HOW DO I PRAY? (Prayer Really Works!)
HOW DO I PRAY? (Prayer Really Works!)
INTRODUCTION: Prayer really works! How do we pray in such a way that we would receive answers according to God’s riches in glory and purely His sovereign will?
Requirements for Effective Prayer
ASK – ASK in faith, SEEK relentlessly, KNOCK until you receive response
Faith and Belief: Effective prayer must be rooted in faith, believing that God is able and willing to answer our prayers according to His will.
Righteousness and Clean Heart: Sin can hinder our communication with God; therefore, we must strive for purity
Alignment with God’s Will: When we pray according to His will, we can be assured of His answers.
Persistence and Perseverance: A persistent attitude in prayer is critical, showing dedication and seriousness in our requests.
A Humble Heart: Humility in approaching God acknowledges our dependence on Him and recognizes His greatness.
Confession and Forgiveness: Being willing to confess our sins and forgive others is vital to effective prayer. Unforgiveness can create barriers in our relationship with God and impede our prayers.
Focus on God: Effective prayer requires us to focus our hearts and minds on God, removing distractions to truly connect and communicate with Him.
Thankfulness: Thank God for what He has done, what He is doing and for what He would
do. Thankfulness honors God and opens our hearts to His presence.
1. Manasseh is considered one of the most wicked kings in biblical history. He built altars to Baal, worshiped the host of heaven, built altars for them in the house of the Lord, caused his son to pass through the fire, and dealt in witchcraft (2 Kings 21:1-9). Yet when affliction came his way, he humbled himself and prayed to God. What was the result of Manasseh’s action? See 2 Chronicles 33:10-16.
KEY POINTS:
Good name is
more desirable
Good
history/Background – what you do with it most important - sustain
Bad name is
not desirable but your character and actions makes your name
Bad
history/Background is not a sentence but what you do with it
Battle between
right & wrong is always raging
God’s pull
factors – his mercies
God’s push
factors – life’s circumstances to get our attention
Come to
yourself – best sermon (self-sermon)
Complete
obedience gets God’s attention
Decision –
very powerful weapon (use it correctly)
Determination
– will keep you going in the right direction
Choices -they
shape your future and eternity
There is yet hope – if you think you have failed
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God's Patience
and Mercy
- Despite Manasseh's wicked actions, God was
still willing to listen to his prayers when he humbled himself.
"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." - Psalm 103:8
The Power of
Humility and Prayer
- Manasseh's genuine humility and prayer led
to his restoration, demonstrating the transformative power of seeking God.
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." - 1 Peter 5:6
Restoration
and Change
- Following his repentance, Manasseh was
restored, actively turning away from his sins and seeking to reform his
kingdom.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
Consequences
of Sin vs. God's Forgiveness
- Manasseh's initial actions had severe
consequences, but God's forgiveness through repentance shows that forgiveness
is always available.
"The way of the transgressor is hard." - Proverbs 13:15
Impact on
Leadership and Influence
- His actions influenced the people of Judah,
highlighting the responsibility of leaders to guide their communities in
righteousness.
"He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God." - 2 Samuel 23:3
- God's Desire
for Restoration
- God's ultimate desire is not condemnation,
but restoration and reconciliation to Himself.
"Say unto them, As I live, saith the
Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked
turn from his way and live." - Ezekiel 33:11
2. Of all the prayers that can be prayed, surely the prayer for salvation from sin is the most important. Describe the miraculous results that follow a sinner’s sincere prayer of repentance. See 2 Corinthians 5:17.
KEY POINTS:
First thing
first (Matthew 6:33)
Door that
leads to other doors - Salvation
Master Key
that unlocks
One-stop shop
for all man’s need
The Spiritual
drives the physical
Mixing old and
new is counter productive
Salvation brings
changes
Without
change, no Christianity
God is waiting for that step towards repentance
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-
Transformation into a New Creation
- A sincere prayer of repentance leads to
becoming a new creation, symbolizing profound internal change and the start of
a new life in Christ.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17
Forgiveness of
Sins
- Repentance invokes God's promise of
forgiveness, freeing the individual from the guilt and burden of sin.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
Reconciliation
with God
- Through repentance and sincere prayer,
individuals can restore their relationship with God, who desires to dwell among
His people.
"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." - Romans 5:10
Obedience and
New Desires
- A true change of heart comes with new
desires and a willingness to obey God's commandments, reflecting the
transformative work of the Holy Spirit.
"And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me forever, for the good of them, and of their children after them." - Jeremiah 32:39
Family of
God
- Sincere prayer for salvation brings
individuals into the family of God, allowing for spiritual fellowship with
other believers.
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." - John 1:12
Abundant
Life
- The commitment to a relationship with
Christ results in an abundant life filled with purpose and joy, rather than
mere existence.
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." - John 10:10
Witness to
Others
- A transformed life becomes a powerful
testimony to others, reflecting the work of God and drawing them to seek the
same salvation.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16
Eternal Life
Assurance
- A prayer of repentance grants assurance of
eternal life, shifting the believer's focus from condemnation to hope.
"And this is the promise that he hath
promised us, even eternal life." - 1 John 2:25
3. While it is extremely important to repent and pray for forgiveness, list some other things that might be obtained through prayer. Then write about someone you know personally who had an answer to a prayer for one of the items on your list.
KEY POINTS:
Personal
issues
Health issues
Family/Domestic
issues
Academic
issues
Career issues
Economic
issues
Contemporary
issues
Relative
issues
Relationship
issues
Social issues
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Guidance and
Wisdom
- Prayer can lead to divine guidance and
wisdom in decision-making and life choices.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." - James 1:5
Peace and
Comfort
- Through prayer, we can receive peace that
surpasses understanding, especially in times of trouble.
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7
Strength and
Support
- Prayer provides strength during
challenging times, enabling one to endure hardships.
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13
Healing
- Prayer brings about physical, emotional,
and spiritual healing.
"And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." - James 5:15
Provision of
Needs
- God promises to provide for the needs of
His children, and prayer is a means of seeking those provisions.
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19
Fulfillment of
God’s Will
- Prayer aligns our desires with God's will,
helping us to seek and recognize His purpose in our lives.
"In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." - Philippians 4:6
Intercessory
Prayers for Others
- Praying for the needs of others brings
about significant changes and blessings in their lives.
"Pray one for another, that ye may be
healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." -
James 5:16
4. Name some Bible characters who had definite answers to their prayers and tell what the answers were.
KEY POINTS:
Issues they
prayed for and received answers:
Ministerial
matters
Management
matters
Mission/assignment
Challenges to
faith/stand
Need for
urgent Miracles
Urgent
Intervention
Political
circumstances and situations
When faced with opposition authority aggression
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Hannah
Prayer: Hannah
prayed earnestly for a child, promising to dedicate him to the Lord.
Answer: God
answered her prayer, and she gave birth to Samuel, whom she dedicated to the
Lord's service.
- "And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord
of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and
remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a
man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life..."
1 Samuel 1:11
Elijah
Prayer: Elijah
prayed for God to send fire from heaven to demonstrate His power against the
prophets of Baal.
Answer: God
answered by sending fire that consumed the offering on the altar, proving His
supremacy.
"Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench." - 1 Kings 18:38
King
Solomon
Prayer: After
becoming king, Solomon prayed for wisdom to lead the people well.
Answer: God granted him unparalleled wisdom, along with riches and honor.
Nehemiah
Prayer:
Nehemiah prayed for success and mercy regarding his plan to rebuild the walls
of Jerusalem.
Answer: God
granted him favor with the king, allowing him to return to Jerusalem and begin
the rebuilding project.
"So the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me." - Nehemiah 2:8
Paul and
Silas
Prayer: While
imprisoned, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God.
Answer: God
sent an earthquake that opened the prison doors and freed them.
"And
suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison
were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands
were loosed." - Acts 16:26
5. In our text, Jesus gave us two
important conditions to successful prayer. What are those conditions?
KEY POINTS:
Life’s
circumstances are inevitable
Satan is
always attacking
Proactive
strategy needed
It is not over
until it is all over
Importunity
Spiritual
strength (How?) – Word, Fellowship, Study, Defend,
God’s time, method, purpose, place… (wait for it)
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Habit: Make prayer a habit
PUSH: Pray Until Something Happens
Faith and
Belief:
Jesus emphasized the necessity of believing in
the efficacy of prayer. When we pray, we must have faith that God hears our
prayers and is capable of answering them.
"And all
things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
Matthew 21:22
Results: When
we align with God's Will
Successful
prayer must be in accordance with God’s will, meaning that our requests should
reflect His purposes and align with His desires for our lives.
"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:" - 1 John 5:14
6. During Elijah’s ministry, why did the rain stop falling? See 1 Kings 17:1 and James 5:17.
KEY POINTS:
For God and
His Kingdom – Zeal with knowledge
Visionary: Having a
vision for God
Mission: Turning your
vision into a mission and pursue it
Right purpose
Desperate
situations need desperate measures
Prayer: Best
offensive/defensive spiritual arsenals
Elijah also suffered the consequences of lack of rain
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Judgment for
Idolatry
The stopping of rain was a judgment against Israel's idolatry and their turning away from the true God to worship Baal - consequences of turning away from God.
Power of
Prayer
Elijah's ability to declare a drought shows the power and effectiveness of fervent prayer. His prayer was not only a declaration but also a profound act of faith that exemplified his relationship with God.
Call to
Repentance
The drought served as a wake-up call for the nation of Israel, urging them to return to God and repent of their sins - God often uses circumstances to draw His people back to Himself.
God's
Sovereignty
The cessation of rain
illustrates God's control over nature and His sovereignty over creation - He
can intervene in the natural order of things in response to His covenant
people.
7. Having already received God’s promise
of rain, and even after telling Ahab, “there is a sound of abundance of rain,”
why did Elijah go to the top of Mount Carmel? Relate what happened there, and
describe Elijah’s reaction.
KEY POINTS:
Right desire
Believe the
word and promises of God
Ask in faith
(Tripartite level of spiritual communication)
-ASK: Presenting
requests in faith according to God’s promises
-SEEK: Importune,
making use of all available covenant provisions, leaving no stone unturn
-KNOCK: Aggressive and persistent, until something happens and till you get response
Confess/declare
it
Importune
until you receive
Believe when
God confirmed answers
Expect God to
deliver
Receive with faith
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Acting on
Faith Amidst Uncertainty
Despite having declared God's promise, he needed to seek God's confirmation and actively engage in prayer.
The Power of
Prayer
The significance of prayer in pursuing God's promises. He demonstrated that spiritual battles are fought through prayer and seeking God's will.
Persistence in
Prayer
Elijah's posture of prayer (bending down and putting his face between his knees) symbolizes humility and determination, reflecting the need for persistent prayer even when the answer seems delayed.
Faithful
Expectation
Elijah’s repeated sending of his servant to look for signs of rain illustrates the importance of expecting God to act while also being persistent in prayer. His faith did not waver despite the initial lack of visible evidence.
Response to
God's Faithfulness
Upon receiving the report of the small cloud, Elijah rejoiced and acted quickly, demonstrating confidence in God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promise.
Celebration of
God’s Provision
As the rain finally came
(following his prayers), Elijah’s actions illustrate the joy and celebration
that comes when God fulfills His promises, affirming that our prayers can
indeed bring about God’s work.
8. Perseverance in prayer is important, but what other matter must be kept in mind and heart in order to be successful? See James 4:15.
KEY POINTS:
Perseverance?
- continued
effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition
Why? – “King
of Persia” still exist
God’s
sovereign will (best for us)
God’s
permissive will (may come with leanness of heart)
Foolish
planner (without God)
Life is a gift
Good health is
a gift
Capacity is a
gift (to will and to do)
Resources are
gifts
Good success
(enduring to eternity)
Bad success
(brief ends in sorrow)
It is best to let God have His way
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1. Submission
to God’s Will
Prayers must be rooted in a genuine desire
for God’s will to be done, rather than simply seeking our own desires.
Submitting to God’s plans is crucial for effective prayer.
"For that ye ought to say, If the Lord
will, we shall live, and do this, or that."
- James 4:15
2.
Acknowledgment of God’s Sovereignty
Recognizing that God is sovereign and has
control over all circumstances allows believers to trust Him more deeply,
knowing that He knows what is best. This attitude affects how we approach
prayer and decision-making.
"The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all." - Psalm 103:19
3. Humility
Before God
Successful prayer involves humility,
acknowledging that our understanding is limited and that we depend on God’s
guidance and wisdom.
"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." - James 4:10
4. Trust in
God’s Timing
Praying with an attitude of patience and
trust in God's timing is essential. We must understand that answers may come
differently than expected or at a later time.
"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." - 2 Peter 3:8
5. Seeking
God’s Glory
The intention behind our prayers should
focus on glorifying God rather than fulfilling personal ambitions or desires. A
heart directed toward God’s glory leads to more faithful and fruitful prayer.
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31
6. Faith in
God’s Goodness
When praying, one must hold on to the
belief that God is good, and that He desires what is best for us, trusting that
He will provide what we truly need.
"And we know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according
to his purpose." - Romans 8:28
9. If God didn’t answer prayer in this age in which we live, what would be our hope of eternal life?
KEY POINTS:
Without God –
we can do nothing
(we can do
something but it would end in disaster)
Man’s efforts
– limited
God’s solution
– unlimited and enduring
Satan’s
primary motive – make us live without God
We inherited a
doomed future that needs to be redeemed
God
established redemption plan
Jesus offers hope
If didn’t
answer prayer:
No watch and
pray strategy
No motivation
to pray
Unfit for the
rapture
No strength to
resist sin and evil
No intercessory prayer
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1. Absence of
Assurance of Salvation
Without God answering our prayers, our sins would remain unforgiven, leading to a sense of hopelessness.
2. Lack of Relationship with God:
Without answered prayers, the personal relationship between believers and God would feel distant and unresponsive and there would be no hope for eternity
3. Doubt in God's Promises
Believers rely on God's faithfulness to fulfill His Word, and without that assurance, faith could weaken significantly.
4. No Spiritual Growth and Transformation
Without
prayer, spiritual growth would stagnate, hindering the path to eternal life.
CONCLUSION:
"Effective
prayer is the heartbeat of a vibrant faith; it connects us to God's power,
aligns our hearts with His will, and transforms our lives."
DID YOU THINK TO PRAY?
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