I. GENERAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SEEN IN PRAYER.
A. There is a God. Cf. Heb. 11:6
1. The reality of prayer and the reality of a personal God are inseparable.
a. It would be absurd to think that one who denies God's existence would pray to Him.
B. Man needs God. "Apart from me ye can do nothing..." (John 15:5)
1. The finite creature approaches the infinite creator. Cf. 1 Kings 3:7.
2. The very act of prayer is an act of faith, an expression of one's dependence on a greater power.
C. God hears prayer. "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." (James 4:8)
1. Prayer is not a futile act.
2. God would not draw nigh to men, were He not able and willing to hear their prayers to him.
3. "For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears unto their supplication. (1 Peter 3:12) Cf. Psalms 34:15.
4. It is reassuring to know that the affairs of the universe are not so absorbing of God's attention that he cannot give heed to the affairs of individual souls. "O thou who hearest prayer." (Psalms 65:2)
D. God answers prayer. Matthew 7:7-11.
1. "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:22) Cf. James 5:16.
E. God cares for man. "...Casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7) Cf. John 3:16.
II. WHAT IS PRAYER?
A. Prayer is more than wishful thinking. It is the "heart's desire (praise, adoration, thanksgiving) expressed to God." (Romans 10:1). Cf. Philippians 4:6.
1. Prayer is addressed to God.
2. God is the exclusive object of all our worship. (Matthew 4:10).
B. Kinds of Prayer. Cf. 1 Timothy 2:1.
1. Supplication (Deesis) - Prayers asking God's aid in some particular matter related to a specific need.
2. Prayers (Proseuche) - A more general term in meaning, covering every form of address to God and including the idea of worship and devotion.
3. Intercession (Enteuxis) - A falling in with, meeting with, in which a petition or plea is presented on behalf of another, or of others.
4. Thanksgiving (Eucharistia) is the acknowledgment that all benefits and blessings in all realms are from God. It is gratitude and grateful praise. Cf. Col. 2:6-7.
5. "Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks" (Psalms 75:1).
a. James 1:17 -- Gifts come from the Father.
b. Acts 17:25 - Life, breath, and all things come from the Father.
c. Matthew 7:9-11 - He giveth good things to them that ask.
III. ATTRIBUTES TO CULTIVATE BEFORE PRAYER IS ACCEPTABLE.
A. Humility. Cf. Luke 18:9-14; cf. vs. 1
1. James links humility with prayer. (James 4:6,10).
2. The book of Proverbs says pride leads to destruction (16:18), brings one low (29:23), and leads to contention (13:10) and shame (11:2). Humility helps us find both honor (29:23) and wisdom (11:2).
B. Love. Cf. Matthew 18:21-35; Matthew 6:12; Eph. 4:32; Cf. 1 Cor. 13.
C. Expectation. Cf. Matthew 17:19-21; Mark 11:22-24; Cf. James 1:5-8.
D. Watchfulness. Cf. Matthew 26:38-41. "Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation..."
1. In the Scriptures, watchfulness is often linked with prayer. (Mark 13:33; Luke 21:36; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2; Cf. 1 Peter 5:8).
E. A Godly life. Prov. 15:29. "Jehovah is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous." Cf. James 5:16.
1. Cf. 1 John 3:21-22; John 15:7. Petitioner must abide in Him and in His word.
2. Prov. 28:9; Cf. John 9:31.
3. 1 Tim. 2:8. Must not be worldly or profane.
IV. SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTABLE PRAYER.
A. In the name of Christ. John 14:13,14; 16:23; Cf. John 15:16; 16:26; 1 Peter 2:5.
1. This is more than just quoting the phrase, but to pray by His authority. Cf. Col. 3:17; Luke 6:46.
2. There is something to a name. Cf. Phil. 2:9.
B. According to his will. 1 John 5:14-15
1. Must exalt the Father's will. Cf. Luke 22:42. "... Nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done."
2. Must ask in harmony with the Father's will.
a. Illustrate: "Give us this day our daily bread." (Matthew 6:ll) However, this is conditional. Man must work. Cf. Gen. 3:19; 2 Thess. 3:10.
b. Illustrate: Forgiveness (Luke 23:34) is conditional, depending on obedience.
C. Persistence and fervency.
1. Persistence. (Luke 11:5-8; Luke 18:1-8)
2. Elijah prayed fervently. (James 5:17) Cf. Epaphras (Col. 4:12)
V. THINGS THAT HINDER PRAYER.
A. Marital problems. (1 Peter 3:7)
1. See verses 1-6.
2. Evidently, a happy, harmonious home life contributes immeasurably to the effectiveness of the prayers of both the husband and the wife.
3. It is impossible to maintain an environment conducive to righteous prayer when there is bickering, quarreling, and strife.
B. Selfish requests. (James 4:3)
1. When our motives for praying for material, or temporal, things are not that we may use them to glorify God and relieve the poor, distressed, and afflicted, but that we may live in sensual ease and pleasure and pamper our lusts and carnal appetites, our prayers will go unanswered. See Luke 8:14.
C. Disbelief. (James 1:5-8)
1. Our doubt of God's power, love, and interest in our lives will cause Him to refuse to answer our prayers!
D. Persistence in sin. (Prov. 28:9; John 15:1-8)
1. Sin separates man from God. (Isaiah 59:1-2)
2. "For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears unto their supplication: but the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil." (1 Peter 3:12) Cf. Ps. 66:18.
E. Failure to forgive others. (Matthew 6:12-15; 18:21-35; James 2:13; Titus 3:5-6)
F. Self-righteousness.
1. Praying to be seen of men. (Matthew 6:1-5) Vain repetitions.
G. Unrighted wrongs. (Matthew 5:23-24)
VI. THE POWER OF PRAYER - GOD IS ABLE!
A. The power of God. (Eph. 3:20)
1. It is unthinkable that God would create the universe, but have no control over it.
a. This view would make prayer meaningless.
2. God created the world out of nothing. (Heb. 11:3)
3. Just as surely as Christ existed before the creation of all things (John 1:1-3), it is declared that "by him all things consist." (Col. 1:17)
a. He "upholds all things by the word of his power." (Heb. 1:3)
b. Cf. Eph. 1:20-23; Dan. 4:25.
VII. EXAMPLES OF PRAYER.
A. Elijah's prayer: "Then Elijah said to Ahab, 'Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.' So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, 'Go up now, look toward the sea.' So he went up and looked, and said, 'There is nothing.' And seven times he said, 'Go again.' Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, 'There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!' So he said, 'Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you' '. Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel." {1 Kings 18:41-45} By his word, the rains came again. (James 5:17,18) This man taught Ahab that Elijah had a relationship with God and was His spokesperson.
B. Moses' prayer: "Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, 'Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin -- but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.' " {Exodus 32:31,32} Moses pleaded with God to show mercy -- and God granted his request. Moses deeply loved the people of God and the sincerity of that love is seen in this prayer on their behalf.
C. Hezekiah's prayer: "Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said: 'O LORD God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. Truly, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men's hands -- wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. Now therefore, O LORD our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, You alone.' " {2 Kings 19:15-19} This king prayed for deliverance for the people of God, and they were delivered!
D. Nehemiah's prayer: "Then the king said to me, 'What do you request?' So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, 'If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it.' " {Nehemiah 2:4,5} Nehemiah sought God's help in order to rebuild the walls and the gates of the city. The work was completed in 52 days. This man not only prayed to God for help but he had a plan how that work could be carried out. An excellent example of how prayer working together with our ability to help self -- works together for the glory of God! (Nehemiah 6:15)
Yes, thanks be to God there is power in prayer -- He is able to, and He does respond to our requests and needs. Prayer is a powerful tool and a wonderful blessing. Yet, this power often goes unused in the lives of many of God's people. Why? Could it be that we don't have the trust, faith, and confidence in God that we should? Dear reader, do you pray often? If not, why not start today?