to count their prayers.

2. They may use "prayer flags" to flutter in the wind.

3. They may use "wind chimes" or even a pile of stones.

4. Contrast the prayers of the priests of Baal with those of Elijah.

G. Goes God need to be told of our needs?

H. Why then, do we ask?

3. Matthew 21:22 "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

A. If a person does not believe in the divinity of Christ, can he pray "believing?"

B. Are there limits on what God is able to do?

C. If there is, what would it be?

D. What had Jesus done that shows the power of prayer?

4. John 11:41-42 Were Christ’s prayers necessarily long and intended to "impress" those who heard?

A. This public prayer at the tomb of Lazarus was very short. (Verse 41)

B. His private prayers were often much longer. Luke 6:12. "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."

5. John 16:26 "At that day ye shall ask in my name;"

A. In whose name do we pray? (Christ’s)

B. Why do we ask in His name? (Verse 24) ("Ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.")

6. Matthew 6:9-13 In this the Lord’s Prayer lesson:

A. How is God addressed?

B. How is God honoured?

C. What things are requested?

D. What conditions are there in this prayer concerning the forgiveness of our sins?

7. Set aside a time that you plan to pray every day, and keep this appointment with God.