1. 1 We Believe — First Principles of Prayer – as taught by Scripture and illustrated in the lives of the righteous that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9

2. 2 First Principles of Prayer “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16) “It is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.” (Ps. 147:1) “Supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks [should] be made for all men” (1Tim 2:1)  so far

3. 3 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1John 1:5-10)

4. 4 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. do not the truth 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1John 1:5-10) The Truth is to be Done! (not a barren collection of doctrines, to be accepted passively, or academically) The Truth is to be Done! (not a barren collection of doctrines, to be accepted passively, or academically)

5. 5 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. do not the truth 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: cleanseth 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. cleanse 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1John 1:5-10) The blood of Christ IS CLEANSING us! (“walking in the light” does not mean that we are already perfect) The blood of Christ IS CLEANSING us! (“walking in the light” does not mean that we are already perfect)

6. 6 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. sin 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. sins 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1John 1:5-10) We have Sin We have Sins We have Sin We have Sins

7. 7 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. faithful 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1John 1:5-10) God is Faithful God is Faithful

8. 8 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. faithful 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1John 1:5-10) 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. confess 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. “The verb is present subjunctive, speaking of continuous action. This teaches that the constant attitude of the saint toward sin should be one of a contrite heart … ever eager to confess it and put it out of [his] life …” Wuest, “Word Studies in the NT” “The verb is present subjunctive, speaking of continuous action. This teaches that the constant attitude of the saint toward sin should be one of a contrite heart … ever eager to confess it and put it out of [his] life …” Wuest, “Word Studies in the NT”

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10. 10 Solomon’s prayer – the proper spirit of confession – our need for confession “I have sinned against the Lord”: David’s confession – the burden of sin – assurance of forgiveness Class outline:

11. 11 2Chronicles 6

12. 12 2Chronicles 6 Solomon’s posture in prayer – (vss. 12-13)

13. 13 2Chronicles 6 Solomon’s posture in prayer – (vss. 12-13) Outline of prayer: Praise (vs. 14) Recitation of promises to David (vss. 15-17) Prayer for temple’s acceptance (vss. 18-21) Temple as center of civil order (vss. 22-23)

14. 14 2Chronicles 6 Solomon’s posture in prayer – (vss. 12-13) Outline of prayer: Praise (vs. 14) Recitation of promises to David (vss. 15-17) Prayer for temple’s acceptance (vss. 18-21) Temple as center of civil order (vss. 22-23) Temple was to be prayed toward when vanquished in war (vss. 24-25), when chastised (vss. 26-31), when God’s service sent to war (vss. 34-35), and when in captivity (vss. 36-39)

15. 15 the theme of Confession defined: “when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands toward this house” (vs. 29)

16. 16 the theme of Confession defined: “when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands toward this house” (vs. 29) The process of confession: “if they bethink themselves” (vs. 37) lit. “if they bring back to their heart”

17. 17 the theme of Confession defined: “when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands toward this house” (vs. 29) The process of confession: “if they bethink themselves” (vs. 37) lit. “if they bring back to their heart” The spirit of confession: “with all their heart and with all their soul” (vs. 38)

18. 18 Petition is not to inform God of our needs “for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” (Matthew 6:8) Similarly: Intercession is not to bend the will of a hostile God Praise is not to flatter Confession is not to reveal hidden weakness “… before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Heb 4:13)

19. 19 “David … saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and enquired … And David sent messengers, and took her” (2Samuel 11:2-4) “But the thing that David had done displeased the L ORD.” (2Samuel 11:27)

20. 20 “When I declared not my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.” Selah (Psalm 32:3-4, RSV)

21. 21 “I have sinned against the L ORD ” (2 Sam 2:13) “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight … Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” (Psalm 51:4,10-12)

22. 22 Prerequisite: NO GUILE! (vss. 1-5) Warning: “when thou mayest be found” (vs. 6) Assurance: “hiding place” (vs. 7)

23. 23 Prerequisite: NO GUILE! (vss. 1-5) Warning: “when thou mayest be found” (vs. 6) Assurance: “hiding place” (vs. 7) secret place “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1

24. 24 Our spirit must be without guile Our confession must be – specific – continuous – “with all the heart” And if it is so, God will – forgive us – cleanse us – protect us Class summary: