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
Holiness
I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer. 1 Timothy 2:8
Humility
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
In Jesus’ Name
Bearing Fruit
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. John 15:16
In the Spirit
Alert
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18
Intensity
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13
Not Doubting
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
Obedience
...and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 1 John 3:22
Persistence
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1
Praise Him
I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. Psalms 34:1
Privacy
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6
Pure 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
Repentance and Confession
If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. Psalms 66:18
Sincerity
These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. Isaiah 29:13
Submission
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Matthew 26:39
Thanksgiving
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
Unity
Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:19-20
With Understanding
So what shall I do? I shall pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 1 Corinthians 14:15
