HOW TO PRAY - LESSON #1
HOW TO PRAY - LESSON #1
1. Find out who God is and what He does so you can relate to Him..Picture Him in your mind’s eye as your best friend. Share your life with Him.
2. Use your own words to pray and be honest with God.
3. Let God show you how to deal with people and situations. Tell Him the whole situation so He can give you the whole answer.
4. Remember to listen for His answer. He loves you and will answer you. He will speak to you by your inner voice; through His word or by drawing your attention to an example He has provided. Sometimes He will use other people to confirm what He is showing you. If what other people share with you is not in the same nature as His word or His Spirit, do not receive this thought from them. The Lord will not give someone else specific direction for your life without telling you first.
5. When you start to think about someone, pray for them. Often the Holy Spirit brings people to our minds to prompt us to pray.
6. Sometimes you will feel an emotion or see a picture in your mind’s eye. Immediately a person or a situation will come to your mind. Pray for them. Ask God to help you pray. The Holy Spirit will show you what the connection is so you can pray in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is your prayer partner!
7. When you pray expect to receive a positive answer. Once you have prayed you have turned it over to God and He will look after it. God does not show you things to scare you. God wants you to be part of the answer through prayer. You will find that nothing in your life has happened that God did not try to warn you about first. Listen to His voice.
8. When you pray and thoughts enter your mind that are not connected to the prayer, do not condemn yourself or give up. Take a pen and paper into prayer with you, write them down and deal with them later. When you talk to other people often thoughts about other things will enter your mind but you still continue to communicate with your friends. God is your friend.
9. Never pray the problem. Instead state the problem and then speak God’s answer to the problem. As you are faithful to speak His answer He will increase your confidence and make His words in you become a reality.
10. Be yourself when you pray, God created you to be unique. Your prayers will be original and effective.
11. There is nothing too small or large to take to the Lord in prayer. He is interested in helping you in every facet of life.
12. Pray for others. God will cause the prayer you give for others to bless them and return to you.
HOW TO PRAY - LESSON #2
Find some friends to pray with. Get a community prayer book. Write scriptures that promise the answer beside each request. Check requests answered each week, and thank the Lord!
Here are some examples of teaching on prayer.
Hebrews 11:6
(Heb 11:6 KJV) But 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.
Mark 11:23
(Mark 11:23 KJV) For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
Mark 11:24
(Mark 11:24 KJV) Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
I John 1:9
(1 John 1:9 KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
John 3:22
(John 3:22 KJV) After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
James 5:16
(James 5:16 KJV) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
John 15:7
(John 15:7 KJV) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Hebrews 10:35-36
(Heb 10:35 KJV) Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.
(Heb 10:36 KJV) For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Matthew 18:19
(Mat 18:19 KJV) Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Jeremiah 33:3
(Jer 33:3 KJV) Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
11 Chronicles 7:14
(2 Chr 7:14 KJV) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land
List what happened when these people communicated with God.
Prayer in unison - Acts 12:5-16
(Acts 12:5 KJV) Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
(Acts 12:6 KJV) And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
(Acts 12:7 KJV) And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
(Acts 12:8 KJV) And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
(Acts 12:9 KJV) And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
(Acts 12:10 KJV) When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
(Acts 12:11 KJV) And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
(Acts 12:12 KJV) And 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.
(Acts 12:13 KJV) And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
(Acts 12:14 KJV) And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
(Acts 12:15 KJV) And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
(Acts 12:16 KJV) But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
Elijah and the weather - James 5:17
(James 5:17 KJV) Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
Daniel interceding - Daniel 9
(Dan 9:1 KJV) In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;
(Dan 9:2 KJV) In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
(Dan 9:3 KJV) And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
(Dan 9:4 KJV) And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;
(Dan 9:5 KJV) We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:
(Dan 9:6 KJV) Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
(Dan 9:7 KJV) O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.
(Dan 9:8 KJV) O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.
(Dan 9:9 KJV) To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;
(Dan 9:10 KJV) Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
(Dan 9:11 KJV) Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.
(Dan 9:12 KJV) And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.
(Dan 9:13 KJV) As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.
(Dan 9:14 KJV) Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.
(Dan 9:15 KJV) And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
(Dan 9:16 KJV) O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.
(Dan 9:17 KJV) Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.
(Dan 9:18 KJV) O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.
(Dan 9:19 KJV) O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.
(Dan 9:20 KJV) And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;
(Dan 9:21 KJV) Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
(Dan 9:22 KJV) And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
(Dan 9:23 KJV) At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
(Dan 9:24 KJV) Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
(Dan 9:25 KJV) Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
(Dan 9:26 KJV) And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
(Dan 9:27 KJV) And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Cornelius - Acts 10:30
(Acts 10:30 KJV) And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
A cripple - Acts 3:5-10
(Acts 3:5 KJV) And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
(Acts 3:6 KJV) Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
(Acts 3:7 KJV) And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
(Acts 3:8 KJV) And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
(Acts 3:9 KJV) And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
(Acts 3:10 KJV) And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
Prayer, according to the dictionary, means any communication with God; or an earnest request or supplication. Pray according to God’s Word for He is faithful, and cannot deny Himself.
II Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Remember to say thank you to God. Thanking God causes our faith to become effective.
Philemon 6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
What are you expecting to happen this week as a result of your prayers? If you are not praying for anything specific you will not receive anything specific! Prayer does not change God. Prayer changes circumstances.
II Corinthians 9:13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
Respect God’s ability to answer. What you respect you will ultimately attract. You respect what you believe enough to work towards
Caution!
Prayer is in danger of hitting brick walls. Assess your expenses and proceed to body shop to put flesh in order so you can travel on in the Spirit. The scriptures are your prescription. Receive them faithfully.
Condemnation - Psalm 66:18 Romans 8:1-2
(Psa 66:18 KJV) If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
(Rom 8:1 KJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(Rom 8:2 KJV) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Walking against the light Proverbs 28
(Prov 28:1 KJV) The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
(Prov 28:2 KJV) For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
(Prov 28:3 KJV) A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain, which leaveth no food.
(Prov 28:4 KJV) They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
(Prov 28:5 KJV) Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
(Prov 28:6 KJV) Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
(Prov 28:7 KJV) Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
(Prov 28:8 KJV) He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
(Prov 28:9 KJV) He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
(Prov 28:10 KJV) Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
(Prov 28:11 KJV) The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
(Prov 28:12 KJV) When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
(Prov 28:13 KJV) He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
(Prov 28:14 KJV) Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
(Prov 28:15 KJV) As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
(Prov 28:16 KJV) The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
(Prov 28:17 KJV) A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
(Prov 28:18 KJV) Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
(Prov 28:19 KJV) He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
(Prov 28:20 KJV) A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
(Prov 28:21 KJV) To have respect of persons is not good: for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
(Prov 28:22 KJV) He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
(Prov 28:23 KJV) He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
(Prov 28:24 KJV) Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
(Prov 28:25 KJV) He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
(Prov 28:26 KJV) He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
(Prov 28:27 KJV) He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
(Prov 28:28 KJV) When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Rebellion and complaining Zechariah 7:13 I Corinthians 10:10 Philippians 2:13-15
(Zec 7:13 KJV) Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:
(1 Cor 10:10 KJV) Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
(Phil 2:13 KJV) For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
(Phil 2:14 KJV) Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
(Phil 2:15 KJV) That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Unforgiveness Matthew 6:14 Matthew 5:23-24
(Mat 6:14 KJV) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
(Mat 5:23 KJV) Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
(Mat 5:24 KJV) Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Wrong motives James 4:3
(James 4:3 KJV) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Unbelief Matthew 13:58 Hebrews 3:12-19
(Mat 13:58 KJV) And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
(Heb 3:12 KJV) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
(Heb 3:13 KJV) But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
(Heb 3:14 KJV) For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
(Heb 3:15 KJV) While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
(Heb 3:16 KJV) For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
(Heb 3:17 KJV) But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
(Heb 3:18 KJV) And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
(Heb 3:19 KJV) So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
We only believe what we believe enough to practice 1 Tim 2:8
(1 Tim 2:8 KJV) I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
Remember to pray for your government leaders first. This is God’s order.
I Timothy 2:1-3 Romans 13:1-6
(1 Tim 2:1 KJV) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
(1 Tim 2:2 KJV) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
(1 Tim 2:3 KJV) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
(Rom 13:1 KJV) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
(Rom 13:2 KJV) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
(Rom 13:3 KJV) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
(Rom 13:4 KJV) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
(Rom 13:5 KJV) Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
(Rom 13:6 KJV) For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Inconsistency in acting on what God has already shown you - God will never advance your instructions beyond your last act of disobedience
James 2:26 James 2:17
(James 2:26 KJV) For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
(James 2:17 KJV) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Observe the pattern that is in the Lord’s Prayer, you will find it in: Matthew 6:9-15 1Chronicles 29:11-18 or Luke 11:1-4
This prayer is the way Jesus showed His disciples to pray while still under the law. New Testament prayers after the Resurrection were made in the name of Jesus and were much shorter. Check out the Book of Acts, you will see this.
Address God with respect and honor Nehemiah 8:10 Psalms 16:11
(Neh 8:10 KJV) Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
(Psa 16:11 KJV) Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Pray for His Kingdom and will in our lives, worship Him!
Romans 14:17 Luke 12:32 Matthew 6:33
(Rom 14:17 KJV) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
(Luke 12:32 KJV) Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
(Mat 6:33 KJV) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Trust in Him daily! Philippians 4:19 3 John 2 Psalms 103:1-6
(Phil 4:19 KJV) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
(3 John 1:2 KJV) Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
(Psa 103:1 KJV) A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
(Psa 103:2 KJV) Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
(Psa 103:3 KJV) Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
(Psa 103:4 KJV) Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
(Psa 103:5 KJV) Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
(Psa 103:6 KJV) The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
Ask for any needed forgiveness of sin, realizing we should also be forgiving others. Search your own heart and let the Holy Spirit speak to you about changes you can make to improve relationships.
Ask for help in times of temptation Hebrews 4:15-16 I Corinthians 10:13 I John 2:17
(Heb 4:15 KJV) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
(Heb 4:16 KJV) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
(1 Cor 10:13 KJV) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
The prayer Jesus prayed for us as sons and daughters of God is in John 17
(John 17:1 KJV) These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
(John 17:2 KJV) As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
(John 17:3 KJV) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
(John 17:4 KJV) I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
(John 17:5 KJV) And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
(John 17:6 KJV) I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
(John 17:7 KJV) Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
(John 17:8 KJV) For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
(John 17:9 KJV) I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
(John 17:10 KJV) And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
(John 17:11 KJV) And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
(John 17:12 KJV) While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
(John 17:13 KJV) And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
(John 17:14 KJV) I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
(John 17:15 KJV) I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
(John 17:16 KJV) They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
(John 17:17 KJV) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
(John 17:18 KJV) As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
(John 17:19 KJV) And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
(John 17:20 KJV) Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
(John 17:21 KJV) That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
(John 17:22 KJV) And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
(John 17:23 KJV) I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
(John 17:24 KJV) Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
(John 17:25 KJV) O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
(John 17:26 KJV) And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
In this prayer Jesus speaks about unity five times. United prayer comes from united relationships. Sustained unity delivers sustained power.
Study passages on prayer. Write down what you have learned from them. This is more fun to do with a friend.
Parable of the Widow - Luke 18:
1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Parable of the Pharisee - Luke 18:
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Parable of the Publican - Luke 18:
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Parable of the friend at midnight - Luke 11:
5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Parable of the unmerciful servant - Matthew 18:
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
Christ’s prayer - John 17:
1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
In the following scriptures we will see what Jesus Christ said about prayer.
Matthew 6:
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Ask yourself, am I praying to be heard and seen or am I praying from the heart? When you pray from the heart, your communication will not be aimless, and you will be prepared to do whatever the Holy Spirit shows you.
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.
In Bible days a closet was a bedroom or a room set apart. Jesus meant we were to make our communication with God personal as well as public. Whenever you pray, shut all distractions out, and concentrate on communicating with God and pleasing Him. Jesus always pleased His Father by doing what His Father showed Him to do.
John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
John 8:
29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
Jesus prayed alone and also with others.
Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Luke 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
Vain repetition does not produce faith. Pray God’s will, His Word, and let it live inside you by acting on it.
Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray use not vain repetitions as the heathen do for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
The Word produces faith in us when we match it with corresponding action. Are you prepared to live what you pray?
James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
When we trust somebody we don’t need to ask him or her over and over to do the same things, because we have confidence that their word is good, and that they will honor what they say.
Matthew 6:8: Be not ye therefore like unto them for your Father knoweth what things ye have heed of before ye ask Him.
Psalm 52:9 I will praise thee forever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.
Recognize and submit yourself to your Heavenly Father, worship Him.
Matthew 6:9-
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.Thy Kingdom come. The word kingdom literally translated means can do it, dominion.
Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. God’s Word is His will speaking. His will speaks when we exercise it in our own lives. God wants to see us receive the same results in the earth that his Words produce in heaven.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. God will meet your need as it arises: Ask and you will receive;
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Matthew 6:25-34
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
And forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors. When we forgive and set other people free, it makes it easy to see and believe God’s forgiveness for our own lives.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation.- But deliver us from evil. These words are better translated, "Protect us and set us free from temptation and evil that exists around us."
13 And lead us not into temptation.- But deliver us from evil
James 1:12,13
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
John 17:
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
Do you need help to pray accurately? God has already provided for this need by His Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Intercession in these verses means "to be called alongside to help". Your prayer needs a plan. Know what you are going to pray for. The Holy Spirit will show you how to pray about your plan. To help become effective, we need clear communication and we need to give direction. The Holy Spirit is waiting for you to be specific so He knows what to help you with. Christ is still alive at the right hand of God working on your side.
Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Jesus is Alive and He loves You!
