Lesson 3

Learning How to Pray
 

1. WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED IN LESSONS ONE AND TWO? We learned, we are NOT GOD’S after thought, we were HIS first thought, HIS PRIORITY.

 

2. The GOD HEAD, COUNTED THE COST BEFORE the FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH. Jesus KNEW He had to DIE ON THE CROSS, BEFORE THE earth was created. Jesus was OBEDIENT to the Father to PAY THE PRICE OF SIN, so the Father could have a people that LOVE HIM and would be able to live FOR-EVER with the FATHER in heaven. This same people would also be the BRIDE OF CHRIST.

 

3. Paul reviewed the Gospel in I Corinthians Ch. 15, how the Old Testament Scriptures prophesied the first coming of the Messiah and THE SUPREME SACRIFICE HE would pay at THE CRUCIFIXION, THE BURIAL AND THE RESURRECTION. There are more than three hundred PROPHECIES concerning the FIRST coming of Jesus in the Old Testament.

 

4. THE GOD HEAD HAS COME TO LIVE IN YOU. If you are BORN-AGAIN, you have become the TEMPLE OF GOD.

 

5. You have become THE BRIDE OF GOD’S SON AND A JOINT HEIR WITH HIM. As BRIDE AND GROOM we became ONE WITH HIM.

 

6. Jesus has given us, (THE BORN-AGAIN CHURCH) all of the RESOURCES HE HAD while He was here on earth in His human body.

 

7. JESUS – THE GOD MAN – THE SON OF GOD, LEFT EVERY-THING IN HEAVEN WHEN HE CAME TO EARTH TO BE BORN OF A VIRGIN.

 

8. When Jesus left heaven to be born of a virgin, He left every-thing that He had, EXCEPT for what He intended to leave His bride when He returned to Heaven.

 

9. The only advantage Jesus had over us IS His relationship with His Father. This relationship included,

THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
ALONG WITH KNOWING WHO HE IS
WHOSE HE IS, AND WHERE HE WAS FROM
WHAT HIS MISSION WAS
AND WHERE HE WAS GOING BACK TO.
ALL OF THIS RELATIONSHIP PACKAGE BELONGS TO YOU, JESUS’ BRIDE.

 

10. When Jesus said to the disciples, “ Wait for the PROMISE OF THE FATHER”, He was telling them to wait for the Holy Spirit to bring His Bride the NEW COVENANT PACKAGE, WHICH HAS, EVERY- THING YOU NEED, TO BE WHAT JESUS WANTS YOU TO BE.

 

11. Jesus paid the PRICE for our COMPLETE REDEMPTION, - SPIRIT – SOUL – AND BODY. This should be thoroughly understood in the inner spirit in order for us to pray in faith, expecting results to our prayers and to live our daily life that is pleasing to our Lord.

 

12. TIME AND DISTANCE HAVE NO IMPACT ON YOUR PRAYER POWER.

 

13. We have learned that our SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS PROGRESSIVE THROUGH the WRITTEN WORD and with the application of THE WORD and WITH THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. We CAN GROW, TO THE SPIRITUAL LEVEL OUR FATHER WOULD LIKE US TO GROW TO. PRAYER IS THE DOOR TO THE RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR FATHER THAT JESUS HAS.

 

WE NOW HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO THE THRONE OF GOD.

 

JESUS CAME TO SET THE CAPTIVES FREE

Jesus delivered us . . . . . . . . . Colossians 1:13-20
Jesus Full of the Holy Spirit . . Luke 4:1, Acts 10:38 & John Ch. 17
Jesus returned to Galilee . . . . Luke 4:14-21
The Lord’s desired fast . . . . . Isaiah 58:6-11
 

For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE His only BEGOTTEN SON
Jonn 3:16
 

A natural father talks to his baby before that baby can respond or talk back.

 

Our Heavenly Father did this for us in the Bible. While we were yet sinners, He had a message of love for us. (The Plan of the Ages)

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Now as His children we have the great privilege of talking to Him and having Him hear and answer our prayers.

 

 

1. WHAT IS PRAYER?

a. PRAYER is SIMPLY TALKING to your Heavenly Father.

b. PRAYER is THE SOURCE for all of our needs to be met, including a release from tensions and anxieties, etc. I Peter 5:7 says to cast ALL OF OUR CARE UPON HIM. Luke 1:37: "For with God nothing shall be impossible."

c. PRAYER is the DOORWAY to a successful Christian life. In Luke 11:11-13 Jesus is telling us the Father wants us to ask for our needs. In Ephesians 3:20 God promises He is able to do exceeding abundantly above ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK.

d. PRAYER MOTIVATES to success. As you wait in His presence, your goals become crystal clear, and the power to successfully reach those goals is bestowed upon you.

e. CREATIVE ANSWERS to your problems are found in prayer.

f. PRAYER SHUTS OUT the world (Matthew 6:6).

g. PRAYER will bring about changes that are needed in your life. There are some things that will never happen unless you pray. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE YOUR NEEDS KNOWN TO THE FATHER. It is part of His plan that certain things don't take place until men pray.

 

2. DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRAYER

a. WORSHIP: If any man be a worshiper of God and does His will, the Father will HEAR him (John 9:31).

b. CONFESSION: If we confess our sins, He forgives us (I John 1:9).
c. SUPPLICATION: For all men (I Timothy 2:1).

d. INTERCESSION: Jesus teaches us how to pray (John 17:1-26).

e. IMPORTUNE: Ask, seek, and find (Luke 11:5-10).

f. Refer to TYPES OF PRAYER in this lesson.

 

3. BASIS OF ANSWERED PRAYER

a. Your prayers are answered when you OBEY God. When you are right with God, your prayers make the greatest things in life available. I John 1:9 and 3:22

b. Your prayers are answered when you GET RID OF KNOWN SIN. David said in Psalm 66:18, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me".

c. Your prayers are answered when you ABIDE in Christ. Live close to Jesus at all times. Refer to the vine and the branches in John 15:7.

d. Your prayers are answered when you ASK ACCORDING to His will. The Bible reveals God's will I John 5:14-15.

e. Your prayers are answered when you ASK IN FAITH. Bible faith expects an answer Mark 11:22-24 and Hebrews 11:1.

f. Your prayers are answered when, your MOTIVES ARE RIGHT. When your motives are right and you are willing to do anything to accomplish God's will, He will give you whatever you need. John 15:1-17 and Hebrews 4:12

 

4. JESUS TEACHES EIGHT PRACTICAL STEPS TO PRAYER IN MATTHEW 6:9-13

a. Address the Father DIRECTLY. We NOW HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO THE FATHER.
b. Begin with worship.
c. Include thanksgiving.
d. Confess your sins and ask forgiveness.
e. Be reconciled with others.
f. Pray for personal needs.
g. Intercede for others.
h. Conclude your prayer in the name of Jesus ( John 16:23 ).

 

5. PRACTICAL HELPS FOR PRAYER

a. Make a list. Record the answers when they come.
b. Find a private place to pray.
c. Have a regular time each day for prayer.
d. Study Bible prayers and pray in accordance with scripture.
e. As you grow in the things of God, you will find it is possible to pray without ceasing.

PRAYER - REVIEW

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1. Briefly give the seven facts of what prayer is.

a.

 

b.

 

c.

 

d.

 

e.

 

f.

 

g.

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2. Name the five different types of prayer mentioned in our lesson.

a.

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b.

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c.

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d.

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e.

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3. According to I John 3:22, what must we do to have our prayers answered?

 

4. If you are a Christian and have known sin in your life, will God answer your prayers? Quote Psalm 66:18 by memory.

 

5. Give the six basics of answered prayer.

a.

 

b.

 

c.

 

d.

 

e.

 

f.

 

6. Name the eight steps to prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.

a.

 

b.

 

c.

 

d.

 

e.

 

f.

 

g.

 

h.

 

7. From memory, quote the prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.

II PETER 1:2-11

 

 

 

2. Do you want more and more of God’s kindness and peace? Then learn to know Him better and better.

 

3. For as you know Him better, He will give you, through His great power, everything you need for living a truly good life: He even shares His own glory and His own goodness with us!

 

4. And by that same MIGHTY POWER He has given us ALL THE OTHER RICH AND WONDERFUL BLESSINGS HE PROMISED: FOR INSTANCE, THE PROMISE TO SAVE US FROM THE LUST AND ROTTENNESS ALL AROUND US, AND TO GIVE US HIS OWN CHARACTER.

 

5. But to obtain these gifts, you need more than faith; you must also work hard to be good, and even that is not enough. For then you must learn to know God better and discover what He wants you to do.

 

6. Next, learn to put aside your own desires so that you will become patient and godly, gladly letting God have His way with you.

 

7. This will make possible the next step, which is for you to enjoy other people and to like them, and finally you will grow to love them deeply.

 

8. The more you go on in this way, the more you will grow strong spiritually and become fruitful and useful to our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

9. But anyone who fails to go after these additions to faith is blind indeed, or at least very shortsighted, and has forgotten that God delivered him from the old life of sin so that now he can live a strong, good life for the Lord.

 

10. So, dear brothers, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen, and then you will never stumble or fall away.

 

11. AND GOD WILL OPEN WIDE THE GATES OF HEAVEN FOR YOU TO ENTER INTO THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!

 

Scripture quotations are taken from The Living Bible, copyright 1971.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton IL, 60189 USA, All rights reserved.

 

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APPLICATIONS OF PRAYER

Most of our prayer is under stress. When we have heavy needs, we put all of our thoughts into a prayer sack, so to speak, shake it up and throw it up toward heaven. Then we start hoping someone heard us, and just maybe something can be done about our dilemma.

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At the Last Supper Jesus taught that under the NEW COVENANT, God’s people HAVE BEEN GIVEN A NEW APPROACH AND DIRECT ACCESS TO GOD, WHO HAS NOW BECOME OUR HEAVENLY FATHER (Through being born again--refer to John, chapter 3). We now have DIRECT ACCESS to our Heavenly Father through Jesus Name. Hebrews 4:16 tells us to “COME BOLDLY to the THRONE of GRACE.”

 

Jesus said in John 16:23-28, “And in that day, you shall ask me nothing, you shall ask the Father in MY NAME”. Hebrews 7:12-28 refers to the better covenant. Paul refers to "Praying with all manner of prayer", in Ephesians 6:18. This strongly implies that there are different applications to prayer that we should examine.

 

In this lesson on prayer, we will look at three basic applications oF prayer. They are. DIRECT ACCESS TO GOD, HOW TO APPROACH THE FATHER, and PRAYING IN FAITH. To help you to be aware that there is so much more available, through prayer, additional prayer applications are listed.

 

1. HOW TO APPROACH THE FATHER.

2. TAKING A STANCE OF FAITH. This covers what do we do while we are waiting on God to answer our prayer.

3. THE PRAYER OF BINDING AND LOOSING. This covers breaking the enemy’s power.

4. THE PRAYER OF INTERCESSION.

5. THE PRAYER OF FAITH. This is connected to the gifts described in I Corinthians 12:1-14. Review the faith given to every person in Romans 12:1-10

6. PRAYING IN TONGUES. This is connected to the, PROMISE OF THE FATHER and the utterance gifts described in I Corinthians 12:1-14 and Romans 8:26-28.

7. UNITED PRAYER and AGREEMENT IN PRAYER.

8. PETITIONAL PRAYER. For our needs to be met.

9. PRAYER of CONSECRATION and DEDICATION.

10. FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER.

11. PRAISE--WORSHIP---GIVING THANKS—AND--MINISTERING UNTO THE LORD.

HOW TO APPROACH GOD

1. Decide what you need from God. Look up the scriptures relative to the need. Next meditate on them (Joshua 1:8). Remember, the 3-7 sets of scripture principal.

 

2. Examine your life to be sure your motivations are right before God (Hebrews 4:12). If you find something in your life like sin, attitudes etc, now is the time to deal with it, I John 1:9 and James 4:3.

 

3. Learn to be in one accord with God, His Word, and the body of Christ. How can two walk together unless they agree? We must learn to forgive (Mark 11:25-26 and Ephesians 4:29-32). Review, The Pathway to Inner Peace lesson Ten.

 

4. Take this time to build yourself spiritually by singing praises and praying in the spirit. Look at Jude 1:20 and I Corinthians 14:4. Snuggle up to your Father.

 

5. As a child of God, start talking to your Father, speaking to Him in Jesus’ Name. John 16:23-24 and Hebrews 4:16 Set forth your case, and put your Father in remembrance, Philippians 4:4-7 and Isaiah 43:25-26.

 

6. Learn to depend on the Holy Spirit to help you in your prayer life. The Holy Spirit makes intercession for us as we pray. Romans 8:26-28

 

7. Pray, expecting results (Mark 11:23-24 and Romans 10:9-10). BELIEVE FIRST, CONFESSION SECOND, ANSWERS THIRD, and FEELINGS FORTH.

 

8. Thank God in advance for the answer. Praise Him and meditate on His greatness. Count your blessings, and your faith will grow.

 

9. Make every prayer relative to your request a statement of faith, praise, and thanksgiving. Review, TAKING A STANCE OF FAITH in this lesson.

 

10. NO NEGATIVE THINKING OR TALKING. We can talk ourselves out of the answers to our prayers. Romans 12:1-2 & II Corinthians 10:3-6

 

WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

 

TAKING A STANCE OF FAITH
 

AFTER WE HAVE PRAYED THE PRAYER OF FAITH

 

1. We change our approach and tone of praying to an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. Casting all our care upon Him (I Peter 5:7).

a. God hears our prayer. I Peter 3:12

b. This is the confidence we have. I John 5:14-15

c. If you abide in ME and MY WORD ( Rhema ) abides in you. John 15:7

d. An example of a right attitude before the answer comes. Hannah was told to go in peace,
she ate and was not sad anymore. I Samuel 1:18

 

2. We set forth our case--putting our Father in remembrance (Philippians 4:4-7 and Isaiah 43:25).

 

a. God has a rest for us. Hebrews 4:9-16

b. God can keep you in perfect peace. Isaiah 26:3

c. Cast all of our care upon Him. I Peter 5:7

3. Let every thought and desire affirm you have what you ask for; do not be double minded. James 1:8

a. Be ye transformed with the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

b. Learn to control your thoughts. II Corinthians 10:3-7

c. Let this mind be in you, which was in Christ. Philippians 2:5

4. Stay away from NEGATIVE SURROUNDINGS, Galatians 5:23-26.

a. HOLD fast to your confession. Hebrews 3:6-14

b. Jesus will NEVER leave you nor FORSAKE you. Hebrews 13:5-6

c. KEEP STANDING. Ephesians 6:10-18

d. WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS. Romans 8:1-39

5. Stay in CLOSE CONTACT WITH GOD. SNUGGLE UP to Him.

a. HE KNOWS THE PLANS HE HAS FOR YOU. Jeremiah 29:11-14

b. God REWARDS those who DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM. Hebrews 11:6

c. BE STRENGTHENED THROUGH THE INNER MAN. Ephesians 3:16-21

6. MEDITATE CONSTANTLY on the verses you BASED YOUR PRAYER REQUEST ON, Joshua 1:8.

a. Your THOUGHT LIFE MUST BE TRANSFORMED. Romans 12:2

b. BELIEVE WITH YOUR HEART AND CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH. (THIS IS THE KEY TO RECEIVE OUR NEEDS FROM THE LORD.) Start confessing WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU HAVE IN CHRIST JESUS. Romans 10:9-10

c. STUDY to show your self approved unto God. II Timothy 2:15

7. SEE OR ENVISION yourself with the answer to your prayers and thank your HEAVENLY FATHER for FULFILLING HIS WORD IN YOUR LIFE. This is part of Devotion time. Joshua 1:8.

a. The exceeding greatness of His POWER to us. Ephesians 1:1-23

b. I can do all things through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-23

c. GRACE unto you and PEACE BE MULTIPLIED. I Peter 1:1-9

d, GOD WILL PERFECT, ESTABLISH, STRENGTHEN, AND SETTLE YOU.
I Peter 5:6-10

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God has made provision for your every need, SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY.

Review the Scriptural Healing Lesson Eight.