Divine Dialogue -- Patterns Of Prayer Series

“Divine Dialogue” Pt 9

More Patterns of Prayer

I. PERSPECTIVE ON PRAYER -- What is prayer?

II. PURPOSE OF PRAYER – Why Pray?

III. PREREQUISITES FOR PRAYER – Who can pray?

IV. PROMISES REGARDING PRAYER – What does God promise to do?

V. PURPOSES FOR UNANSERED PRAYER – Why doesn’t God answer?

VI. POSTURES IN PRAYER – What should I do with my body?

VII. PASSION OF PRAYER – What priority should I give to prayer?

VIII. PATTERNS OF PRAYER – What should I pray?

As we mentioned previously, since prayer is dialogue with God, then such conversation is not something you can script. The content of the prayer follows the heart and mind of the individual. At times, we find ourselves at a loss as to what to pray for one another as well as ourselves in accord with God’s will. Taking clues from recorded prayers of God’s servants in the Bible proves an invaluable resource. Plus if we take clues from God’s appointed servants, we can be sure that those request will be in tune with God’s will. Remember description is not necessarily prescription. Just because it appears in the Bible does not necessarily validate its use.

Gideon testing God with the fleece is not a suggested practice for us but was the action of a fearful servant of God. It was not a demonstration of faith but fear.

Last week we explored the pattern given by Jesus to His disciples.

A. The Disciples Model Prayer

B. T.I.M.E.S. with God

Talk – Invite – Meditate – Embrace - Submit

C. A.C.T.S Pattern

ADORATION

This time focuses on the character of God. Acknowledge and praise Him for who He is not necessary for what He has done (although sometimes they are closely linked). Thanksgiving comes later. Help in this area can come from the “faith” section of the notebook where God’s attributes are listed. He is great! He is good! He is Holy!

CONFESSION

Take time to let the Holy Spirit bring to the surface areas that should be addressed. Help for this section can be found in the confession section of the notebook.

THANKSGIVING

This is the time to bring God thanks for all the things that come to mind regarding His blessing to mankind and us as individuals. Look for some clues in the thanksgiving section.

SUPPLICATION

Now we are ready to bring requests on our behalf and on behalf of those we love and even our enemies as Christ instructed us to pray for our enemies. Start with yourself and move outward as time allows.

D. Jabez Pattern

This come from a relatively unknown person in the Bible names Jabez. His prayer was popularized in a book written by Bruce Wilkinson year ago. It is not as monumental as it was made out to be but could serve as a model.

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, "Because I bore him with pain." Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!" And God granted him what he requested. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

• Bless me indeed.

• Enlarge my borders

• Empower me with your presence

• Protect me from pain.

E. The P.R.A.Y Pattern

Praise

Repent

Ask

Yield

F. New Testament prayers

1. Paul prayed for Enlightenment Ephesians 1:15-23

Having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, I do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe

Paul often referenced the continuous nature of his prayer for believers.

PRAYER REQUEST

God would give them a fuller knowledge of Him resulting in a spirit of wisdom and revelation. He expanded on his request by illuminating the details of this knowledge. This knowledge resulting in a spirit of wisdom and revelation regarding life in a fallen world comes from God’s work of enlightening a dark heart. The word enlighten means to “give light, make to see, illuminate”. This knowledge comes when God enlightens our hearts to see and understand truth. The verb tense here is significant. Paul employed the perfect tense indicating an enlightenment that took place a specific time and it continues to affect the life of the enlightened one. This enlightenment revolves around three specific grand truths. He switches to a different term translated “to know”