Prayer Is Vital; but Very Mysterious. Exodus 17:11-13 Gives Us a Good Illustration of Prayer

SESSION EIGHT

PRAYER

INTRODUCTION:

Prayer is vital; but very mysterious. Exodus 17:11-13 gives us a good illustration of prayer.

Why, when Moses raised his arms (in prayer) did Joshua win in the battle, and why did he lose when the arms were lowered? There is no apparent relationship between the two, but THERE IS, in the economy of God.

Sayings:

a.Our work moves spadefuls; Prayer moves God - God moves mountains!

b.There is the story of the woodcutter who had so many logs to cut that he did not

have time to stop to sharper his saw! How silly he was.

c.Martin Luther, the great reformer used to say, ‘I’ve so much to do, I have to get

up at 6 am to prayer for 2 hours or wouldn’t get everything done!

BASIS OF PRAYER:

a.The work of Jesus on the CrossEph. 1:3

b.Our relationship with the FatherMtt. 6:9

c.The power of the Holy SpiritRom. 8:26

(As with many areas, this is one which the Trinity are involved in Titus 3:5-8)

THE LORD'S PRAYER:

DIRECTION OF PRAYER: GOD TO BE GLORIFIED

a.God's will to rule allMtt. 6:10

b.God's nature reverencedMtt. 6:9b

c.God's presence everywhereMtt. 6:10

The second coming

Revival of faith on earth/in me

PETITIONARY PRAYER:

a.For physical well-beingMtt. 6:11

b.For spiritual well-beingMtt. 6:12

c.For guidanceMtt. 6:13a

d.For deliveranceMtt. 6:13b

WHEN TO PRAY:

a.Alone in privateMtt. 6:6

ALSO:

b.With other ChristiansActs 2:42

c.'Arrow prayers'Neh. 2:4

d.Intense prayer activityNeh. 1:1 with 2:1

e.At all times (ie always thinking about God)1 Thess. 5:17

TYPES OF PRAYER:

a.Confession of sinPs. 66:18; 51:1ff

b.Adoration of God's nature Ps. 123:1,2

c.Praise of God's worksPs. 14:6

d.Petition for our own needsPs. 5

e.Intercession for others1 Tim. 2:1,2

MODES OF PRAYER:

a.Verbal1 Cor. 14:19

b.Meditative - SilentPs. 63:6

c.Charismatic1 Cor. 12:10; 14:12

d.LiturgicalPsalm 136 (And C of E.)

e.MusicalPsalm 100:2

f.ListeningHab. 2:1; Acts 13:2

PREVAILING IN PRAYER:

What we must be to make prayer effective and real:

a.) Imaginative(Think yourself into the situation)

b.) Definite Acts 12:5

c.) Daring Eph. 3:20

d.) Intense 2 Sam. 12:16,17

Using Colossians 4:2-6

e). Constant Col. 4:2a

f.) Vigilant Col. 4:2b

g)) Thankful Col. 4:2d

h) Intense Col. 4:12

BE YOURSELF!!

Talk to God as you would a friend Rom. 8:15 (‘Abba’ means Daddy)

PROMISES TO PRAYERS

Strength in WeaknessRom. 8:26

Presence of JesusMtt. 18:20

Answers when the church agreeMtt. 18:19

PerseveranceLuke 18:1-8

Receiving the Holy SpiritLuke 11:11-13

HealingsJames 5:15, 16

Prayer and ReceivingJohn 16:23,24

Prayer and the peace of GodPhil. 4:6

Prayer and 'Grey Areas'1 Tim. 4:5

HOMEWORK:

Read Romans 12-14 (201-204) and write down which areas of life should be covered by our Christian lives.

Church Letterhead

Associate Minister: Rev Eric White, 18 Clifton Rd, Leigh. WN7 3LS | 01942 678758 |
Curate: Rev Lloyd Lee, 11 Ruby Grove, Leigh. WN7 4JW | 01942 607695 |
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