How Must We Pray So God WIll Answer ?

How Must We Pray So God Will Answer?



Does God really answer prayer? If so, why are prayers sometimes not answered? What should we pray about: praise, thanks, petition, worship, requests, intercession for others? When and how often should we pray? What conditions must we meet for our prayers to be heard and answered? What power does prayer have?

Introduction:

In Luke 11:1 Jesus' disciples asked, "Lord, teach us to pray." Christians today also need to learn to pray.

The purpose of this study is to help Christians improve in prayer. People who are new in the faith may have never studied about how to pray. Some members do not pray properly so their prayers are not even answered. All of us can improve in this aspect of worship.

We need to learn what to pray about. Should we make requests, be thankful, offer praise, intercede on behalf of others, offer petition? And what power does prayer have? Does God really answer prayer? If so, how should we pray and what conditions must prayer meet in order for God to hear and answer? These and other questions will be considered in this study.

What is prayer? Note Acts 4:24,31. Prayer is simply man talking to God, expressing his thoughts to God (Rom. 10:1; Matt. 6:9ff). Hence, it is a form of communication similar in may ways to simply talking to our earthly father, except that we must remember whom we are addressing and must meet conditions of acceptable prayer.

I. What Should We Pray About?

What should we include in our prayers? Some cannot seem to think of much to say. Others say things that are inappropriate or even unscriptural. Some just repeat memorized phrases they have heard others pray.

Let us examine Bible examples of prayer. What did God's people in the Scriptures talk about in prayer? How do our prayers compare? Can we improve our prayers by considering what Bible characters prayed about?

A. We Should Praise God's Character and Work.

Bible prayers quite commonly included many descriptions of the glory and greatness of God. Jesus began the model prayer by praising God's name (Matt. 6:9). Many psalms are filled with praise (note Psalm 86:5-12).

From the passages below, consider some particular qualities or works of God that were praised in prayer. How do our prayers compare? Do we praise God like this?

* God's authority and Lordship - He is the true God, in contrast to idols - 1 Chronicles 29:10-13. [Psalm 86:8-10; Neh. 9:4-6; 1 Kings 8:23; 2 Kings 19:15; Matt. 6:13; Rev 11:17; 2 Sam. 7:22]

* God's power - 1 Chronicles 29:11,12. [Jer. 32:16-23; Eph. 1:16-19; Job 42:1,2; Neh. 9:4-38; Dan. 2:20-23]

* God's holiness, goodness, and righteousness - Psalm 86:5-12 (note v5). [Psalm 143:1-12; 1 Sam. 2:2]

* God's mercy, grace, kindness, and willingness to forgive - God has provided redemption and salvation for His people, especially sending Jesus as our Savior - Psalm 86:5. [Col. 1:12-14; 2 Sam. 7:23; Neh. 9:4-38; Luke 2:37,38; 1 Kings 8:23; Ezra 9:8,9; Psalm 17:7]

* God's wisdom and knowledge - Jeremiah 32:16-23 (note v19). [Dan. 2:20-23; 1 Sam. 2:3]

* God's justice - God cares for His people and rewards them but punishes the wicked - Jeremiah 32:19,23. [1 Sam. 2:6-10; Gen. 18:25; Psalm 90:7-11]

* God's eternal existence - Psalm 90:1-4. [Psalm 102:1,12,24-27]

* God's faithfulness to His word - Nehemiah 9:4-8. [Neh. 1:5; 1 Kings 8:23-30; Dan. 9:4; Psalm 143:1]

* God's work as Creator and Source of life - Nehemiah 9:4-6. [Jer. 32:17; Psalm 90:2; 102:1,24,25; 2 Kings 19:15; Acts 4:24; 1 Sam. 2:6]

We could never list here all the great qualities and works for which God deserves our praise. Yet surely we ought to praise God in prayer, so we should meditate about why He deserves our praise. Instead of just thinking of more things for God to give us, do we need greater emphasis on describing His greatness?

B. We Should Pray on Behalf of Others.

1 Timothy 2:1,2 says to offer prayer, supplication, intercession, and giving of thanks on behalf of all men. Yet we sometimes neglect to pray for others because we concentrate so much on our own interests.

How often do we think to pray for others, whether or not they request our prayers? Bible prayers are filled with requests and thanksgiving for people other than the one offering the prayer. Consider some groups of people for whom we should pray:

* Rulers - 1 Timothy 2:1,2. [Ezra 6:10; 1 Chron. 29:19]

* Children and family members - our spouse, relatives, etc. - 1 Chron. 29:19. [Matthew 19:13-15; Gen. 25:21,22; 24:12-14; 18:23-33; 1 Sam. 1:10-12; 2 Sam. 12:15,16; Luke 1:13]

* Lost sinners - Romans 10:1-3. Remember, however, that these people must meet the gospel conditions of salvation in order to be forgiven. [Matt. 9:36-38; Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60]

* Enemies and persecutors - Luke 6:27,28. [Acts 7:60; Luke 23:34]

* People sick and suffering - 3 John 2. [James 5:16; Num. 11:2; 2 Sam. 12:15,16; Gen. 20:17,18]

* Elders, deacons, preachers, and teachers - Ephesians 6:18-20. [Col. 4:3,4; Acts 4:25-29; 6:6; 14:23; 13:3; 1 Thess. 5:25; Matt. 9:36-38; 2 Thess. 3:1,2; Heb. 13:18]

* All Christians - Ephesians 6:18. [James 5:16]

The Bible contains multitudes of examples in which men of God interceded on behalf of God's people. Here are just a few of them:

Moses [Num. 11:2; 21:7; 14:13-20; Deut. 9:18-20,25-29; Ex. 32:9-14,31,32].
Samuel [1 Sam. 7:5-11; 12:19-25].
Solomon [1 Kings 8:22-54].
Ezra [Ezra 9:1-15].
Nehemiah [Neh. 1:4-11].
Daniel [Dan. 9:3-20].
Jesus - Luke 22:31,32 (for Peter); John 17:9-22 (for all believers). [Luke 23:34]
Peter - Acts 8:24 (for Simon)
Epaphras [Col. 4:12]
Paul - Col. 1:3,9-14 [Rom. 1:9-12; Eph. 1:15-19; Phil. 1:3-11; 1 Thess. 1:2; 2 Thess. 1:11,12; 2:13; 2 Tim. 1:3]

Note that most examples were prayers, not just for God's people in general, but for specific individuals or congregations. Do we show this personal concern for others in our prayers?

Furthermore notice that Paul openly told people he was praying for them. If we would do this, it would motivate us to be more diligent to pray for others, but it would also give Christians a greater sense of love and appreciation for one another.

C. We Should Make Requests and Give Thanks.

We should pray for the things we truly need, however some people forget to thank God for what they have received. Their prayers consist almost entirely of asking for more. God is a generous God, willing to give what we need. But He also expects appreciation for what He gives.

Passages teaching we can request what we need:

Philippians 4:6,7 - Instead of worrying, let your requests be made known to God. "Supplication" refers to requests for needs to be "supplied."

Matthew 7:7-11 - God is like a loving father who gives what his children need. If we ask, we will receive.

1 Peter 5:7 - Cast your cares on God because He cares for you.

James 4:2,3 - Sometimes we do not receive because we do not ask. On the other hand, God will not answer selfish requests for things we do not need.

1 John 5:14,15 - If we ask according to God's will, we receive our petitions.

[Cf. 1 John 3:21,22; John 14:13,14; 15:7,16; 16:23,24,26]

Passages teaching we should also give thanks for our blessings:

Philippians 4:6,7 - Our requests should be made known with thanksgiving.

1 Timothy 2:1 - Prayers for others should include thanksgiving.

Ephesians 5:20 - Give thanks to the Father always for all things.

[1 Thess. 5:18; Col. 4:2; 2:7; 3:17]

Bible prayers generally include thanksgiving right alongside requests. God invites us to ask for what we need, but He is displeased by those who are so ungrateful as to offer no thanks when the request is granted (Luke 17:12-17).

D. Some Specific Things We Should Pray about

No one prayer or combination of prayers could mention all the possible subjects there are to pray about. But an examination of Bible prayers can teach us the kind of specific things that are commonly included in Bible prayers. We may pray about these things for ourselves or for others. We may request them and should give thanks when we receive them.

All these things are mentioned in Bible prayers:

* God's will to be done - Matthew 6:9-13 (note v10). [Matt. 26:39]

* Necessities of life - Matthew 6:11. [Acts 27:35; Matt. 15:36; 14:19; 1 Tim. 4:3-5; Luke 24:30]

* Forgiveness of sins and deliverance from the consequences of sin - Matthew 6:12. But note that one who has not been baptized should not pray for forgiveness but be baptized - Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16. [Acts 8:22,24; James 5:16; Luke 18:13,14; Psalm 32:5-7]

* Ability to recognize and resist temptation - Matthew 6:13. [Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:11-18; 2 Cor. 13:7; Luke 22:31,32; John 17:14-16]

* Good health and freedom from other threats to life or safety - 3 John 2; 2 Kings 20:1-7 (Hezekiah) [James 5:13-18; 2 Cor. 12:7-10; 1 Kings 8:35-53; 2 Chron. 7:13-15; Jonah 2:1-10; Psalm 50:15; 86:6,7; 32:6,7; 2 Sam. 12:15,16; Num. 11:2; Luke 21:36]

* Deliverance from enemies and persecution - Acts 12:1,5,12. [2 Thess. 3:1,2; 2 Cor. 1:8-11; Acts 4:23-31; 16:25; 1 Kings 8:33-35; 2 Kings 19:4,15-19]

* Freedom from oppression by rulers - 1 Timothy 2:1,2. [Neh. 1:11-2:5]

* Safety in travel and care for loved ones we are separated from - Acts 21:5. [Acts 20:36-38; 28:15; Ezra 8:21-23; Gen. 24:26,27; 1 Thess. 3:9-11; 2 Tim. 1:3-5; Rom. 1:10; 15:30-32; Philem. 22]

* Peace, courage, joy instead of disappointment or discouragement - Philippians 4:6,7. [1 Samuel 8:6-9; 2:1-11; Jer. 29:7; Psalm 122:6; 1 Peter 5:7; Matt. 26:36-46; Col. 1:11; 1 Thess. 3:9; 2 Sam. 7:18-29]

* Knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of God's will - Psalm 119:169-172. Note that this comes today through the Scriptures, not by direct revelation. [James 1:5,6; Col. 1:9,10; Phil. 1:9,10; Psalm 86:6,11; 143:1,8,10]

* Salvation of lost sinners - Romans 10:1-3. [Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60]

* Laborers to teach the lost - Matthew 9:36-38.

* Bold, clear preaching - Ephesians 6:18-20. [Col. 4:3,4]

* Opportunities to preach and teach - Colossians 4:3 [2 Thess. 3:1]

* Support for preachers - Philippians 1:3-5.

* Choosing of elders, deacons, teachers, etc. - Acts 14:23. [Acts 6:6; 13:3]

* Jesus' death, the Lord's supper - Matthew 26:26-29. [1 Cor. 11:23-26]

* Baptism - Luke 3:21.

* Faithfulness, good works, a life pleasing to God - Philippians 1:3-6,9-11. [Col. 1:9-11; 4:12; John 17:9-12; 1 Thess. 3:10-13; 2 Thess. 1:11]

* Love - Philippians 1:9. [1 Thess. 3:10-12; Eph. 3:14-19]

* Strength - Colossians 1:9-11. [Eph. 3:14-19; 2 Thess. 1:11]

* Patience, long-suffering - Colossians 1:11.

* Grace and mercy - 2 Corinthians 4:15. [Psalm 4:1; 86:3-6; 1 Cor. 1:4]

* Proper speech - Psalm 141:1-3.

* Sanctification - John 17:17.

* Unity - John 17:20-23.

* Eternal life, eternal glory - John 17:24-26.

This is not a complete list, but it suggests many things we could properly pray for. Remember that these are things both to make request for and to give thanks for.

Also note how Bible prayers often concerned spiritual needs and blessings. Some people seem to view prayer like sending a "Christmas list" to Santa for all the physical things they want. Biblical prayers may concern physical needs, but mainly they reflect man's greatest needs which are spiritual.

How do our prayers compare to Bible prayers? Are there areas where we need to improve?