GID2 Chapter 4 - Growing in Prayer
Chapter Four — What is Prayer?
Prayer is simply talking to God. It is a spiritual communication between man and God. This means prayer, like talking or conversation with someone, is not a monologue. We talk and we also listen. Prayer may be silent or verbalized, occasional or constant, informally spoken or formally uttered, spontaneous or following set prayers. Posture may help the praying person, but it adds little to the efficacy of prayer. Missing in these descriptions of prayer is the context: that of a loving communion like that of a child with the father, of a friend with a friend. Prayer is a relationship with God. Seen from this perspective, prayer will not be a drudgery.
God Wants Us to Pray
Prayer is a great privilege given to man. Imagine being able to call upon the living God! Write down what encourages you to pray from the following commands and promises.
What encourages you to pray?
Psalm 50:15
Psalm 62:8
Ephesians 6:18
Philippians 4:6-7
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
God Answers Prayer
God is a prayer-answering God. He delights to help us in our time of need. What do the following verses teach about God’s attitude and responses to our prayers?
God’s attitude and responses to our prayers:
Psalm 65:2
Jeremiah 33:3
Matthew 7:7-8
Matthew 7:9-11
Ephesians 3:20-21
The Basis of Prayer
While we know that God is a prayer-answering God, we must understand that we approach God in prayer based on several fundamental truths without which prayer is meaningless.
John 16:24
Matthew 21:22
1 John 5:14-15
In Luke 22:42, what attitude is necessary in prayer regardless of the answer from God?
Sometimes you may have fulfilled all the above, but your prayer still seems unanswered. Here are some alternative perspectives:
God may have answered in a form you did not recognise. How does Ephesians 3:20 help you modify your view of God’s answers to prayer?
God may say ‘Yes’ but also ‘Wait’. What happened in Daniel 10:12-14 to illustrate this truth?
What response did Jesus advocate when prayer was not answered? Luke 18:1
Hindrances to Answered Prayer
When we pray, we sometimes do not receive answers from God. These prayers are not answered because of several reasons:
Hindrances to answered prayer:
Psalm 66:18
James 4:3
Mark 11:25
What to Pray For
A Pattern of Prayer
The disciples once asked Jesus to teach them to pray, and He taught them using what is called ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. A more important value of this prayer than just repeating it is to see it as embodying principles of prayer — what and how. From Matthew 6:9-13, discover these principles and patterns.
There are only 53 words in the prayer (Luke’s version has only 34). What can you conclude about the length of prayer from such brevity?
In prayer, who takes priority — God and his purposes, or my needs?
What important themes are addressed in this section? It begins with our relationship to God as our Father. What else is addressed?
‘Hallowed be your Name’:
God’s kingship:
God’s purposes and my submission:
From Matthew 6:11-13, list the specific petitions that are being asked of God.
Material needs:
Social needs in relationship with others:
Spiritual needs of protection:
Who else and what to Pray for (Intercession Prayers)
From the following verses, write down who and what we should pray for.
Who and what should we pray for?
Romans 10:1 — Who / What
1 Timothy 2:1-4 — Who / What
Matthew 9:37-38 — Who / What
Ephesians 6:19-20 — Who / What
Matthew 5:44 — Who / What
What to pray for yourself (Petitions)
You can pray for yourself on any need you might have. Here are some specific ones:
Petitions for yourself:
Psalm 51:2,10
Psalm 119:34
Hebrews 4:16
James 1:5
The Prayer Hand is an easy way to put together what we have covered in this chapter on prayer.
The Prayer Hand
Praise (Psalm 146:1-2)
The thumb represents praise, adoration and worship from my heart to God. We start with the thumb just as how, in the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus started with God’s holy character. Similarly, just as the thumb touches all the other four fingers, praise should permeate my entire prayer life and all my life.
Thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:20)
The index finger represents thanksgiving. Sometimes the Bible uses praise and thanksgiving synonymously. There is a distinction in that praise is ascribed to who God is while thanksgiving is my response to what God has done.
Intercession (Ephesians 6:18-19)
The middle finger represents intercession which is praying to God to meet the needs of others. Just as the middle finger is the longest finger, it is a reminder that the needs of others are many and we should bring their needs to God.
Petition (1 Samuel 1:27)
The ring finger represents petition which is asking God for my personal needs.
Confession (1 John 1:9)
The little finger represents confession — I agree with God about my sin. This positioning of confession does not mean that confession is least important. Rather, it reminds us that in the confession, our focus is on God’s holiness rather than our sins.
We can also use the Prayer Hand to remind us of who to pray for:
Thumb — people close to you (family, friends). Index finger — people who point the way (leaders / pastors). Middle finger — people in authority (government and civil officials). Ring finger — people in need. Little finger — you and your needs.
Application
What is one thing you learned about prayer? How can you put it to practice?