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)
1. Prayer is thanksgiving and praise (v. 8).
2. Prayer is interceding for others (v. 9).
3. Prayer is conversation with God (v. 9 "my prayers" refers to Paul's intimate relationship with God as a Father and Friend).
4. 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?
1. Through Jesus Christ (Ro. 1:8; Jn. 14:6; 15:16; 16:24; 1 Ti. 2:5; He. 10:19-22).
2. Regularly (Ro. 1:9; Da. 6:10).
3. Persistently (Ro. 1:9; Lk. 18:1-7).
4. 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).
5. Submissive to God's will (Ro. 1:10; 2 Co. 12:7-10).
WHAT SHOULD WE PRAY FOR?
1. For civil government (1 Ti. 2:2).
2. For men to be saved (1 Ti. 2:3,4).
3. For Christians (Ep. 6:18).
4. For Christian workers (Ep. 6:19).
5. For daily needs (Mt. 6:11).
6. For sicknesses and other problems (2 Co. 12:7-8; Jam. 5:14).
7. For wisdom (Jam. 1:5).
8. For strength and mercy (He. 4:16).
9. For all things (Ph. 4:6,7).
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS.
1. Example of 2 Co. 1:8-11.
2. Example of Ph. 1:19.
3. Example of Phile. 22.
4. Example of He. 13:18-19.
HINDRANCES TO PRAYER (R.A. Torrey)
1. Selfish purposes (Jam. 4:3).
2. Iniquities (Is. 59:1,2; Ps. 139:23,24; 66:18).
3. Idols in the heart (Eze.14:3). These can be friends, pleasures, habits, hobbies, sports, possessions, business, reputation, money, anything that comes before God.
4. Ignoring the needs of others (Pr. 21:13).
5. Disobedience to God's Word (1 Jn. 3:22; Pr. 28:9).
6. Not forgiving others (Mk. 11:25).
7. Strained relationships between husband and wife (1 Pe. 3:7).
8. Unbelief (Jam. 1:5-7; He. 11:6).
9. Not abiding in Christ (Jn. 15:7).
10. 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/

Return to Main Page