PRAYER

    Prayer is the act of addressing, thanksgiving, adoration, supplication, or intercession unto God.

    Prayer is one of the most powerful things that the Christian has. Yet so many times we fail to use it as we ought. Prayer is also a very misunderstood subject. In this lesson we want to study prayer and see just how much we can learn about it and also how we may use it for a blessing.

    The Bible Teaches That …
    1. WE SHOULD PRAY FOR OTHERS. Jesus said in Matthew 5:44: "Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

    We are also admonished to pray for rulers, for kings, and for each other as Christians and brethren. Jesus taught His disciples to pray the Lord of the harvest that he would sent forth laborers into the harvest. Matthew 9:38.

    Jesus said in Matthew 26:41: "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation…" In Luke 18:13 we have a man who prayed: "God be merciful to me, a sinner."

    The Bible Teaches That …
    2. PRAYER IS COMMANDED. Jesus said: "Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation."

    Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus and said: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."

    He also wrote to the church at Philippi and said: "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Phillipians 4:6.

    The Bible Teaches That …
    3. WE SHOULD PRAY IN FAITH. Matthew 21:22, Jesus said: "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

    Again we read, Mark 11:24, "Therefore, I say unto you what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye shall receive them, and ye shall.”

    All of our prayers should be offered in faith.

    The Bible Teaches That …
    4. WE SHOULD CONTINUE IN PRAYER. Paul wrote in one of the shortest verses of the Bible. 1 Thessalonians 5:17: "Pray without ceasing."

    We should pray often to God, continually letting Him know that we praise Him and thank Him, and also asking his continued blessing and care in the future.

    The Bible Teaches That …
    5. GOD DOES NOT HEAR SINNERS. In John 9:31 we read: "For we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God and doeth His will; him He heareth."

    One of the most misunderstood things regarding prayer is the part it has in man's service of God. Some think we should pray for faith. Some think we should pray for salvation, others think we should pray for guidance without studying the Bible.

    This is not the case. We have admonition to Study the word of God that we might be approved. 2 Timothy 2:15. We are also told that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Therefore, we are not to pray for faith. The Bible teaches that: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Mark 16:16. Therefore, we are not to pray through as some believe. So those that think we can fall upon our knees at an altar or mourner's bench and ask God to save are in error. Jesus said: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Peter said: "Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for remission of sins." Acts 2:38.

    Let us make use of prayer. If we have not yet been obedient to the gospel let us learn, believe and obey the commands of the gospel and enjoy remission of sins according to the promise of God.

    Let us not try to get God to save us in a way different from the plan he has ordained. Some point to the thief on the cross and say, "He was saved without baptism." What they do not understand is that the covenant of Christ did not come into force until after He had died and after He died He commanded obedience by believing and being baptized.

    There is no promise of remission of sins until we have completed our obedience by being buried with Him in baptism and added to the church.

    The Bible Teaches That …
    6. THERE ARE MANY THINGS FOR WHICH IT IS SCRIPTURAL TO PRAY. Some think that if they cannot pray for salvation then there is nothing for which to pray. We have already mentioned how that we should pray and praise God, thank Him, pray for His care, pray for others, pray for our enemies and there are yet more things which we should pray.

    The apostles continued in prayer and admonished Christians to do the same. On many examples in the early church we find a direct answer to prayer. Today we should pray unto God in the name of Christ and ask according to His will. If we will do this our prayers will be answered and we will be blessed. Thus we conclude that prayer is an important part of the Christian life and also an important item of worship.

    Section 1 - Fill in the blanks. (Seperate answers with comma)

    Question 1
    Prayer is the act of addressing _______, ______, ______ or ______ unto God.

    Question 2
    " ______ for them which despitefully use you and persecute you".

    Question 3
    ______ and ______ that ye enter not into temptation.

    Question 4
    God be merciful to me a ______.

    Question 5
    ______ always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit.

    Question 6
    All things whatsoever ye shall ask in _______ ye shall receive.

    Question 7
    Pray without ______.

    Question 8
    For we know that God ______ sinners.

    Section 2 - True or False

    Question 1
    We should pray for faith.
    TrueFalse

    Question 2
    We should go to the altar or mourner's bench and pray through.
    TrueFalse

    Question 3
    We must be baptized in order to be saved.
    TrueFalse

    Question 4
    God will not answer a sinner's prayers.
    TrueFalse

    Question 5
    We have a promise of salvation even though we have not been baptized for remission of sins.
    TrueFalse

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