Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Memory Verse Heb 4:16, “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

John 14:13-14 The Doctrine of Prayer Part 7

F. One of the Greatest Problems related to Prayer is Concentration.

All forms of worship are a test of concentration. There are three specific categories of this:

1. Concentration on the teaching of Bible doctrine. This reflects your values, motivation, spiritual condition, and status quo. #1 Priority should be BD.

2. Concentration in the communion service.

3. Concentration in your personal and private prayers, during public prayers when others are praying, and in your petitions and intercessions.

The pattern of concentration is established in the function of PMA of Bible doctrine.

If you can concentrate on Bible doctrine in time of stress, adversity, or even in prosperity, then you can concentrate in prayer. (Isaac's example - Gen 24:63)

There is a direct relationship between concentration in Bible study under the ministry of the Holy Spirit and concentration in prayer under the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Psa 4:4, “Tremble, and do not sin; concentrate in your heart upon your bed, and be still.”

Psa 63:6, “When I remember You on my bed, I concentrate on You in the night watches.”

G. The Mechanics of Prayer.

1. Public prayer should be short and should avoid repetition. Mat 6:5, 7

In public prayer, you always add the principles of impersonal love, flexibility and thoughtfulness of others.

2. Long prayers should be reserved for private intercession and petition. Mat 6:6

3. The majority of your prayers should be conducted in private. Mat 6:6

4. Organization is absolutely necessary in an effective prayer life. Have an agenda when praying:

a) Confession of sin is the first function of private prayer. 1 John 1:9; 1 Cor 11:31

b) Thanksgiving, Eph 5:20; 1 Thes 5:18.

b) Thanksgiving, Eph 5:20; 1 Thes 5:18. c) Intercession (praying for others), Eph 6:18.

b) Thanksgiving, Eph 5:20; 1 Thes 5:18. c) Intercession (praying for others), Eph 6:18. d) Petition (praying for yourself), John 14:13-14.

a) Confession of sin ensures the filling of the Spirit. Only prayer offered in the status quo of the filling of the Spirit will be heard.

b) Thanksgiving expresses the concept of worship in private prayer.

b) Thanksgiving expresses the concept of worship in private prayer. Thanksgiving is grace orientation; it recognizes the source of all blessing.

Eph 5:20, “Always giving thanks to God the Father for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Thes 5:18, “In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1) Capacity for thanksgiving comes from your personal love for God and your impersonal love for others.

Capacity for thanksgiving increases as you grow in grace and in the knowledge of the L&S JC.

2) The more you love God the more you appreciate Him, the greater your thanksgiving, and the greater your alertness in prayer.

3) It is hard to stay alert when you are in a routine situation, therefore, repetition of prayer is not a good way to express your appreciation for God.

c) Intercession, Eph 6:18; 1 Kings 18; James 5:16-18, is a spiritual ministry. It requires that you have your own private prayer list.

d) Petition is praying for your own needs and situations and includes being confused about a situation where you have not yet learned to apply one or more PSDs.

Heb 4:16, “Approach boldly the throne of grace, that we might obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

5. Part of the mechanics of prayer is concentration. Concentration is a function of the filling of the Spirit, positive volition, and motivation.

Grace Fellowship Church Tuesday, June 23, 2009 Doctrine of Prayer, Part 7 Tape # Doctrine of Prayer, Part 7 The Mechanics of Prayer Upper Room Discourse, Part 274 John 14:13-14; Mat 6:5-7; Eph 5:20; 1 Thes 5:18 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2009