Prayer Keys - Introduction Series

A 30 part study of prayer keys during our Wednesday night prayer meetings? You may think it will become boringly repetitive. No, No, NOOOO!

During this study, we will hear how Mary, Queen of Scots, feared the prayers of John Knox more than the combined armies of Europe. We will hear Jonathan Edwards’ prayer before the First Great Awakening. We will hear how a sickly David Brainerd, dying of tuberculosis, with his back turned to Indian warriors intent on killing him, overcame because his face was turned to God.

In modern times, we will hear about how Helen Roseveare, missionary to Zaire, is brought to tears as God answers a little girl’s prayer for a dying infant.

These illustrations and many more will be worth being here for the series. Of course, the greatest illustration of the need for prayer and the power of prayer is Jesus himself.

For three years, the disciples learned by hearing Jesus preach and teach “as one who has authority.” They heard the sermon on the mount preached by the Son of God. They heard him condemn self-righteous Pharisees and encourage a woman caught in adultery to “go and sin no more.” The disciples heard Jesus command the wind and waves (and witnessed their obedience). They heard him forgive sins. I suspect that they somehow knew the sins were forgiven.

For three years, the disciples learned by watching Jesus do the impossible. They saw him heal the deaf, the blind, the lame, and the sick. They saw him feed 5,000 men plus women and children with a boy’s lunch. They saw him cast out demons. They saw him raise the dead.

Incredibly, they did not ask Jesus to “teach us to teach and preach with authority.” They did not ask Jesus to “teach us to feed a multitude with a little.” They did not ask Jesus to “teach us to overcome disease, demons, and death.”

Jesus was God incarnate. His divine power was beyond human comprehension. But the disciples noticed something he did that they could learn.

Luke 11:1 - One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord teach us... to pray.”

Your handout lists the prayer keys we will study. These keys are not incantations manipulating God to submit to our will, but guides leading us to submit to God’s will.

Many of you have testimonies about these keys. Many of you have heard illustrations or explanations that have helped you understand these keys.

Tonight is your turn to lead the study. Please share your insights, examples, testimonies, the fruit of your studies. Help us learn what God has taught you!

Abiding in Christ

Christ’s Words Abiding in Us

If you remain [ KJV, abide ] in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. John 15:7

According to God’s Will

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14

Be Specific

"What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord, I want to see," he replied. Luke 18:41

Boldness

Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence [ KJV, boldness ], so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Delight in the Lord

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4

Earnestness

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him." Acts 12:5

Faith

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:22-24

Fasting

But when you fast, put oil on you head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:17-18

Focus on God

Be still, and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalms 46:10

For the Glory of God

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

Forgiveness

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. Mark 11:25