Prayer Rules The Lord’s Guidelines to Acceptable Prayer

Prayer Rules There are many things to consider when addressing the subject of prayer: what prayer is, the elements of prayer, the necessity of prayer, etc. This lesson reviews the guidelines or conditions of acceptable prayer.

Prayer Rules We cannot pray to God any way we choose and expect to be heard! Our prayers may not be heard because we are not praying right. Our prayers go no higher than the ceiling if we are not praying right.

Lord, Teach Us To Pray “Lord, teach us to pray…” (Lk.11:1). Let the Lord teach us the guidelines to acceptable prayer - some do’s and don’ts of acceptable prayer. How should we pray? These guidelines are for both private and public prayers. Each of the do’s and don’ts follow a natural progression from start to finish.

Prayer Rules: Some Do’s 1. Be right with God The following passages teach us that if we have an attitude of persisting in sin, God will not here our prayers: Psa. 34:15-17; 66:18; Prov.15:29; 28:9; Isa. 59:1-2; Jn.9:31; 1 Tim.2:8; 1 Pet.3:12; 1 Jn.3:21-22

Prayer Rules: Some Do’s Are you on “praying terms” with God? We cannot persist in sin and have our prayers heard. If we are sinners, and God won’t listen to sinners, how can we be forgiven? We must repent of our sin first, then pray for forgiveness (Isa.1:15-16; Ac.8:22).

Prayer Rules: Some Do’s 2. Pray “in faith” (Mt.21:21-22; Mk.11:24; Jas.1:5-8; 5:15) “Faith” is used in these verses to mean “full assurance,” i.e., no doubts (see Rom.14:23)

Prayer Rules: Some Do’s Prayer presupposes the existence of God. We must pray truly believing that God will hear us and answer (Eph.3:20). A doubtful Christian does not expect God to answer his prayers. Why offer a prayer if we do not believe that God will answer it?

Prayer Rules: Some Do’s 3. Pray with respect Mt.6:9 “Hallowed” means set apart or sanctified, not common. We converse with God, but we do not belittle God. We must not approach God in a flippant or common way. Some call upon God as “Big Daddy”.

Prayer Rules: Some Do’s 4. Ask “according to his will” (Psa.145:18; 1 Jn. 3:22; 5:14-15) This brings boldness and assurance to the Christian. We must pray with an “understanding” of God's will (1 Cor.14:15) so we can pray “according to his will”. Jesus sets the example for us (Mt.6:10; 26:39,42), and Paul (2 Cor.12:8-9).

Prayer Rules: Some Do’s Praying “according to his will” is the same as “praying in the Spirit” - under the Spirit's influence (via the Word) (Eph.6:18; Jude 20)

Prayer Rules: Some Do’s 5. Be specific (Mt.7:7-11) God answers us individually. “Ask” and “seek” for specific things. One way to do this is to pray for the immediate circumstances around us (Ac.4:23-31; 12:1-12).

Prayer Rules: Some Do’s 6. Pray with thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6 Col. 4:2) No matter what is said to God in prayer (praise, confession, intercession, petition), the one praying must have gratitude.

Prayer Rules: Some Do’s 7. Pray with watchfulness (Mt.26:41; Mk.14:38; Lk.21:36; Eph.6:18; Col.4:2; 1 Pet.4:7) The Christian must be spiritually alert when he prays. The Devil can tempt us to sin even while we are praying!

Prayer Rules: Some Do’s 8. Be persistent (Lk.11:5-13; 18:1-8; 1 Thess. 5:17-18; Jas.5:16-17) We cannot pray to God too much! We can learn from Elijah (Jas.5:17) and Epaphras (Col.4:12). Praying for “daily bread” (Lk.11:3) implies that we pray daily!

Prayer Rules: Some Do’s We sing the songs, “I need thee every hour,” and “Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord”. Do we really mean this?

Prayer Rules: Some Do’s 9. Pray in Jesus’ name (Jn.14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23-24; Eph.2:18; 3:12; 5:20; Col.3:17; Jas.5:14) Praying “in the name of Jesus” involves more than just saying those words. It means that we understand Christ's authority, position and claims.

Prayer Rules: Some Do’s Why pray in the name of Jesus? Jesus is our mediator (1 Tim.2:5), advocate (1 Jn.2:1), high priest (Heb.4:14-15), and intercessor (Heb.7:25). We go to God through Jesus. Jesus is the only avenue of approach to God (Jn.14:6).

Prayer Rules: Some Don’ts 1. Don’t pray display (Mt. 6:5ff) We are not to pray to be “seen” (public display) or “heard” (vain repetition) of men. Sincerity and humility will keep us from violating this guideline (Lk.18:9-14; Jas.4:6- 10). We must approach God with a humble and contrite spirit (Psa.51:17).

Prayer Rules: Some Don’ts 2. Don’t pray with the wrong motives (Jas. 4:3) This kind of prayer is not asking “according to his will,” but according to our will. Our wishes (motives) must be consistent with God's will.

Prayer Rules: Some Don’ts What are our motives in prayer? What are we going to do with what God gives us? There is nothing wrong with praying for material possessions (Mt.6:11) and physical health (3 Jn.2), but how are we going to use the material possessions and physical health - for our own pleasures, or God's glory?

Prayer Rules Why doesn't God hear my prayers? It may be that God is giving us a different answer than we expect. It may be that we are not praying right. We must follow the guidelines of prayer laid down by the Lord. He knows how we ought to pray! Lord, teach us to pray!