The Word
Vol.
9 No. 20
Upper Room Discourse
God’s Promise of Prayer’s Answered
John 15:7
John 15:7, “If you are occupied with Me, and you are occupied with My words, (Bible Doctrine), begin to ask whatever you all
desire and it, (your prayer petitions),
will come to pass, (be answered).”
Principles on Prayer
Adapted from
·
The
Lord Jesus Christ commands us to pray for those who persecute and plot against
us, for those who mistreat us or abuse their authority. The Christian is to
pray for his enemies and those who mistreat him.
·
Be
mindful to whom we are praying - God our Father.
·
Prayer
is a part of the privacy of our believer priesthood (1 Peter 2:5, 9).
·
Distractions
should be removed prior to prayer. Prayer should be conducted in a place that
allows one to concentrate
·
Prayer
is to be organized, lucid and to the point.
·
Prayer
should not be used to gain the approbation of fellow believers or bring
attention to oneself in public. Prayer should not be used to impress others, or
to call attention to self by excessive rhetoric.
·
Therefore,
Christians need to avoid “Spotlight Christianity.”
·
A
Spotlight Christian is one who calls attention to what they are doing for the
Lord in order to gain the approval of fellow Christians or make them look more
“spiritual” than other Christians.
·
Praise
and thanksgiving should be incorporated into prayer.
·
Prayer
should be conducted with Biblical confidence (1
·
The
squeaky wheel gets the grease in accordance with the will of God.
·
When
God answers our prayers, He will answer in a just way in His perfect timing.
·
Do
not lose heart in prayer and be patient for the Lord's answers.
·
Prayer
should be conducted from a position of genuine humility that requires grace
orientation.
·
Arrogance
and other unconfessed sin negate the effectiveness of prayer.
Luke 22:41-42
·
Prayer
should include our legitimate desires in accordance with the will of God.
·
We
should be submissive to God's will for our life when praying.
·
Distractions
should be limited prior to praying.
·
We
don't pray as well as we should, as a result, the Holy Spirit prays on our
behalf.
·
We
should express thanks to God for the Holy Spirit's intercessory prayers.
·
For
fellow believers.
·
For
the Holy Spirit to guide and enlighten fellow believers so that they will know
God's plan and purpose for their life.
·
That
a fellow believer be enlightened to the truth in God's Word.
·
That
a fellow believer knows the will of God for his life.
·
On
behalf of believers that they would be enlightened to the fact that they have
an eternal inheritance and the composition of the inheritance.
·
On
behalf of believers, that they would know what the surpassing greatness of the
Lord's power is for them.
·
That
a fellow Christian has a confidence in relation to God's purpose for his life.
·
We
should always pray in fellowship, which is produced by the filling of the
Spirit.
·
We
should be vigilant and intently watch for things to pray.
·
We
should persevere in prayer regardless of the situation.
·
It is
legitimate to pray the following things for believers communicating the Word of
God:
1. To have clear and confident speech.
2. To be sensitive to the Spirit's ministry
in their life and study.
3. To have concentration necessary for
accurate communication.
·
Never
stop praying for people.
·
One's
prayer life should be consistent.
·
Prayers
can be frequent & spontaneous, but these prayers are not a substitute for
regular prayer times.
·
Always
be on the alert as to what to pray.
·
Pray that fellow believers fully understand and confidently know
God's will for their life by means of spiritual wisdom through learning Bible
doctrine.
·
Pray
that a fellow believer's comprehension of spiritual wisdom would result in
accomplishing God's will for his life.
·
Pray
that a believer's comprehension of spiritual wisdom would result in living a
lifestyle pleasing to the Lord and manifesting fruit of the Spirit.
·
It is
protocol to give thanks directly to God the Father.
·
Pray
that a believer's spiritual growth might result in steadfastness, patience,
joy, and tranquility.
·
It's
legitimate to pray that the believer be filled with the full knowledge of God's
will by means of all spiritual wisdom and understanding resulting in a
lifestyle honoring the Lord in all respects.
·
One
must be a Christian to effectively pray.
·
Christians
are commanded to pray on behalf of fellow Christians.
·
Pray
for Pastor-Teachers, Evangelists, and others in Church leadership.
·
Pray
that fellow believers will glorify Jesus Christ by reaching spiritual maturity.
·
Pray
that a fellow Christian might accomplish God's Plan for his life and receive
his full rewards package at the Judgment Seat of Christ (BEMA).
·
Pray
for believers to function effectively in their spiritual gift to the glory of
God.
·
Pray
for unbelievers to hear the Gospel that leads to salvation.
·
Pray
for Pastors to communicate the Word of God effectively.
·
Pray
that the Word of God will produce fruit in the lives of the hearers.
·
Pray
for the communication of the Word of God to be unhindered and honored by the
recipients.
·
Pray
that those communicating the Word of God be protected and delivered from those
who are negative toward Bible doctrine.
·
Christians
are to pray in the unity of the faith.
·
Pray
that fellow believers might positively influence other believers in the
execution of the spiritual life.
·
Pray
that the fellowship (KOINONIA - sharing) of a fellow believer’s faith might
become effective by means of metabolized doctrine.
·
Pray
that fellow believers might be in good health and things will go well with
them.
Prayer (PROSEUCHE):
·
Although
we pray fervently, if we are out of fellowship, the Lord will not listen to our
prayers.
·
Faith
is a prerequisite to answered prayer.
·
The
Lord is free to answer prayer in accordance with His will.
·
It is
important to pray effectively prior to making important decisions that have to
do with the will of God.
·
Distractions
should be removed prior to prayer.
·
The
right mental attitude with respect to divine viewpoint is more important than a
full night's sleep.
·
Prayer
is an effective tool that helps one concentrate on divine solutions when faced
with temptation.
·
When
you suddenly wake up in the middle of the night, you should be sensitive to the
Lord's desire that there may be something He wants you to address in prayer.
·
Consistency
in prayer that results from the execution of the spiritual life glorifies God.
·
Our
prayers ascend as a memorial before Him.
·
We should
pray for God's traveling mercies.
·
It's
OK to request things of the Lord, be consistent and always make requests in
accordance with His will.
·
It is
legitimate to pray for the salvation of unbelievers.
1 Corinthians 7:5
·
Devoting
ourselves to prayer is acceptable when having difficulties with one's spouse or
in relationships in general.
·
Husbands
and wives should not abstain from sex unless they are in mutual agreement in
order to devote their time to effective prayer.
·
Prayer
is extremely important for a good marriage or relationship.
·
We
should express thanksgiving to God in prayer for our fellow Christians who pray
for us.
·
Prayer
is not only an individual endeavor, but also a team effort that forms a bond
between likeminded believers in a local church.
·
The
prayers offered on behalf of fellow believers have visible and invisible impact
whether we are aware of it or not.
·
The
prayer of a team comprised of likeminded believers is a powerful weapon in the
Plan of God.
·
We
can thank God that He will answer intercessory prayer according to His Plan,
Will, and purpose, prior to its fulfillment.
·
Prayers
should be offered with sincere joy and thanksgiving (EUCHARISTEO) from the
heart.
·
We
are to express thanksgiving to God for those He uses to provide for our needs.
·
We
are to express thanks to the Lord for His transforming work in our lives.
·
We
are to express thanks to the Lord for what He wrought in us at salvation.
·
We
are to express thanks to the Lord for those whom we fellowship with together in
the Word.
·
Prayer
is to be accompanied with thanksgiving, requests, and entreaties.
·
Prayer
is designed for every aspect of life.
·
We
are commanded to faithfully engage in prayer.
·
We
are to remain alert in our prayer life.
·
We
are to approach God in prayer with an attitude of thanksgiving.
We are to pray for the Lord to provide
opportunities for us to communicate His Word and the Gospel.
·
We
are to pray for those teaching Bible doctrine to be clear and lucid in their
speech.
·
It
should be our habit to pray on a scheduled basis.
·
We
should keep a record of answered prayers for thanksgiving.
·
We
should ask God to sanctify and bless all legitimate things.
·
Food
once forbidden in the Mosaic Law can be enjoyed when received with prayer and
gratitude.
·
We
are to ask God to sanctify the food we eat.
·
Christians
are to be confident in their prayer life, because God hears the prayers of
those who possess His imputed righteousness and are in fellowship.
·
The
Lord does not listen to the prayers of the believer out of fellowship or the
unbeliever except in the following circumstances:
1.
The
believer-priest who is out of fellowship and represents himself to God
regarding matters of personal sin by 1 John 1:9.
2.
The
unbeliever who trusts in the finished work of Jesus Christ for eternal life at
salvation.
·
Prayer
is to be tempered with sound judgment and clear thought, being in fellowship
with the Holy Spirit (compare with
If you would
like more information on this subject,
you may listen
to lessons 10-052 and 10-053.
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