Seeking God In Prayer TIP For additional advice see Making Prayer Powerful by H.P.Mansfield Logos Publications

Seeking God in Prayer The Lord Jesus’ example Prayer The Essentials of Prayer – –In Christ’s Name – –Ask in Faith – –Continually in Prayer What should we pray for & when Advice on Prayer – –The Place of Prayer – –The Posture of Prayer – –The Time of Prayer James’ Seven Forms of Prayer

The Lord Jesus’ Example Prayer Matthew 6:9 “A 9 “A fter this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. ”

“Our Father” Baptized - those who are baptized have a special privilege of being able to call God Father. The un- baptized person can pray but cannot pray to their Heavenly Father, because He is not their Father.Baptized - those who are baptized have a special privilege of being able to call God Father. The un- baptized person can pray but cannot pray to their Heavenly Father, because He is not their Father. Romans 8:15: “ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” Acts 10:31: “Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.”

“Our Father” Prayer is directed to the FatherPrayer is directed to the Father No prayers are recorded in the Bible to Jesus or ChristNo prayers are recorded in the Bible to Jesus or Christ No prayers are recorded in the Bible to AngelsNo prayers are recorded in the Bible to Angels

“Hallowed be thy name” Reverence to GodReverence to God –We would reverence the Queen of England we should reverence the Creator of the earth. –It is double minded to pray “Hallowed be Thy name whilst pursuing courses which bring reproach and dishonour to God’s name. Nehemiah 1:5 And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. “The LORD is far from the wicked; but He heareth the prayer of the righteous” (Proverbs 15:29) “Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13) “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any; that your Father also, which is in heaven, may forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11:25) “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7) We have to ask in accordance with the will of God, our hopes and aspirations should be in accordance with God’s will. Hopes Being Heard

Give us this day our daily bread. We do not need to pray for things far into the future, simply for “this day”We do not need to pray for things far into the future, simply for “this day” Matthew 6:34: “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.“ This is a prayer for Spiritual nourishment as much as for Temporal foodThis is a prayer for Spiritual nourishment as much as for Temporal food

The Essentials of Prayer  Ask in Christ’s Name (1) To be offered In Christ’s NameTo be offered In Christ’s Name John 14:13-14 “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name I will do it” John 16:23-24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it you. Hitherto ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full”

The Essentials of Prayer  Ask in Christ’s Name (2) The mere appendage of such words to a prayer as “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen” is not sufficient. Christ will only present the petitions of those who strive to live according to the Truth.The mere appendage of such words to a prayer as “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen” is not sufficient. Christ will only present the petitions of those who strive to live according to the Truth. John 15:16 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, He may give it you” John 15:7 “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” 1 John 3:22 “Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight”

Prayers Must be asked in Faith Hebrews 11:6 “He that cometh unto God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him”Hebrews 11:6 “He that cometh unto God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” James 1:5-7 “Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering; for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord”

When ? Continually in Prayer Luke 18:1 “Men ought always to pray and not faint”Luke 18:1 “Men ought always to pray and not faint” Nehemiah 1:5 “that tNehemiah 1:5 “that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing” Ephesians 6:18 “Pray always” Matthew 6:7 “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. “

What should we pray for and when? Only one qualifying statement.Only one qualifying statement. 1 John 5:14 “According to his will” 1 John 5:14 “According to his will” Without limit of place “Everywhere” - 1 Tim.2:8Without limit of place “Everywhere” - 1 Tim.2:8 Without limit of time “Always” - Luke 18:1Without limit of time “Always” - Luke 18:1 Without limit of subjectWithout limit of subject –“Everything” - Philippians. 4:6; –“All things” - Matthew 21:22; –“Whatsoever” - John 16:23.

Advice on Prayer  The Place Of Prayer (1) Men & women have poured out prayers unto God in strange circumstances, and in the most unlikely places.Men & women have poured out prayers unto God in strange circumstances, and in the most unlikely places. Jonah prayed in the belly of a fish (Jonah 2:1) Paul Prayed on the deck of a storm-tossed ship (Acts 27:35) Nehemiah prayed whilst handing wine to the king (Neh.2:4 ) Hezekiah prayed on his bed of sickness with his face turned to the wall (Isaiah 38:2) David prayed amid the ruins of a ravaged city in a moment of defeat and despair with his followers threatening to destroy him (1Samuel 30:6)

Advice on Prayer  The Place Of Prayer (2) The disciples prayed in the open upon the sea-shore (Acts 21:5)The disciples prayed in the open upon the sea-shore (Acts 21:5) Daniel prayed in the privacy of his house with his face turned towards Jerusalem (Daniel 6:10)Daniel prayed in the privacy of his house with his face turned towards Jerusalem (Daniel 6:10) Peter prayed on a mountain (Luke 6:12;9:28)Peter prayed on a mountain (Luke 6:12;9:28) Samuel prayed on a battlefield (1Samuel 7:9)Samuel prayed on a battlefield (1Samuel 7:9) Hannah prayed in public, silently (1Samuel 1:13)Hannah prayed in public, silently (1Samuel 1:13) In addition to these moments of urgency, there were set times for prayer. Whilst it is valuable that we make a habit of prayer at certain times of day, it is equally important that prayer be not limited to such occasions, to become expressions of mere sterile formalism.

Advice on Prayer  The Posture of Prayer Some prayed with hands uplifted (Exodus 9:33; Psalm 28:2; 1 Timothy 2:8)Some prayed with hands uplifted (Exodus 9:33; Psalm 28:2; 1 Timothy 2:8) Others stood in respect (Mark 11:25)Others stood in respect (Mark 11:25) David sat meditatively (2 Samuel 7:8)David sat meditatively (2 Samuel 7:8) Daniel kneeled in humility (Daniel 6:10)Daniel kneeled in humility (Daniel 6:10) Ezekiel & Christ prostrated themselves (Ezekiel 9:8; 11:13; Matthew 26:39)Ezekiel & Christ prostrated themselves (Ezekiel 9:8; 11:13; Matthew 26:39) –The Form of posture does not matter greatly, but the state of the heart does.

Advice on Prayer  The Time for Prayer At morning & Evening - Psalm 141:1-2At morning & Evening - Psalm 141:1-2 Three Times a Day - Daniel 6:10Three Times a Day - Daniel 6:10 Seven Times a Day - Psalm 119:164Seven Times a Day - Psalm 119:164 At Noon - Acts 10:9At Noon - Acts 10:9 –At any time, but make it a habit

James’ Seven Forms of Prayer  James 5:13-18 Personal prayer: ”Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray” United prayer: “Let the elders pray” Believing prayer: “The prayer of faith shall save” Humble prayer: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed” Fervent prayer: “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” Earnest prayer: “Elias … prayed earnestly that it might not rain” Continued prayer: “He prayed again, and the heaven gave rain” Prayer can be adapted for every occasion and for any need. Prayer should not become stereotyped, but should be varied to provide for the circumstances and particular petition of the moment