Preaching On Prayer - The Church Of Christ in Zion, Illinois

1 PreachingOnPRAYER A Series of Lessons to Help theChristian Pray More EffectivelyGene TaylorPreaching on PrayerGene Taylor-1-Table of ContentsTable of Contents ..1 Lesson One: What Is Prayer ..2 Lesson Two: The Elements of Prayer ..3 Lesson Three: The Assumptions of Prayer ..4 Lesson Four: The Power of Prayer Its Blessings ..5 Lesson Five: Things for Which to Pray ..7 Lesson Six: Keys to Acceptable Prayer ..9 Lesson Seven: The Model Prayer ..12 Lesson Eight: Common Questions on Prayer ..15 Gene Taylor, 1997. All Rights on PrayerGene Taylor-2-What Is Prayer ?Introduction children of God no matter how diligently we may strive to please God in all other phases of ourresponsibilities, if we do not pray, or pray properly, we will be miserable failures. series of lessons is designed to help the child of God learn to appreciate the great blessing ofprayer and to teach him how to pray effectively.

2 Lesson will seek to define Prayer in Scriptural Prayer Is the General Term for Addressing has made it possible for His children to talk to Him. (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:14-16) asks His children to call upon Him. (Luke 18:1-8; Eph. 6:17-18; 1 Tim. 2:1-3; 1 Thes. 5:17)II. Prayer Is the Privilege and Duty of the Righteous (Jas. 5:16) model Prayer of Jesus (Matt. 6:9) shows that Prayer was designed for God s children. ( 8:42, 44) trying to live righteously have their prayers approved of God. (1 Pet. 3:10-12)III. Prayer Is Asking, Seeking and Knocking (Matt. 7:7-11) petitions of answers to life s to gain entrance into a more abundant Prayer Is an Act of Faith (Luke 18:1-8; Jas. 1:5-7) cannot please God without faith. (Heb. 11:6) must have a working faith. (Jas. 2:14,24) is not a substitute for is a mockery unless one strives for the most effective service possible in doingthe will of a farmer does not pray for good crops as a substitute for his obligation to prepare thesoil, plant the seed, etc.

3 , but for reinforcement of his efforts; no Christian should prayfor the sick, the needy or the lost as a substitute for his responsibilities to such teachingsas Galatians 6:10; Romans 15:1; and Mark 16 Prayer Is More Than is a communication with two parties involved God listens, the Christian raises an important question: Must one then verbalize private prayers? God knows our hearts. (Heb. 4:13; acts 15:8) example of Hannah (1 Sam. 1:12-13). Though she had not verbalized her Prayer ,she:a. Poured out her soul before the LORD. (v. 15) spoken. (v. 16) asked petition of God. (v. 17) Preaching on PrayerGene Taylor-3-The Elements of PrayerText: 1 Timothy 2:1-4 Introduction series of lessons is designed to help the child of God learn to appreciate the great blessing ofprayer and to teach him how to pray effectively.

4 Lesson will seek to set forth the Scriptural elements of Adoration or is a way of eulogizing God. ( acts 2:47; Matt. 6:9)B. But what makes Prayer worship? Since worship is an expression of love for and devotion toGod, Prayer which recognizes Him; which appeals to His love, mercy, grace, and power; andwhich shows a reliance on Him and the need to communicate with Him; is surely worship. Itexalts God as the object of our praise, the recipient of our love, and the source of all turn, God displays His providential care and love for His children by hearing andanswering their prayers (1 John 5:14-15; Matthew 7:7-11). (Gene Taylor, Worshiping the Lord inthe Beauty of Holiness, p. 48) example: The Prayer of the disciples after Peter and John had been released from prison.( acts 4:24-31)II. include pleas for one s needs.

5 (1 John 5:14-15) include supplications (Eph. 6:17-18; Phil. 4:6). Deesis: Primarily, a wanting, , an asking, entreaty, ( Vine, Expository Dictionary of NT Words,p. 882) include confession of sins and pleas for forgiveness. (1 John 1:9 - 2:2) example of Simon. ( acts 8:14-24) 9 contains a Prayer of confession of sin. (Ezra 9:6 - 10:1) Prayer of David in Psalm 51 is an acknowledgement of his sin and a plea forforgiveness of it. (esp. vv. 1-4)III. should be characterized by thanksgiving for blessings received. (Phil. 4:6) Christian should be abounding in thanksgiving . (Col. 2:6-7; 4:2)IV. Greek word translated intercession in the New Testament is enteuxis. It is a is atechnical term for approaching a king, and so for approaching God in intercession. (Vine, 607) are pleas for others (1 Tim.)

6 2:1). In commenting on the intercessions of 1 Timothy 2:1, Vine said it meant seeking the presence and hearing of God on behalf of others. (Ibid) we can cite the example of Simon in acts 8:24 where he asked Peter to pray for on PrayerGene Taylor-4-The Assumptions of PrayerIntroduction series of lessons is designed to help the child of God learn to appreciate the great blessing ofprayer and to teach him how to pray effectively. lesson will consider the assumptions one must grant about God Is must see God as a thinking, powerful and personal being. (Heb. 11:6) must have no doubt as to God and His willingness and ability to hear and answer Prayer .(Jas. 1:6) must be assured that the Father child relationship with God is a reality. (Matt. 11:25;Luke 11:2)II. God s Love for is interested in the welfare of His children.

7 (Matt. 10:29-31) loves and cherishes them. (1 John 3:1) desires to meet their needs. (Matt. 6:25-33) of His love, every sincere Prayer offered to Him by His faithful children is heard andanswered. (Matt. 7:7-11) love allows the intercessory work of Jesus (1 Tim. 2:1-5) and the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:26-27).III. Man s Need for out of a sense of his own human weakness and the inability to direct his own life ( :23), the Christian stands in need of God s providential care (Phil. 4:18-19). , in the figure of the vine and the branches, emphasized man s inability to live fruitfullyand victoriously without reliance on divine strength and care. (John 15:5) Christian can boldly approach the throne of grace in Prayer in order to obtain mercyand find grace in time of need. (Heb. 4:14-16)IV. God Hears ears of God are open to the prayers of the righteous.

8 (1 Pet. 3:12; cf. John 9:31) one draws near to God, He draws near to him. (Jas. 4:8) involves two parties God and His is movement of one toward God in proper Prayer is met by an eager movement onGod s part toward that one. (Jas. 4:8; 1 Pet. 3:12; Psa. 65:2)V. God Answers God heard the prayers of His children and made no response at all, how futile their prayerswould be. (Heb. 11:6) answers all proper prayers. (1 John 5:13-15) answers prayers in different ways. He, at the answer. (Matt. 26:39-44; Job 30:20) the answer. (Luke 18:7) the request. ( acts 12:5,15; Eph. 3:20) not grant what is requested He knows best. (Matt. 26:39; 2 Cor. 12:8-9) Preaching on PrayerGene Taylor-5-The Power of Prayer - Its BlessingsIntroduction series of lessons is designed to help the child of God learn to appreciate the great blessing ofprayer and to teach him how to pray effectively.

9 Christians err when considering the power of Prayer . Some fail to recognize the great powerthat is at their disposal while others view Prayer as a substitute for doing what they ought to bedoing thinking that Prayer will solve all their problems and take care of all their needs andresponsibilities. lesson will consider the power of Prayer as it is revealed in the Bible and will demonstrate thereality of that power by setting forth the blessings it Some Powers That Prayer Does Not does not have the power to save the alien sinner apart from one outside of Christ cannot be saved by example of Saul of Tarsus. ( acts 9:9-12; 22:12-16) example of Cornelius. ( acts 10:1-6,33-35; 11:13-14) and obedience save the sinner who is outside of Christ not both of the above examples, salvation came at baptism.

10 (cf. Gal. 3:26-27) Scriptures show the need for faith and obedience: Mark 16:15-16; acts 2:38;Matt. 7:21; Heb. 5:8-9; does not have the power to work miracles was a time when Prayer had such power (Matt. 17:14-21; I Cor. 14:13-15), butmiracles ceased when the New Testament was completed (1 Cor. 13:8-10; Jas. 1:25). , though, some brethren act as though they believe Prayer can still work pray for the sick to recover but do nothing to help them as though theywill miraculously pray for the needy and then do nothing to relieve their pray for the lost and do nothing to reach nor teach prayers of those who will not do the Lord s will are powerless prayers. (1 John 3:22) should pray for daily bread (Matt. 6:11), then work for it. (2 Thes. 3:10-12) should pray for the needy and then help them according to our abilities andopportunities.