1. Bible Study
Prayer

2. What is prayer to you? DEFINITION OF PRAYER
“Is Prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” Corrie Ten Boom
DEFINITION OF PRAYER
the offering of adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication to God, the Supreme Being

3. Why is prayer important?
God does nothing except in response to believing prayer." John Wesley (Famous evangelist who spent 2 hours daily in prayer)

4. Why is prayer important?
Prayer invites God to enter into the deepest parts of our hearts and lives to bring His love & light to transform us
It is how we develop intimacy with God, where we, like Adam & Eve, can be “naked” (totally honest) before Him and not ashamed. Gen 2:25; 3:7
Prov15:8; Rev5: 8-9; Eph 6:18; 1Pe3:12; Jam5:15

5. HOW SHOULD WE PRAY? A.C.T.S A Praising God for His goodness
1 Chron 29:11; Ps 34:1-3;
C Asking for forgiveness where we fall short
Matt 6:12,14
T Thanking the Lord for being so faithful
1 Tim 2:13
S Supplications – bringing our needs to the Lord Phil4:6. [When we pray for others, this is known as Intercession]

6. Jesus set this pattern for prayer when he was on the earth for His disciples and for us today
Matt 6:9-13
We give honour to God
And ask that His will be done
We confess our sins
We ask for what we need
We ask for His help to overcome

7. As part of our prayer, we…
We forgive others Mark 11:25
We are sincere, not praying to show off or to impress Matt 6:5
We pray without empty repetition Matt 6:7

8. When should we pray? Set aside a special time each day for the Lord
Pr 8:17 “They that seek me early shall find me”
Ps 119:62 – “I rose at midnight to thank you…”
Constantly – anywhere, anytime!
Luke 18:8; Eph 6:18; 1 Thes 5:17
Pray for those in authority
everyone! Those you pass on the street, work with, go to school with,etc

9. Bishop Td jakes on prayer
“Man of God, Be on Guard!” “Many men are ready to defend their family from physical assailants, but few men are prepared to defend their family against spiritual attacks. Although they have fought off thieves and criminals, they are still plagued by inner guilt, private perversion, and moral problems. They are poorly equipped to build defenses against depression, suicide, child abuse, or other spirits that may target their home. We can’t kill these things with guns, but we can stop them cold with prayer!”

10. Benefits of prayer A closer relationship with God - James 4:8
Hearing from God - Is 65:24
Joy 1 Thess 5:16-17
Peace - Phil 4:6-7
Healing/Wholeness – James 5:15
Answered prayer! Ps 37:4; Matt 7:7; Matt 21:22

11. Why are my prayers not answered
Motive- God is looking at our hearts
Sam 16:7c; James 4:3
The time has not yet come
Not God’s will
1 John 5:14
What to do if my prayers are not being answered?
Pray the Word and declare our trust in the Lord knowing that He has heard our prayers Ps 6:9

12. Examples of answered prayer
King Jehosaphat
2 Chron. ch20
Early Church
Acts 4:23-31