Lesson 1
A PRAYER LIFE PLEASING TO THE LORD
INTRODUCTION
No one can argue that we are living in days when much prayer is needed! There seem to be problems on every hand. Sometimes, we are longing for answers to our concerns. Maybe we begin to blame God because we aren’t hearing answer to our prayers. Maybe we are not asking for something that is pleasing to the Lord. Perhaps we ask, but then give up too easily before we get an answer.
The solution is to learn to pray more, for longer periods of time, in earnest, not giving up because we are tired, not putting off praying until we have a little time to spare, but learning to really pray and to intercede for those in need and definitely not saving prayer as something we do only when problems come our way.
There is a story told of someone who was facing a terrible situation and had been doing everything possible to get it all worked out, but finally said, “Well, all that is left to do is pray. “ The person to whom he was talking said, “Oh! Has it come to that? I didn’t know it was that bad!” Prayer should be the first thing we think of, not a last ditch effort.
GOLDEN TRUTH (Thess. 5:17) pray without ceasing.
LESSON EXPOSITION
I. The Privilege
Of Prayer
Prayer is one of the greatest privileges that we have as Christians, but many times, we act as if it is drudgery and when not accustomed to praying for long periods of time, it may be hard to get into the habit. What a blessing the prayer time was at the opening session of the 2008 Assembly! Prayer time was scheduled for an hour after the message that night. The General Overseer asked for everyone to take their programs to the altar with them and pray over every song, message, singer, preacher, etc.—anyone or anything listed on the program. People began kneeling in prayer with programs in hand. It seemed as though no one was praying with time in mind. One person who attended said that when she finished praying, she wasn’t sure how much time had passed since they began, but a glance at the clocked showed that it had taken exactly one hour to pray over the entire program. The point is that when we go to God whit specific prayer requests (and there are so many!) it should be nothing for us to spend an hour in prayer.
II. How to Pray
(Matt. 6:5-13__See Scriptures in text below)
How are we to pray? The disciples asked Jesus to teach them. In Matthew 6:5-13, we see that Jesus outlines a basic prayer for them (and for us). “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” They wanted to be heard of men and they were, but that was also their reward. “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” He doesn’t mean not to ever pray where others can hear you, but rather NOT to pray JUST so others can hear you. “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions (Don’t memorize and recite a prayer over and over),as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye:” (after this manner—in other words, this was guide and NOT exact words to memorize)”Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (Have your will, Lord, not mine or someone else’s, but Yours). Give us this day our daily bread.” (Feed us and meet our needs today. Notice He doesn’t just say “give me,” but He says “give us.” We have an obligation to pray for the needs of others as well). “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Sometimes we don’t do all that we know to do or we make mistakes and we must seek forgiveness. Then there are times when others need our forgiveness, and we should be sure that we extend that forgiveness just as Christ has extended the same to us). “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:” (Keep US safe from the evil of this world; deliver us). “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.”(Close with praise and worship of Him) “Amen.”(Let it be so.)
III. Times Of Prayer
(Dan 6:10) …he (Daniel) kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave
thanks before his God…
Having set times for prayer can help develop the habit of praying. The Bible shows that David and Daniel both made it a practice to pray at certain times during the day. However, prayer cannot and should not be limited to just set times. We know that Jesus spent all night in prayer before selecting His apostles. In Acts 16:25, Paul and Silas prayed when faced with trying circumstances. In the Old Testament, Nehemiah prayed silently on the spur of the moment. (See Nehemiah 2:4-5) In another instance, David prayed about entering into battle. (See 1 Chronicles 14:8-10)
In every situation, we can pray. The RIGHT time for prayer is anytime. The Golden Truth is taken from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and admonishes us to “Pray without ceasing.” Applying this admonition to our lives will help us to have prayer lives which are pleasing to the Lord.
IV. Prayer Postures
(Neh. 8:6) And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshiped the LORD with their
faces to the ground.
(Acts 20:36) And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
(Matthew 26:39) And he went
a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed…
(1 Kings 18:42) …he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between
his knees…
(1 Tim. 2:8) I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
The Bible describes various praying postures: standing, hands spread out or lifted to heaven, head bowed, eyes lifted to heaven, kneeling, face toward the ground, sitting on the ground with face between knees, and head bowed with eyes down while striking the breast. When we kneel, it can be an outward sign of reverence. We are, after all, coming before the King of kings. Also, bowing our heads and closing our eyes helps to keep our focus on the Lord. However, it is not so much the physical position in which we pray that is so important but the humble position of our hearts before the Lord.
V. The Prayer God Hears
(Luke 18:13) And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying God be merciful
to me a sinner.
(John 9:31) Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth he will,
him he heareth.
In whatever manner we pray, we must make sure that our hearts are right before God in order for Him to hear us. The only prayer which God will hear from a sinner is that of repentance. Once we are saved, living in the will of God, following the Bible, we can KNOW that God hears us when we pray. Does He hear your prayers? Have you repented of your sins and accepted Christ as your Savior? Today is the day of salvation!
VI. Praying Alone or With Others
(Matt.
18:19-20) Again I say unto you, That if tow of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall
be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the
midst of them.
The Scripture shows that Jesus encouraged the practice of praying in private, It is this type of prayer which helps us form a close relationship with God. It is this secret prayer—when no one else but God sees us—that serves as the true test of our sincerity and devotion. The majority of our prayers should be in private. However, in Matthew 18:19,20, Jesus also spoke of praying with others. The early Church prayed together often. There are times when both types of prayer are called for.
VII. What T Pray For
(Rom. 8:26,27) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what
we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered. And
he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the
will of God.
There are so many things to pray for: the poor and oppressed, those in prison, single mothers, single fathers, widows, the fatherless, the sick, our world/nation/state/ and community, the Church and its leaders, missions, the lost, parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents, friends, ourselves, physical needs, spiritual growth, peace, love, unity, and the list is endless. How can we possibly remember all of these needs? Make a list, keep a journal, or how ever God lays it on our heart, but by whatever means, “Dear Lord, help us to remember!”
Sometimes there are situations when we may truly not know what to pray for. It is times such as these when the precious Holy Ghost is able to pray through us, interceding for us in a might way, exactly according to the very will of God.
CONCLUSION
We know that we should pray, but is the time of prayer important? Should we kneel? Should we pray alone, or with others? Is what we ask for important? There are so many things to consider, but the fact is that no matter what posture, no matter what time, no matter what needs, alone or together—the point is to PRAY. Whether it is with a list of needs in hand to pray over, with sure burdens on our hearts that do not have to be written down to remember, or simply with praise in our mouths to thank the Lord as we kneel before Him, the main thing is to find special time with God every day in order to draw close to Him, to find renewed hope, and gain strength and comfort that only He can give.