Lesson 2: How God Leads Through Prayer
A. WHEN PRAYER IS WRONG
1. Can’t pray to make something right, that is wrong.
2. Can’t pray to force your will on God.
3. Can’t pray to make the impossible happen. Can’t make yesterday, not happen.
4. Can’t pray for God to do what He expects us to do. Save the unsaved without our obedience. Grow without exercise.
LAW OF DIVISION OF LABOR
God won’t do what He commands you to do;
You can’t do what God reserves for Him to do
B. GUIDANCE IS NOT GUARANTEED
1. Because we have an enemy who will destroy us.
2. Because we have an old nature that will tempt us.
3. Because we live in a world that opposes us.
C. GUIDANCE MUST BE SEIZED
1. Divine guidance is not natural, you must ask for it.
2. Victory is not guaranteed, you must claim it.
3. Prosperity is not automatic, you must seek it.
4. Spirituality is not natural, you must grow it.
D. PRAYER FOR GOD¡¦S LEADERSHIP
1. Prayer of yieldedness. "Thy will be done¨ (Matt. 6:10). "Thine is the kingdom the power and the glory" (Matt. 6:13).
2. Prayer of illumination. "Show me thy way¨ (Ex. 33:13).
3. Prayer of guidance. "Thou . . . hast led forth thy people . . . thou hast guided them in thy strength¨ (Ex. 15:13).
4. Prayer of usefulness.
5. Prayer for prosperity. "Prosper, I pray thee, thy servant¨ (Neh. 1:11). "Lord I beseech thee, send now prosperity¨ (Ps. 118:25).
6. Prayer to overcome barriers.
7. Prayer to change circumstances. "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say into this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you¨ (Matt. 17:20).
8. Prayer for faith. "Lord, teach us to pray¨ (Luke 11:1). "Lord, increase our faith¨ (Luke 17:5). "I believe, help thou my unbelief¨ (Mark 9:23).
9. Prayer for victory. "Thine O Lord, is the victory¨ (I Chron. 29:11). "Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory¨ (I Cor. 15:57). "This is the victory, even our faith¨ (I John 5:4).
10. Prayer of protection. "Deliver us from the Evil One¨ (Matt. 6:13). "Lest Satan should get an advantage over us¨ (II Cor. 2:11).
11. Prayer of provision. "Give us this day our daily bread¨ (Matt. 6:11).
12. Prayer of worship. "Hallowed be thy name . . . on earth as it is in Heaven¨ (Matt. 6:9-10).
E. PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR GOD’S GUIDANCE
1. Pray for God to continue what He has begun in your life.
2. Pray for God to use the spiritual gifts He gives you.
3. Pray for God to bless the responsibility He gave you.
4. Pray "I will never quit when problems come.¨
WHY NEVER QUIT?
- Quitting is like an addition, it controls your future.
- Quitting is like a habit, it’s hard to break.
- Quitting is natural to the old nature.
- Quitting is the opposite of spiritual maturity.
- Quitting denies God’s guidance.
5. God leads to new place with a greater vision and greater burden.
6. Remember, you have the limited view, God has the long view.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
