Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
I. Who Should Pray
NT Saints Ac 2:42 they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Mt 18:19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
People with enemies Mt 5:44 ...Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you, and persecute you; Lu 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them who despitefully use you.
Jn 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them whom thou has given to me; for they are thine.
Jn 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also who shall believe on me through their word;
II. Why Should We Pray
To change us Lu 9:29 as he prayed, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment [was] white [and] shining.
To keep us prepared Mr 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
To be worthy Lu 21:36 Watch and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape...and to stand before the Son of man.
To please God Ac 10:4 he was afraid...what is it, Lord?...Thy prayers and thy alms are come up for a memorial before God.
To assist God's work 2Co 1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us...
To unleash God's help Php 1:19 this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
For worthy work to be done 2Th 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the work of faith with power:
To sanctify things 1Ti 4:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
To glorify God 2Co 9:14 And by their prayer for you, who long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
III. When Should We Pray
Personal prayer precedes corporate prayer Mr 1:35 rising a great while before day...a solitary place, and there prayed.
After forgiving Mr 11:25 when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have anything against any: that your Father...may forgive you
When afflicted Jas 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any cheerful? let him sing psalms.
When distressed Ac 4:24 when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou [art] God,
Without ceasing 1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing. Ro 1:9 Col 1:3 1Th 1:2
IV. How Should We Pray
A. Manner
In unity Ac 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication...
Steadfastly Ro 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing steadfastly in prayer;
According to His will 1Jo 5:14 ...the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hears us:
In pleasing obedience 1Jo 3:22 whatever we ask, we receive...because we keep his commandments..do what's pleasing in his sight.
With fear of God Heb 5:7 ...offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears...and was heard in that he feared;
In righteousness 1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears open to their prayers: but...
In faithful harmony 1Ti 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
With right relationships 1Pe 3:7 ...dwell...according to knowledge, giving honour to the wife...that your prayers be not hindered.
With right motives Js 4:2 You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
With your eyes open Col 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
With objectives 1Pe 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober minded, and watch to prayer.
With transparency Jas 5:16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed...
Exercising discernment 1Jo 5:16 ...There is a sin to death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
Intelligently Mt 6:7 when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen who think they shall be heard for their much speaking.
B. Means
In the Spirit Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying by the Holy Spirit,
In the Spirit (for unity and boldness) Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching for this purpose with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel
Walking in the Spirit Ro 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmity: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be...
Ac 4:31 And when they had prayed...they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Asking with anticipation Php 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
Pour out your heart; Recognize God's in control; Align your will with His; Yield yourself to do His will
V. What Should We Pray
In every thing Php 4:6 Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
We should not always pray for what we want Mt 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Growth Col 1:9 do not cease to pray for you, desire...filled with knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Maturity Col 4:12 Epaphras, a servant of Christ, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 1Th 3:10 Night and day praying exceedingly...see and perfect that which is lacking in your faith...
Safety from Satan Jn 17:15 I pray not that thou take them out of the world, but that thou should keep them from the evil.
That each other don't do evil 2Co 13:7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil...
Be aware of temptations and pray that we don't succumb to them Mt 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation:
That in the midsts of trials we wouldn't stop believing Heb 11:6 Lu 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not...
For God's will to be revealed Ac 1:24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, who knows the hearts of all [men], show...
For Needs Ac 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing by the church to God for him.
Labor in evangelism Mt 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.
Others' salvation Ro 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they may be saved.
Opportunities Col 4:3 ...praying also for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ,
Results 2Th 3:1 brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have [free] course, and be glorified, even as [it is] with you:
Leaders and peace 1Ti 2:1 ...supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men...peace
Spiritual Leaders Heb 13:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
For answers Phm 1:22 ...prepare for me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you.
Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:
1. How is prayer an accurate barometer of your relationship with God and love for others?
2. How Biblical is your praying (what percent of the above items are reflected in your prayers)?
3. When thinking of you, for what would someone thank God?
4. What could help you listen and expect answers while praying?
5. What advantages are there to corporate prayer?
6. What helps you pray for others?
7. Is the problem with praying for others that Satan distracts us or are we missing the "Hows" (#IV. above)?
8. What do we need to pray more faithfully and effectively for each other?
9. On your own, list five things you could pray for each member of BAC, and then pray and watch! |
