C:\SCANS\Prayer.htm

PRAYER AND GOD'S WILL

Romans 8:26-27

A - Adoration
C - Confession
T - Thanksgiving
S - Supplication

A. Spectrum of Prayer: Matthew 7:7-8
    1. Asking and receiving - When we know God's will. I John 5:14-15
    2. Seeking and finding - When we do not know God's will. Colossians 3: 1;
           Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 37:4

3. Knocking and opening - We know the will of God but find the door closed. Miracle-working prayer.

B. Why Pray
      Luke 18:1 - Commanded to
      John 16:24 - receive joy
      Psalm 34:6 - Save you out of all troubles
      James 1:5 - Unlock treasure chest of God's wisdom
      Jeremiah 33:3 - Channel of power - John 4:4
      1 Samuel 12:23 - Sin not to pray
       Romans 10:13 - 14 - Sinners can be saved
       I Thessalonians 5:17 - God's will

C. Model Prayer - Matthew 6:9-15
        1. To our Father in Heaven - Because of Who He is
        2. In the name of Jesus - John 14: 13 - 14
        3. Influence of the Holy Spirit - Romans 8:26-27
        4. His will to be done in everything - James 4:15
        5. Coming of the Kingdom - Matthew 25:31-46
        6. Life necessities - Luke 11:3
        7. Forgiveness and practice forgiving others - Matthew 18:2.1-22
        8. Leading of the Lord and deliverance from evil - Luke 22:42
        9. Pray in faith, for without faith it is impossible to please Him - Hebrews 11: 6,
                Romans 14:23

D. Where to Pray:

Acts 1:13-14; Acts 2:42-47; Acts 12:5-19; Acts 16:25; Matthew 6:6; 1 Timothy 2:8

E. When to Pray:

Mark 1:34-35; Matthew 14:22-23; Luke 6:10-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:17

F. Pray for
      1. Those in authority - I Timothy 2:2-3                                            Principles:
      2. Believers - Ephesians 6: 18                                                           1. Heart of compassion
      3. Pastors - Ephesians 6:19                                                               2. Your prayer is a link
      4. Laborers - Matthew 9:38                                                              3. Desire the highest good
      5. Lost - I Timothy 2:3-6                                                                  4. Be willing to be part of answer
      6. Enemies - Matthew 5:44                                                               5.PERSEVERE

G. When Prayers Do Not Seem to be Answered:

1 . Do you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? John 14:6

2. Unharmonious relationship between husband and wife - I Peter 3:1-7

3. Selfishness - James 4:3

4. Unforgiving spirit - Matthew 5:23-24

5. Unbelief - James 1:6-7; Hebrews 11:6; John 11:21-43

6. Any known sin - Isaiah 59:1-2; Psalm 66:18; 1 John 1:9

7. When we do not reach out - Proverbs 21: 13

8. Not obedient to God's Law - Proverbs 28:9

H. The Way God Answers Prayer - If we ( as far as we know) have no unconfessed sins

in our life. John 15:7-8; Jeremiah 33:3

a. Abide in Him - remain in His will. Romans 12: 1-2

b. His word abides in you - filled and guided by His Holy Spirit and

Word. Colossians 3:16-17

c. Time to act - don't continue to pray when action is needed.

d. Don't blame God or doubt God.

1. God answers sometimes immediately - Matthew 14:22-23

2. God's answer is sometimes delayed, but not denied according to His will.

Romans 8:28

a. Helps us to trust where we see no evidence-

b. Preparing us - We may not be ready spiritually

c. God has something better for us

d. To glorify Him

3. Sometimes the answer is no.

a. Here God's answer is always accompanied with Peace, Philippians 4:6-7, and with Grace, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

b. God wants us to want Him, not objects. Usually we don't want Him, we want His answer.

All prayers are answered - not according to our will, but His will.

1. Praying with Authority

1. Right relationship - with God and others. Pure. I John 1:9

2. Right method - definite, specific. Philippians 4:6

3. Right request - 1 John 5:14-15 - God's Will

4. Right formula - John 14:13-15. In My Name

5. Right Attitude - James 1:6-8. In faith

6. Right motive - Matthew 5:16. Glorify God