A Lesson on Prayer

by The Rev. Dr Shane Rodney Colledge

INTRODUCTION TO PRAYER 

In this study we will look at the general and practical aspects of communication with God, (prayer). Since Prayer is essential to our relationship with God there can be no better person than our Lord to teach us how to pray, Matthew 6:5 it would appear that Jesus is more concerned with our heart attitude in relation to Prayer. The Lord clearly gives us guidelines or direction as to how we should pray. He treats our Prayer in the same manner as He treats our giving. We could conclude from Matthew 6:5 that Prayer is giving to God, it comes from the heart and the reward is in the giving of ourselves. It is something private; intimate a special relationship between God and us. Not rewarded in the acknowledgement of others. The scriptures do give guidelines about some of the things an individual should do to secure a rewarding and effective prayer life. Along with Bible reading, prayer is the most useful habit you can develop. Firstly Jesus say's  "Don't be like the hypocrites for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Assuredly I say to you they have received their reward". "But you when you pray, go into your room and when you have shut your door, pray to your father who is in the secret place and your father who sees in secret will reward you openly".

1. ONE OF THE THINGS YOU SHOULD DO WHEN YOU COME TO PRAY IS.... MATT 6:5-6 Find a place that eliminates distraction. Unless you deliberately shut yourself off and set aside a definite time to pray, there are always many distractions or things you can think of to do, and these can distract your thoughts during your prayer time. Another reason for seclusion in prayer is that your spirit becomes quiet before God (Ps 46:10) Also you are praying to God, not to men, do your praying in a place where your reward comes from God not from the recognition of men. God is not impressed by how loud you pray or how long you pray, this will only impress men. Have you forgotten that God can see into your heart? If you want to impress God be obedient to his word. Commit your prayer to him in his presence and forget about trying to impress others.

2. ANOTHER REQUIREMENT BEFORE BEGINNING TO PRAY IS TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE WHAT? Psalm 24: 3 - 4 God desires that we come before Him in an attitude of honesty and openness. This is vitally important according to Ps 66:18. Confess any conscious sin you have committed, that has not already been confessed and forgiven. Do not, however, come under condemnation Remember 1 John 1: 9 Matthew 6: 7 "But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for there many words. "Beloved of God I implore you to get out of the idea that yelling out Jesus name over and over is prayer. God is not deaf, in fact he already knows what you have need of before you pray. So why pray you might say- because it is an act of submission and intimacy and acknowledgement of his Lordship over our lives. It can be likened to a husband and wife, he says I don't have to tell her I love her she knows, and she says I know that he loves me but I wish that he would tell me.

3. WHAT DO WE DO NOW? Psalm 100:4 Praise flows from a heart attitude of thanksgiving. Thankful for who God is, and for what He has done. Praise also brings the presence of God (Ps 22:3) Praise prepares our heart to receive God's Word and to hear His voice.

4. SEEK GOD FOR DIRECTION IN PRAYER Through praise, God's presence is released. Continue to worship God and meditate on Him, then you will find God will put things, situations, people in your heart and mind to pray for. Begin to pray in that direction. If the direction you are to pray in is not clear, then remember the disciples faced the same problem, they asked Jesus how should we pray and He said Òin this manner therefore pray. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever Amen. Jesus clearly gave us a structure of how to pray. The words are not a prayer; they are a lesson of prayer.

5. WHO DO WE PRAY TO? The whole of the Godhead is involved when we pray. We pray to our Father God - John 16:23 Our approach to God is in the name of Jesus Christ - John 16:23-24 The One who reveals God's will to us, through the Word of God is the person of the Holy Spirit John 16:13

6. WHAT DOES 1 JOHN 5: 14-15 HAVE TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER? When we approach God we are to do so boldly, believing that what we are asking for is right and good for me, or for those concerned. Heb 11:6 - "without faith it is impossible to please God" Faith involves confidence. Have regular times set apart for prayer. If you don't have specific times set aside, it is easy to have such a busy life that your prayer life is neglected. Discipline is necessary.

7. WHAT DOES JESUS SAY IN MATTHEW 6:5 CONCERNING PRAYER? God's desire for you is to pray, to communicate with Him 1 Tim 2:8 'I want men in every place to pray lifting up holy hands, without wrath (mad at God) and dissension (mad at your brother)

8. FROM MATTHEW 6: 8 - 13 CAN YOU WORK OUT A PATTERN FOR YOUR PRAYER TIME.

9. WHAT DO THE VERSES IN PHILLIPPIANS 4: 4 - 7 MEAN TO YOU? Discuss CONCLUSION This study has briefly described how to come into God's presence and pray. Having an understanding of how to pray is good, but the best way to learn how to pray is to start. Praying is talking to God... Only by experience do you learn to pray regularly. But remember PRAY...

   Pastor Shane Rodney Colledge ©