Prayer bborm.org/yass

Introduction What is prayer? Why pray? Types of prayer How to pray Examples of prayer Practical tips on praying

What is prayer?

What is prayer? Prayer is simply communicating with God. The English comes from begging. Hebrew meaning “self-judgement”

Prayer defined in Bible A pouring out our heart to God A crying out to God Spiritual incense to God Coming before the throne of grace Spiritual sacrifice & fruit of our lips A pouring out our heart to God: Ps 62:8 A crying out to God: Ps 86:3 Spiritual incense to God: Rev 5:8 Coming before the throne of grace: Ps 84:1-2; Heb 4:16 Prayer is a spiritual sacrifice & the fruit of our lips: Heb 13:15

Prayer defined in Bible Drawing close to God Beseeching the Lord Pouring out the soul before the Lord Crying to heaven Seeking unto God and making supplication Drawing close to God in friendship, fellowship and trust: Jas 4:8 Beseeching the Lord Ex 32:11         Pouring out the soul before the Lord: 1 Sam 1:15 Crying to heaven: 2 Chr 32:20 Seeking unto God and making supplication (Job 8:5

Prayer defined in Bible Bowing the knees Bowing the knees: Eph 3:14

Prayer defined by Man Communion and communication The effort of man to reach God The breathing process of the Christian’s soul The best way to fight sin is on your knees

Prayer defined by Man "Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work." - Oswald Chambers

Prayer defined by Man “Prayer is like the dove that Noah sent forth, which blessed him not only when it returned with an olive-leaf in its mouth, but when it never returned at all" - Edward Robinson

Other things about prayer We show our love and faith in God by the time we spend in prayer

Other things about prayer The great leaders from the OT Jesus The Apostles Early Christians Prayer is a major commonality

Video Video link in notes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xly0MbBUPo

Why pray?

Why pray? It is a commandment. On the flip side, not praying is a sin Mat 26:41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 1 Ti 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people Eph 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Rom 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 1 Sam 12:23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.

Why pray? To emulate Christ Jesus prayed regularly Matt 14:23 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24and the boat wa Matt 26:36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Mark 1:35 35Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Luke 5:16 16But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 6:12 12One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. Luke 18:1 1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 22:41 41He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,

Why pray? Peace of mind Comfort from God Wisdom Avoid temptation Forgive sins A way to help Build faith Peace of mind Phil 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Comfort from God 2 Cor 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. Wisdom James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. Avoid temptation Luke 22:40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” Forgive sins 2 Chron 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. A way to help James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Build faith

Why pray? Video link in notes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muiwzkFO-k0

Types of prayer

The A.C.T.S. Model A – Adoration & Praise C – Confession T – Thanksgiving S - Supplication

Adoration & Praise Praising God for who he is 2. Passages: Ps 89:7-9; In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. 8Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. 9You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them. 99:1-5; The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake. 2Great is the Lord in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations. 3Let them praise your great and awesome name— he is holy. 4The King is mighty, he loves justice— you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right. 5Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool;   111:9; He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever— holy and awesome is his name.

Confession Admitting we have done wrong against God 1 Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.   1. Pro 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. 2. Great men who confessed their sin: a) Daniel (1) Daniel 9:5 acknowledged sin in 7 different ways (2) V 18-19 "not our merits but your compassion" (3) v20-22 while in "extreme weariness", while praying Gabriel was sent b) Nehemiah: 1:5-11 3. God won't answer our prayers when there is sin in our lives: a) Ps 66:18; If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: Pr 28:9,13; He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. 10Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession. 11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. 12When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. 13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Isa 59:1 Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 3For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. 4None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.

Thanksgiving Thankful for what God has done Isa 25:1; 1 Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. 1 Th 5:17-18; 17pray continually, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6; 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Col 4:2; 2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Eph 5:20, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. song "count your many blessings name them one by one"

Supplication Asking humbly Petitions for a personal request: Phil 4:6 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. wisdom: Jas 1:5-8 5If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. b) Health: 2 Cor 12:7-9 7or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  c) Daily needs: Mt 6:33 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. d) Resting temptation: Mt 26:41 41“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 2. Intercessions for others: a) Intercession: lit, "to soften the face by stroking" as a child does to parent to change mind b) Christ intercedes for us: Isa 53:12; 12Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Rom 8:34; 34Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.  Heb 7:25; 25Therefore he is able to save completelythose who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Heb 9:24; 24For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.  1 Ti 2:5-6 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.  c) The Holy Spirit intercedes for us as we pray: Rom 8:26-27; 26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Jude 20; 20But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,  Eph 6:18 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. d) We should intercede for other men: (1) Jas 5:16; 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Acts 8:24; 24Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” Ex 32:11; 1But Moses sought the favor of the Lordhis God. “Lord,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? Gen 18:23-33 3Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not sparethe place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? 25Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” 26The Lordsaid, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” 27Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, 28what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five people?” “If I find forty-five there,” he said, “I will not destroy it.” 29Once again he spoke to him, “What if only forty are found there?” He said, “For the sake of forty, I will not do it.” 30Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?” He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” 31Abraham said, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?” He said, “For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.” 32Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.” 33When the Lordhad finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home. e) "Talking to men for God is great, but talking to God for man is greater." (Bounds)

Worksheet Review

How to pray

Who can pray? His children The righteous The obedient Holy men Devout persons seeking God Those who turn from wickedness Mt 6:6 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Prov 15:29 29The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. Jn 15:7 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 Ti 2:8 8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. Acts 10:2 2A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 2 Chro 7:14 14If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Who can’t pray? Disobedient to God’s law Those unforgiving Have unforgiven sin Mistreat their spouse Self righteous Prov 28:9 9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. Mk 11:25 25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Isa 59:1-2 1Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 1 Pet 3:7 7Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. Lk 18:9-14 9And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

When to pray? All the time! 1 Thes 3:10 10Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Lk 6:12 12And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Acts 2:42 42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 1 Th 5:17 17Pray without ceasing. Eph 6:18 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Who to pray for? The lost Leaders The sick Enemies Christians Self Rom 10:1 1Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 1 Ti 2:2 1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. James 5:13-15 13Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Mt 5:43:48 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Eph 1:16 16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: Jn 17:1-5 1These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Prayer postures Fell on face Lifting up hands Kneeling down Standing Sitting In bed Mt 26:39 39And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 1 Ti 2:8 8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. Lk 22:41 41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Mk 11:25 25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 2 Sam 7:18 18Then went king David in, and sat before the Lord, and he said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? Ps 63:6 6When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

Examples of Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matt 6:9-13 NKJV

Pharisee and Tax Collector God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get. God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Luke 18:9-14 NIV 9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.11The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Practical tips on praying

Tips Dedicate a time and place for prayer Make it routine Organize your prayers Start small and work up To start, one sentence per prayer Live righteously Read your Bible Make a time and place for prayer that works for you. For me it is somewhere without many distractions because I have to concentrate. Make it a routine like brushing your teeth. Once you get into the habit it will be easier. Studies suggest it takes 2 – 8 months to become a new habit. Keep a journal of your prayers. You don’t have to pray for everything everyday, split it up. Keep space for when it’s answered. Don’t try to pray for hours at a time starting out. Start small, maybe 5 minutes a day. Then gradually increase it. Make each prayer one sentence. It’s easy to drone on and on trying to find the right words. By making each prayer only one sentence it forces you to think about what you are saying and keep it concise. James 5:16 NIV Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Sometimes the answer is right under our noses

Possible Answers No Yes Not Yet Something Else No, the hardest answer to accept. Sometimes it’s no and we see why later, sometimes not. A lot of understanding comes from understanding God’s perspective vs ours. Easy, ask and it happens. Difficult to understand, at the time the answer seems to be no.