Lesson 54

What does God teach us about prayer?

What is prayer? Luke 2:37 ...She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. worship

What is prayer? Matthew 15:8-9 “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.”

speaking to God from the heart What is prayer? Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. speaking to God from the heart

What is prayer? Isaiah 1:15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood…

only believers are heard What is prayer? Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. only believers are heard

Key Point #1 Prayer is an act of worship in which believers in Jesus speak to God from their hearts.

Agree or Disagree? God listens to all people’s prayers because he created all people. They are all his children, and so he also knows all their needs.

Brian says, “We have to pray. ” Brett says, “We want to pray Brian says, “We have to pray.” Brett says, “We want to pray.” Who expresses a more God-pleasing attitude? Why?

What’s wrong here? Prayer is sort of getting in touch with your own hidden ideas and deep desires. It makes you feel better if you can put those ideas and desires into words for yourself.

What’s wrong here? It’s no use to teach young children to pray until they’re at least five or six years old and can understand what they’re praying about.

How does God want us to speak to him when we pray? Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

How does God want us to speak to him when we pray? Ephesians 3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

How does God want us to speak to him when we pray? John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! boldly and confidently

How does God want us to speak to him when we pray? 1 Samuel 1:10-11,13a In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”…Hannah was praying in her heart…

How does God want us to speak to him when we pray? Hosea 14:2 Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.”

How does God want us to speak to him when we pray? Matthew 6:9-13 This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ using any fitting words

How does God want us to speak to him when we pray? John 16:23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

How does God want us to speak to him when we pray? 1 Timothy 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone… for anything and anyone

How does God want us to speak to him when we pray? Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. at any time

How does God want us to speak to him when we pray? 1 Timothy 2:8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. from anywhere

Key Point #2 God wants us confidently to ask and to thank him for anything, anytime and anywhere.

Agree or Disagree? It’s too bad our church doors are often locked. That makes it harder for people to pray to God, since they can’t do it in God’s house.

Mary tells the class, “Each day I’m going to set aside the ten minutes before I go to bed for prayer. I think that everyone in this class should do the same thing.” How would you respond?

Renee says, “We don’t pray before meals at our house because we hardly ever sit down together to eat.” How would you respond?

When might it be better to speak a private prayer out loud When might it be better to speak a private prayer out loud? When might it be better to pray silently?

How would you explain the address of the Lord’s Prayer to someone who has never experienced love from an earthly father?

Evaluate… Duane, a freshman in high school, asks God to give him a Porsche by his 18th birthday. He feels he is praying boldly.

Evaluate… Sarah’s grandma has cancer. The doctors say she will die in only a few days and nothing they can do will change that. Sarah asks God to perform a miracle, if it is his will, and heal her grandmother. Sarah feels she is praying boldly.

A pastor asks his class to explain why we can pray to God boldly and confidently. Melissa says, “I think the main reason we can pray to God boldly and confidently is because he’s so powerful.” Megan says, “I think the main reason we can pray to God boldly and confidently is because he’s so loving.” Who do you think gave the better answer? Why?

Agree or Disagree? Prayer is hard work.

Martin Luther once said, “A Christian is always praying, whether he is sleeping or waking; for his heart is always praying.” In what sense would this statement not be true? In what sense would it be true?

Martin Luther once said, “The Pater Noster [Our Father] is the greatest martyr on earth; for everyone torments and misuses it.” How is the Lord’s Prayer abused? How, specifically, can we keep it from happening?

Project Write a prayer to God, asking for help with something important to you that you hardly ever or never have prayed about.

Project Write a prayer to God, thanking him for something that you hardly ever or never have thanked him for.

Project Ask your father and mother what prayers they were taught to pray at home when they were young.

Search Christian Worship… Find the two hymn versions of the Lord’s Prayer. (Hint: Find the prayer section.) Who wrote the words of the second hymn? Why do you think he wrote it?

On television Ken saw some Muslims praying in a mosque, their worship building. The program also showed the Muslims turning toward Mecca at regular hours every day for prayer. He says, “I think we can learn a lot about prayer from the Muslims.” What do you think?

Evaluate… Kimberly, your friend, says she trusts that God is her Father by faith in Jesus. But she also says that she feels she can pray more boldly and confidently when she asks the virgin Mary to speak to God for her.

Agree or Disagree? You cannot confidently ask God to help you do well on a test unless you have studied a proper amount of time for the test.

A friend of yours who belongs to a Baptist church says, “We all pray the same Lord’s Prayer, and when we say ‘Our Father,’ we are expressing our unity in faith with each other.” How do you respond?

Lesson 54 Prayer is confidently speaking to God, asking or thanking him for anything, anytime and anywhere.

an act of worship in which we speak to God from the heart Vocabulary… “Prayer” an act of worship in which we speak to God from the heart

Vocabulary… “Prayer Fellowship” biblical teaching that we only join in prayer with those who are united in faith with us

words indicating the person to whom we’re speaking Vocabulary… “Address” words indicating the person to whom we’re speaking

a request for something Vocabulary… “Petition” a request for something

“Intercessory Prayer” praying for something on behalf of others Vocabulary… “Intercessory Prayer” praying for something on behalf of others

Vocabulary… “Mediator” a middle-man