A Closer Walk With God
Principles Of Prayer
A. ONE OF OUR GREATEST BLESSINGS IS PRAYER.
1. Through prayer, the we find FORGIVENESS( 1 John 1:9 ).
2. Through prayer, the we find PEACE to replace anxiety( Phil. 4:6-7 )
3. Through prayer, the we find STRENGTH from God ( Eph. 3:14-16 ).
B. FOR THESE REASONS PRAYER WE SHOULD BE DILIGENT IN PRAYER.
( Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17 ).
C. JESUS KNEW PEOPLE WOULD BECOME SLACK( Luke 18:1 ).
1. A similar concern that prompts two lessons devoted to "PRAYER"
2. It is hoped that you will be encouraged to be more diligent as we examine:
1) Basic PRINCIPLES of prayer taught in God's Word
2) Suggestions concerning the PRACTICE of prayer in our daily lives
A. IT MUST BE OFFERED "IN FAITH"( Matt. 21:22 ).
1. We must have faith in God, and in His ability to answer( Heb. 11:6 ).
2. Otherwise, prayer will not be answered( James 1:5-8 ).
3. Is faith weak? Then increase it with the help of God's Word( Rom. 10:17 ).
B. IT MUST BE OFFERED "IN THE SPIRIT OF HUMILITY."
1. Notice the example of the Pharisee and the publican( Luke 18:9-14 ).
2. Remember, ( Psa. 34:18 ).
3. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble"( James 4:6 ).
C. IT MUST BE OFFERED "IN HARMONY WITH GOD'S WILL."
1. God answers prayer that is offered "according to His will"( 1 John 5:14 ).
2. Jesus provided the example in His prayers at Gethsemane( Luke 22:42 ).
3. Too often, prayers are unanswered because they are more concerned with
OUR will, rather than GOD'S will!( James 4:3 ).
D. IT MUST BE "BY THOSE RIGHTEOUS BEFORE GOD."( 1 Pet. 3:12 )
1. The prayers of the righteous person are effective( James 5:16-18 ).
2. But those continuing in sin He will not hear!( Prov. 28:9; Isa. 59:1-2 ).
3. To be righteous before God...
a. We must submit to the "righteousness of God" in Christ( Rom.10:1-4 ).
b. i.e., respond to the gospel of Christ( Rom. 1:16-17 ).
E. IT MUST BE OFFERED "IN THE SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING"
( Eph. 5:20; Phil. 4:6; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess 5:17-18).
-- God will help us with our PRESENT BURDENS if we
take the time to thank Him for PAST BLESSINGS?
F. IT MUST BE OFFERED "WITH PERSISTENCE"
1. Jesus illustrated this aspect of prayer through two parables
a. The parable of the persistent friend( Luke 11:5-10 ).
b. The parable of the persistent widow( Luke 18:1-8 ).
2. The virtue of persistence is demonstrated in the prayers of:
a. Jesus at Gethsemane( Matt. 26:44 ).
b. Paul, pertaining to his "thorn in the flesh"( 2 Cor. 12:7-8 ).
c. The early church( Acts 2:42 ).
G. IT MUST BE OFFERED "IN THE NAME OF JESUS."( Eph. 5:20 ).
1. This means much more than simply adding a little phrase "in Jesus' name" at
the end of our prayers!
a. Jesus is the only way by which we can approach God( John 14:6 ).
b. Jesus is our "high priest" who intercedes for us( Heb. 7:24-25 ).
2. Through Jesus we may boldly approach God!( Heb. 4:14-16 ).
A. UNCONFESSED, UNREPENTED SIN.
1. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear"( Psa. 66:18 ).
2. The BASIS for prayer rests upon our being in fellowship with Him; such
fellowship is broken if we continue in sin!( 1 John 1:6-7 ).
B. IMPROPER TREATMENT OF OTHERS.
1. How we treat others has a bearing upon whether God will hear our prayers!
a. How we treat the poor( Psa. 41:1-3 ).
b. How one treats his friend( Matt. 5:23-24 ).
c. How a husband treats his wife( 1 Pet. 3:7 ).
2. We must correct our relationships with others (if possible) before we can
expect God to hear our prayers!
3. Especially if we desire to receive forgiveness!( Matt. 6:14-15; 18:21-23 ).
A. "REQUEST GRANTED."
1. God may answer "YES" , and grant the petitions we ask of Him
2. Such will be the case the more we try to do His Will(1 John 3:22 ).
B. "REQUEST GRANTED, BUT NOT YET"
1 God may grant our request, but in time and according to His purpose for us.
2. ( Ecc. 3:1 ).
3. We may think God says "NO", when He's really saying "YES, BUT WAIT."
C. "REQUEST GRANTED, BUT NOT AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT"
1. Sometimes God says "YES", but answers differently than we anticipated
2. God's thoughts and methods are often much different than ours( Isa. 55:8,9 ).
3. Like asking God for strength and perseverance...
a. He may give us trials to bear
b. Which in turn develops the virtues we prayed for!( James 1:2-4 ).
4. We should be careful and not dictate to God HOW to answer our prayers...
a. Limit the "HOW" and we might be limiting the "RESULT"
b. For example, the way some pray for the sick, they limit God as to how
He might restore them
D. "REQUEST DENIED"
1. Often God says "NO"
2. But we must trust that God, who knows all and what is best, would do so
only if granting our request might not be for our good( Heb. 12:5-11 ).
3. We may not fully understand, but we can still fully trust Him!( Hab 3:17-19 ).
4. Especially in light of the promise in( 1 Cor. 10:13 ).
