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The Biblical Approach to Prayer
Scripture Passage:
Luke 11:1 Introduction: Prayer is one of the most needful and least exercised benefits that we have as believers. We live in a hectic world with all sorts of time saving devices that are leaving us with no time to pray. We have to work overtime, we have to be at these places, we have to see these people, etc., yet we do not have time to stop and bow down before the presence of the Almighty and seek His help and wisdom. It is no wonder individuals, homes, and churches are not experiencing the power of God. We are not even asking for it.
- WHO SHOULD WE PRAY FOR
- The Saved Who Are Already Serving (1 Thessalonians 5:25Brethren, pray for us.
See All...) - New Servants to be Sent (Matthew 9:37-38 [37] Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
[38] Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
See All...) - For All Saints (Ephesians 6:18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
See All...) - For Our Leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-3 [1] I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
[2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
See All...) - For All Men (1 Timothy 2:1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
See All...) - WHERE SHOULD WE PRAY
- In Secret Places (Matthew 6:6But 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.
See All...; Mark 1:35And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
See All...) - Prayer Meetings (Acts 12:12And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
See All...) - Everywhere (1 Timothy 2:8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
See All...) - WHEN SHOULD WE PRAY
- In the Morning (Psalm 5:3My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
See All...; Psalm 88:13But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee.
See All...; Psalm 143:8Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
See All...; Proverbs 8:17I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
See All...) - At Night (Psalm 88:1O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:
See All...) - All Through the Night (Luke 6:12And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
See All...) - Three times a day (Psalm 55:17Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
See All...; Daniel 6:10Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
See All...) - Without Stopping (1 Thessalonians 5:17Pray without ceasing.
See All...) - HOW SHOULD WE PRAY
- In Faith Believing (Hebrews 11:6But 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.
See All...) - Sincere in Heart (Jeremiah 29:13And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
See All...) - HINDRANCES TO PRAYER
- Sin in Your Heart (Psalm 66:18If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
See All...) - Despising God’s Word (Proverbs 28:9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
See All...) - Wavering (James 1:6-7 [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.
See All...) - Asking Outside of the Will of God (1 John 5:14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
See All...) - Disobedience (1 John 3:22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
See All...) - Unhealthy Home Life (1 Peter 3:7Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
See All...)
Conclusion: These things are technicalities to prayer and really do not even delve into the spiritual need and nature of prayer. If we cannot get these things down, we will certainly never even be able to sense the spiritual aspect to prayer. May God burn in our hearts a sincere desire to spend time before Him in prayer.
Proverbs 25:7
For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.