Introduction:
God desires our friendship and wants our prayers. The Bible testify to the fact that God delights in our prayers —Prov 15:8. Our prayer lists must come from both the needs of others as well as the passions of God expressed in Scripture. We need to “LEARN TO TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER”.
In this study, we would consider prayer on three levels; Personal Prayer life, Prayer life of the Church Fellowship, and Prayer for the City/Nation.

Personal Prayer life
a) The Prayer life of Jesus
How do we undestand the following Scriptures:
Rom 8:29; II Cor 3:18; I Jn 3:1-3; I Jn 4:4; I Jn 5:4; I Jn 3:9; II Pet 1: 3-4; Gal 2:20; Phil 4:13; I Cor 3:16-17; 6:19-20; Luke 6:40; I Pet 2:21
God expects a higher standard of Christian living from every new Testament Christian — True or false? The Bible expects us to be like Jesus. We are to look like and be like Jesus.
Did Jesus pray to give us an example or He prayed because He needed to pray?

Praying before, during, and after ministry
Heb 5: 7-8 — Jesus prayed to be delivered from death (He was not heard because He was a Son but because He feared God).
Mark 1:35 — In the morning ( a long while before daylight) — Prayer was more important than sleep.
Luke 5:15-16- Prayer more important than ministring to others.
Mark 3:20-2; 6:3 1, 6:46-47 — Jesus had no time to eat but time to pray.
Luke 6: 12-13- Prayed all-night before choosing 12 disciples even though he knew them personally.
Do we pray before making major decisions. If Jesus the Son of God had to pray, what about us?
Jesus had a 40 day fast before beginning His public ministry.
A Christian who does not pray has found a short cut into spiritual things which Jesus does not know.
Luke 11:1 — Jews had many watches of prayer. The disciples, though Jews, saw something different in Jesus Prayer life and so
they asked Him to teach them how to pray. There must be something in Prayer that made Jesus the Son of God to take prayer as a lifestyle.
Luke 18:1 — Men ought always to pray ( Two thirds of the Godhead are intercessors — Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit) Intercession is not OPTIONAL
Luke 9:27-29 — He went to the pray and as He prayed His countenance changed. There is a transformation that happens in prayer. MaU 14:22-25 — After feeding of the 5000, He went to pray ( from about 6 pm to about 3 a.m)

Praying in Gethsemane
Jn 18:2-3 Mark 14:32-42; MaU 26: 36-46; Luk 22:39-46 - Jesus had a place of prayer - Gethsemane. Many Christians do not have a place of Prayer. Judas knew where to find Jesus when he betrayed Him.Who was more tired in Gethsemane, Jesus or the Disciples?. He asked them could you not watch with me one hour?. There are times when it is wrong to sleep. Because you miss vital hours with the Lord. Many of us are sinning daily mainly because our prayer life is weak.
Jesus went a stone’ throw from the disciples because he knew there is a certain intimacy with God when you are praying alone. We need to pick this habit of being alone with God.
Ex 34: 1-4 - Moses went alone. Joshua stood at the feet of the mountain
Jesus fell on his face. What about you? Sometimes what we bring before God demands more than casual praying. It demands praying with a burden — (Heb 5:7-8).
An angel came to strengthen Jesus in the garden. Jesus prayed more earnestly — Luk 22: 43-44

Praying for Others
Luke 22:31-32 — Jesus Himself was interceding for Peter because he saw what Satan planned to do to Peter.
Ex 17:8-14 — Moses controlled what was happening in the valley. Our PastorslLeaders need these kinds of prayers. Aaron and Hur
held Moses hands until there was victory in the valley. That cooperation was necessary..
Job 42:8-10 - God turned the captivity of Job after he prayed for his friends.
Many of us our prayers only cover I, myself, me and mine. Jesus Presently Ministry is Intercession.

A study shows that the average prayer life of an American pastor is 45 nuns while that of a Korean church member is 4 hrs a day. We need to examine our prayers in the light of the prayers of Jesus Christ

Let us ask the Lord to teach us to pray
Consider the following prayers for their contents and emphasis:, also are they based on a biblical promises, God’s
character, honour, reputation, name etc?
Prayer of Hezekiah — Isa 36: 1-22 ; 37: 1-22
Prayer of Jehoshapat —II Chro 20: 1-20
Prayer of Solomon — II Chro 6:1342,
Prayer of the Disciples — Acts 4: 24-31
Prayer of Moses — Ex 32: 7-13 ; Num 14:13-22; Deut. 9: 26-29
Prayer of Joshua — Josh 7: 6-9
Prayer of the Syrophoenician woman — Mark 11:24 —30
Prayer of Abraham. — Gen 18:25
Prayer of Daniel — Dan 9:4-19

b) Prayer life of the Church/Fellowship - Scriptures: Isa 56:7; Rev 5:8; Acts 6:4; Ps 109:4; II Chro 7:14

“Every man and woman in connection with our the Church who is not spending time in prayer will be a neutralising force in the Church. They may be in the Sunday School; they may have charge of the finances; they may act as deacons or elders; but whatever their place, they are an inert body. They have the tendency to lower the spiritual temperature of everyone in close contact with them.”
“Every Church should have a Prayer Program”
“The prayer life of the Church should be so interwoven with every feature of it that God could be seen in every department.” “The prayer life brings those who pray into vital contact with the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, as well as contiunual;ly in touch with the Word.”
“It is important that the largest possible number of the membership should be led into the Prayer Program of the Church.” “A Church cannot be built up spiritually without prayer”
Are you involved with Prayer in your fellowship/congregation ? If not, it is time for we have entered the hour of PRAYER.

c) Prayer for the City/Nation
Consider these Scriptures Mal 1:11; Jer 29:7,12-14; Ps 2:8; 1 Tim 2:1-8

Are you seeking the peace of your City?
Are you shinning as light to repel the darkness in the land?
Are you seeking the peace of Israel and the salvation of the Jews?
Are you involved with seeking the Lord’s face for the people of this nation?

One of the main conditions of Praying for the City/Nation is COMMITMENT TO THE LAND. Become a land OWNER not a RENTER
 

d) BASIC CONDITIONS FOR PRAYER:
1. In the name of Jesus (John 14:13-14; Rom 8:32; Phil 4:19; 2 Cor 1:20)
2. With Praise and Worship (Ps 100:4; Isa 60:18; Phil 4:6)
3. Without Condemnation — BOLDLY (Ps 66:18; I Tim 2:8; Heb 4:16; 10:19
4. With Right Motive: God’s Glory - Mart 6:13
5. With Forgiveness (Mart 6:12; Mark 11:25-26; I Pet 3:7
6. Directed by the Holy Spirit ( Rom 8:14, 26-27; Eph 3:20)
7. According to God’s Word (I Chro 17:23; Luk 1:38;