Intro:
A. Prayer is the means given to Christians to talk to God
I. TRUTHS CONCERNING PRAYER:
A. Prayer is properly addressed to God.
1. This is how Jesus taught the disciples. Matthew 6:9
2. This is how Jesus prayed. Jn. 17:1,5,24; Mat. 26:39,42; Lk. 6:9
3. This is how Apostles taught men to pray. Eph. 1:16-17; 3:14
B. Prayer has been addressed to Jesus. Acts 7:59-60
C. No record of prayer ever being addressed to Holy Spirit.
D. Prayer is offered in the name of Christ. Jn. 14:13
1. Jesus is mediator 1 Tim. 2:5
2. He makes intercession. Heb. 7:25
II. KINDS OF PRAYERS: 1 Tim. 2:1,2
A. "Supplications" defined as a wanting, a need.
1. Also found in Acts 1:14; Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:1; 5:5
2. Also translated "prayer" 12 times. Lk. 1:13; 2:37: 5:33; Rom.
10:1; 2 Cor. 1:11; 9:14; Phil 1:4,9; 2 Tim. 1:3; Heb. 5:7; Jas.
5:16; 1 Pet. 3:12
B. "Prayers" - most general term, always used of prayer to God.
1. Mat. 21:22; Lk. 6:12; Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:8; 5:5 ;
Heb. 13:18; Jas. 5:17
C. "Intercession" means a petition. It is a technical term for approaching a
king, and so for approaching God in intercession. To plead with a
person, either for or against. To make a petition on behalf of another.
1. Rom. 8:26,27,34; Heb. 7:25; 1 Tim. 2:1
D. "Giving of thanks" - the expression of thankfulness.
1. Acts 24:3; 1 Cor. 14:16; 2 Cor. 4:15; 9:11-12; Phil. 4:6; Col.
2:7; 4:2; 1 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:1: 4:3; 4:4
2. Some were "unthankful". Rom. 1 :21; Col. 3:15
E. "Petition" - to ask.
1. 1 Jn. 5:15
2. From the same word as "ask".
F. "Ask" - to petition. Translated from two words:
1. aiteo - "Suggest the attitude of a supplicant, the petition of one
who is lesser in position than he to whom the petition is made;
for example: in the case of man asking something of God. Mat.
7:7
a. A child from a parent. Mt. 7:9,10
b. A subject from a king. Acts 12:20
c. Priests and people from Pilate. Lk. 23:23
d. A beggar from a passer. Acts 3:2
e. With reference to petitioning God:
(1) In Paul's epistles, twice. Eph. 3:20; Col. 1:9
(2) In James, four times. 1:5,6; 4:2,3
(3) In 1 John, five times. 3:22; 5:14,15 (twice),16.
2. erotao - "More frequently suggests that the petitioner is on a
footing of equality or familiarity with the person whom he
requests."
a. Used of a kind in making request from another king. Lk.
14:32.
b. Of the Pharisee who "desired" Christ that he would eat
with him, an indication of the inferior concept he had of
Christ. Lk. 7:36; 11:37; Jn. 9:15; 18:19.
Note: In all of Jesus' prayers He used the second "erotao".
G. "Request" denotes that which has been asked for.
1. Lk. 23:24; 21:36; 22:32; Acts 4:31; 8:22,24; 10:2; Rom. 1:10;
1 Thess. 3:10
III. WHY WE SHOULD PRAY:
A. For daily needs.
1. Matt. 6:9-13 (Note v. 11)
2. Father in Heaven knows how to give good things to them that
ask him. Mt. 7:7-11
B. To find grace to help in time of need. Heb. 4:16
1. We should not try to "go it alone". Prov. 3:5,6
2. When tempted to sin ask for God's help.
C. That we might lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and
honesty. 1 Tim. 2:2
1. For this reason we need to pray for those in authority.
D. To envoke God's blessings upon each other. 1 Tim. 2:2; Rom 10:1; 2
Tim. 1:3; Phil. 1:4; Col. 1:3; 1 Thess. 1:2.
1. For elders who oversee...
2. For deacons who serve...
3. For gospel preachers...
4. For faithful Christians...
5. For those who are weak...
6. For parents and children...
7. For young people...
8. For the aged Christians...
E. To offer our praise and thanksgiving unto God. 1 Thess. 5:18
F. On behalf of those who sin and ask our prayers.
1. Acts 8:25; 1 John 5:16
G. For our own forgiveness. 1 Jn. 1:7-10; 2:1-2.
1. Our forgiveness based on our forgiving others. Mat. 6:14,15.
H. For the salvation of others. Rom. 10:1
IV. HOW WE SHOULD PRAY.
A. Must consider this in light of both the positive and negative points.
1. NOT to be seen of men, Mat. 6:5, BUT in secret, Mat. 5:6.
2. NOT to be heard of men, Mt. 6:5, BUT to be heard by God.
Mt. 6:9.
3. NOT with vain repetition, Mat. 6:7, BUT with the spirit and the
understanding 1 Cor. 14:15,16.
4. NOT with unholy hands, 1 Tim. 2:8, BUT with holy and
righteous hands. 1 Tim. 2:8
5. NOT with wrath and doubting, 1 Tim. 2:8, BUT in faith, Mat.
21:22; James 2:6.
6. NOT with a grudge in our hearts, Mt. 6:15, BUT with a spirit of
forgiveness, Mt. 6:15.
7. NOT with a heart filled with pride, Lk. 18:10-14, BUT in
humility, Lk. 18:10-14.
8. NOT in the name of men or of angels, 1 Tim. 2:5, BUT in the
name of Jesus Christ, Jn. 16:23.
V. POSITIONS IN PRAYER
A. Various positions for prayer can be found in the Scriptures.
1. "bowed down his head" Gen. 24:26
2. "Let us kneel before the Lord our maker." Psa. 95:6; Dan. 6:10
3. "lift up hands" Lam. 3:41; 1 Tim. 2:8
4. "fell on his face to the earth" Josh. 5:14; 7:6
B. From this it can be seen that no definite positon is stated, therefore we
are at liberty to choose the position in which we pray to God.
1. A person could pray while sitting and driving a car. 1 Thess.
5:17
Conclusion:
A. We need to continue in prayer.
B. We need to pray every day.
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