Prayer…and You – WordTruth

3rd of 3-part prayer series: Prayer – God, Jesus, and You

Prayer provides opportunity for you to acknowledge God’s goodness, sovereignty, and power and to request His divine intervention in your life and/or the lives of others.

TRUTHS ABOUT YOUR PRAYER LIFE

You sometimes do not know how to pray as you should, so the Holy Spirit intercedes for you.
Romans 8:26, In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, butthe Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
You sin before the Lord when you fail to pray.
1 Samuel 12:23 (stated by Samuel with regard to Israel), Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.
1 Thessalonians 5:17, pray without ceasing
James 4:17, Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

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TRUTHS ABOUT ANSWERS TO YOUR PRAYERS

You should not expect answers from God when you meaninglessly repeat requests.
Matthew 6:7, And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose thatthey will be heard for their many words.

You receive answers to prayer when…you ask according to God’s will,
1 John 5:14-15, This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.. . . you ask in faith,
Matthew 17:20, And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”
Matthew 21:21-22, And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. ²² And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”. . . you ask in the Name of Christ [asking as Jesus would ask].
John 14:13-14, Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
You receive answers to prayer by abiding in Christ and having His words abide in you.
John 15:7, If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
You receive answers and fullness of joy by asking.
John 16:24, Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.
You receive answers to prayer when you are obedient to God’s will.
1 John 3:22, and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.
Even though you are obedient to the Lord, you will sometimes not receive what you ask for so you may learn more of God’s grace and power.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! ⁸ Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. ⁹ And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. ¹⁰ Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
You will not receive if you do not ask.
James 4:2, You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.
You will not receive if you ask in doubt (James 1:6-7) or if you ask selfishly (James 4:3).
James 1:6-7, But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
James 4:3, You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
You should not expect answers to prayer when there is any unconfessed and unforsaken sin in your life.
Psalm 66:18, If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear.
Isaiah 59:1-2, Behold, the LORD’S hand is not so short hat it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot
hear. ² 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.
1 Peter 3:12, “For the eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, and His ears attend to their prayer, but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”
You are hindered in receiving answers to prayer when you are not obedient to God’s Word in your relationships.
1 Peter 3:7, You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
1 John 3:22, and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.

HOW YOU ARE TO PRAY

You are to follow the example of Jesus by praying always in submission to God and in accordance with His will.
Matthew 26:36-44, Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. ³⁸ Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” ³⁹ And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” ⁴⁰ And He came to the disciples and *found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? ⁴¹ Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” ⁴² He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” ⁴³ Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more.
Mark 14:36, And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.”
You are to pray specifically.
Matthew 7:7-8, Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ Foreveryone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
John 14:13-14, Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
John 16:24, Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.
You are to pray so that God is glorified.
John 14:13, Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
You are to pray with thanksgiving.
Philippians 4:6, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
You are to ask in faith.
Hebrews 11:6, And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
James 1:6, But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
You are to be alert and devoted to prayer.
Colossians 4:2, Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving
You are to persist in meaningful prayer.
Matthew 7:7-8, Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
You are urged to pray in a variety of ways.
1 Timothy 2:1, First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men
You should sometimes fast and pray in times of specific need.
Acts 13:1-3, Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. ² While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³ Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Acts 14:23, When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
You are to pray through (in, by means of) the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 6:18, With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints
Jude 1:20, But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit
You are to be clear-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer.
1 Peter 4:7, The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
You are not to pray hypocritically for the approval or notice of man. Rather, you are to pray to the Lord for His healing and favor.
Matthew 6:5-6, When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

WHEN YOU ARE TO PRAY

You should pray diligently and not lose heart.
Luke 18:1, Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart
You are to pray if you are suffering, if you are sick, and/or if you have sinned.
James 5:13-16, Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; ¹⁵ and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. ¹⁶ Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
You are to pray if you face any kind of trial, temptation, or trouble.
Psalm 86:6-7, Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; and give heed to the voice of my supplications! ⁷ In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You, for You will answer me.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2, Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified,just as it did also with you; ² and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.
You are to pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17, pray without ceasing
See Unceasing Praise

WHAT YOU ARE TO PRAY

You are to praise God.
Psalm 113:1, Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, Praise the name of the LORD.
Psalm 150:6, Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD,
and specifically praise Him for:
- His character
  Psalm 148:13-14, Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His glory is above earth and heaven. ¹⁴ And He has lifted up a horn for His people, praise for all His godly ones; Even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him. Praise the LORD!
- His works
  Psalm 150:2, Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
- His lovingkindness
  Psalm 106:1, Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
  Psalm 108:3-4, I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the peoples, and I will sing praises to You among the nations.⁴ For Your lovingkindness is great above the heavens, and Your truth reaches to the skies.
You are to thank God for:
- His goodness and lovingkindness
  Psalm 107:1, Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
- His grace that has been provided through Jesus Christ
  1 Corinthians 1:4, I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus.
  2 Corinthians 9:15, Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
- His effectual working in your life and in the lives of others
  Romans 1:8, First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.
  2 Corinthians 2:14, But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
  1 Thessalonians 2:13, For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.
  2 Thessalonians 1:3, We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater.
- Victory over death and the grave through Jesus Christ
  1 Corinthians 15:50-57, esp. vs. 57), Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. ⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. ⁵⁵ O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; ⁵⁷ but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
- The fearful and wonderful way He made you
  Psalm 139:14, I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works,and my soul knows it very well.
- All that is in your life
  Ephesians 5:20, always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father
  Philippians 4:6, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
  1 Thessalonians 5:18, in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
You are to confess your sins to Him in order to receive His forgiveness and cleansing.1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
You are to pray for everything and everyone.
Ephesians 6:18-19, With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, ¹⁹ and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
1 Timothy 2:1-2, First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
You are to pray for necessities of life.
Matthew 6:11, Give us this day our daily bread.
You are to pray for more laborers to enter the harvest.
Luke 10:2, And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
You are to pray for the Word of the Lord to spread rapidly and be glorified.
2 Thessalonians 3:1, Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you
You are to lay your anxious concerns before God when you pray.
Philippians 4:6-7, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
You are to pray that you resist or avoid temptation.
Matthew 6:13, And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Mark 14:38, Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
You are to pray for others in specific situations.
Luke 22:32, but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again,strengthen your brothers.
Romans 10:1, Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.
You are to pray for grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16, Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
You are to pray for wisdom.
James 1:5, But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

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See Personal Communication that Requires Wisdom and Prayer and A Prayer Pattern to Help Structure Your Life

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Do You REALLY Believe What You Say about Prayer?
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Prayer: A Viable Option or an Absolute Necessity?
Prayerlessness: A Reflection of Self-Centeredness

In addition to the immeasurable benefits of prayer, there can be a few unprofitable practices in one’s prayer life.
See Three Prayer Mistakes of Well-Meaning Believers

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