Introduction

1Thes 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Most Christians know that they should pray, but most think that it is much more complex than it is. A simple word study reveals that prayer is nothing more or less than communicating to God:

proseuchomai (proseu/xesqe, Greek) - "to speak or ask toward God."

palal (lalop, Hebrew) - "to intervene, get involved, or ask; a two way conversation."

There are many scriptures that deal with prayer. It is impossible to cover everything about prayer in one lesson. In this study, we will look at some basic and extremely important points revealed in the Word of God about prayer.

Effects of Prayer

Here are the basic effects of prayer found in scripture. Every time that we pray, we should be praying with a specific purpose in mind. Prayer . . .

1. Draws God closer to us and thus causes us to become closer to God.

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Jer 29:12-14a Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD:

2. Can change the way God deals with us.

2 Chr 7:14-15 If my people, which are called by my name, shall 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. 15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

3. Changes our mindset and attitude.

Phil 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

4. Affects others.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

There are many examples of prayer changing the lives of others in scripture. One excellent example is when Peter was cast in prison to be killed, and when the church got together and began to pray for him, God sent an angel to deliver him (Acts 12).

5. Affects the enemy

Eph 6:12, 18 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. . . . 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Hindrances to Prayer

There are some things that can cause God not to respond to our prayer at all! Here are some things which cause our prayers to go unanswered that we want to avoid:

1. Unrepented sin -

Ps 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

2. Refusal to listen and obey God's Word -

Prov 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

3. Praying out of learned ritual -

Isa 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Matt 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Eccl 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

4. Praying to be seen of others -

Matt 6:5-6 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

5. Lack of Faith -

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

James 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Promises of Prayer

There are examples in scripture of prayer accomplishing many things. Here is an abbreviated list of some of the things that we can receive through prayer:

1. Freedom of Fear - Psalms 118:5-6

2. Spiritual Strength - Psalms 138:3

3. Guidance and Satisfaction - Isaiah 58:9-11

4. Wisdom and Understanding - Daniel 9:20-27

5. Protection from Harm - Joel 2:32; Psalms 34:15-22

6. Good Things - Matthew 6:6

7. The Holy Ghost - Luke 11:13

8. Fullness of Joy - John 16:23-24

9. Peace - Philippians 4:6

10. Healing - James 5:14-15

Types of Prayer

Most prayers can be categorized into the following categories:

1. Dedication - This is prayer to draw closer to God. It is verbally committing ourselves to God's perfect will and asking His help to be all that we should be.

2. Repentance - Asking God for forgiveness and telling Him that we want a change of God in our lives.

3. Inquiry - Asking God for specific answers, blessings, help, or things in our life.

4. Worship - Telling God how great and wonderful that He is. Worship can take many specific forms such as: Thanksgiving - thanking God for what He has done in the past; Praise - Outward actions of worship such as leaping, shouting, clapping, running, dancing, singing, etc...!

5. Intercession - Praying on the behalf of others.

6. Faith - Praying the Word of God and asking Him to help us believe it and step out and receive what He has promised!

Special Forms of Prayer

1. With Fasting - The scriptures teach that there is special power in prayer when it is combined with fasting. Jesus taught on prayer and fasting together in Matthew chapter 5. Daniel prayed and fasted together in Daniel 9:3 and changed the direction of an entire nation!

Isa 58:9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

Matt 17:19-21 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

2. With oil by the ministry for healing - We often obey this scripture in church. The oil reminds us that it is the Holy Ghost that heals and not the humans involved.

James 5:14-15 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

3. Intercessory Prayer in Tongues - Speaking in tongues during prayer is common after a person receives the Holy Ghost and we should be sensitive to allow God to use us in this area of prayer. By praying in tongues, you may be praying for situations for which you have no knowledge or simply building up your faith in the power of the Holy Ghost.

Rom 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

1 Cor 14:14-15a For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also:

4. With Handkerchiefs or Napkins to be sent to the distant sick - This was a special way to pray for the sick when they could not be brought to the ministers for prayer.

Acts 19:11-12 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

The Lord's Example of Prayer

The greatest lesson on prayer was taught by Jesus in Matthew chapter 6:

Matt 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

"Closet" does not mean that you literally have to be in small room, but that when you pray, you should be where you can be alone with God. You should be somewhere that you are not fearful of someone hearing you and can be completely honest with God.

Matt 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Do not say the same thing over and over again like "Hallelujah, Hallelujah, etc..." but make a list of things for which to pray. Here is a sample prayer list:

- Personal needs

- Your marriage/children/family members

- Church needs

- The Pastor, Associate Pastors, and neighboring ministers and their families

- Specific needs in church member's lives

- Lost friends and loved ones

Don't be afraid to make a list of each category and read the names in prayer.

Matt 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

God already knows what we need, the reason that He wants us to pray is so that we will develop a close, trusting relationship with Him and realize that He is working in our life!

Matt 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Always begin your prayers with praise and worship!

Matt 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Always pray according to God's Will. Ask that His will be done, not your own! That means if it is not God's Will for you to receive what you ask, then you are asking Him not to give it to you! God's Will is always best for our lives anyway!

Matt 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.

Don't just ask God for great big needs, but ask Him for the normal things as well. Ask God to give you the power, wisdom, and strength to handle whatever may happen that day. Notice that we should pray daily!

Matt 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Ask God for forgiveness even if you cannot think of anything that you have done wrong. Then ask God's help to help you forgive others.

Matt 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Ask God to help you never fall back to the sinful lifestyle that He delivered you from, and then end your prayer with praise and worship again! "Amen" simply means "let it be."

If you will follow these simple steps and pray for specific needs in your life and others, then you will find that it is no problem to pray 20 minutes, 45 minutes, or even an hour. Remember that we must pray with complete submission and devotion and with our whole heart. Quality of prayer is more important than quantity. As your relationship with God grows, you will find yourself looking forward to spending time talking to Him!