VictoryBriefings.Net - Using the Word of God for a Victorious Life

Prayer -- Communication with God

Prayer is not trying to get God's attention (Heb. 4:12-16).

Prayer is not trying to get God to do something (Heb. 4:3, 6:12, 10:35).

Prayer is communication with God--believing and receiving what He has already provided for us in Christ Jesus.

Prayer is the main theme of Luke -- Lk 11:1.

To pray and work is a theme of Nehemiah -- Neh 4:9.

What is prayer?
1. Calling on the name of the Lord -- Ge 4:26; Ge 12:8; Zep 3:9
2. Calling to God -- Ps 4:1,3; Ps 17:6
3. Seeking God's face -- 2 Ch 7:14; Ps 27:8
4. Seeking the Lord -- Ps 34:4; Isa 55:6
5. Crying out to God -- Ps 3:4; Ps 66:1
6. Lifting up the soul to God -- Ps 25:1; Ps 86:4
7. Lifting up one's hands to God -- Ps 28:2; Ps 141:2
8. Approaching God's throne of grace -- Heb 4:16
9. Drawing near to God -- Heb 10:22
To whom should we pray?
1. To God -- 2 Ch 20:5-6; Ezra 9:6; Ac 4:24
2. To the Father -- Eph 1: 17; Eph 3:14; Col 1:3
3. To the Lord -- 2 Ch 20:5-6; Ac 4:24; 2 Co 12:8
4. To Jesus -- Lk 23:42; Ac 7:59
What are the elements of prayer?
1. Praise -- Ps 150; Mt 11:25-26 See Praise
2. Thanksgiving -- Ps 136; Phil. 4:6 See Thanksgiving
3. Confession -- Ps 51; Mt 6:12 See Confession
4. Intercession -- Ps 122:6-9; Jn 17:7-12 See Intercession
5. Petition -- Ps 27:7-12; Mt 26:39,42 See Petition
How should we pray?
1. Divine elements
  1. Through Jesus Christ -- Rom 1:8; Col 3:17
  2. In the name of Jesus Christ -- Jn 14:13-14; Eph 5:20
  3. In the Holy Spirit -- Eph 6:18; Jude 20 See Praying in the Spirit
2. Human elements
  1. In the fear of the Lord -- Ps 145:19; Pr 1:28-29
  2. In faith -- Mk 11:24; James 1:6; 5:15
  3. In humility -- 2 Ch 7:14; 33:12-13
  4. In repentance -- 2 Ch 6:37; Acts 3:19
  5. With all our heart -- Dt 29:13; Jer 29:13
  6. With a heart free from sin -- Ps 66:18-19; Isa 1:15-16; Jn 9:31
  7. With a life free from selfishness -- Lk 18:9-14; James 4:3
  8. With a heart free from doubt -- Mt 21:21; James 1:5-7
  9. With a forgiving spirit -- Mt 6:14-15; Mk 11:25
  10. With confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 10:19,35; 1 Jn 3.21-22
  11. With persistence -- Lk 11:5-10; Lk 18:1-7; 1 Th 5:17
  12. With sincerity and simplicity -- Mt 6:5-8; Mk 12:38-40
  13. In accordance with God's will -- Mt 26:42; 1 Jn 5:14
  14. By accompanying prayer with obedience -- 1 Jn 3:22
Does God answer the prayers of his people?
1. Remarkable answers to prayers
  1. Abraham's servant for a wife for Isaac -- Ge 24:12-27
  2. Moses for the defeat of Amalek -- Ex 17:8-13
  3. Gideon and his fleece -- Jdg 6:36-40
  4. Samson for strength -- Jdg 16:25-30
  5. Hannah for a child -- 1 Sam 1:9-20
  6. Elijah for return to life of a dead boy -- 1 Kings 17:19-23
  7. Elijah for fire from heaven -- 1 Kings 18:30-38
  8. Elijah for rain -- 1 Kings 18:41-45; James 5:17-18
  9. Elisha for return to life of a dead boy -- 2 Kings 4:32-35
  10. Hezekiah for healing -- 2 Kings 20:1-7
  11. Daniel for safety in the lions' den -- Dan 6:10,16-22
  12. Zechariah for a child -- Lk 1:7,11-17
  13. The thief on the cross for salvation -- Lk 23:42-43
  14. Early Christians for Peter in prison -- Acts 12:3-11
  15. Paul and Silas in prison -- Acts 16:25-26
2. God's promises to answer us
  1. In the Old Testament -- Ps 86:7; Isa 30:19; Isa 58:9
  2. In the words of Jesus -- Mt 7:7-11; Jn 14.13-14
  3. In the New Testament -- James 1:1-8; 1 Jn 5:14-15
3. The basis of God's answers
  1. God's glory -- Num 14:13-16; Jn 17:1-5
  2. God's grace -- Ex 32:31-32; Num 14:17-19; Isa 30:19; 2 Cor 12:8-9
  3. God's faithfulness to His Word -- Ex 32:12-13; 2 Ch 20:7-9
4. The manner of God's answers
  1. Sometimes immediately -- Num 14:20; 1 Kings 17:20-21; Lk 23:43
  2. Sometimes after a delay -- Lk 18:1-7
  3. Sometimes more than asked for -- 1 Kings 18:24,36-38; Eph 3:20
  4. Sometimes different from the request -- 1 Kings 19:1-9; 2 Cor 12:7-9
  5. Sometimes "No" -- 2 Sam 12:15-20
  6. God requires action on our part -- Neh 4:9
Various aspects of prayer
1. Postures of prayer
  1. standing -- 1 Kings 8:22; Neh 9:4-5
  2. sitting -- 1 Ch 17:16; Lk 10:13
  3. Kneeling -- Ezr 9:5; Dan 6:10; Acts 20:36
  4. Bowing down -- Ex 34:8; Ps 5:7; Ps 95:6
  5. Lying on the ground -- 2 Sam 12:16; Mt 26:39
  6. Lifting up hands -- Ps 28:2; Isa 1:15; 1 Tim 2:8
2. Manner of prayer
  1. Alone, silently -- 1 Sam 1:18
  2. Alone, aloud -- Eze 11:13
  3. With two or three -- Mt 18:19
  4. In a larger group -- Ps 35:18
3. Time of prayer
  1. In the morning -- Ps 5:1-3; Mk 1:35
  2. In the evening -- Ge 24:63
  3. At fixed times -- Ps 55:17; Dan 6:10
  4. Always -- Lk 18:1; Rom 1:10; 1 Th 5:17
4. Possible places of prayer
  1. In secret -- Mt 6:6
  2. In bed -- Ps 63:6
  3. In a family setting -- Acts 10:1-2
  4. Out in the open -- Ge 24:11-12
  5. On the battlefield -- Jos 10:12-13
  6. By the riverside -- Acts 16:13
  7. In the temple -- 2 Kings 19:14
  8. In the church gathered together -- Acts 4:23-24, 31
  9. Anywhere -- 1 Tim 2:8

See also Approaching God