PRAYE R Pray without ceasing I Thess 5

PRAYE R Pray without ceasing. I Thess. 5: 17

Prayer ■ Why is prayer important?

Prayer ■ Prayer is not just thinking of anything we want and asking for it. ■ Prayer is discovering God’s purpose revealed through the scriptures and then praying for His purpose to be done in our lives ■ James 4: 3

■ Prayer is what the Church needs today is not more machinery or better [machinery], not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men and women whom the Holy Ghost can use – mighty men and women of prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through people. He does not come on machinery, but on us. He does not anoint plans, but men and women of prayer.

Prayer ■ Matt. 18: 19 -20 ■ This scripture gives an important principle to use in our prayers ■ Agreement-Greek “sumphoneo” or “symphony” in English. (sanctuary prayeris important) ■ In harmony with God; As in a musical symphony

Prayer (Agreement/harmony) ■ A Musical Symphony ■ Conductor ■ Musical Score ■ Musicians ■ In Prayer ■ Conductor-The Holy Spirit ■ Musical Score. The bible/The will of God ■ Musician-We that gather to talk with Him in the name of Jesus

12 Types of Prayer 1 . Praise & Thanksgiving ■ Praise & Thanksgiving is vocal and always a good way to start our talks with God ■ Ps. 48: 1 ■ Phil. 4: 6: God does everything by prayer “ In everything by prayer and supplication, “with thanksgiving”-let you request be known ■ Ps. 100 ■ Luke 17: 11 -19 - It’s as important to praise, as it is the ask.

12 Types of Prayer 2. Worship ■ Worship has to do with attitude in which we come to God when we praise Him (or position of the body (ex. to bow before Him or bowing your head in prayer etc. ) ■ John 4: 23 -Done in spirit & in truth ■ Matt. 6: 9 -His name is holy & to be reverenced ■ Ex. 20: 7 -His name is to be honored when we pray

12 Types of Prayer 3. Petition ■ Asking for a physical or spiritual need to be met ■ I John 5: 14 -15 ■ Mark 11: 24 ■ Heb. 10: 36 ■ Heb. 6: 15 -Petitions may not be answered right away.

12 Types of Prayer 4. Intercession ■ Intercession: Is very important and takes a mature person who is willing to pray for others and not only for themselves skillfully and on a consistent bases. ■ To intercede means-To come in between ■ The intercessor actually comes in between God & those they are praying for. ■ Gen. 18: 22 -33 ■ Ex. 32: 7 -14

12 Types of Prayer 5. Supplication ■ Supplication-To make an humble request. (ex. asking Him for mercy or grace concerning a situation) ■ Heb. 4: 16 ■ Dan. 9: 3 -9

12 Types of Prayer 6. Command-Authority to speak to God on behalf of things Mat. 21: 18 -22 -Jesus didn’t pray to the fig tree; He did not pray about the fig tree. He spoke to the fig tree on the behalf of God. (He told the fig tree what to do and it did it) James 5: 16 -18 -Our prayers help

12 Types of Prayer 7. Commitment ■ Commitment-Commit a situation to God and leave it alone. Take your hands off. ■ Ps. 31: 5 ■ Ps. 37: 5 ■ Burdens, troubles too heavy, commit them to God.

12 Types of Prayer 8. Dedication ■ Dedication- To give an object of our prayer to God or to offer ourselves to Him. ■ Choosing to be set apart for a particular calling or work for God. ■ God sets us apart, but we still have to choose to follow. ■ St. John 17: 18 -19

12 Types of Prayers 9. Persistence ■ Persistence-Keep seeking, asking & knocking until get results. ■ St. Luke 11: 5 -10

12 Types of Prayers 10. Praying in Faith ■ Praying in Faith-What is important is that we develop a relationship with God that when we go to Him and tell Him what we need, we know we are going to get it. ■ Christian character involves persistence in our prayers. ■ Luke 18: 1 -8; Matt. 6: 8 ■ James 1: 5 -8

12 Types of Prayers 11. Blessing ■ Blessing-Bless yourself & others with good things

7 Types of Blessings ■ Num. 6: 23 -26 1. The Lord bless you 2. Keep you 3. Make His face to shine on you; 4. Be gracious to you 5. Lift up His countenance on you; 6. Grant you peace 7. Put His name on you

12 Types of Prayer 12. Cursing-There is power in our prayers. This kind of prayer God doesn’t like us to use. ■ Matt. 5: 44 -Love your enemies. ■ Prov. 24: 17 -20 & 23 -25 ■ Pray that others will change their ways and become better individuals. ■ Ps. 116: 11 -13

When We Pray ■ Come humbly before Him ■ Praise Him & Give Him Thanks ■ Worship Him ■ Repent of your sins/faults ■ Use the scriptures as a guide ■ Submit to His will ■ Make your request known unto Him-Be specific ■ Praise God. Give Him thanks ■ Be consistent

7 Blessings ■ Num. 6: 23 -26 1. The Lord bless you 2. Keep you 3. Make His face to shine on you 4. Be gracious to you 5. Lift up His countenance on you 6. Grant you peace 7. Put His name on you

12 Types of Prayers 1. Praise & Thanksgiving 7. Commitment 2. Worship 8. Dedication 3. Petition 9. Persistence 4. Intercession 10. Praying in Faith 5. Supplication 11. Blessing 6. Command 12. Cursing

■ Next Bible Study ■ TBA