Prayer is both a blessing to the believer and a spiritual discipline. However, it is often too easy to take prayer for granted and also to fail at the Bibilcal practice of prayer that makes it more than a Christian ritual.
Preliminaries: Short overview on prayer
3 Kinds of Prayer
1. Instruction (Prayers) 2. Petition 3. Thanksgiving
2 Scopes of Prayer
1. For yourself 2. For another
1 Direction of Prayer
1. To God (the Father)
Observations & Conclusions: on “Intercessory Prayer”
- Brothers – True prayer puts “skin in the game”
- Pray – True prayer reveals dependence upon God
- For – True prayer is welcoming interdependence
- Us – True prayer aims for the work of God in the lives of one another
Application:
- List 3 people who you could share an honest prayer request with and you know they’ll stop what they’re doing and pray for you
1.
2.
3. - Develop the habit of becoming someone who…
– stops what you’re doing and actually prays
– follows up with others for encouragement
– relies on God, in community, for what we can’t control
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
Ephesians 1:16-19a
“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”
Ephesians 6:18-19
“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 Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.”
2 Corinthians 10:10
For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.”
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
“And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”
Romans 12:15
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
2 Thessalonians 3:1
“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.”
Hebrews 13:18-19
“Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.”
2 Corinthians 1:10-11
“He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”
Colossians 1:9-10
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”