Prayer is so much more than asking God to do things for you. Discover an aspect of prayer that will enable you to have a relationship, with the One who has been pursuing you your whole life.
SHOW NOTES
THINKING ABOUT PRAYER
1. Passing the buck to God. "Please bless John Doe in hospital." You have a phone. You can
send flowers or chocolates. You can visit. You can move the snow or cut the grass for
John Doe. You can make food. 2. More prayers more likelihood of an answer? Is God impressed with petitions like
politicians?
James 5:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous person availeth much.
3. Repetition is not as virtuous as it first seems. Matt. 6:7-8
“Ask, seek and knock” we will deal with later.
4. Many prayers sound more like lists for Santa Claus. “Bless this list of people . . .”
5. Jesus acted on his prayer. Roll the stone aside so Lazarus can come out! Rain bring
umbrella.
6. The Lord’s prayer: Concern for God and thanks to God.
7. Intercessory prayer is hearing from God what you can do! Romans 10:9 Jesus is LORD=I
am servant!
FASTING AND PRAYER IN NEW TESTAMENT
1. Paul and Barnabas ordained with fasting (Acts 13:1-3; 14:23)
2. Fast in secret (Matthew 6:16-18) not self-righteously (Luke 18:12)
3. Jesus fasted for 40 days (Matthew 4:2)
4. You don’t fast if you are with Jesus (Matthew 9:14-17) 5. Matthew 17:21 (KJV) – omitted
6. Mark 9:29 KJV fasting omitted
7. 1 Corinthians 7:5 fasting omitted
DEFINING PRAYER
Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him. (SC 93)
REAL PRAYER
In order to commune with God, we must have something to say to Him concerning our actual life. (SC 93) Our wants, joys, sorrows, cares, fears and perplexities and rejoicings
THE POWER OF PRAYER
Prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven's storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence? (SC 94)
CONDITIONS FOR PRAYER
Felt need
Clear conscience
Faith/put aside doubt and fear
Diligence/perseverance
Forgiveness for others (Mat. 6:14-15)
In Jesus name (John 14:13-14): "It is to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus.”
JESUS ON PRAYING
1. Don’t babble on and on (Matthew 6:7) 2. Your father knows what you need before you ask him (Matthew 6:8)
3. Forgiveness of others is a prerequisite for praying (Matthew 6:15)
4. Persevere. Matthew 7:7-12 “Ask, seek, and knock” to get into the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Kingdom of Heaven characteristics or gifts are:
Salt of the earth (5:13-16) Fulfills the Law’s prophecies thru Jesus (5:17-20)
No revenge (5:38- 42) Love your enemies (Unconditional) (5:43- 48)
Generosity (6:1- 4) Contentment (6:19-34) Non Judgemental (7:1-6
Find the Narrow Gate (7:13-14) Fruit of the Spirit (7:19-20) Disciples (7:21-23
Foundation is Jesus Christ (7:24-27) Holy Spirit empowered (Acts 4:29-31)
IS GOD LIMITED BY OUR FAILURE TO PRAY?
Prayer is to change you, NOT God. We are the problem - not God. Repent of your own will and let God be God. God knows what is need before you know! He is not limited by anyone except YOU.
If you do not open yourself to God he will not force his way on you. He is not a rapist.
You can resist the working of God by opposing or neglecting the work that the Spirit wants to do in your heart. Busyness with your own affairs to the exclusion of God is -
Paul prayed for his fellow workers! He asked God to inspire him to be of some service to them. This is intercessory prayer.
When the outcome doesn’t matter to you, you will hear God speak - George Mueller “Not my will but . . .” is an attitude not a formula.
Take time to be silent - to listen for the Spirit to speak to your heart (John 16:12).
A life of prayer means that we are conscious of God’s presence all the time in our lives. As with a good friend, you talk from time to time but friendship or relationship is more than talking. It is being with each other in purpose and concern and care.
Five Conditions of Prevailing Prayer
Answers to Prayer by George Mueller (George Müller) – 1805-1898 1. Entire dependence upon the merits and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the only ground of any claim for blessing. (See John 14:13-16, etc.) 2. Separation from all known sin. If we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us, for it would be sanctioning sin. (Psalm 66:18) 3. Faith in God’s word of promise as confirmed by His oath. Not to believe Him is to make Him both a liar and a perjurer. (Hebrews 11:6; 6:13-20) 4. Asking in accordance with His will. Our motives must be godly: we must not seek any gift of God to consume it upon our lusts. (1 John 5:14; James 4:3) 5. Importunity in supplication. There must be waiting on God and waiting for God, as the husbandman has long patience to wait for the harvest. (James 5:7; Luke 18:1-8.)