Prayer

Prayer

Introduction

It is important to study God’s Word, the Bible, to memorize verses, and to think upon His Word. The Word of God never changes. We live in a world of constant changes. Our friends and families change, circumstances change, our thoughts and attitudes change, and all around us we experience change every day. But the Word of God remains the same, and is sure and stedfast. We can always depend upon His Word.

Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Psalm 119:89 says, “Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” In I Peter 1:23, we read that the Word of God lives and abides forever.

In uncertain and changing times, we can always depend upon His Holy Word to give us comfort, strength, grace, and power for each moment of our life, regardless of our situation or our circumstances.

The Word of God also helps new born babies in Christ to grow spiritually. In I Peter 2:2 we read, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” We as believers in Christ are commanded in God’s Word to grow spiritually. II Peter 3:18 says, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.”

The Word of God has always existed, and will always exist. In John 1:1-2 we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.”

Read the following verses from the Bible. Psalm 119:2, 9, 11, 28, 50, 67, 71, 74, 92, 114, 130, 147, 148, 162 and 165.

This booklet is one in a series of lessons entitled, “Christians Growth,” which will aid in the growth of believers in Christ. These lessons cover topics ranging from A to Z of the alphabet. II Peter 3:18 should be the goal of every believer, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.”

As you begin these study courses of God’s Word, please begin them with this thought and prayer found in Psalm 119:18, “Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Psalm 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” This tells us how to stand with God and how to go with God.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Timothy 3:16-17)

LESSON ONE: ABOUT PRAYER (Memory Verse…Matthew 7:7)

I. WHAT IS PRAYER?

Throughout the Bible, God teaches us that prayer is simply making a request to God to meet some need in our lives. When we talk to God, we should confess our sins to Him, and thank and praise Him for His blessings upon us; but prayer is mostly just asking God to supply our needs, or the needs of others for whom we are praying. The Bible teaches us that God wants us to pray for the things we need:

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:7-11)

Nothing is too small for God to be concerned about, or too big for God to be able to handle. He says that we are to come boldly to Him to ask for what we need:

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

What can happen if we have a need, and we don’t pray? “…ye have not, because ye ask not.” (James 4:2b)

STOP AND TEST YOURSELF

1. Prayer is ______________God to supply our ___________, or the needs of ___________________.

2. _________, and it shall be given you. (From Matthew 7:7)

3. According to Matthew 7:11, what kind of things will our heavenly Father give to them that ask Him? ___________

___________________________________________________________________________________

4. Write out Hebrews 4:16 ___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

5. Ye have not, because ye ______ _______. (From James 4:2)

II. THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER

A. PRAYER DELIVERS US FROM WORRY

At the beginning of Luke 18, the Lord Jesus is teaching His disciples, and says, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint [quit].”

The clear teaching of God’s Word is that every child of God should pray, and keep on praying. Most of the time, if we have a need or a problem, we worry about it. To worry is to show a sinful lack of faith in God. Instead of worrying, we ought to obey God’s Word, which tells us in I Thessalonians 5:17 to “Pray without ceasing [stopping].” When we ask God to take care of life’s troubles and needs, He replaces our worrying with peace. Worry causes stomach and colon troubles, headaches, high blood pressure, mental illness, insomnia and many other problems. On the other hand, the peace of God helps us to be calm and clearheaded no matter what kind of mess our life is in. Memorize the following verses, and learn to apply them to your life:

“Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication [earnest request] with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep [protect] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

In these verses, what does God say to worry about? Nothing! What does He say to pray about? Everything! Notice that both your heart and your mind are protected by the peace of God, and it is all through Christ Jesus! Do not quit studying them until you know these verses by heart, and then teach them to your children. They will be a great source of strength and faith to you.

B. PRAYER DELIVERS US FROM BONDAGE TO SIN

Sin brings trouble into our lives which we are powerless to change, but God is able to help. We must learn to pray because it is through prayer that we are able to get in touch with God’s power. I have been delivered from serious addictions to tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, and many other sin problems through the power of prayer. What God has done for me, He will do for anyone who has Jesus in their heart, and is willing to call upon God for the strength to overcome sinful habits:

“In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.” (Psalm 138:3)

C. PRAYER DELIVERS US FROM BEING HELPLESS AND HOPELESS

When our needs are greater than our personal resources, this is not the time to give up. When there is nothing that you can do, God is well able to do what needs to be done. Do not allow yourself to get depressed and have a “pity party” because you are having some hard times, or you are in big trouble and things look hopeless. This is the time to pour out your heart to God, and then trust Him to take care of the situation according to His will:

“Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:8)

Realize that you are a child of God and rejoice, for He is not helpless!

“Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:” (Psalm 146:5)

STOP AND TEST YOURSELF

1. To worry shows a sinful lack of _________ _____ ______.

2. According to Philippians 4:6, what does God say to worry about? ____________________________________

3. According to Philippians 4:6, what does God say to pray about? _____________________________________

4. We should call upon God for the ________________ to overcome sinful __________________________.

5. When I cried thou __________________________ me, and ________________________________ me. (Psalm 138:3)

6. _____________ is he that hath the God of Jacob for his _________, whose ____________________is in the LORD his God. (Psalm 146:5)

7. List three things that prayer delivers us from:

A. _____________________ B. _____________________ C. _____________________

III. HOW TO PRAY

Because God wants us to know about it, the Bible says a lot about prayer. A good way to learn about prayer is to study the many examples of prayer that are in the Word of God. As you read your Bible, notice each time that a man or a woman talks to God. Notice what they say, and how God answers, and the Holy Spirit will teach you a lot about prayer as you read through the Word of God.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the best example and teacher for all Christians, for we are all His disciples. The Bible tells us that during the time of His earthly ministry, Jesus prayed often. In Luke 6:12 we are told of a time when He prayed all night. If we follow His example, we should also pray often, even all night at times. In Luke 11:1 we see that Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray because they had seen Him praying. So He answered them with what is called “the Lord’s Prayer.” It would be better to call this “the Disciples’ Prayer.” The real “Lord’s Prayer” is actually John 17, which is Jesus’ prayer to God the Father for us. Read Luke 11:1-13 and Matthew 6:5-18 to see what Jesus said to His disciples as He taught them to pray.

In Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus warns us that our prayers are to be between God and us. We should not ever pray to show off to other people. Whether you are in a private place, or praying with a group of people, let your prayer be the cry of your heart to God, not a bunch of pretty words that you are saying for a show to those around you. They may think that you have prayed a beautiful prayer, but God will not be impressed.

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily [truly] I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” (Matthew 6:5-6)

Matthew 6:7 is a warning not to memorize a particular prayer and then repeat those same words over and over. Lots of people do this but that does not make it right. This is “vain repetition,” and is not going to get God’s attention. True prayer is the cry of a sincere heart, not words repeated from memory:

“But when ye pray, use not vain [worthless] repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”

STOP AND TEST YOURSELF

1. How long did Jesus pray in Luke 6:12? _______ ________.

2. Where in the Bible can we read Jesus’ prayer to God the Father for us? ________________________________

3. And when thou prayest thou shalt not be as the _________ are. (From Matthew 6:5)

4. True prayer is the cry of a _____________________ heart.

5. But when ye pray, use not __________ ________________, as the _____________________ do. (From Matthew 6:7)

Now let’s look at Matthew 6:9-13 to see the basics that Jesus taught His disciples about how to pray:

“After this manner therefore pray ye…” (Matthew 6:9a)

Jesus is saying here that He is going to show them the right way to pray. He is not teaching us to use these exact words, but to pray in this manner.

“…Our Father which art in heaven…” (Matthew 6:9b)

If you are going to talk to God, you need to have been born into the family of God by repenting of your sins and calling upon God to forgive you and save your soul, because of your faith in the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary’s cross for your sins. No one else can call God “Father.” If you are not saved, you must get saved before you can enjoy the privilege of prayer.

“…Hallowed [holy] be thy name.” (Matthew 6:9c)

When we come to God in prayer, we must realize that He is holy, and we are nothing in comparison to Him. We must not come to God full of pride, but with a humble, reverent heart.

“…Thy kingdom come…” (Matthew 6:10a)

We should pray for the day to come when the Lord Jesus returns to this earth and sets up His kingdom, for then the curse which was put on this world because of sin will be removed at last!

“…Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10b)

As you pray, be sure that you are willing in your heart to accept God’s will for you; and do ask that His will be done in your life and in the lives of others. Be careful that you are not rebelling against the will of God in your heart as you pray. Be like Jesus, who said, “Not my will, but thine, be done.” No matter how your prayer is answered, you will be able to accept it, if you have prayed that way. If you rebel against God, and insist on having your way, you will be very disappointed and down-hearted when God does not answer your prayer the way you want Him to answer.

Make sure that as you learn to pray, you do not become selfish in your prayers. The Bible often speaks of praying for others. Who should we pray for? Everyone, especially those in authority.

“I exhort [urge] therefore, that, first of all, supplications [earnest requests], prayers, intercessions [prayers for others], and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” (I Timothy 2:1-2)

We should also be careful not to be greedy and do a lot of praying for things we do not really need. In James 4:3, the Bible says,

“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss [wrong], that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”

If you need a car, do not insist on a Cadillac. If you leave the choice to God, instead of lusting for luxurious things, you will find that He will give you whatever is the very best thing for you, and you will be well satisfied.

STOP AND TEST YOURSELF

1. Our _________which art in heaven, ________________be thy name. (From Matthew 6:9)

2. We must not come to God full of _________________, but with a ______________, ______________heart.

3. Thy __________________ come, thy _______________be done. (From Matthew 6:10)

4. Should we pray for those in authority? Yes or No? ________

5. Write out James 4:3 ___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

“Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)

Do not be afraid to ask God for what you want. Also, notice that here Jesus is teaching us to pray each day for the needs of that day. Let’s be like David, who said,

“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” (Psalm 5:3)

Begin each day with prayer, telling God about your needs, and trusting Him to guide you through your day. Teach your children to pray by praying with them each morning before they leave for school, and each night before they go to bed.

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)

The Bible teaches that it is sin to be unforgiving. When we refuse to forgive, we become bitter, and that bitterness hurts us, and hurts our fellowship with God. Pray for those who have done you wrong, and ask God to help you to forgive them. If you are unforgiving, you cannot count on receiving God’s forgiveness when you pray for it. It is important for Christians to confess their sins to God, and receive His forgiveness, because sin in our lives separates us from close fellowship with God.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…” (Matthew 6:13a)

Pray daily for deliverance from sin, and for protection from the devil. We live in bodies of flesh which has a sinful nature. As Christians, God has given us a new heart that wants to do what is right, and it is strengthened by prayer and by Bible study. If you are saved, the Holy Spirit of God who lives within you will give you the strength to live right, and not to give in to evil desires.

“…For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever…” (Matthew 6:13b)

Always praise and thank God for His blessings, and acknowledge His holiness when you pray. The Bible does not teach that any particular position of the body is required for proper prayer; the thing that matters is the attitude of the heart. Do you worship God, and express your love to Him when you pray, or do you just come to Him with a list of requests?

“…Amen.” (Matthew 6:13c)

“Amen” means “so be it.” Have faith that your prayer will be answered according to God’s will. When you say, “Amen,” you are indicating your trust and belief that God is able to do what you have been talking to Him about, and you are showing your firm desire that He do so.

The Bible says much, much more than this about prayer, and as you read the Word of God, His Holy Spirit will teach you.

STOP AND TEST YOURSELF

1. Pray each day for the ___________ of that ____________.

2. What time of day does David pray in Psalm 5:3? _________ ______________ _____________________.

3. And forgive us our debts, as we ____________ ____________________. (Matthew 6:12)

4. When we refuse to forgive, we become _______________.

5. Pray daily for deliverance from ___________________, and for ________________________ from the devil.

6. For thine is the _____________, and the ___________, and the ___________, for ever. ______________. (From Matthew 6:13)

7. The Bible says that you must always get on your knees to pray. True or False? ________________.

8. When you pray, the thing that matters is the attitude of the ________________________.

9. “Amen” means ___________ ___________ ___________.

LESSON TWO: HELPS TO PRAYER (FAITH) (Memory Verse…John 15:7)

1. WHAT IS FAITH?

On pages 2 and 3 of Dr. Gene Hooker’s booklet “What is Faith?” there is an excellent definition. He writes, “Faith is stepping out on the promises of God and relying upon Him, because you believe and depend upon Him. Faith is committing your all to God and resting there. Happy, because you never have a thought of Him failing you.”

In order to know the promises of God and believe and trust in Him, we must become familiar with the Word of God. God tells us in Romans 10:17,

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

The Word of God is the source of real faith because God says so. If you have received a copy of Dr. Hooker’s booklet, be sure to read and study it carefully.

As we continue our study on prayer, let us consider the words of the Lord Jesus.

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7)

To abide in Christ is to live your life in such a way that your submission to Him and your reliance upon Him is complete. This is difficult because your flesh does not like it, but all Christians should do their best to truly abide in Christ.

Notice there is another condition in this verse about asking and receiving: His words abiding in you. Here we can see again that knowledge of the Word of God is necessary for the Christian who wants to have powerful prayers. The Bible will teach you to have real God-given faith based upon belief and trust in the Lord. Faith which is based upon our own hopes and wishes and positive thinking is a game; it is a thing of the flesh, and does not please God.

STOP AND TEST YOURSELF

1. Faith is stepping out on the ________________ _________ ___________ and ______________ upon Him.

2. So then _________ cometh by ______________, and hearing by the _______ _______ ____________. (Rom. 10:17)

3. The Word of God is the source of real ________________.

4. Write out John 15:7 ___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

II. THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYING WITH FAITH

A. FAITH IS NECESSARY FOR PRAYER THAT PLEASES GOD

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

There is a wonderful description in I Kings 18:17-40 about a show-down which happened between the prophet Elijah and 450 prophets of Baal, who worshiped idols. Elijah set out to prove that his God was real by proposing a contest with the prophets of Baal. Elijah and these other prophets were to prepare two bullocks to be offered as burnt sacrifices. Then Elijah would pray to his God, and the 450 prophets of Baal would pray to their god, to provide the fire to burn up the offering. The Bible tells us that the prophets of Baal went first. They killed their bullock, cut it up, and laid the pieces on the wood which they had placed upon their altar. Then they began to pray to Baal to send down fire to burn up the offering. They cried out to their false god all day, leaping upon the altar and cutting themselves, but nothing happened. They had tried to get their god’s attention, but failed because their god was actually the devil, who was powerless in this contest against God.

When evening came, it was Elijah’s turn. After he had laid the sacrifice on the altar, he had twelve barrels of water poured on it. The bullock, the wood and the altar were soaked, and a trench which had been dug around the altar was full of water. Notice what Elijah did next… he did not jump around, he did not cry and scream, and he did not cut himself. He simply prayed a prayer of faith. Religion wants to do something to get God’s attention; but remember that it is the simple prayer of faith that pleases God. As you read his prayer in I Kings 18:36-37, you can tell that Elijah knew that his God was the real God.

“…Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.”

Verse 38 gives us God’s wonderful answer to Elijah’s brief prayer.

“Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”

Then in verses 39 and 40, the Bible tells us that the people fell on their faces, saying. “The LORD, he is the God,” and the prophets of Baal were all killed. It was Elijah’s faith that got God’s attention. Be sure that you read this story for yourself, and let this portion of the Word of God increase your faith.

STOP AND TEST YOURSELF

1. According to Hebrews 11:6, it is impossible to please God without ___________________________________.

2. In the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, whose prayer of faith was answered?__________________

B. FAITH IS NECESSARY WHEN PRAYING FOR WISDOM

In James 1:5-7, the Word of God tells us that faith is necessary when we pray for wisdom, something we can all use more of.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth [criticizes] not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.”

In verse 5, God has given us a clear promise of wisdom in answer to prayer; but in verses 6 and 7, there is a warning to those who pray with doubt in their hearts. God is not pleased by those who waver, but by those who firmly believe and trust in Him as they pray.

A wonderful example of a prayer for wisdom is given to us in I Kings chapter 3. Solomon has just become the King of Israel, and he is talking to God in a dream.

“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern [tell the difference] between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.” (I Kings 3:9-10)

God was pleased by King Solomon’s humility and lack of selfishness; but He was certainly also pleased by Solomon’s bold request, which showed that he had no doubts about what he needed and about God’s ability to provide it. Please read I Kings chapter 3 to see all of King Solomon’s prayer, and an example of his wisdom. In I Kings 4:29-34, the Bible tells us that Solomon became the wisest man in the world! What an awesome gift God gave to him in answer to his simple prayer of faith.

C. FAITH IS NECESSARY WHEN PRAYING FOR THE SICK

It is important to have faith in God’s power to heal, when we pray for the sick. James 5:13-16 says:

“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual [effective], fervent [intense] prayer of a righteous man availeth [is useful] much.”

Notice that the Bible says, “The prayer of faith shall save the sick.” I have twice received God’s healing after going to the Pastor and other men of my church, and asking to be anointed with oil and prayed for. Since this is in the Word of God, it is the right thing to do. God kept His Word and healed me because of the prayer of faith.

If you have a loved-one who is sick, and there is nothing you can do for them, remember the last part of this scripture passage “…The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” To be effective, prayer must be full of faith. God is telling us here that a passionate prayer of faith is going to get results. Do not feel helpless, when all you can do for a sick person is to pray. If you pray earnestly and with faith, you are doing a whole lot.

STOP AND TEST YOURSELF

1. If any of you lack ___________________________, let him _____________ of God. (From James 1:5)

2. Which king of Israel became the wisest man in the world?_________________________________

3. The prayer of ________________________________ shall _____________________ the sick. (From James 5:15)

III. GOD ALWAYS ANSWERS THE PRAYER OF FAITH

It is important to understand that God does answer our prayers, even when we do not get what we ask for. The Lord Jesus taught His disciples to be willing to accept the will of God for them as they prayed. If we are living and praying in a way that pleases God, He will answer according to His will. Therefore His answer may not always be “Yes.” Sometimes it will be “No” or “Wait.”

A Bible example of a “No” answer in the life of the Apostle Paul is found in II Corinthians 12:7-9: “…There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet [batter] me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought [asked] the Lord thrice [three times], that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient [enough] for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

We do not know what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was, but it must have been a nuisance because he prayed three times to be relieved of it. But when the Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for thee,” the Apostle Paul was able to be glad that he had the problem. Remember when God does not give us what we ask for, His grace is always enough to help us deal with the problem.

When God does not give the answer to our prayers that we want, we should never be rebellious to His will; but we must always be submissive to the will of God, because His will is always going to be the very best thing for us. Also, keep in mind that when we pray with faith, and according to the will of God, we have a wonderful promise from His Word that we can trust in: (I John 5:14, 15)

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions [requests] that we desired [asked] of him.”

STOP AND TEST YOURSELF

1. God’s answer to our prayer may not always be “Yes.” It may be “______________” or “_________________”.

2. How many times did the Apostle Paul ask God to remove his “thorn in the flesh”? _________________________

3. My _________ is sufficient for thee. (From II Corinthians 12:9)

4. Write out I John 5:14 ___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON THREE: HELPS TO PRAYER (FASTING) (Memory Verse…Mark 9:29)

I. WHAT IS FASTING?

Fasting is an ancient Jewish custom of denying yourself food or food and drink for a long period of time.

This kind of self-denial makes your flesh submit to your spirit, which strengthens you spiritually. As your spirit is strengthened, you are less likely to give in to the sinful desires of the flesh.

II. IN THE BIBLE, FASTING GOES WITH PRAYING

A. PRAYER FOR GOD’S HELP IN TROUBLED TIMES

The first time the word “fasting” is mentioned in the Word of God is in Judges 20:26-28. God’s people, the children of Israel, were involved in a civil war. The tribe of Benjamin was at war with the other tribes, and was defeating them. So, the children of Israel withdrew from battle and went to the house of God to fast and pray. The Bible tells us what happened.

“Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even [evening], and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before the LORD. And the children of Israel inquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for tomorrow I will deliver them into thine hand.”

If you read the rest of Judges 20, you will see that in the next battle the tribe of Benjamin was completely defeated. Notice that in verse 26, the Bible says that all of the people fasted. Then in verse 27, it says that they inquired of the Lord. Their fasting was accompanied by prayer, which God answered. He told them what to do, and gave a great victory.

When you as a Christian find yourself in the middle of troubled times, the Bible teaches that this is a good time to fast and pray. Always seek guidance from God about what to do during troubled times in your life.

B. PRAYER FOR GOD’S POWER TO ACT AGAINST SATAN

1. The influence of Satan causes God’s People to be persecuted.

In the book of Esther, we read about how God’s people were threatened by an evil man named Haman. Be sure to read all of the book of Esther so you can know the whole wonderful story of how God delivered His people, the Jews, from their enemy. The evil man, Haman, had caused the king, Ahasuerus, to send out an order for all of the Jews to be destroyed. In Esther 4:3, let’s read how God’s people reacted when they heard this bad news:

“And in every province, whithersoever [wherever] the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.”

They knew that they had a powerful enemy in Haman; so, in their distress, they fasted.

The Bible teaches us that Satan is the enemy of every Christian, and he is powerful:

“Be sober [clear-minded], be vigilant [watchful]; because your adversary [enemy] the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (I Peter 5:8)

Satan is the power behind those that cause us distress and give us a hard time for taking a stand for Jesus. When we are suffering persecution, we should fast and pray, and make sure that we are living right. God will deal with the situation according to His will. Be careful not to sin by having a hateful attitude in your heart toward those who persecute you. They are not attacking you, but it is Satan who is attacking you. Jesus said to love them, and pray for them.

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use [abuse] you, and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

Fasting will help you to have the right attitude in your heart toward those who persecute you.

Esther was a beautiful Jewish woman who was the wife of King Ahasuerus. Her uncle, Mordecai, told Esther to go to the king to get him to change his order and to not kill all of the Jews. However, it was very dangerous for Esther to approach the king, unless he had sent for her. If she came into the king’s presence uninvited, and he did not hold out his scepter to her, she would be put to death. Nevertheless, Esther had to go to him to stop her people from being destroyed, so she bravely decided to go, but first, some more fasting took place. In Esther 4:16, we can read her brave words:

“Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise [also]; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish [die], I perish.”

The Bible goes on to tell that when Esther approached him, King Ahasuerus held out his scepter to her, so she was not killed. She was able to cause King Ahasuerus to learn what an evil man Haman was. Haman was destroyed, along with many other enemies of the Jews, and so a time of distress was changed into a time of joy.

STOP AND TEST YOURSELF

1. What is fasting? ______________________________________________________________________

2. Fasting goes with ________________________________.

3. According to I Peter 5:8, who is the adversary (enemy) of every Christian? _____________________________

4. When we are suffering persecution, we should ____________ and ___________________________.

5. Esther was a brave woman. True of False? ______________

6. Write our Matthew 5:44 ___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

2. The influence of Satan keeps us in bondage to sinful habits.

If there is something in your life which you know is sinful, but is such a habit that you cannot stop it, you need the supernatural power of God to deliver you from it. If you really want to live a life that is pure and holy for God’s honor and glory, you should fast and pray for deliverance from sinful addictions. The power of Satan is behind these things, and you need the greater power of God to free you from them. In Mark 9:17-29, the Bible teaches us the necessity of prayer and fasting for deliverance from demonic influences. After His disciples had tried and failed to help a child who had a demonic spirit, Jesus cast the evil spirit out of the child. Let’s read God’s explanation of this in Mark 9:28-29.

“And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”

If you have a loved-one who is not saved, but has rejected Jesus when he has heard the gospel, this person is under the influence of Satan. II Corinthians 4:3-4 says:

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

If you want to see that person get saved, you should fast and pray for their salvation.

3. Power for the gospel ministry

In the work of gospel ministry, it is important to fast and pray for God’s power to act against Satan. If God calls you to be a missionary or a Bible teacher, you must realize that you are going to be involved in spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:10-18 teaches us that the right way to win in spiritual warfare is to put on the whole armor of God, and then to PRAY.

For Christians, the Lord Jesus is our perfect example of how to do all things. In the 4th chapter of Matthew we see Him as He is just beginning His work of ministry. The first thing that the Bible tells us that He did after He was baptized was to fast:

“And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.” (Matthew 4:2)

In the next few verses, we read of how Satan came to tempt Him, but was gloriously defeated by the Word of God. Then Jesus went to Capernaum, and there began His ministry:

“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)

The Apostle Paul was a tremendous man of God that God used to preach the gospel and build churches throughout much of the civilized world in his day. God also allowed Him to write many of the books of the New Testament, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In II Corinthians 11:23-33, the Apostle Paul is telling of the hardships that he had experienced as a servant of God. Notice verse 27: “In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”

Here the Bible teaches us that this godly man fasted often. I am sure that this is an important part of why he had such a powerful and fruitful ministry.

C. PRAYER FOR GOD’S GUIDANCE

When you have to make important decisions about your life, you should always pray for God’s guidance. The Bible teaches us that this is also a good time to fast. In Acts 13:1-3, we read:

“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”

Notice that as the teachers and prophets fasted, the Holy Ghost showed them just exactly who were to be the first missionaries sent from the church at Antioch. Then before Barnabas and Saul began their journey, they fasted again and prayed just before they sent them away. In the rest of this chapter 14 you can read how God blessed Barnabas and Saul as they went on their journey preaching the gospel to the Gentiles with great power, even though Satan sent much opposition against them.

If you must make an important decision, such as whom to marry, where to go to church, where to go to work, etc., be sure to fast and pray for God’s guidance.

STOP AND TEST YOURSELF

1. This kind can come forth by nothing, but by _____________ and __________________. (From Mark 9:29)

2. According to Matthew 4:2, how long did Jesus fast? ______________ and ______________________

3. The Apostle Paul fasted often. True or False?_____________

4. If you must make an important decision, be sure to ___________ and ____________ for God’s ____________.

5. List three more things we should fast and pray for:

1. _____________________ 2. _____________________ 3. _____________________

III. FASTING AND PRAYER MUST BE DONE IN THE SPIRIT

“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8:8-9)

Fasting is hard when it is done in the flesh. You are doing it in the flesh if you fast and pray for entirely selfish things that will not bring any honor and glory to God. Fasting is not a way to use or obligate God to do what you ask. God is not to be approached in this manner. You do not manipulate God.

Most Christians find that fasting is not hard when it is done in the Spirit. When we fast and pray for God’s help in troubled times, for deliverance from sinful habits, for the salvation of lost souls, and for God’s guidance in decision-making, God is going to be glorified by answering our prayers. If you ask God for help, He will help you to resist the temptation to eat or drink, a temptation which will surely come.

Be careful never to be prideful about fasting, and do not ever boast about it. If you think that you are somehow special or that you are better than other people because you are fasting, remember that God knows what is in your heart. Matthew 6:16-18 says:

“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance [face]: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily [truly] I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”

The Bible often speaks of God’s people fasting as a group about something. So we know that it is all right to talk about fasting with others, or to agree to fast with a group of other Christians who are all praying about some need. Just do it for God’s glory, never do it just for show.

IV. THE BIBLE GIVES NO SET LENGTH OF TIME TO FAST

You may skip one meal, spending that time in prayer; or you may fast for several days, as the Spirit leads. Here are some examples from the Bible which we have already studied:

1. Judges 20:26 – One day (one Jewish day is from sunset one evening to sunset the next day).

2. Esther 4:3 – An indefinite period of time.

3. Esther 4:16 – Three days and nights (A common fast among the children of Israel).

4. Matthew 4:2 – Forty days and forty nights (The Lord Jesus).

A Christian who fasts will be spiritually stronger and more victorious than one who never fasts. There is no New Testament commandment to fast about anything, but there is plenty of evidence in the Word of God that fasting and prayer belong in the life of a mature Christian.

STOP AND TEST YOURSELF

1. The Bible says that a fast should always last for three days. True or False? _________________

2. Will a Christian who never fasts be as strong spiritually as one who fasts? Yes or No? _____________

LESSON FOUR: HELPS TO PRAYER (FOLLOWING) (Memory verse…I John 3:22)

If you want to have powerful prayers, it is most important that you be a willing follower of the Lord Jesus. In John 10:27, He said to His disciples: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

In Matthew 16:24, Jesus said: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

Taking up our cross means to let our selfish desires die, and just live our lives for Christ. Following Him involves getting rid of our self-will, and wanting to do only His will. When we read and study the Bible, God teaches us how to live the Christian life by showing us what is right and what is wrong according to Him. When we are doing our best to obey God’s commandments in every part of our daily lives, then we are truly following Christ. The Bible teaches us that the obedient Christian receives special blessings from God, including the answers that we want to our prayers, if it is in His will.

I. OBEYING GOD LEADS TO RECEIVING FROM GOD

In I John 3:22, we can learn something important about the connection between obeying God and receiving answer to our prayers:

“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”

Notice that God says we receive because we obey. If you are a mother, you probably know that when your child disobeys, you do not want to give him any special treats. When your child has been obedient, you are willing to give him what he wants, if it is good for him, and you are able. God is our heavenly Father, the best of all parents. In Matthew 7:11, the Word of God says:

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

God is certainly able to give us what we want, as the prophet Jeremiah prayed:

“Ah Lord GOD! behold thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.” (Jeremiah 32:17)

II. WHAT IF WE DON’T OBEY GOD?

The Bible teaches us over and over again that God blesses His children when they are obedient, but that He holds back His blessings and even punishes His children when they disobey His commandments. When we choose to disobey God, it is because we would rather please ourselves than please Him. This is rebellion against God, and it is the result of our sin nature, which we inherited from Adam. Our sin nature makes us want to do our own thing. We had better make up our minds that, like it or not, we are going to live in obedience to God’s commandments, instead of in rebellion against Him. It is far better to enjoy the blessings of God than to endure His punishment.

The book of Judges is about a time in the history of God’s people, the children of Israel, when they turned away from obeying God, and began to do their own thing. Every time that God, in His mercy, got them out of a bad situation, they turned away from Him again, and so they suffered more troubles. At the end of the book, this time of rebellion is described very well:

“In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)

The sweet little book of Ruth comes right after Judges in the Bible. It tells the story of some people who lived during the rebellious times described in the book of Judges. Notice how the book of Ruth begins:

“Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land…”(Ruth 1:1a)

A famine is a long time of drastic food shortage, in which people go hungry, and some even starve to death.

Be sure you learn this important lesson from God’s Word. Do not expect God to bless you when you decide to do your own thing, rebel against Him, and disobey His commandments. A time of doing without the things you need just might come into your life, like the famine came to Israel. If you want God to give you what you pray for, be sure to obey Him.

STOP AND TEST YOURSELF

1. Write out John 10:27 ___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

2. Whatsoever we __________, we ____________ of him, because we ________________ _______________

_________________ (John 3:22)

3. According to Jeremiah 32:17, is there anything too hard for God? Yes or No? __________

III. GOD ANSWERS THE PRAYERS OF THOSE WHO OBEY HIM

A. KING HEZEKIAH

Let’s look at a Bible example of a man who obeyed God, and received a wonderful blessing. Please stop now and read the whole story in Isaiah chapter 38.

Now let’s look at the first six verses:

“In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech [beg] thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore [a lot]. Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying, Go, and say to Hezekiah, thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years. And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.”

II Kings chapter 18 tells us that Hezekiah was king of Judah for 29 years. He was a good king, who obeyed the commandments of God. He caused his people to turn from worshiping idols to worshiping the true God. When Isaiah came and prophesied that he was about to die (Isaiah 38:1), Hezekiah immediately began to pray (Isaiah 38:2). Did you notice in Isaiah 38:3 how Hezekiah reminded the Lord of his obedient ways? Then a wonderful thing happened! In response to the prayer of this obedient man, God decided to let him live another 15 years! In Isaiah 38:6, God is giving His answer to another prayer that Hezekiah had prayed in the previous chapter. Hezekiah’s kingdom was being attacked by a huge and powerful army of their enemies, the Assyrians. In their own strength, the nation of Judah could not possibly defeat the Assyrians; but God answered Hezekiah’s prayer of faith, wiping out the entire army. II Kings 19:35 describes what happened:

“And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote [killed] in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred four-score [eighty] and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.”

The Lord wiped out an enemy army of 185,000 soldiers!!!

As Christians, we need a strong defense against our enemies: sin and Satan. Let’s be obedient to God, so that He will deliver us from these enemies when we call upon Him in prayer.

STOP AND TEST YOURSELF

1. Hezekiah was a good king, who ______________________ the commandments of God.

2. How many extra years of life did God give to Hezekiah?__________________

3. How many soldiers were killed by the angel of the LORD in the Assyrian army? ___________________

B. JOHN THE BAPTIST

Another wonderful example of answered prayer is found in Luke 1:5-25 & 57, which is about the birth of John the Baptist. Please stop now and read those verses.

Let me bring to your attention verses 6 and 7, which describe John’s parents, Zacharias and Elisabeth.

“And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances [commands] of the Lord blameless [obedient]. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they were both now well stricken in years.”

“Well stricken in years” means that Zacharias and Elisabeth were in their old age. The Bible tells us here that Zacharias and Elisabeth were obedient to the commandments of God. They were doing their best to live right, but were unable to have children. We know that they had prayed to be allowed to have a baby, because of what the angel says in Luke 1:13:

“Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.”

Who knows how long this couple had been praying for a child? Probably since they were much younger. They have probably even stopped praying about this because now they are too old. Now, God has now chosen them to be the proud parents of a very special man:

“For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.” (Luke 1:15)

Do you want God to do something really special in your life? Then do not hesitate to pray, and keep on praying, and live a life of obedience to God’s commandments.

STOP AND TEST YOURSELF

1. According to Luke 1:7, Zacharias and Elisabeth were a young couple. True or False? ______________

2. Zacharias and Elisabeth were unable to have ___________.

3. According to Luke 1:13, the angel said to Zacharias, “Thy _________________ is heard.”

4. List the three helps to prayer that we have studied:

A. ____________________ B. ____________________ C. ____________________

LESSON FIVE: HINDRANCES TO PRAYER (Memory Verse…John 9:31)

Let’s look now at a few things which can hinder our prayers. These are things that prevent our prayers from having any real power. When we have those things in our lives that the Bible says can hinder our prayers, God is not necessarily going to hear us or answer us. A Christian whose prayers are hindered is helpless. On the other hand, no matter where they are, and no matter what their situation, when Christians pray without allowing things into their lives that hinder their prayers, they are far from helpless. When you pray, the almighty power and wisdom of God go to work for you, and things are going to happen! It would be good to remember this little rhyme:

“Satan trembles when he sees, the weakest Christian on their knees!”

I. BEING UNSAVED HINDERS OUR PRAYERS

When you pray, this is not the time to play. God is well able to see your heart. If you have never repented of your sins and called on God for forgiveness and salvation, you are lost and on your way to hell. God knows that Christ does not live in your heart, and according to the Bible if you have not received Jesus as your Saviour by faith in Him, you are not a child of God.

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26)

In Matthew 6:9, Jesus tells us to address God as “Our Father” when we pray.

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”

If you are not saved, God is not your father, and you are playing a wicked game when you say, “Our Father.”

In John 8:12-59, Jesus is speaking to a group of people who did not believe that He was the Son of God. They had plenty of ideas about God, but all they had were a lot of religious beliefs, and not real faith. In verse 42, they told Jesus that God was their Father, but He set them straight in verse 44a.

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts [desires] of your father ye will do…”

Before we are saved, the devil is controlling our lives. Because of our sin nature, we do what he wants us to do. He leads and we follow. Because of the tremendous influence that the devil has over our sinful flesh, Jesus calls him our father.

If you want to be a child of God, you must turn from following the devil to following God through faith in Jesus Christ. In John 1:12-13, the Word of God tells us:

“But as many as received him [Jesus], to them gave he power to become the sons [children] of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

You must repent of your sins, and receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart in order to become a child of God. Then through His grace, and your faith, you are born into the family of God.

If you are not saved, God is not obligated to answer your prayers because He is not your Father. If you are not saved, and you have a prayer answered, it is probably because some real born-again Christian is praying for you, and God answered their prayer. Consider what God says in John 9:31.

“Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.”

Because our merciful God loves the lost, He may choose to answer the prayers of sinners in order to get their attention and draw them to Himself so that they will repent and be saved. If God is working in your life in this way, you had better pay attention to Him. A Bible example of a person in this situation is found in the book of Genesis, chapter 4. Cain, the son of Adam and Eve, has murdered his brother. Because of this, God says to Cain:

“And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth [from now on] yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond [tramp] shalt thou be in the earth. (Genesis 4:11-12)

Cain is very disturbed and frightened by what God has said to him, and complains to Him:

“And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay [kill] me.” (Genesis 4:13-14)

Cain is afraid for his life, so God responds to his complaint, showing mercy toward this sinner.

“And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold [seven times]. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.” (Genesis 4:15)

God helps Cain out of a very bad situation by giving Cain His protection. The mark that He put on Cain was not for punishment, but was given to keep other men from harming Cain as he wandered on the earth. God’s gift of protection was His merciful response to Cain’s heart-felt cry to Him. God was not obligated to help Cain, but God chose to be kind to him because God wanted Cain to repent and get right with Him. Now look at what Cain did next:

“And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD.” (Genesis 4:16a)

Rather than turn to God and get things right, Cain turned away from God and never returned. The Bible teaches us that the descendants of Cain became the first great civilization on earth, but they were wicked and immoral, and they all died in the great flood with which God judged the earth for all their wickedness.

If you are a lost sinner, and God shows you His grace and mercy by answering your prayer, you had better not turn away from Him like Cain did, but turn to Him for His salvation.

A word of warning…The prayers of the lost are sometimes heard and answered by the devil. Satan has a lot of power, and will give people what they pray for just to keep them confused about their relationship with God. He can make you think that God is with you, when He is not. Also, Satan’s blessings always contain a hidden curse, which will hurt you eventually.

If you want to have powerful prayers, you must be born again. Do not let being unsaved hinder your prayers. Remember there is one sinner’s prayer that the Lord God is obligated to hear… “God be merciful to me a sinner.”

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9, 10 & 13)

STOP AND TEST YOURSELF

1. If you are not saved, God is not your _________________.

2. Ye are of your father ______ _________, and the lusts of your ____________ ye __________ do. (John 8:44a)

3. But as many as ________________ him, to them gave he power to become the __________ ______ _______. (From John 1:12)

4. Why did God put a mark on Cain? For mercy or for punishment? (Choose one) _______________________.

5. If you are not saved, God is not obligated to answer your prayers. True or False? ______________

II. SIN IN YOUR LIFE HINDERS YOUR PRAYERS

If you are saved, your prayers are hindered by sin in your life. Let’s read Isaiah 59:1-2:

“Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities [wicked acts] have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

The first verse points out that God is able to take care of us in every situation, and He is able to hear any prayer. However, the second verse teaches us that our sins separate us from God, and cause Him not to hear our prayers.

Notice how personal this verse is. The problem is that your iniquities and your sins separate you from your God. God will not overlook sin in the lives of His children, and the worst thing about sin is that it keeps our heavenly Father from hearing our prayers and it separates us from the close fellowship with Him that we need to enjoy the Christian life.

When we become aware of sin in our lives, what should we do about it? Everyone has this problem because we are all sinners by nature. The Bible teaches us that we can have victory over sin by walking in the Spirit; but as long as we live in this flesh, there will be times when we do give in to the temptations of this world, our flesh, and the devil. No one is able to live a perfect, sinless life while they are still on this earth. If someone says that they never sin, the Word of God says that they are lying. Then He tells us that we must admit to Him that we have sinned, and ask for His forgiveness.

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:8-9)

Notice the little word “all” in this blessed promise. It does not matter what you have done. In I John 1:7, God tells us that the blood of His Son Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. The thing to do is to confess it, admit it to God just as soon as you realize you’ve done something wrong, and then ask Him to forgive you. Because the blood of Jesus Christ was shed for all sin, God will keep His Word, and cleanse you from that sin. Be careful not to try to hide it, or cover it up. God knows what you have done, and until you confess it to Him and get His forgiveness, your prayers will be hindered.

This is a situation that Christians should never let themselves get into. Suppose that someone very dear to you becomes seriously hurt or sick. Or what if you and your loved ones are in a dangerous emergency situation? You need to be able to immediately call on God, knowing that nothing is hindering your prayer. Suppose that a close friend asks you to pray for him or for someone dear to him. That friend is counting on you to get hold of God for him. If you have sin in your life which you have not confessed, you are going to have to first get things right with God. What if it is two o’clock in the morning, there is no doctor available, and your baby has a 105 degree fever? Are you going to have to get on your knees and confess your sins to God first, or is there a clear channel from your heart to the throne of God? We should never let anything continue in our lives that hinders our prayers.

After you have confessed your sin, and you know that God has forgiven you, then leave it alone. Ask God to help you to get the victory over sinful ways and habits, and do not continue to do them, because these things will hinder your prayers.

“He that covereth [hides] his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [leaves alone] them shall have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)

STOP AND TEST YOURSELF

1. But your _________ have ______________ between you and your God, and your ______ have hid his face from you, that he ___________ _________ ____________. (Isaiah 59:2)

2. If someone says that they never sin, the Word of God says they are _________________.

3. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from most, but not all sins. True or False? ____________

4. He that covereth his ______ shall not prosper, but whoso ___________ and __________them shall have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)

III. BEING UNFORGIVING HINDERS YOUR PRAYERS

A problem that is very common in our world is the sin of being unforgiving. The Bible tells us that when we refuse to forgive others, God will not forgive us. This is a very serious situation which causes a lot of prayers to be hindered. Let’s look at some scripture on the subject.

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses [wrongs done to you], your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses [wrongs you do].” (Matthew 6:14-15)

Remember that God knows what is in your heart. If you are praying for God’s forgiveness, and your heart is full of bad feelings toward another person, God is going to see it. Therefore, God is not going to forgive you, because He will not go against what is written in His Word. Please read the story in Matthew 18:23-35 about the two debtors. Notice that in verse 35, the Word of God says that you must forgive from your heart. To truly forgive someone who has done you wrong and really hurt you, is not a natural thing. However, if you are saved, the Holy Spirit who lives within you will do a supernatural thing. Through God’s power, you can forgive even the most terrible things that others have done to you. The way to do this is given in Matthew 5:43-44.

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

Those who “despitefully use you and persecute you” are those people who have done you wrong, and hurt you or abused you. If you are willing to do things God’s way, you had better begin to pray for these people like Jesus says in Matthew 5:44. Ask God to bless them, and help them, and to do what needs doing in their lives to bring them to Christ. If you do this, and keep on praying for them, you will find that the attitude of your heart toward them will change. Continue to pray for them often, and ask God to help you to forgive them, and you will find that the day will soon come when you can really forgive them from your heart. This is not some kind of mind game. It is simply acting on the good and powerful counsel of the Word of God, which is always true and right. If you do it God’s way, obeying His clear command to pray for those who have wronged you, the Holy Spirit will do a wonderful work in your heart, and your prayers will no longer be hindered by the sin of being unforgiving.

IV. CONFLICT BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE HINDERS THEIR PRAYERS

The Bible teaches that it is an evil thing when husbands and wives do not get along, and do not live peacefully together. The Word of God has plenty to say about how to have a happy, Christian home. When we choose to disobey God, and allow ungodly things to be said and done in our homes, we can be sure that the devil will stir up trouble between the husband and the wife. God warns us in I Peter 3:7 that conflict in a marriage is a hindrance to prayer.

“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell [live] with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”

Suppose that a married couple is praying together for something that they want very badly. If they have been fussing and fighting together that day, they had better get it settled, forgive one another, and then ask God to forgive them. Then their prayer will not be hindered.

Ephesians 5:22-33 contains some of God’s clear teaching about how husbands and wives who are walking in the Spirit can live together without conflict. Because of the sinful nature of our flesh, no marriage is going to be completely without disagreements and troubles. However, if you are doing your best to obey God’s Word in your marriage, it will be easy to make up and forgive one another, getting things right with each other and with God.

Praying in agreement together about their needs and wants can be a very powerful time in each day of a Christian marriage. Do not let your prayers be hindered by fussing and fighting with one another.

STOP AND TEST YOURSELF

1. If someone has hurt and abused you, what should you do for them? ___________ __________ _____________

2. The good and powerful counsel of the Word of God is always ______________ and _______________.

3. Where in the Bible can we read about how husbands and wives can live together in peace? ________________

4. If a husband and wife have been fighting, what should they do before they pray? _________________________

5. List four things that hinder our prayers:

A. _____________________ B. _____________________

C. _____________________ D. _____________________