I. WHAT IS PRAYER?

A. Prayer is communication in a relationship: Thanksgiving, Asking, Listening, Knowing

Jer 33:3 Call. unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

God always answers: Direct response, Different response, Delayed response, or Denial

B.  Types of Prayer: ITi 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession an thanksgiving be made for everyone

1Ch 16:4...Levites to minister before the ark, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel.

Ps 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, into his courts with praise: be thankful unto Him and bless His name.

C. Four stages:  Wants, Worship, Will transformation, World change, WOW (glorification of God)

D. Keep your eyes open to  1) God's: Person, Past Acts, Promises  2) Our:  Problem, Petition, Poverty, and then 3) Prove it (trust and obey) See Psalm 22 “Praying in the Light when God’s keeping you in the Dark”

E. Groaning in the Garden: Pour out Heart, Recognize God's Sovereignty, Align will with His, Yield self to do His will, Mt 26

II. PURPOSE OF PRAYER

A. Why pray?  We need to, We ought to, We want to.

God delights in our prayers Rev 5:8 golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.

B. Promptings to Prayer: 1) Problems -Punish, Perfect, Profit; 2) Praise; 3) People

Ex 9:29...I will spread out my bands in prayer to the Lord.  The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the Lord's.

lKg 18:36 Elijah stepped forward and prayed 'O Lord...let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all those things at your command.

2Chr 33:13 when he prayed, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom.  Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.

Act 10:4 Cornelius 'What is it, Lord?' he asked.  The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.

2Thess 1-. 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Dt 4:7 No other nation is so great as to have their Gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?

Dan 9:17 'Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant.  For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary.

III.  PRAYERS FOR SELF

- expressions of dependence

A. Success in doing God's will Gen 24:12; 32:9  Neh 1:11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name.  Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.  I was cupbearer to the, king.

Obtaining God's promised blessings 2Sam 7:27                                     

For God to be glorified Ju 17.1

Desires 1Sam I:27 For priorities Mk 1:35

Direction/God's Will Acts 1:24               

Strength Jdg 16:28; Neh 6:9

Wisdom Jdg 13:8, I Sam 14.4 1; Js 1

B. Needs & Protection Neh 4-9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat,

Personal Deliverance Gen 32:11

Healing Js 5:16

Blindness 1Kng 6. 18

Direction Jer 42;3

Comfort Mt 24:20; Mk 13:18

In joy I Sam 2:1, Js 5, 13-14

In distress Ps 4:I: 5:2, 6:9

In BIG trouble Jonah 2:1

When discouraged in ministry 1Sam 8:6

Entering discipleship Lk 3:21

Against Temptation Lk 22:46

Forgiveness Js 5:15-16

Rain or drought Js 5:17

Needs (miracles) I Kg 4:33

Help Dan 6: 11

Against sin Mk 14:39

In grief 1Sam 1:10, lKg 19:4. Js 5

In trouble Js 5:13

In dying Ac 7:59

When betrayed Ps 109:4

Spiritual Success Lk 21:36

For forgiveness Acts 8:22

IV. PRAYER FOR OTHERS

- expression of love

A. Deliverance (Healing/Restoration/Salvation)  Get rid of frogs, storms, plagues, snakes, fires Ex 8:9; 10:17; Nu 11:2, 21:7 Dt 9:20

Save a nation Dt 9:26; 1 Sam 12:19

Healing lKg 13:6

Bless children Mt 19:13

Kings' well-being Ezra 6:10

Protection from Satan Jn 17:9

Against Evildoers Ps 141:5

God to bend the rules for others 2Chr 30:18

Seeing God at work 2Cor 9:14; 1Thess 1:2

Pregnancy Gen 20:7; 25:2 1; Lk 1:13

Health 3Jn 1:2

For others' insight 1Kg 6:17

That others will endure Lk 22:32

Forgiveness & Restoration Job 42.8

Enemies Mt 5:44 Lk 6:28

B. Spiritual Growth

Righteousness 2Cor 13:7; 2Thess1:11

Insight Eph I Phil 1:9; Col 1:9; 4:12

Maturity Eph 3:17; Col 1:10

Perfection 2Cor 13:9; Col 4:12

Strength Eph 3:16

C. Ministry Empowerment for Ministry Ac 6:6; 8.15; 9:40; 13:3; 14:23; 28:8

Access Rm 1:10; lThess 3:10; Col 4:3

Words Eph 6:19; 1Thess 5:25

Salvation of others Rm 10:1

Consecration by word and prayer 1Tim 4:5

Cast out demons Mk 9:29

Help others minister/worship 2Cor 1:11

Minister's character Heb 13:18

Ministry receptivity 2Thess 3-.1

Ministry protection 2Thess 3:2

For needs & help lTim 5:5      

Co-labor with others Rm 15:30

For protection/acceptability of ministry Rm 15:31 Ac 8:24

V. MODES OF PRAYING

Morning Ps 88:13; Mk 1:35

All night Lk 6:12

Kneeling  1Kg 8:54; Ac 20:36

Weeping Ez 10:1; Neh 1-4

Sackcloth and ashes Dan 9:3

Habitually Dan 6:10

Continually lThes 1:3; 2:13; 5:17 Rm 1:9 Ac 12:5 2ti 1:3

Fasting Ez 8-23; Lk 2:37; 5:33

In Anguish Lk 22:44

In Heart Gen 24:45; 1Sam 1:13

Privately Mt 6-.6; 14-.23; Lk 5:16; 9:13

Public Ac 3:1 - On a roof Ac 10:9

With others Ac 1:14, 12:12; Lk 9:28

In a House Ac 10:30 - By the river Ac 16:13

Intelligently Mt 6.7                                                                                                 

Without fail 1Sam 12:23

With hymn singing Ac 16:25

With understanding 1Cor 14:13

With watchfulness Cot 4:2

Preceded by sacrifice 1Cor 7:5

In a trance Ac 11:5

With humility Lk 18:10

With children Ac 21:5

With joy Phil 1:4

With wrestling Col 4:12

Properly and honorably 1Cor 11:4

With thanks Eph 1:16; Phil 4,6; Col 1:3; 4:2; 1Th 1:2

Faithfully Rm 12:12

In confidence Mk 11:24

Expressing confidence Ac 4-24-31

To the Father Mt 6.9                                                               

In Christ's name Jn 14 & 16                                                   

In the HS Jude 1:20

In the Spirit, for the saints, all kinds of prayers and requests Eph 6:18

With  perseverance Lk 18:1; 11:1

Three times Mat 26; 2Cor 12

Requesting a hearing  Ps 54:2 Hear my prayer, 0 God; listen to the words of my mouth. 55:1, 61:1; 65:2; 84:8; 86:6; 102:1; May my prayer be before you like incense...141:2

VI. PREREQUISITES & CONDITIONS OF ANSWERED PRAYER  

A. Biblical prayer is in the context of:                             

A balanced Christian life Ac 2:42

Obedience Isa 56:6-7; lKg 19:15; 2Srn 21:14                          

Worship 2Sam 24:25

Wholeheartedly seeking God Jer 29:11-13

Unhindered relationship Isa 64:9

Confession of sin and repentance lKg 8:33; Neh  1:6; Dan 9:20, 2Chr 7:14

Ps 66:18 If I regard iniquity in nay hurt the Lord will not hear  Isa 59:1 The LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear; 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear

Isa 1:15  And when you spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when you make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Pr 15: 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 29 Lord is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Pr 28:9 He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

1 Jn 3:22  And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

B. Asking according to His will Js 4:2 have not...ask not. 3  ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts

Mt 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Jn 14:13 And whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it].

Jn 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. Jn 16:23 And in that day you shall ask me nothing  Verily  verily, I say unto you, What-soever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give [it] you.. 24 Hitherto have, you asked nothing in my name, ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full.

1Jn 5:14  confidence that we have in him, if we ask any thing according to his will, He hears us 15 if we know that he hear us, whatever we ask: we know that we have petition that we desired of him.

Forgiveness of others Mk 11:25

Holy hands 1Tim 2:.8

Reverent submission Heb 5:7

Respecting spouse 1Pt 3.7

On the basis of: God's Promises Ps 119:170 and God's Character Ps 143:1; Dan 9:4

Belief Mt 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer                                               

Trust 1Ch 15:20 ...He answered their prayers, because they trusted in Him 

Generous Giving Ac 10:2; Pr 21;13

Confidence  Ps 17:6; 66:19; 10

With the HS's help Rm 8:26

When God's 'in' Ps 32:6

Clear mind; self-controlled 1Pt 4:7

Without deceit Ps 17:1

Righteous 1Pt 3:12

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally, and upbraids not and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with wind and tossed, 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

VIII. FRUITFUL & FRUITLESS PRAYER

A. Fruitless Prayer Isa 16:12; 44:17; 45:20; Jer 7:16; 11:14; 14:11; Lam 3:9, 44; Mk 1.2:4o., Lk 20:47

B. Fruitful Prayer: To change things

2Sam 15-31. turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.

1Kg 20:2 I have heard your prayer, seen your tears, I will heal you

Isa 37:21 Because you have prayed to me concerning...

Isa 38:5 I have heard your prayer I will add 15

Phmn 1:22 ...restored to you in answer to your prayers.

Heb 13:19 so that I may to restored to you soon.

lJn 5:16 pray and God will give him life.

Ac 9:Ii The Lord told him, 'Go ... Saul, for he is praying”

Lk 9:29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed

Ac 10:31 ...'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.

C. Followed by Praise and Thanksgiving

Ps 66.20 Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withhold his love from me! 

Job 22:27 You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows. 

Ps 47:7 For God [is] the King of all the earth: sing you praises with understanding.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Is prayer easy or difficult?  Which of the four elements of prayer (TALK) is most important?

2. Of God answers (Directly, Differently, Delaying or Denying), for which are, you most grateful?

3. Into what stage do most of our prayers fall? Should we change that? How?

4. At times when you've been dissatisfied with your prayer life, what has helped you?

5. How could the Body help you develop your prayer life?