Good morning,
This week we will continue our three week study on prayer. The topics include, prayer, how to pray, and subjects of prayer.
Prayer is talking with God. God desires a personal relationship with His people. God wants us to come to Him with our praises, concerns, and requests. In response, God speaks to us through His word, other people, or even a still small voice.
This week we will look at how to pray, conditions of prayer, and hindrances to prayer.
HOW TO PRAY/CONDITIONS OF PRAYER/HINDRANCES TO PRAYER
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 groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26)
HOW TO PRAY
INTERCESSORY (Romans 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 groanings which cannot be uttered.27 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.
IN FAITH, BELIEVING (Hebrews 11:6, Mark 11:24)
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
PERSISTENCE (Luke 18:1-8)
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
HUMILITY (2 Chronicles 7:14)
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
God spells out for us how we are to pray. Sometimes though, we do not know how or what to pray. God intercedes for us. We are never alone in prayer.
Then we must pray in faith, believing that God hears and will answer our prayers.
Next we must persevere. Don’t quit. Although it may seem that any answer is coming, God answers in His own time. We all have family members that we have been praying for many years. Today may be the day they get saved.
God wants us to humble ourselves before Him. Remember who we are praying too. We pray to the God of creation. The God that loved us so much, He sent His Son Jesus to pay the sin debt for all mankind.
CONDITIONS OF PRAYER
IN THE WILL OF GOD (Romans 8:27)
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.
FORGIVE OTHERS (Mark 11:25-26)
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
KEEP GOD’S COMMANDMENTS (1 John 3:22)
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
ABIDE IN JESUS (John 15:7)
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
PRAY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT (Jude 20-21)
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
PRAY IN JESUS NAME (John 16:23-24)
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
The conditions for prayer help us to be successful prayer warriors. Each of these conditions help us to focus on the one to whom we are praying.
Praying in God’s will takes the focus off us and puts it on what God desires.
If our relationship with others is not right, how can we pray to God who has forgiven us all our sin?
Obedience shows that we recognize what God deems important. We will then desire to abide in Christ.
Then we will pray in the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus.
Then we will be successful.
HINDRANCES TO PRAYER
UNBELIEF (James 1:6-7)
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
UNFORGIVING SPIRIT (Mark 11:24-26)
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
UNCONFESSED SIN (Psalm 66:18)
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
ASK AMISS (James 4:3)
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
There are four sure fire ways of hindering our answers to prayer.
Unbelief causes us not to believe God can or will answer our prayer.
Unforgiving spirit. God wants us to forgive others.
Unconfessed sin severs our communication line with God.
Ask amiss. Requesting things clearly out of God’s will.
CONCLUSION
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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