STEP SEVEN

PRAYER

Prayer is talking with God, a two way conversation opening up to Him, and listening to Him.  You can pray anywhere at any time.

1.     Elements of prayer -- We can use the acronym "CATS"

1.1    Confession -- 1 John 1:9; Ps 66:18; Prov 28:13

1.2    Adoration/praise -- Psalm 86:12; Heb 13:15

1.3    Thanksgiving -- Eph 5:20; 1 Thess 5:18; Phil 4:6,7                        [  ]

1.4    Supplication (asking):

A.    For others - Intercession -- Col 4:12; Eph 6:18-19 (Not praying for other Christians is a sin

        -- 1 Sam 12:23)

B.    For the Lord to send workers into His harvest field -- Mt 9:37

C.    For ourselves - petition -- Matt 6:11; 7:7,8.

2.    Why pray?

2.1    God commands it -- Luke 18:1-7; "Pray constantly"--1 Thess 5:17 and we need it -- Phil 4:6,7

2.2    Christ's example--Mark 1:35

"...went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed."

2.3    Paul's example

"Always praying"--Col 1:3; 1 Thess 3:10

"Follow my example, just as I follow Christ's."--1 Cor 11:1

2.4    Spiritual warfare. Through prayer we gain spiritual victory over principalities and powers--Eph 6:12,13,18

2.5    To receive mercy and grace to help us -- Heb 4:14-16

3.    What can hinder our prayers?

3.1    Sin--Isaiah 59:1,2

3.2    Doubt--James 1:6; Mark 11:24

3.3    Our motives--James 4:3;

3.4    Family relationships--1 Peter 3:7

3.5    Unforgiveness--Mark 11:25,26; Matt 6:15

3.6    Pride--1 Peter 5:5

3.7    Spiritual powers, Satan--Eph 6:12, Dan 10:2,12-14.

4.    How to discover the riches of prayer.

       4.1    Obey His commands and do what pleases to Him--1 John 3:22

       4.2    Ask according to the will of God--1 John 5:14

       4.3    Ask believing--Matt 21:22

       4.4    Keeping Jesus' words in our hearts--John 15:7

       4.5    Forgive--Mark 11:25

       4.6    Be humble--1 Peter 5:5

       4.7    Get priorities right--Matt 6:33

       4.8    Ask specifically--Mark 10:51

5.    What are the results of prayer?

       5.1    Receive the Holy Spirit--Luke 11:9,13

       5.2    Peace--Phil 4:6,7

       5.3    Joy--John 16:24

       5.4    Loving care--1 Peter 5:7

       5.5    Wisdom--James 1:5

       5.6    Healing--James 5:13-15

       5.7    Growing in faith e.g. Abraham--Gen 18:16-33

       5.8    Revival--2 Chron 7:14

6.    Collective or corporate prayer--Acts 2:42; 4:31; Mt 18:19-20

HOMEWORK:

Memorize  Phil 4:6,7                                                                                               [  ]

Make a daily prayer list and use it.                                                                            [  ]

Begin reading the Psalms, as well as hymns and choruses, and make

  a list of the various names and descriptions of God for use in

  praise and prayer.               

EXERCISE:

Does God always answer our prayer "yes"?  Check these references so

 see how God answers prayer.Draw a line from each reference to the

 best description of answered prayer:                                                                        [  ]

A.  1 John 5:14,15 1.  Delayed answer "wait"

B.  2 Cor 12:7-9                                      2.  Different answer

C.  John 11:1-44                                    3.  Definite answer "yes"

D.  Acts  3:1-10                                     4.  Step by step answer

E.  Deut 7:22                                          5.  Denied answer "no"

(Verification of responses is on the bottom of page 13.)