Jesus set the perfect example of
obedience in prayer.
Although His day was filled from
morning to night with many pressures
and responsibilities
crowds, healing the sick, granting
private interviews, traveling, and
training His disciples
a top priority. If Jesus was so
dependent upon His fellowship in
prayer alone with His Father, how
much more you and I should spend
time alone with God.
The lives of the disciples and other
Christians who have been mightily used
of God through the centuries to reach
their world for Christ all testify to the
necessity of prayer. They are examples
of obedience to our Lord's command
to pray.
Someone has wisely said, "Satan
laughs at our toiling, mocks our
wisdom, but trembles when he sees
the weakest saint on his knees."
Prayer is God's appointed way of doing
God's work.
This lesson will help you understand
why prayer is so important to our
Christian life. Study the lesson
carefully, taking time to meditate and
apply the principles you will learn.
Why Pray?
Read John 14:13, I Thessalonians 5:17,
Acts 4:23-33, and Matthew 9:38.
1. Identify at least 3 reasons for
prayer.
The Apostle's Motive
Read Acts 4.
1. What problems did the
Apostles face and why did they
not ask God to remove the
persecution?
2. For what did they pray? (Verse
29) Why is this significant?
3. What was their real motive?
(John 14:13)
Your Motives for
Praying
On the basis of your personal
experience, list at least 4 reasons you
pray.
God's Motives in
Teaching Us About
Prayer
Read John 3:5-8 and 4:23-24.
1. In what form does God exist
and what must happen to us
before we can have fellowship
with Him? What kind of
worship does He desire, and
what is His delight? (Proverbs
15:8)
2. List some purposes of prayer
from each of the following
Bible references: Matthew 7:7 ,
Matthew 26:41, Luke 18:1.
3. From your understanding of
these passages, what do you
think God wants you to realize
about Him?
Prayer Meets the
Heart's Needs
1. According to 2 Corinthians 3:5,
what is the source of the
Christian's sufficiency? How do
you tap into that source?
2. Read Psalm 63. Note the
elements of worship and write
below the word or phrase that
describes how we should
worship God; include
references (for example, "My
soul thirsts for you - Psalm
63:1").
Life Application
1. What conclusions can you now
make concerning your
relationship with God in
prayer?
2. Begin a prayer list. Keep a
record of the things for which
you pray.
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