It is written: Men ought always to pray! - Luke 18:1
[PDF copy of lesson available HERE]
What is the significance of prayer? What is the urgency of prayer? What would lead to a prayerless heart? These questions are well to be considered. Many ask, though not audible, why bother praying? -- God is sovereign, the world is a mess anyway, how can it be possible that my requests would be heard, never mind answered?
Most people feel this way at some time in their life. It may be you right now. Things in the world are ugly and chaotic and just getting worse. Things in the lives of your friends and loved ones seem to be so discouraging that one could loose all hope.
It is the beginning of October as I write this lesson. My favorite fall month and the most vexing month. As the LORD brings the crisp fresh air and the beauty in the foliage, the devil brings out all his heinous devilish nasty death in the socially and church accepted celebration of Halloween. UGG!!! There is no getting away from the visions of hell.
Yet will I praise the LORD! The LORD is my rock and my fortress. My God, in Him will I trust!!
Yet will I praise the LORD! The LORD is my rock and my fortress. My God, in Him will I trust!!
Praying is talking to God. Prayer is presenting a request before the God of all wisdom, comfort, and righteousness in hopes of an answer: a resolve to a situation, a gentle word in the midst of sadness or despair, a way of escape for the desperate soul. Yet, not many people will go to the only God who has all the answers.
We find ourselves falling into the trap of society and try to figure it out on our own. If that doesn't work, we may read a book, do a google search, ask a friend or coworker..but not ask God himself. We'll keep trudging along with the burden of questions and problems. We'll ignore it. We'll put it off until we think we have more time to give it the attention it deserves.
Most people desperately want to be on the right path for their lives. Most people don't set out with the intention of doing it all wrong. Let's face it. We wish we could see the big picture ahead of time. We think to ourselves, we'd choose right, if we only knew what to do in this given situation. We would be able to help someone in their situation. We'd be stronger and more able to handle the emotional interruptions of the day. We know we could do it. But then, the answer isn't obvious to us, the situation worsens, and we are just too busy and confused to see the forest for the trees.
Oh, dear Reader, what a plight. Jesus said, Men ought always to pray! Jesus said come to me, learn of me, But we get in our own way.
Proverbs 16:25 reminds us: There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
You see, each time we try and figure out a way to get something answered without asking God FIRST, we become a little more jaded. Or as we are studying, we hinder the growth of the fear of God in our life by not taking heed of a PRAYERLESS HEART.
We may be able to figure something out on our own without asking anyone. We are independent people are we not? We are smart, we have two hands and know how to use our brain. Why would we have to rely on a "crutch" like God? He made us in his image anyway... He has given us our talents and abilities .. we can do it .. besides we shouldn't bother God with trivial matters anyway. Aren't we adults by now?
The further and further you push away from the God of ALL ANSWERS the harder your heart becomes. We THINK we know the way to go, we THINK we have the plan, BUT we've not asked and then waited for the answer.
Prayer is as the pitcher that fetcheth water from the brook, therewith to water the herbs; break the pitcher, and it will fetch no water, and for want of water the garden withers.
Then there are those who teach that you can and should ask God only one time and just believe you have what you've asked for. They say that is faith. If you ask again, you are probably doubting. The problem with that is that we don't see all that God sees. There are things that the LORD wants to teach us -- he is ALWAYS teaching those who want to learn. And a "one off" prayer is not prayer at all. It's gimme what I want, when I want, how I want, as I want. God doesn't operate at our standards, but at HIS.
If one follows this "one off" prayer approach, there will assuredly come 'unanswered' prayers. Then proceed a whole mess of questions, fears, doubts, and then hardness of heart toward God himself.
We must attend to prayer the way God says in his written word and not according to the traditions of men: aka..vain philosophy.
God really does answer prayer. God really does want us to come to Him FIRST. God really does want to be there for us and help our situation and relationships. God is faithful and trustworthy! But HE IS GOD and we are not. HE IS GOD and the giver of life. HE IS GOD and will do all that he does for HIS GLORY and not ours. He wants to be our God and for us to be His people.
So.. how does that work????
There are several steps to praying God's way:
1. Ask .. ask correctly .. with a pure heart
2. Wait .. patiently
3. Have ears to hear what the HOLY Spirit is saying to the Church
4. Obey what God says to do .. cheerfully
In our society, in our split-second/nano-second technology filled days, we are conditioned to get replies, responses, likes, and answers immediately. This digital-virtual-hurry up-I want answers- way of life, has induced a demanding 'spoiled brat of a child' attitude in nearly every person. If you don't respond to MY online presence when I say, I'm offended, irritated, and mad at you.
And sadly this is also the attitude of Christians when putting a request before God Almighty. YIKES!
Let's look at some words and their definitions:
- HEAR
- FIRST
- PATIENCE
- DEMAND
- INSISTENCE
- WAIT
- ANSWER
- AMISS
- REQUEST
- FERVENT
- EFFECTUAL
- OFFENCE
LOOK UP:
- Romans 8:24-28
- Matthew 26;41
- Matthew 6:5-15
- Acts 8:17-24
- Psalm 19:14
- Psalm 25:4-5
- Micah 7:7
- Isaiah 40:31
- James 5;16
- I Thessalonians 5:25
- Romans 12:2
- Hebrews 13:20-21
- Psalm 33:18-22
- II Chronicles chapter 6:1 thru chapter 7:3
Giving some time to learning what God says about prayer will open our eyes to the correct way to pray. Yielding to God's way of us talking to Him, will bring about the best answers from the only God who gives the right answer every time. Hallelujah!
Questions:
Read Matthew 6:33-34 -- What can you learn about prayer from these 2 verses?
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What is the prayer found in Psalm 19:14, in your own words
What are 3 important keys we can use in our own prayer time found in Romans 8:24-28
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Jesus is our best and greatest example of how and when to pray according to the will of God. Find 3 verses that teach us about Jesus praying.
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