PRAYER
Objective: To develop a consistent heart for daily, consistent, believing prayer and to
understand what it is, what hinders it, and how to do it.
Principles:
1. God commands us to pray constantly—share our heart’s desire with him. Psalms
62:8
2. Real prayer is specifically and confidently asking God for the humanly
impossible. Jeremiah 33:3
3. God often limits His work to answering prayer – James 4:26 – in order to:
a. Build faith and love – Psalms 116:1-2
b. Glorify His name – John 14:13-14
c. Provide joy – John 16:24
d. Provide peace – Philippians 4:6-7
Verses to Memorize:
Matthew 21:22
John 16:24
I John 5:14-15
Matthew 18:19-20
James 4:2-3
Luke 18:1
Philippians 4:6-7
I Samuel 12:23
Romans 8:26
Jeremiah 33:3
Psalms 66:18
Psalms 62:8
Hebrews 4:16
Colossians 4:2
Scriptures and Key Thoughts:
John 17 – Jesus’ prayer for disciples
Matthew 6:5-13 – Lord’s Prayer
Luke 18:1-14 – persistent prayer
Mark 11:22-26 – believing God
Nehemiah 1 and 2 – praying hand
Hindrances to Effective Prayer:
1. Hard heart toward Jesus – John 15:7
2. Sin – Isaiah 59:1-2
3. Carnality – Psalms 66:18
4. Wrong Motives – James 1:5-8
5. Lack of asking – James 4:2b
6. Instability – James 1:5-8
7. doubt – Matthew 21:22
8. Unforgiving Spirit – Mark 11:25
9. Lack of domestic tranquility – I Peter 3:7
10. Lack of heart for god’s word – Proverbs 28:9
11. Unwillingness to unconditionally surrender to God’s will – I John 5:14-15
12. Pride – Job 35:12-13
13. Lack of compassion – Proverbs 21:13
Illustrations:
1. Praying hand—adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication, intercession.
2. God has a warehouse of blessings boxed up, ready to send us, but we never ask.
3. Prayer is like a man jumping off into the Grand Canyon—God could catch him
before he hits bottom, but He never promised He would. We can’t always expect
a “yes” answer unless He promises
4. Prayer cycle illustration.
5. Personal testimony and answered prayers.
Projects:
1. Make a prayer list with him.
2. Study Paul’s prayers in his letters.
3. Listen to tape #1017A* by George Sanchez and #740A* by Gene Warr, both
titled “Prayer.”
4. Read Power Through Prayer by E.M. Bounds.
5. Study the lives of Praying Hide and George Muller.
*Available at Discipleship Tape Library, BSU, 435 W. Boyd, Norman, OK, 73069.
2.
PRAYER
Leader’s Guide
I.
Leading the Discussion:
After completing this study, we would like the student to see:
1. the importance of prayer through God’s eyes.
2. that through prayer we experience the presence, provision, and
protection of God.
3. it is the mightiest weapon we have to minister in the lives of
others.
In leading the discussion, emphasize the prerequisites God lays down
for hearing and answering, and how they can meet them.
Also discuss the results prayer can have in the lives of others,
emphasizing the fact that it is through their persistence in prayer that
these things can be accomplished.
II.
Assignments:
1. Memorize a key verse and share it next session.
2. Listen to one of the recommended tapes, #1017A by George
Sanchez or #740A by Gene Warr.
3. Keep a prayer list. Divide up the people and the things the
students should be praying for among the days of the week and
pray for those people and things each day.
4. Keep a record of prayer requests and God’s answers. Date the
request and the answer. It is a powerful incentive in our lives as
we see God’s answers.
The 2959 Prayer Plan by Peter Lord is highly recommended.