Bible Study January __, 2012 Citadella

Module 2 Live What You Believe The Power of Positive Prayer

Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

What is Prayer? Prayer is talking to God. Prayer is a form of worship. Prayer is the reaching out of our inner man in love and faith to our heavenly Father. Prayer is the way in which we achieve oneness with God; when His will becomes my will and I allow Him to work through me.

Staggering Promises in Prayer Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. John 14:12,13 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.

When to Pray 1 Thessalonians 5:17,18 Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Psalm 55:17 Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice. Psalm 86:3 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long.

How not to Pray Matthew 6:5 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. Matthew 6:7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

How to Pray Pray to the Father Matthew 6:6 And when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Pray in the name of Jesus John 14:13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. Pray in the Spirit Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

Principles of Prayer (Reference: Dr. Harold Sala) Law of relationship John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. Law of authority John 14:13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.

Principles of Prayer (Reference: Dr. Harold Sala) Law of divine will 1 John 5:14,15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.

Principles of Prayer (Reference: Dr. Harold Sala) Law of faith Matthew 21:21,22 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go and throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

Hindrances to Prayer Doubt James 1:6,7 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord. Unforgiveness Mark 11:25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins.

Hindrances to Prayer Continuing sin Psalm 66:18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. Wrong motives James 4:3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

Concluding Words The bible has many things to say about prayer. There are many good lessons in prayer. But a Christian will not learn to pray just by reading or by studying these lessons. He has to start doing it.