Church as is it is meant to be, in God’s original design, is meant to be many things. Unfortunately, outside influences have altered and tampered with God’s Church making it not what God meant it to be. Cultural and political correctness demands the church behave in ways that are acceptable and popular with everyone regardless of what the Bible teaches. Denominational and theological approaches to Scripture twist and turn God’s Word to please their traditions and theories. Personal preference simply wants to please the ‘self’ and thus respond positively to ones own personal choices regardless of God’s will for His Church and our lives.
God meant His church to be:
1. Spirit-welcoming churches. A church without the Holy Spirit is like a car without an engine, you’ll get somewhere in it but it will be very slow and you’ll have to do all the pushing.
2. Gospel/Word-proclaiming churches. The world needs good news. We have got good news, but it’s only good news if we share it otherwise it’s just a good secret.
3. Leader-following churches. Everyone is looking for someone to follow; the problem in many churches today is people don’t want to follow their leaders, they want to follow the Holy Spirit.
4. Miracle-embracing churches. Many Christians today don’t believe in a God doing miracles, because the world will think we are silly.
5. Need-meeting churches. Needy people are not just in far away places, they are also sitting next to you.
6. God-fearing churches. Awe makes a difference in the Church. Without fear for and of God people just please themselves.
7. Hardship-enduring churches. Persecution is what makes or breaks a church. Hardship means some will stay and some will stray.
Today, I want to finish this teaching by talking about the glue that binds all these characteristics together. There is a danger that the church and even our lives becoming spiritually imbalanced. God clearly meant and means His church to have many characteristics and so when we say all we need to do is worship then we are imbalanced, or all we need to do is preach the word then we are imbalanced. The glue that helps bind us together and keep the balance with the aspects of God’s church, is prayer. God meant and means His church to be prayer-engaging.
Prayer is our means of communicating with God. Because we are in a personal relationship with God, prayer can be considered a conversation with God, punctuated with petitions because we are talking to God, and thanks-giving because only God answers our prayers.
In Acts, the importance of Prayer is clearly undeniable, almost every chapter makes reference to prayer; almost every major turn of events in Acts is covered and connected by prayer. (Acts 1:14, 1:24, 2:42, 3:1, 4:23, 4:24, 4:31, 6:4, 6:6, 7:59, 8:15, 8:22, 8:24, , 9:11, 9:40, 10:2, 10:5, 10:9, 10:30-31, 11:5, 12:5, 12:12, 13:3, 14:23, 16:13, 16:16, 16:25, 20:36, 21:5, 22:17, 26:29, 27:29, 28:8.)
I don’t want to bring to you a Bible study on prayer, (there is one at the end of these notes) I want to encourage you to be a prayer-engaging church, free from cultural, denominational and personal influences so that you can simply pray.
1. Pray Free of Recycled Prayers
When the Disciples said to Jesus, “Teach us to Pray” Jesus didn’t give them a prayer book; He didn’t send them to a conference on prayer; He didn’t give them a prayer helpline number. Jesus gave them guidance in what is called the “Lord’s Prayer,” which, if anything is theologically incorrect, it is that title, because Jesus would never have to pray “Lord forgive me my sins!”
The guidance that Jesus gave to the Disciples in response to their request, was related to the content of their prayers and the condition of their hearts when praying.
Unfortunately, external influences have turned Jesus’ guidance on prayer into something that should be recited regardless of the condition of a person’s heart. The recited, recycled prayer has turned it into a duty and not a relationship build on devotion.
2. Pray free from posture, place and duration demands
A. Do you stand? Do you kneel? Do you sit in prayer? Do you join hands? Do you shout? Do you whisper? Do you bow? Do you lie down?
Doesn’t really matter. You can do them all, but not at the same time! (kneeling in prayer: 1 Kings 8:54; 2 Chr. 6:13; Ps. 95:6; Isa. 45:23; Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60, 9:40; Eph. 3:14. Bowing and falling prostrate: Gen.24:26,52; Ex.4:31,12:27; Matt.26:39; Mark 14:35. Spreading out the hands: 1Kings 8:22, 38, 54; Ps. 28:2, 63:4, 88:9; 1 Tim. 2:8. Standing: 1Sam.1:26; 1 Kings 8:14, 55; 2 Chr.20:9; Mark 11:25; Luke 18:11, 13).
B. “This church Is open for prayer” seems to appear outside many church buildings in a crisis. I understand the sentiment, but the message could be this is the place to pray, when in fact you can pray anywhere.
C. A statement I have heard so often is “You must pray for one hour every day.” Only one part of that statement is correct and it is “you must pray.” You can pray morning, noon or night- doesn’t really matter. It can be for 5 minutes or 5 hours- doesn’t really matter.
“The death of the prayer meeting has been the death of the church.” The early church prayed together and they prayed on their own. Some of the largest churches in the world don’t have a weekly or daily prayer meeting, but they most certainly pray.
Being a prayer-engaging church is about praying, not the method or approach we chose to engage in prayer.
3. Pray free of guilt
Because of the stipulations some people place upon prayer, many believers come to prayer with a sense of guilt over not praying for a few days, or not making it to the prayer meeting, or even feel guilt saying “I only managed to pray for 47 minutes today”. The reality is, as you live out your daily life, you most likely talk more to God that you realise.
Remember, prayer is about a means of communicating in a loving relationship. In a relationship with parents or spouse, you don’t have a set place, time, or posture, and a collection of words that you repeat over and over so once you are done you can then get on with the rest of your day. You can talk to God when driving, walking or working and it is still prayer. However, saying all that, it is a good discipline to have a set time to meet with God, but He is not going to beat you up or stop talking to you if you’re late or even if you miss it. God does not sulk or have temper tantrums or go into a mood.
Sometimes it is good to come to God and realise a sense of guilt, because it is the Holy Spirit convicting you of stuff that separates you and God. I want to encourage you to shake yourself free of all the external expectation, limitations and demands as to how you should pray, and just talk to God in a loving and personal relationship.
However, some people are so familiar with a language and posture in prayer that they can’t do it any other way, but this is still prayer because God looks at the heart. They must not look down on others who do it a different way.
4. God doesn’t say much
“The problem with trying to have a conversation with God is He doesn’t seem to say much.”
Let me give you some reasons as to why we don’t hear God:
1. You have done you duty and said your prayers and set off to get on with your life.
2. You don’t shut up long enough to let God get a word in. Sometimes it is a one way conversation of recycled prayers, telling God what you think about other people or what He already knows.
3. You don’t like what God is saying. “God loves me and he would never say no” is what I have heard people say. It is because He loves you that He says “no” to adultery, to drunkenness, to gossip, to bitterness, to revenge, to anger.
4. You spend all your time repenting for not praying long enough, in the right place at the right time. After we have repented and God has forgiven, He sometimes has to keep saying “get over it”, “move on.” But, for some reason, we feel we have to keep rubbing salt into the wound until we are in enough pain to really feel sorry. God is full of grace and mercy so get over it and move on. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
5. You don’t leave God to do His Job. When you bring you concerns to God, leave them with Him. He doesn’t want us to just share our trouble with Him but He wants to take care of them for us. 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Take time to be still and maybe God can get a word into your life. When you are busy keep you heart open and maybe God can get a word in.
Psalm 37:7 “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
A few more reasons we don’t hear God
1. We don’t really believe God can answer them.
Jesus said: “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22) James wrote: “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does” (James 1:6-8). Believing is perhaps the best known condition for prayer. But there are other reasons prayer is not answered.
2. We ask with wrong motives. “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:3).
3. Un-confessed sin separates us from God, so that He cannot hear. “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities (sins) have separated you from God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2).
4. We set up idols in our hearts that come between us and God. “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?” (Ezekiel 14:3).
5. We don’t answer those who cry to us for help. “If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered” (Proverbs 21:13).
6. We don’t remain in God/God’s Word doesn’t remain in us. “If you remain in me and my word remains in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you” (John 15:7).
PRAYER Bible Study
"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." Mark 1:35
I. Prayer is the backbone of the ministry.
A. Because of his unique relationship with God, the scriptures say of Moses that "there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto" him, "whom the Lord knew face to face." Deuteronomy 34:10 (See also Exodus chapters 32-33 and Deuteronomy chapter 9.)
B. Jesus Himself spent much time alone in prayer. Matthew 14:23 Mark 1:35; 6:46; 14:32-40 Luke 3:21-22; 5:16; 6:12-13; 9:18, 28-29; 11:1; 22:31-32, 39-46; 23:34 John 6:15 Hebrews 5:7
C. The New Testament epistles reveal an intense devotional life of prayer in the ministry
of Paul the apostle.
Romans 1:9 "... without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers."
2 Corinthians 12:8
Ephesians 1:16 "Cease not ... making mention of you in my prayers."
Philippians 1:3, 4 "Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy."
Colossians 1:9 "... since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you ..."
Philemon 4 "... making mention of thee always in my prayers."
2 Timothy 1:3 "...without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day."
D. The early church knew the importance of prayer and intercession in behalf of its leaders.
Acts 2:42 "And they continued steadfastly ... in prayers."
Acts 1:14 "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication ..."
Acts 12:5, 12 "... but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."
2 Corinthians 1:11 "Ye also helping together by prayer for us ..."
II. Scripture teaches that we are to have a regular and consistent life of prayer.
Luke 18:1 "... men ought always to pray, and not to faint." Luke 21:36 "Watch ye therefore, and pray always ..." Acts 6:4 "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer ..." Acts 12:5 Ephesians 6:18, 19 "Praying always ..." Colossians 1:3 "... praying always for you." Colossians 4:2 "Continue in prayer, and watch ..." 1 Thessalonians 1:2 "always" 1 Thessalonians 5:17 "without ceasing" 2 Timothy 1:3 "... without ceasing ..."
A. Daily.
Psalms 86:3
Acts 2:46
B. In the early morning.
Psalms 5:3 "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the
morning will I direct my prayer unto thee and will look up."
Psalms 88:13; 119:147
Mark 1:35 "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day,
he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."
C. In the evening.
Genesis 24:63 "And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide ...."
D. Three times a day.
Psalms 55:17 "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud:
and he shall hear my voice."
Daniel 6:10, 13 "Now [Daniel] ... kneeled upon his knees three times a day,
and prayed ..."
Acts 2:1, 15; 10:9, 30
E. Day and night.
Psalms 22:1, 2 "O my God, I cry in the daytime ... and in the night season,
and am not silent."
Psalms 77:2 "In the day of trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night,
and ceased not ..."
Psalms 88:1
Nehemiah 1:6
Luke 18:7
1 Thessalonians 3:10 "Night and day praying exceedingly ..."
2 Timothy 1:3
F. At midnight.
Psalms 119:62 "At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee ..."
Acts 16:25 "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God ..."
G. All night.
Psalms 63:6 "When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee
in the night watches."
Isaiah 26:8, 9 "With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit
within me will I seek thee early ..."
Luke 6:12 "... and continued all night in prayer to God."
III. For whom and for what should we pray?
Scripture says we should pray "for all men " (1 Timothy 2:1), for anything (Philippians 4:6).
A. For those in spiritual leadership.
2 Corinthians 1:11
1 Thessalonians 5:25
Hebrews 13:17-18a
1. For boldness to speak the truth.
Ephesians 6:19, 20
2. For their divine protection.
Acts 12:5
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2
3. For an open door of ministry.
Romans 15:30-32
Colossians 4:3
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2
B. For fellow-believers.
Romans 1:9
Ephesians 6:18
1. For their healing.
Acts 28:8
James 5:16
2. For their spiritual development and maturity.
Ephesians 3:14-16
Colossians 4:12
1 Thessalonians 3:10-13
2 Thessalonians 1:11
1 Peter 5:10
3. For unity.
John 17:9, 11, 20-22
4. For divine protection, spiritual strength, and victory over the enemy.
Luke 22:31-32
John 17:15
C. For ourselves.
1 Chronicles 4:10 "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying,
Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that
thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil,
that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested."
Psalms 106:4, 5
Hebrews 5:7
1. For material needs.
Matthew 6:11
Proverbs 30:7, 8
2. For guidance.
Psalms 27:11; 31:3
Jeremiah 33:3
Daniel 2:17-19
Colossians 1:9, 10
James 1:5
3. For victory over temptation.
Matthew 6:13
Luke 22:40
4. For wisdom.
1 Kings 3:5-12
Proverbs 2:3
James 1:5
5. For forgiveness of sin.
Numbers 5:6, 7
1 Kings 8:47-50
Ezra 9:15; 10:1
Psalms 25:11; 32:5; 51:1
Daniel 9:4-5, 20
Matthew 6:12
Luke 11:4; 18:13
Acts 8:22
6. For physical healing.
1 Samuel 1:5, 10-20
1 Kings 13:4-6
2 Kings 20:1-6 (Isaiah 38:1-5; 2 Chronicles 32:24)
Psalms 30:2
James 5:14
Matthew 8:2-3 (Mark 1:40-43; Luke 5:12, 13)
D. For temporal rulers.
1 Timothy 2:1-3
E. For the unsaved, whether an individual, a city (Psalms 122:6; Jeremiah
29:7; Daniel 9:3, 16-19), or a nation (Romans 10:1); that God will send
laborers into the harvest (Matthew 9:38).
F. For our enemies.
Matthew 5:44
Luke 6:28; 23:34
Acts 7:59-60
IV. How are we to pray?
This is not such an unreasonable question. The disciples asked Jesus how
to pray (Luke 11:1). Jesus answered them by giving them a model prayer
(Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4), often called The Lord’s Prayer. However,
this was never intended to become "vain repetition" to them (Matthew 6:7).
Jesus did not say, "Repeat after Me ..." Rather, He said, "After this manner "
– that is, "in this way" – prayer should be offered to God (Matthew 6:9).
A. Secretly, or alone (Matthew 6:5-6; 14:13, 23; Mark 1:35; 6:46, 47; 1 Kings
4:33; Acts 9:40), as well as in the presence of others (1 Kings 8:22-23;
Matthew 18:19-20; Acts 12:5, 12; Romans 15:30; 2 Corinthians 1:11).
B. In Jesus’ name (as His representative).
John 14:14; 16:23-24
C. In faith.
Matthew 21:22
Mark 11:24
Hebrews 11:6
James 1:5-7; 5:15
D. According to the will of God.
Mark 14:32-36
John 15:7
Romans 8:27
1 John 5:14, 15
E. In the spirit (Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 14:2, 14-15; Ephesians
6:18; Jude 20), as well as with the understanding (1 Corinthians 14:9, 13-17).
F. In any position physically.
1. Kneeling.
1 Kings 8:54; 2 Chronicles 6:13; Ezra 9:5; Daniel 6:10
Matthew 17:14; Mark 1:40; Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60; 9:40; 20:36; 21:5
Ephesians 3:14
2. Standing.
Isaiah 38:2-3; Mark 11:25; Luke 18:13
3. Sitting.
Nehemiah 1:4; Acts 2:2; 16:13
4. Lying down (prostrate), face to the ground.
Numbers 16:22; Joshua 7:6, 10; Ezra 10:1
Ezekiel 9:8; 11:13; Matthew 26:39
5. Kneeling with face between the knees.
1 Kings 18:42
G. In any place (1 Timothy 2:8 "everywhere"), not necessarily in a building
specifically designated for worship. God "does not dwell in temples made
with hands."
1 Kings 8:27
2 Chronicles 6:18
Isaiah 66:1-2
Jeremiah 7:4
Mark 13:1-2
Acts 7:48-50; 17:24-25, 29-30
2 Corinthians 5:1
1. At home.
Daniel 6:10
Acts 9:11; 12:12
2. On the battlefield.
1 Chronicles 5:20
2 Chronicles 13:13-16
3. In a mountain.
Matthew 14:23
Mark 6:46
Luke 6:12; 9:28
4. On a housetop.
Acts 9:9
5. In a garden.
Matthew 26:36
Mark 14:32-40
Luke 22:39-40
6. In a desert or secret place.
Matthew 14:13
Mark 1:35
Luke 5:16
7. In a field.
Genesis 24:63
8. On a riverside.
Acts 16:13; 21:5
9. In the belly of a fish.
Jonah 2:1
10. In a closet.
Matthew 6:6
11. In jail.
Acts 16:25
V. What hinders the answers to our prayers?
A. It was a Satanic hindrance that withheld the answer to Daniel’s prayer
for 21 days (Daniel chapter 10, particularly vv. 12-13).
See Ephesians 6:12.
B. The fault may lie within the petition itself.
1. Unbelief.
James 1:6, 7
2. A wrong motive.
James 4:3
C. Sin or disobedience may be the barrier.
Psalms 66:18
Proverbs 15:29; 28:9
Isaiah 59:1, 2
Jeremiah 5:25
John 9:31
1. Selfishness.
Proverbs 21:13
2. Pride.
Hosea 5:5-7
3. Unforgiveness.
Mark 11:25-26
4. Disharmony in the home.
Matthew 5:23-24
1 Peter 3:7
5. Religious hypocrisy.
Isaiah 1:11-15, esp. v. 15
Matthew 23:5, 14, 27-28
6. Rebellion against hearing God’s word.
Proverbs 1:24-25, 28
Zechariah 7:11-13
7. Idolatry.
Ezekiel 14:1-7
8. Deceit; injustice.
Jeremiah 5:25-31
D. An effective prayer life is conditional upon our personal walk and relationship with Jesus Christ.
1. Obedience.
John 9:31
1 John 3:22
2. Righteousness.
Psalms 34:15, 17
Proverbs 15:8, 29
James 5:16
3. Humility.
2 Chronicles 7:14-15
Psalms 9:12; 10:17; 102:17
Matthew 23:5, 14, 27-28
Luke 18:13-14
4. Faith.
Matthew 21:22
Mark 11:22-24
1 Timothy 2:8
James 1:6-7
1 John 5:13-15
5. The fear of the Lord.
Psalms 145:19
6. Abiding in Christ.
Psalms 91:1, 14-15
John 15:7
VI. Sometimes God chooses to delay the answers to our prayers.
Jeremiah 42:7, 2-4
Luke 18:7
A. Though Job was "perfect and upright in the sight of God (see chapter
1:1, 8; 2:3), the Lord allowed him to suffer tremendously – but not
without purpose. Job 23:10
B. God’s intention in delaying an answer to a request may be to work into
our character a specific quality desirable in His sight.
1. Patience.
James 5:11
2. Obedience.
Hebrews 5:8
3. Humility.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9, etc.
C. God answers prayer according to His time and will (see Psalms 40:1).
But we must be persistent in seeking Him for answers to our requests.
Genesis 32:26-29 "1 will not let thee go, except thou bless me ...
And He blessed him there."
Song of Songs 3:14; 5:2-6
Isaiah 62:6-7 " ... keep not silence, and give Him no rest ... "
Matthew 7:7 "Keep on asking ... keep on seeking ... keep on ..."
(The Greek tense denotes continual action.)
Matthew 15:22-28 "... kept praying ..."
Luke 11:5-13, esp. v. 8 "... because of his importunity ... "
Luke 18:1-8 "...by her continual coming ..."
VII. It is important to realize that God really hears our prayers.
2 Chronicles 7:15 "... Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears
attentive unto the prayer that is made in this place."
Psalms 10:17 "Lord, thou has heard the desire of the humble ... thou
wilt cause thine ear to hear."
Psalms 18:6
Psalms 34:15, 17 "... his ears are open unto their cry ... The righteous cry,
and the Lord heareth ..."
Psalms 102:17 "He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise
their prayer."
Psalms 66:19, 20; 106:44
Psalms 116:1, 2 "1 love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice
and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore
will I call upon him as long as I live."
Psalms 141:2; 145:19
Psalms 32:6 "For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee
in a time when thou mayest be found..."
Proverbs 15:8, 29 " ... the prayer of the upright is his delight."
James 5:16b "... The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
A. Our prayers rise like incense before Him.
Exodus 30:8
Psalms 141:2
Revelation 5:8; 8:3, 4
B. He promises an answer.
Matthew 7:7-11; 21:22
Mark 11:24
Luke 11:9-13
John 15:7, 16; 16:23-24
1 John 3:22; 5:14-15
C. It requires discipline on the part of the flesh to submit to God in prayer.
Mark 14:37-41
D. Satan desperately tries to hinder and disturb our prayer life (Daniel 6:7,
12; 10:2-3, 10-14, etc.). But this only proves the importance of perseverance
in prayer.
VIII. If God knows our needs before we ask Him (Isaiah 65:24; Matthew 6:8), and
we have the promise of His provision (Psalms 84:11; Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians
9:8; Philippians 4:19), why should we pray?
A. It builds up our faith.
Jude 20
B. It humbles us.
2 Chronicles 7:14
C. Prayer strengthens us.
Psalms 27:14
Psalms 138:3
Isaiah 30:15
D. It gives us an inner peace.
Philippians 4:6-7
Isaiah 26:3
E. Scripture says "ye have not because ye ask not."
John 16:22
James 4:2
F. We are exhorted to make mention of our needs before God (Philippians
4:6) so that, when the answer comes, God will get the glory for it (John
11:4142, 45).
Copyright © 1976, 1977, 1997 by Diane S. Dew
Diane S. Dew, PO Box 340945, Milwaukee, WI 53234
