How to Pray - a short Bible study
I received this in email from Kelly Condron so the
only work that I did was to format it. I hope that you
find it useful. Kelly informs me that the information is from
the "Way of Life Encylopedia of the Bible & Christianity" and is
copyrighted by WAY OF LIFE LITERATURE
(see the end of this page for full details).
Prayer is conversation and supplication and intercession and worship.
- WHAT IS PRAYER? (Ro. 1:8-10)
- Prayer is thanksgiving and praise (v. 8).
- Prayer is interceding for others (v. 9).
- Prayer is conversation with God (v. 9 "my prayers" refers to Paul's intimate relationship with God as a Father and Friend).
- Praying is asking; supplication (v. 10). Note that Paul did not demand things from God; he requested things of God. Our requests must be according to God's will (1 Jn. 5:14,15).
- HOW SHOULD WE PRAY?
- Through Jesus Christ (Ro. 1:8; Jn. 14:6; 15:16; 16:24; 1 Ti. 2:5; He. 10:19-22).
- Regularly (Ro. 1:9; Da. 6:10).
- Persistently (Ro. 1:9; Lk. 18:1-7).
- Making mention of many petitions
(Ro. 1:9; Ep. 1:16; Ph. 1:4; Col. 1:9; 1 Th. 1:2; 2 Ti. 1:3; Phile. 4).
- Submissive to God's will (Ro. 1:10; 2 Co. 12:7-10).
- WHAT SHOULD WE PRAY FOR?
- For civil government (1 Ti. 2:2).
- For men to be saved (1 Ti. 2:3,4).
- For Christians (Ep. 6:18).
- For Christian workers (Ep. 6:19).
- For daily needs (Mt. 6:11).
- For sicknesses and other problems (2 Co. 12:7-8; Jam. 5:14).
- For wisdom (Jam. 1:5).
- For strength and mercy (He. 4:16).
- For all things (Ph. 4:6,7).
- PRAYER CHANGES THINGS.
- Example of 2 Co. 1:8-11.
- Example of Ph. 1:19.
- Example of Phile. 22.
- Example of He. 13:18-19.
- HINDRANCES TO PRAYER (R.A. Torrey)
- Selfish purposes (Jam. 4:3).
- Iniquities (Is. 59:1,2; Ps. 139:23,24; 66:18).
- Idols in the heart (Eze.14:3). These can be friends, pleasures, habits, hobbies, sports,
possessions, business, reputation, money, anything that comes before God.
- Ignoring the needs of others (Pr. 21:13).
- Disobedience to God's Word (1 Jn. 3:22; Pr. 28:9).
- Not forgiving others (Mk. 11:25).
- Strained relationships between husband and wife (1 Pe. 3:7).
- Unbelief (Jam. 1:5-7; He. 11:6).
- Not abiding in Christ (Jn. 15:7).
- Not abiding in Truth (Ps. 145:18).
INFORMATION FROM:
Way of Life Encylopedia of the Bible & Christianity
WAY OF LIFE LITERATURE
1219 North Harns Road
Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Telephone: (360) 675-8311 - Fax: (360) 240-8347
E-Mail: dcloud@wayoflife.org - Web: http://wayoflife.org/~dcloud/
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