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The Christian and Prayer (1)

Discover the essence of prayer as a form of communication with God. Learn about its importance, various types, and examples found in Scripture. Understand the content, structure, and significance of prayers in the Christian faith.

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The Christian and Prayer (1)

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  1. The Christian and Prayer (1) What Is Prayer?

  2. What is prayer? • It is speaking to GodJames 1:5, “Let him ask of God” • Prayer is how we communicate with God

  3. What is prayer?Described • Ask, seek and knock –Matthew 7:7-11 • Crying out to God - Luke 18:6-8 • Requests to God – Philippians 4:6 • An act of faith – James 5:15, 1:6 • Incense - Revelation 5:8, Psalm 141:2

  4. What is prayer?Described • “To You O LORD I lift up my soul…”, Psa. 25:1 • Pouring out one’s heart, Psalm 62:8 • Raising one’s voice, Acts 4:24, 31 • Come before the throne of grace, Heb. 4:16

  5. What is prayer?Described • Spiritual sacrifice, the fruit of one’s lips Heb. 13:15 • It is worship John 4:24, 1 Cor. 14:15

  6. The importance of prayer • Something to be engaged in regularly, deliberately, thoughtfully and thoroughly • It has a bearing on how strong our faith is • It is often done with little thought or wrong motives • Prayer acknowledges the authority and power of God

  7. Examples of Prayer in Scripture • Early, men began to “call on the name of the Lord” Genesis 4:26, 12:8 • Part of the Mosaic Law – priests • David prayed, i.e. Psalms • Elijah prayed – James 5:17-18 • Daniel prayed – Daniel 6:10

  8. Examples of Prayer in Scripture • Ezra and NehemiahEzra 8:23; Neh. 2:4, 4:4, 9, etc. • Paul continually prayed – virtually every epistle addresses various prayers and requests for prayers

  9. Examples of Prayer in Scripture • Jesus prayed always - in the morning – Mark 1:35 - in the evening – Matt. 14:23 - all night – Luke 6:12 - often – Luke 5:16 - in the garden – Luke 22:39-44- with joy – Luke 10:21- on the cross – Luke 23:34, 46- at Passover – Luke 22:14-20 - John 17

  10. Types of Prayer1 Timothy 2:1-2 • Prayers (προσευχάς,proseuchas) – the general term for petitioning God.“to speak or make request to God” (L&N 33.178) • Luke 22:45-46, Jesus in the garden • Acts 2:42,they continued in prayers • Ephesians 1:16, Paul prayed for brethren • Philippians 4:6, in everything by prayer and supplication

  11. Types of Prayer1 Timothy 2:1-2 • Supplication (δέησις,deēsis) – a divine entreaty or an urgent request. Addresses seriousness and intensity of prayers – for oneself and for others • Romans 10:1, Paul’s prayer for Israel • Ephesians 6:18,praying always with all prayer and supplication… • James 5:16, the effective, fervent prayer • Hebrews 5:7, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications and was heard (cf. Matt. 26:36-44)

  12. Types of Prayer1 Timothy 2:1-2 • Intercessions (ἔντευξις,enteuxis)a formal petition, usually on behalf of another • 1 Timothy 4:5, food received with thanksgiving, “for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” • Hebrews 7:25, Rom. 8:27, etc,verb form (ἐντυγχάνω, entynchanō) used of Jesus as He makes intercession for us • As Christians, we pray for others – Matthew 5:44, James 5:16

  13. Types of Prayer1 Timothy 2:1-2 • Giving of thanks, thanksgiving (εὐχαριστία,eucharistia)expressing gratitude for benefits and blessings • Colossians 4:2, continuing in prayer “being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” • 1 Timothy 4:4,every creature received with thanksgiving • Our prayers are typically filled with requests. Do we take the time to thank Him

  14. Content of our PrayersMatthew 6:9-13 • Jesus gave a model prayer here (Luke 11:1) • Adoration – praising God, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name…” • God is worthy of our praise always – both in our public and private prayers • Ephesians 3:14-15, Acts 4:24-26 • Consider the Psalms

  15. Content of our PrayersMatthew 6:9-13 • Acceptance – of His will “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” • Jesus in the Garden – Matthew 26:39-42 • When we pray to God, will we accept His answer (in His time)? 1 John 5:14

  16. Content of our PrayersMatthew 6:9-13 • Supplications, intercessions“Give us this day our daily bread” • We have needs and we can turn to Him with our requests. Philippians 4:6 • “Us” would include others

  17. Content of our PrayersMatthew 6:9-13 • Confession“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” • It is through prayer that we seek forgiveness of our sins 1 John 1:9 • Note the condition (cf. Matt. 6:14-15) – is our heart right?

  18. Content of our PrayersMatthew 6:9-13 • Supplication, intercession“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” • Spiritual requests. We turn to God for strength in dealing with spiritual struggles 1 Timothy 4:8, 2 Peter 2:9

  19. Content of our PrayersMatthew 6:9-13 • Gratitude, thanksgiving Addressed earlier • Before making requests, acknowledge what He has already done and thank Him for it!

  20. Content of our PrayersMatthew 6:9-13 • Acceptance (more) “For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever” • Amen – “so be it”

  21. We need to be praying! • God wants us to pray • He provided prayer for us – 1 Timothy 2:1-5, Hebrews 4:14-16 • 1 Peter 5:7, casting all your cares upon Him

  22. We need to be praying! • Prayer is important! • The effective, fervent prayer accomplishes much James 5:16 • “Seven days without prayer makes on WEAK!”

  23. We need to be praying! • Payer is commanded • 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “pray without ceasing” • Romans 12:12, continuing steadfastly in prayer • Ephesians 6:18, praying always • Luke 18:1, men ought always to pray • You cannot obey God if you do not pray

  24. Prayer is important! How often do you pray?

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