Prayer Lesson 16

 

Prayer Lesson 16

There are many that feel they have to get into a certain position before they can pray. Posture becomes a very important thing - - for them. However, when we consider Peter walking on the water and then sinking and calling out to Jesus for help (there is no question that this was an effective prayer because Jesus rescued him.) Our posture in prayer becomes meaningless.

The Bible cites several examples of posture:

1. With Head bowed

Exodus 24:8  And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped. 

2. Jesus fell on His face

Matthew 26:39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

3. Standing and praying

Mark 11:25 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

4. Lifting up your eyes

John 17:1  Jesus, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You

5. Sitting down

Acts 2:1,2 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

6. In prison bound

Acts 16:24-25  Having received such a charge, the jailer put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

7. Kneeling down

Acts 20:36  And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 

8. Lifting up your Hands

I Timothy 2:8  I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

God is obviously not concerned about posture in prayer. He just desires that we pray.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

The key word in prayer is FAITH. God is not obligated to answer just any prayer, but only the “Prayer of Faith.” Do you need more faith? Hear yourself pray the Word of God.

Romans 10:17  So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

It is a good thing to use your voice and read your Bible out loud. Hearing yourself speak God's word will increase your faith.

You have heard the statement, “God always answers prayer, but He may say 'yes, 'no' or 'wait'. This sounds good, and it has some truth in it, but many times when we do not get the requested results, we “cop-out” and say, “God said no.” when in fact, we did not ask in faith.

We should not blame God for our unanswered prayers. Look instead to your own deficiencies but expect to build up your faith as you walk with God and speak His word.

1. Believe that you receive your request - - WHEN you pray. Don't always put the answer off into the future.

Mark 11:21-24 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”  So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.  For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

2. Let the Word of God live in you and you will always ask according to His will.

John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, - - you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

Our will becomes His will as we are changed by His Word.

3. Have complete confidence in God. Let Him fulfill your request in His way and His timing.

1 John 5:14-15 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

4. Always ask in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. This name of Jesus has been placed above all other names by God, and there is nothing or no one who can stand against it.

Acts 4:12 for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

John 14:13-14 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you  ask anything in My name, I will do it.