“[Prayer] is the link between God’s inexhaustible resources and people’s needs…God is the source of power, but we are the instrument He uses to link the two together.”
― Charles Stanley
We are going to look at that link in the lesson today. As we learn to submit to God, prayer becomes more frequent as we build our relationship with Him. In prayer we learn more about God. This is Third Step of Submitting to God: Prayer.
Questions for discussion:
- What is a Biblical definition of prayer?
- Why does God want us to pray?
- How do I prepare my heart for prayer?
- Do I pray to God or Jesus?
- How do you end a prayer?
- What is an example of submissive prayer?
- How to pray when you don’t know what to say?
- How does Jesus define prayer?
What is a Biblical definition of prayer?
Prayer: Fellowship with God through Jesus Christ, expressed in adoration, thanksgiving and intercession, through which believers draw near to God and learn more of his will for their lives. Scripture stresses the vital role of the Holy Spirit in stimulating and guiding prayer. Dictionary of Bible Themes
Hebrews 4:16 NIV “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
The purpose of prayer is to communicate with God. It isn’t always about what we need or want. It’s a warm, safe place to talk to Him, thank and praise Him for who He is. We can go in confidence to Him and expresss how we truly feel. We then can have the gift of His peace and love.
Why does God want us to pray?
1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
- So we can live peaceful lives in God’s Will.
- It pleases God.
- When we do this, it is a chance for people to come to know the Lord.
How do I prepare my heart for prayer?
Matthew 6:6-7 NIV “ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
- Set aside time everyday to pray.
- Find a place you can be alone.
- Remove any distractions
- Quiet your mind for a few minutes
- Open your heart and pray.
Do I pray to God or Jesus?
Ephesians 5:20 NIV “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Jesus in this verse says to pray to the Father in His Name. In Jesus example of a prayer, He begins it with “Our Father”. (Matthew6:9 NIV) We’ll be looking at that prayer later.
How do you end a prayer?
John 14:13-14 NIV “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”
I always end my prayers in “Jesus Name”. In this passage, Jesus tells the disciples to ask the Father in His Name. Since we are going through Jesus Christ to get to the Father, most Christians put it at the end of their prayers.
What is an example of submissive prayer?
Matthew 26:39 NIV “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Matthew 26:39 NIV “Jesus prays, prostrate in his intense anguish. He addresses God as “My Father” (see comment on 6:9). The “cup” refers not only to suffering and death but, as often in the OT (Ps 75:7-8; Isa 51:19, 22; Jer 25:15-16; et al.), also to God’s wrath; it anticipates 27:46.
In one sense all things are possible with God (see comments on 19:26; Mk 14:36); in another some things are impossible. Thus Jesus prays that, if it be morally consistent with the Father’s redeeming purpose that his “cup” be taken from him, that is what he deeply desires. But more deeply still, Jesus desires to do his Father’s will. His deep commitment to his Father’s will cannot be doubted.
But in this crisis, the worst since 4:1-11, Jesus is tempted to seek an alternative to sin-bearing suffering as the route by which to fulfill his Father’s redemptive purposes. He prays in agony; and though he is supernaturally strengthened (Lk 22:43), he learns only that the Cross is unavoidable if he is to obey his Father’s will.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament
When Jesus hung upon the cross in terrible pain, His agony was compounded by the Father being unable to look on Him. Fellowship was broken.
Why? Jesus took our sin to set us free. God is not able to look on sin. God’s light was removed from Him during that time. His agony was unbearable.
At times, we feel like submitting to God is hard but because of God’s Grace we are able to bear it. If Christ did, shouldn’t we be able to?
How to pray when you don’t know what to say?
Romans 8:26 NIV “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
We have the freedom to talk to God in a normal manner. God, the Holy Spirit is there to help us. He takes our broken speeches and cleans them up for a Mighty God. We don’t have to worry about our words. What is important is the condition of our heart.
How does Jesus define prayer?
Matthew 6:9-13 NIV “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.”
Jesus gave this example for the disciples when they asked Him about how to pray. This is His answer.
- Give Honor to the Father
- Support His Kingdom
- Show Him you want His will in your life.
- Thank Him for His provision and gifts.
- Confess any unconfessed sin.
- Ask for His protection from temptation.
Conclusion
Submitting to God begins with a heart ready to follow Him and His will. Make sure you have made the initial step of accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior. If you have questions about that, comment below.
Prayer is such a wonderful gift from God, its amazing how often we neglect it.
Our link to God is simply, talk to Him. Special words are not needed, just speak from your heart. Listen to what He says. Submitting to His will become more natural and you will reap many blessings.
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