THE BENEFITS OF PRAYER

PURPOSE

In this study, we will explore the wonderful benefits of prayer.

OPENER

What one prayer are you most thankful that God has answered?

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• Besides my salvation, I am most thankful that God answered my prayer for a child. Dylan, our son, has been the greatest blessing in the world.

LESSON

HERE ARE SEVERAL BENEFITS THAT WE ENJOY THROUGH PRAYER.

1. FIRST, PRAYER BRINGS PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALING.

In (James 5:14-16), James teaches on the benefits of prayer. In these verses, James mentions two types of people who receive healing. Name these people.

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• Sick people (physical) and people who confess their sins (spiritual) can receive healing through prayer. God heals us both physically and spiritually.

The story of King David provides an excellent example of how prayer can bring both physical and spiritual healing. How did David feel after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed in battle (Psalm 32:3-4)?

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• David felt miserable. He was depressed and guilt ridden.

According to (Psalm 32:5), how did David feel after he confessed his sin to God in prayer?

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• His guilt was removed. His burdens were lifted. He experienced both physical and spiritual healing.

Another example of how prayer can bring physical healing is found in (Isaiah 38:1-6). One of the good kings of Judah, King Hezekiah, became extremely ill and was about to die. Once he found out about this, he immediately prayed to God for His assistance. What did God do for Hezekiah?

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• God answered Hezekiah's prayer by adding 15 years to his life.

How did God heal Hezekiah (Isaiah 38:21)?

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• God healed Hezekiah with the use of medicine. He had him apply poultice of figs and apply it to the boil. At times, God heals directly. However, He also heals through medicine.

Tell us of a time when you received physical or spiritual healing.

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2. SECOND, PRAYER HELPS US OVERCOME TEMPTATION.

While Jesus was awaiting His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, He asked His disciples to keep watch for His Betrayers. However, His disciples kept falling asleep. So Jesus in (Matthew 26:41), told His disciples to watch and pray in order to avoid temptation. Why do you think prayer helps in overcoming temptation?

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• When we are tempted to sin, we focus on the pleasure of the sin. We think about how that sin is going to satisfy our physical craving. However, when we stop to pray, we began to focus on God and not on the sin. Our desire is diverted away from sin and towards God. Prayer helps us defeat temptation by diverting our attention back towards God and His desires.

Describe a situation when prayer helped you overcome temptation.

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3. THIRD, LIST SOME MORE BENEFITS THAT WE ENJOY THROUGH PRAYER.

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CONCLUSION:

1. There are many benefits that we enjoy through prayer.

a. Prayer brings physical and spiritual healing.

b. Prayer helps us overcome temptation.

2. Let us thank God for the wonderful blessings we receive through prayer. 

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