Prayer For Christians

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PRAYER FOR CHRISTIANS
(Christianology : Doctrine Of Christians)
SECTION 1: DEFINITION

* Prayer is talking to God in adoration, confession, thanksgiving

1. Adoration
Psalms 95:6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

2. Confession
Psalms 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

3. Thanksgiving
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

4. Adoration / Supplication / Blessings
1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 Samuel 7:29 Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.


SECTION 2: HOW TO PRAY

1. Directed To God The Father
Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

2. Its Done In The Name Of Jesus
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

3. Its Done Through The Power Of God The Holy Spirit
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
* It needs to be done in the spirit not in flesh

4. Bow The Knee
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

5. Face On The Earth
Genesis 17:3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

6. Lift Up Hands
1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

7. Bow The Head
Genesis 24:48 And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.

8. To Say Amen
1 Corinthians 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
* Amen means let it be so

9. Closing Of The Eyes
Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
* It shows the sign of humility

10. Lifting Up Our Eyes
John 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

11. Fasting
1 Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
* Its helping us to crucify our flesh
* Flesh wants water and food


12. At Times Formalities Are Not Required
Nehemiah 2:3-5 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?
4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.
* Nehemiah was the cup bearer to the king and when He was bearing the cup to the king, the king asked him why is he so sad. Nehemiah said he prayed to the Lord and then after the prayer only he answered the king. Nehemiah did a quick prayer to God


SECTION 3: WHERE TO PRAY

1. In The Closet, Shut The Door, Pray In Secret, Pray Privately
Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
* not to show off

2. In The House Of God
Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

3. In Front Of The Congregation
1 Kings 8:22-23 And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:
23 And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:

4. Everywhere
1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.


SECTION 4: WHEN TO PRAY

1. In The Morning
Psalms 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up

2. In Noon And Evening
Psalms 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

3. Daily
Psalms 86:3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

4. Day And Night
Psalms 88:1 O LORD God of my salvation,I have cried day and night before thee:

5. Always
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

6. Example To Follow: Daniel Prayed 3 Times A Day
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.


SECTION 5: SUBJECTS FOR PRAYER

1. The 2nd Coming Of Christ
Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

2. Healing For The Sick
James 5:13-15 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

3. Leaders Of Our Nation
1 Timothy 2:1-2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

4. A Longer Life
Isaiah 38:1-3 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,
3 And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
* So that we can bear more fruit for God

5. Personal Safety
Daniel 6:23-24 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.
* pray for spiritual, physical, mental, financial, or any harm

6. Wisdom
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

7. More Missionaries And Ministries
Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

8. Comfort
James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

9. Christians To Be Worthy
2 Thessalonians 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
* Spiritual growth of christians

10. Salvation Of Souls
2 Corinthians 5:19-20 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

11. Resisting Temptations
Luke 22:40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

12. Traveling Journey Mercies
Romans 1:10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

13. Leaders In Church
1 Timothy 5:17-22 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

14. Our Enemies
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;


SECTION 6: CONDITIONS TO PRAYER

1. Faith In His Existence And His Rewarding
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
James 1:6-7 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

2. Confidence
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

3. Persistent
Luke 11:1-9 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

4. Have Humility
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

5. Repentance Of Sin
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

6. When We Have Sin Involved, God Is Not Going To Answer, That's Why Its Important To Confess Our Sin
Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

7. Pray According To His Will
1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

8. Jesus Didn't Want To Take The Sin Upon Himself But According To God's Will
Matthew 26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

9. Forgiving Spirit
Mark 11:25-26 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

10. Keep His Commandment And Be Pleasing In His Sight
1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

11. Abide In Him
John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

12. Without Lust
James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

13. It Must Exclude Double Mindedness
James 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

14. Just Pray
Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.


SECTION 7: WRONG WAY TO PRAY

1. Not To Pray To Saints
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
* There is only one mediator that is Jesus Christ

2. Empty Everthing Of Onself Like Yoga
Matthew 12:43-45 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
* Yoga requires one to empty everthing of onself. When we are emptying ourselves, they are open to demon posession

3. Material And Items Are Not Required
Nehemiah 2:3-5 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?
4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.
* Prayer rug, rosary, etc

4. Repetition
Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
eg. Catholics chants repetitive hail mary....


SECTION 8: EXAMPLE OF CHANGING GOD'S MIND

1. Moses Changed God's Mind
Numbers 14:11-20 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?
12 I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.
13 And Moses said unto the LORD, Then the Egyptians shall hear it, (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them;)
14 And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night.
15 Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying,
16 Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.
17 And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying,
18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
19 Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.
20 And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word: