HOW TO PRAY

PURPOSE

This lesson will explore a few biblical principles on how to pray properly. Since prayer is a vital part of the Christian life, we need to understand the correct way to pray.

OPENER

What does the word "prayer" mean?

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• The Greek root word for "prayer" proseuchomai {pros-yoo’-khom-ahee} (appears 85 times in the Greek New Testament) means "to speak to or to make requests of God - ‘to pray, to speak to God, or to ask God for."

• Prayer is simply talking to God.

LESSON

1. TO PRAY PROPERLY, WE SHOULD ADDRESS OUR PRAYERS TO GOD THE FATHER.

In (Matthew 6:9), how does Jesus begin His prayer?

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• Jesus began His prayer by addressing His father.

Why is it important to address our prayers to God the Father?

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• Jesus in (John 16:23-24) explains that we are to ask God not Him for requests. God is the one who hears and answers our prayers.

2. TO PRAY PROPERLY, WE SHOULD RELY UPON THE HOLY SPIRIT TO HELP US WITH OUR PRAYERS.

What are we commanded to do in (Jude 20; Ephesians 6:18)?

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• We are commanded to pray in the Spirit. To pray in the Spirit means to line up our minds and desires with the Holy Spirit's mind and desires, which are consistent with the will of the Father and the Son.

Read (Romans 8:26-27).

The Holy Spirit helps us in prayer because we have a weakness. What is our weakness?

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• We do not know what we ought to pray for (Romans 8:26). Sometimes, we do not know what we should pray for; who we should pray for; or how to phrase our petitions properly. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us. He voices our requests to God. He helps us with our weakness and communicates it to God. God knows exactly what we are trying to say because the Spirit explains it to Him.

Describe a time when you were frustrated with not knowing what to pray for.

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• Once, a dearly loved member of our church (age 89) was on her deathbed. I had a hard time deciding what to pray for. Should I pray for her to be healed? Or, should I pray for the Lord to take her peacefully?

3. TO PRAY PROPERLY, WE MUST PRAY WITH CONFIDENCE.

When praying, we can have confidence that God hears our prayers if we pray according to what (1 John 5:13-15)?

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• We are to pray according to God's will. If we pray for things that are contrary to God's will, God will not hear us. On the other hand, if we pray for things that are within God's will, then we have confidence that God hears our prayers.

What are some things that we can pray for that are not part of God's will?

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• Revenge upon our enemies would be a prayer that is not part of God's will.

What are some things that we can pray for that are part of God's will?

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• We can pray for the church, the sick, the souls of people, the government, and much more.

4. TO PRAY PROPERLY, WE SHOULD PRAY WITH PERSEVERANCE.

In the Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8), why does the judge finally grant the widow's request?

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• She was persistent. Likewise, we should be persistent. If we truly want God to answer our prayers, then we must continue to ask and never give up. Although God may not answer our prayers immediately, we can still have hope that one-day He will.

5. TO PRAY PROPERLY, WE SHOULD PRAY WITH FAITH.

Read (Mark 11:24; Matthew 21:21-22). When we pray with faith, what is promised in these verses?

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• When we truly believe that God can answer our prayers, He will. Faith is important in prayer.

Tell us of a time when God answered your faith driven prayer.

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6. TO PRAY PROPERLY, WE SHOULD CLOSE OUR PRAYERS IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.

What new promise regarding prayer does Jesus give His disciples (John 16:23-24)?

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• When the early disciples needed something, they went directly to Jesus. However, since Jesus was about to die, He instructed His disciples to go to God with their requests and present them through Jesus' name (See also Colossians. 3:17).

CONCLUSION:

1. Prayer is a great blessing that we have as Christians. We are able to approach the Creator of the world and ask for His assistance.

2. It is important that we learn how to pray properly.

3. To pray properly, we should

a. Address our prayers to God the Father.

b. Rely upon the Holy Spirit to help us with our prayers.

c. Pray with confidence.

d. Pray with perseverance.

e. Pray with faith

f. Close our prayers in the name of Jesus Christ.

4. I hope your prayer life is wonderful and is a source of great blessings. 

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