Prayer
What real prayer is?
Prayer is simply communion with God. It means talking with God.
It is so much more than just presenting our petitions or requests to Him. It is a time of sharing love together with our creator.
The reason why God created us is because He wants to commune or have fellowship with us.
That is why we were made in the image and likeness of God.
John 17:3 (Jesus was praying here) Eternal life is KNOWING GOD.
Know – (Gk.) “Ginosko” – to be involved in an intimate, growing relationship.
(Heb.) – “Yada” – used to characterize our time of loving fellowship in prayer.
Prayer is being in the presence of God.
Remember: We pray to the Father in Jesus name. We do not pray to Jesus or to the Holy Spirit. We can worship, adore and appreciate Jesus and the Holy Spirit, but when it comes to praying and asking, we must ask the Father in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. John 16:23, 24; Ephesians 3:14, 15
Why do we need to pray?
Every relationship requires two things.
An initial investment of time to develop it
Many believers never do this after salvation
As new believers we must be taught to do this.
Ex. Young couples must go through a courtship stage to develop their relationship.
A continuous investment of time to maintain it.
This is our daily devotion
Our relationship with God will cool off if we don’t invest this time on a daily basis.
Ex. Husband and wife must always spend time together to keep the relationship strong.
Payer develops or produces intimacy to:
The one we pray to (which is our Heavenly Father)
The one we pray for (Intercession)
The one we pray with (Agreement)
Prayer brings God to the scene. God cannot move unless someone somewhere prays. We need to ask God in order for Him to move, through faith.
“It seems God is limited by our prayer life – that He can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him.” – John Wesley
“Without God, Oral cannot. Without Oral, God will not – Oral Roberts
The principle of the kingdom is ASKING. Matthew 6:32; 7:7; James 4:2
Various types of prayer.
Ephesians 6:18 “Pray with ALL prayer…”
“Pray with all manner of prayer…”
Goodspeed’s – Use every kind of prayer…”
The Bible teaches several kinds of prayer and different rules governing them.
Many prayers are not working because people use the wrong rules and laws. Ex. Ball games have different rules.
Many are confused because they have a prayer problem and they have the rules and laws mixed up.
One common misconception is to end up every prayer with “if it thy will…”
Types of prayer:
Prayer of Faith – Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24
It is the prayer of petition, prayer to change things. This prayer is based on God’s revealed will written in His Word. Never contains the word “IF”.
Note: The substance of our faith is God’s word.
A prayer of faith is praying God’s Word. God’s word is His will.
Prayer of Consecration – Luke 22:42
The prayer of devoting our lives to and for God’s use; to go anywhere and/or to do anything. A prayer in which we pray, “If it be Thy will…”
Jesus prayed this on only one occasion. Luke 22:42 Jesus came to do the will of God.
Paul at Ephesus. Acts 18:21 – Pricilla and Aquilla desired that Paul stay longer, but he had to go to Jerusalem. Yet, he said, “If the Lord will, I will return…”
James 4:14-15 – implies that we should live for God and not self by stating “if it is the Lord’s will.”
Note: God has specific plan for each of us. We need to live our lives as God chooses.
Prayer of Commitment – 1 Peter 5:7
The prayer of casting your cares upon the Lord.
Commit (Strong’s) – to deposit into the trust or keeping of.
To cast is to commit or to give something to someone for him to take care of. To cast literally means to throw violently.
Note: When you give something to someone, they have it. It is no longer yours.
Prayer of Agreement / United Prayer.
Matthew 18:18-20 (TAB)
Greek for Agree is “sumphoneo” (symphony) – to be in complete accord like the notes of a perfect string. Note: There is power in agreement. (The place of power is the place of agreement)
Conditions of agreement:
- They have to be on earth
- At least 2 believers
- They agree as touching anything they ask
* level of faith agreement
* never agree with anything not in line with the
Word of God
United prayer
- same as prayer of agreement; it only involves
more than 3 people (a group)
- Acts 4:24-31 (The place was shaken)
- 2 Chronicles 5:11-14
5. Prayer in Spirit (The devil cannot understand, therefore he
cannot intercept)
Praying in tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:14
The perfect prayer: hotline to heaven. Romans 8:26-27
It is a spiritual weapon part of the armor of God. Ephesians 6:18
Prayer of Supplication (Specific petition) – should be done fervently
It is the humble, earnest entreaty or request; heartfelt petition
Supplication can be made for:
- Ourselves concerning both natural and spiritual needs. Philippians 4:6
For God’s people (believers). Ephesians 6:18
For all men and those in authority.1 Timothy 2:1,2
c. Supplication can be made for laborers to be sent to God’s harvest.
Repenting and confessing of sins is done by the means of prayer and supplication
Prayer of Confession – The act of declared submission
To agree with God concerning His word on the matter. Ex. Sin (1 John 1:9)
