T2L4 Prayer [Discipleship Class]
- Rev. Bruce A. Shields
- 12 minutes ago
- 13 min read
THE HOUSE OF FAITH CHURCH | REPLUM DISCIPLESHIP COURSE
REPLUM INSTITUTE FOR CHRISTIAN STUDIES | WWW.REPLUM.ORG | WWW.PS127.ORG
TERM 2 LESSON 4: PRAYER AND COMMUNICATION WITH GOD
KEY VERSE TO MEMORIZE
"Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them." - Mark 11:24
LESSON OVERVIEW
Prayer is one of the greatest privileges of the Christian life. Through prayer, we communicate directly with the God of the universe who loves us and cares about every detail of our lives. Yet many Christians struggle with prayer - they're not sure how to pray, what to pray for, or whether God really hears them. Today we'll discover what the Bible teaches about prayer and how to develop a vibrant prayer life.
WHAT IS PRAYER?
PRAYER IS COMMUNICATION WITH GOD
Prayer is simply talking and listening to God:
"Call to me, and I will answer you, and will show you great and difficult things, which you don't know." (Jeremiah 33:3)
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." (James 4:8)
Prayer is not a ritual or magic formula - it's real communication with a personal God.
PRAYER IS A RELATIONSHIP ACTIVITY
Prayer flows from our relationship with God as His children:
"For you didn't receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15)
"See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1)
Because we are God's children, we can approach Him with confidence and intimacy.
PRAYER INVOLVES BOTH SPEAKING AND LISTENING
True prayer includes both talking to God and listening for His response:
"Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27)
Prayer is a conversation, not a monologue.
WHY PRAYER IS IMPORTANT
GOD COMMANDS US TO PRAY
Prayer is not optional for Christians - it's commanded:
"Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
"Therefore I desire that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger and doubting." (1 Timothy 2:8)
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2)
PRAYER DEEPENS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
Regular prayer draws us closer to God:
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." (James 4:8)
"But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, that I may tell of all your works." (Psalm 73:28)
The more we communicate with God, the better we know Him.
PRAYER BRINGS GOD'S POWER INTO OUR LIVES
Through prayer, we access God's supernatural power:
"The effective, earnest prayer of a righteous man is powerfully effective." (James 5:16)
"Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you." (Matthew 7:7)
PRAYER PROVIDES PEACE AND COMFORT
Prayer brings peace in anxious times:
"In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
PRAYER ALIGNS OUR WILL WITH GOD'S WILL
Prayer changes us to want what God wants:
"This is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us." (1 John 5:14)
"Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." (Luke 22:42)
HOW TO PRAY: JESUS' MODEL
THE LORD'S PRAYER AS A PATTERN
Jesus taught His disciples how to pray by giving them a model:
"Pray like this: 'Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.'" (Matthew 6:9-13)
This prayer provides a pattern for all our praying.
ADORATION: "OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, HOLY IS YOUR NAME"
Begin prayer by worshiping God for who He is:
"Oh come, let's worship and bow down. Let's kneel before Yahweh, our Maker." (Psalm 95:6)
"I will give thanks to Yahweh according to his righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of Yahweh Most High." (Psalm 7:17)
Focus on God's character, attributes, and greatness.
SUBMISSION: "YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE"
Submit to God's authority and purposes:
"Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and
he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
"Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service." (Romans 12:1)
SUPPLICATION: "GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD"
Ask God to provide for your needs:
"But my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
"Therefore don't be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?', 'What will we drink?' or, 'With what will we be clothed?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things." (Matthew 6:31-32)
CONFESSION: "FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS"
Confess your sins and ask for forgiveness:
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
"He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." (Proverbs 28:13)
FORGIVENESS: "AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS"
Forgive others as God has forgiven you:
"Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." (Matthew 6:14)
PROTECTION: "DELIVER US FROM EVIL"
Ask for God's protection from temptation and evil:
"No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)
"Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11)
DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRAYER
PRAYERS OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP
Praising God for who He is:
"I will bless Yahweh at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth." (Psalm 34:1)
"Praise Yahweh! Praise God in his sanctuary! Praise him in his heavens for his acts of power!" (Psalm 150:1)
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING
Thanking God for what He has done:
"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, and bless his name." (Psalm 100:4)
PRAYERS OF CONFESSION
Acknowledging and repenting of sin:
"Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way." (Psalm 139:23-24)
"Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my sins." (Psalm 51:1)
PRAYERS OF PETITION
Asking God for personal needs:
"Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you." (Matthew 7:7)
"Let us therefore draw near with boldness (confidence, not arrogance or pride) to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Praying for others:
"I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men." (1 Timothy 2:1)
"Confess your sins to one another, (that you are struggling, not the details) and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective." (James 5:16)
THE HOLY SPIRIT'S ROLE IN PRAYER
THE SPIRIT HELPS US PRAY
The Holy Spirit assists us in our prayers:
"In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered." (Romans 8:26)
When we don't know what to pray, the Spirit prays for us.
PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT
We should pray under the Holy Spirit's guidance:
"But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit." (Jude 1:20)
"praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:18)
THE SPIRIT GIVES US ACCESS TO GOD
Through the Spirit, we can approach God confidently:
"For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father." (Ephesians 2:18)
"in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him." (Ephesians 3:12)
CONDITIONS FOR EFFECTIVE PRAYER
FAITH
We must believe God hears and answers prayer:
"But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed." (James 1:6)
"Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them." (Mark 11:24)
ACCORDING TO GOD'S WILL
Our prayers should align with God's will:
"This is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us." Confidence and assurance, not pride or arrogance. (1 John 5:14)
"not my will, but yours, be done." (Luke 22:42)
PERSISTENCE
We should continue praying and not give up:
"He spoke a parable to them that they should always pray, and not give up." (Luke 18:1)
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2)
We must be content in God’s Will, regardless of what His will is!
CLEAN HEART
Sin can hinder our prayers:
"If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord wouldn't have listened." (Psalm 66:18)
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8)
FORGIVENESS
We must forgive others for our prayers to be effective:
"Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your sins." (Mark 11:25)
OBSTACLES TO PRAYER
DOUBT AND UNBELIEF
Lack of faith hinders prayer:
"But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. For let that man not think that he will receive anything from the Lord." (James 1:6-7)
The surrounding verses (James 1:5-8) talk about asking God for wisdom. The emphasis is on asking with faith, meaning you are confident that God is able and willing to give according to His will.
The focus is on faith that trusts God’s providence and His timing, even if the answer differs from what we expect. It’s a faith-filled confidence that God will act, not a mere wish or uncertain hope.
UNCONFESSED SIN
Sin creates a barrier between us and God:
"But your iniquities have separated you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." (Isaiah 59:2)
Scripture distinguishes between unrepentant, reigning sin that reflects an unregenerate heart and indwelling sin that remains in a regenerate believer who is being sanctified. Isaiah describes separation this way: Isaiah 59:2 declares, “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.” That is the posture of persistent rebellion and unbelief.
By contrast, the believer’s ongoing struggle with sin exists under grace, not condemnation. Romans 8:1 states, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” The Christian still battles the flesh, but remains in fellowship through confession and cleansing, as promised in 1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
In short, sin that separates is the settled posture of unbelief and rebellion; sin that does not separate is the struggle of a redeemed heart still being conformed to Christ. (in the act of sanctification)
Endnotes
The Holy Bible, Legacy Standard Bible, Isaiah 59:2; Romans 8:1; 1 John 1:7.
John MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus, Zondervan.
Costi Hinn, Knowing God’s Voice, Zondervan.
WRONG MOTIVES
Selfish motives can hinder prayer:
"You ask, and don't receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it for your pleasures." (James 4:3)
LACK OF FORGIVENESS
Unforgiveness blocks our prayers:
"But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:15)
PRIDE AND SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS
Humility is necessary for effective prayer:
"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)
"But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other." (Luke 18:13-14)
PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR PRAYER
SET ASIDE REGULAR TIME
Establish consistent times for prayer:
"Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice." (Psalm 55:17)
"But when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." (Matthew 6:6)
USE SCRIPTURE IN PRAYER
Let God's Word guide your prayers:
"If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you." (John 15:7)
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." (Colossians 3:16)
KEEP A PRAYER LIST
Write down prayer requests and answers:
"Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he who reads it may run." (Habakkuk 2:2)
PRAY WITH OTHERS
Join with other believers in prayer:
"Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them." (Matthew 18:19-20)
BE HONEST WITH GOD
Share your real thoughts and feelings:
"Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us." (Psalm 62:8)
KEY POINTS SUMMARY
• Prayer is communication with God that flows from our relationship as His children
• God commands us to pray and promises to hear and answer
• Jesus gave us a model prayer that includes adoration, submission, supplication, confession, forgiveness, and protection
• Different types of prayer include praise, thanksgiving, confession, petition, and intercession
• The Holy Spirit helps us pray and gives us access to God
• Effective prayer requires faith, alignment with God's will, persistence, and a clean heart
• Obstacles to prayer include doubt, sin, wrong motives, unforgiveness, and pride
• Practical prayer involves regular time, using Scripture, keeping records, praying with others, and being honest
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Establish Regular Prayer Time: Set aside specific times each day for prayer. Start with just 10-15 minutes if you're beginning, and gradually increase as the habit develops.
Use the Lord's Prayer as a Guide: Follow Jesus' model prayer as an outline for your own prayers, spending time on each element (adoration, submission, supplication, etc.).
Keep a Prayer Journal: Write down prayer requests and note when and how God answers them. This will strengthen your faith and help you see God's faithfulness.
Pray Scripture: Use verses from the Bible as the basis for your prayers. This ensures you're praying according to God's will and helps you know what to pray.
Find a Prayer Partner: Partner with another believer for regular prayer. Pray together for each other's needs and for your church and community.
QUIZ - PRAYER AND COMMUNICATION WITH GOD
Instructions: Answer all questions honestly. Check your answers with the answer key below. Calculate your score and write it in the space provided.
True or False: Prayer is just talking to God, not listening to Him.
Fill in the blank: "Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, ______BELIEVE_______ that you have received them, and you shall have them."
Multiple Choice: According to the Lord's Prayer, we should begin by: a) Asking for our needs b) Confessing our sins c) Honoring God's name d) Forgiving others
True or False: God commands all Christians to pray regularly.
Fill in the blank: "In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the _______PEACE______ of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts."
Multiple Choice: According to Romans 8:26, the Holy Spirit: a) Replaces our need to pray b) Helps us when we don't know how to pray c) Only helps pastors pray d) Makes prayer unnecessary
True or False: We should only pray when we feel like it.
Fill in the blank: "This is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his ______WILL_______, he listens to us."
Multiple Choice: What can hinder our prayers? a) Unconfessed sin b) Unforgiveness c) Wrong motives d) All of the above
Short Answer: What are the main elements of the Lord's Prayer that we should include in our own prayers?
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