Jesus was a man of prayer. The disciples, of course, saw this and learned to pray from his example. When a disciple asked him to teach them how to pray, he taught them the Lord’s Prayer. The purpose of this lesson is to learn what our Lord teaches us about prayer.
Mt.15:25 But when she came, she began to bow down in worship to him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
- This woman bowed down in worship of Jesus. Her worship of Jesus consisted of praying to him for help. Prayer is an act of worship.
Jn.16:23,24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you should ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, in order that your joy may be made complete.”
- To ask in the name of Jesus is to pray believing he is Christ, the Son of God, for whose sake God will hear and answer our prayers. Prayer, then, is a fruit of faith.
Eph.6:18 With all prayer and supplication pray at all times in the Spirit, . . .
- Prayer is the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Prayer, then, is a fruit of the Spirit.
Ps.19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
- Prayer is the speaking of the heart to God vocally in words or silently in thoughts.
The Truth Is: Prayer is:
1. An act of worship.
2. A fruit of faith.
3. A fruit of the Spirit.
4. The speaking of the heart to God vocally or silently.
Mt.7:7 Ask, and you will receive; . . .
- We pray because God tells us to pray to him and he promises to answer our prayers.
1 Jn.5:14,15 And this is the joyful confidence which we have with regard to him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we had asked from him.
- We pray because God promises to hear and answer us.
Ps.50:15 Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.
- We also pray because we have troubles and needs from which he can deliver us and because we desire to honor and worship him.
The Truth Is: We pray because:
1. God commands us to pray to him.
2. God promises to answer our prayers.
3. We have troubles and needs from which God can deliver us.
4. We desire to honor and worship God with gratitude for his blessings.
Mt.4:10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’ ”
- Our prayers are acts of worship. They should be directed only to the Lord. He refuses to share with false gods the glory that prayers give to his name. See Isaiah 42:8.
Isa.63:16 For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us And Israel does not acknowledge us.
- After their deaths Abraham’s and Jacob’s (who was also given the name Israel) souls joined the Lord in heaven. Though they were saints in heaven, they had no knowledge of God’s people on earth or their needs. Not only is it a sin against the first commandment to pray to saints in heaven, it is fruitless since they have no knowledge of us.
Jn.16:23 Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you should ask the Father in my name, . . .
- Praying in Jesus’ name is an act of faith in him who has reconciled us to God. We can only approach God in prayer through faith in Jesus.
Heb.10:19-22 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he initiated for us through the curtain, that is his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from a bad conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
- Because Jesus has cleansed us from our sins and we are justified and forgiven through faith in him, we can approach God with the confidence that he will hear and answer our prayers.
- Our prayers should come from sincere hearts that truly believe God’s promises and that mean what we are praying about. Our prayers should not be thoughtless repetitions or words uttered by our lips but our hearts are not in them.
Mt.6:7 And when you pray, you should not repeat the same things over and over again as the heathen do, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
- Our prayers should not be repetitions of the same things over and over again, nor many thoughtless words. This verse has been translated as “vain repetitions.”
Js.1:6,7 But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing, for he who doubts is like the surf of the sea being driven and tossed by the wind. For do not let that man think that he will receive anything from the Lord.
- We should pray confidently with the faith that our prayers will be heard and answered.
1 Jn.5:14,15 And this is the joyful confidence which we have with regard to him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we had asked from him.
- We should pray with the full assurance of faith that we can approach God in prayer and have him give us whatever we ask for that is according to his will.
- We will not pray for things that we know are contrary to God’s will and commandments. God does not answer prayers that ask for sinful things.
Js.4:2,3 You lust, but do not have; you murder and are jealous, but you are not able to obtain; you quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with bad intentions, in order that you may spend it wastefully on your pleasures.
- We should not pray for things that will enable us to indulge in worldly pleasures or will enrich ourselves. This is contrary to God’s will.
- We should not pray with wrong motives. Such prayers are not answered. God will not become a partner to a person’s sins by granting his sinful requests.
The Truth Is: We should pray:
1. Only to the Lord, not to false gods or departed saints. Prayers to idols and saints violate the first commandment and remain unanswered.
2. In the name of Jesus Christ. We can approach God in prayer only as believers in Jesus, for whose sake our prayers are heard and answered.
3. With a sincere heart that means what we are praying and does not utter thoughtless, meaningless words and empty repetitions.
4. With confidence that for Jesus’ sake our prayers will be heard and answered.
5. In accordance with what we know is God’s will, not asking for things that are contrary to his will and commands.
Phil.4:6 Be unduly concerned for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
- We can bring anything and everything to God in prayer that we know is not contrary to his Word and will.
The Truth Is: We can pray about anything and everything that is not contrary to God’s Word and will.
Examples: for the Holy Spirit (Lk.11:13); a confession of sins and for forgiveness (1 Jn.1:9; Ps.32:5); for the forgiveness of others (Lk.23:34); for pastors and teachers (Mt.9:37,38); for missions and the spread of the gospel (Col.4:3; 2 Thess.3:1); for our pastors and teachers (Col.4:4); to be delivered from the coming judgment (Lk.21:36); for faith for ourselves and others (Mk.9:24; Lk.22:32); that we and our fellow Christians will grow in our knowledge of God’s Word and will (Phil.1:9)
Col.1:9 For this reason also we, since the day we heard of it, have not ceased praying for you (fellow Christians), . . .
- We should pray for our fellow Christians.
2 Thess.3:1,2 Finally, brothers, pray for us (ministers of Christ) that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was also with you, and that we may be delivered from evil and wicked men; for not all men have faith.
- We should pray for Christ’s ministers, our pastors and teachers.
1 Tim.2:1,2 I urge, then, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men, for kings and for all who are in positions of authority, . . .
- We should pray for all people and for governing officials.
Mt.5:44 “But I myself say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. . .”
- We should pray for our enemies.
Js.5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, . . .
- We should pray for the sick.
Job.1:5 And it was that, when the days of the banqueting had finished their cycle, Job would send and purify them. He rose early in the morning and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all, because Job said, “Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” So Job did all his days.
- We should pray for our family members.
The Truth Is: We should pray for:
1. Fellow Christians
2. Ministers of Christ (pastors and teachers)
3. All people
4. Government officials
5. Our enemies
6. The sick
7. Our family
Heb.9:27 And just as it is reserved for men to die once, and after this to face judgment, . . .
- At death a person is judged. There is no second chance or purgatory. Prayers for the wicked who died in their unbelief cannot help or deliver them. Prayers for the believers who died in the faith are unnecessary since they are in heaven.
- Scripture contains no commands or even examples of praying for the dead.
The Truth Is: We should not pray for the dead.
1 Jn.5:14 And this is the joyful confidence which we have with regard to him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
- We pray unconditionally, that is without asking “if” it is God’s will, when we pray for what God has told us to ask for or promised, such as forgiveness or the Holy Spirit.
Lk.22:41,42 And he (Jesus) withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and after he knelt down, he began to pray, saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but your will, be done.”
- Jesus’ example teaches us to pray conditionally, that is asking “if” it is God’s will, when we are praying for things that God has not told us to pray for or promised, such as good health or prosperity.
The Truth Is: We pray:
1. Unconditionally when we know that God has told us to ask for or has promised what we are requesting in our prayer.
2. Conditionally when God has not told us to ask for or has not promised what we are requesting in our prayer.
1 Thess.5:17 Pray constantly.
- We should pray continually, at all times of the day.
Phil.4:6 Be unduly concerned for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
- We should pray from day to day about all matters that come up in our daily life.
Ps.50:15 Call upon me in the day of trouble; . . .
- We should pray especially at times when we are faced with troubles.
The Truth Is: We should pray continually from day to day about all matters, especially when we are faced with troubles.
1 Jn.5:14,15 And this is the joyful confidence which we have with regard to him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we had asked from him.
- God hears and answers all our prayers that ask for what is according to his will.
2 Cor.12:7-9 And because of the extra-ordinary grandeur of the revelations, for this reason, in order that I may not overly exalt myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to afflict me, in order that I may not overly exalt myself. 8 Concerning this matter I appealed to the Lord three times that it may depart from me. 9 And he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you. For its power is carried out in weakness.”
- As in Paul’s case, God also hears our prayers that ask for things that are not according to his will. In those instances he answers our prayers with a “No,” in order to give us what is really better for us to have. In Paul’s case God’s answer of “No” kept him from falling into the sin of conceit and undue pride.
The Truth Is: God hears and answers all our prayers.
1. Our prayers that ask for what is according to his will he grants us.
2. Our prayers that ask for what is not according to his will he withholds from us to give us what is better for us.
1 Cor.10:20 No, but the things which the pagans sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God, . . .
- Prayers, like sacrifices, are acts of worship. Prayers to false gods and idols are not offered to God but to demons. God does not answer such prayers of heathen unbelievers and idolaters, which is evident from the following passage.
1 Kgs.18:26 So they (the four hundred and fifty prophets of the idol Baal) took the bull that was given to them, and they prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered.
Isa.1:15 (God told the hypocrites of Israel who went only through the motions of worshipping him and did not obey his Word,) “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you. Even if you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood.”
- The prayers of hypocrites and false Christians are not answered.
Js.1:6,7 But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing, . . . For do not let that man think that he will receive anything from the Lord.
- The prayers of doubters who do not believe their prayers will be answered are not answered.
The Truth Is: God does not answer the prayers of:
1. Unbelievers and idolaters.
2. Hypocrites and false Christians.
3. Doubters who do not believe their prayers will be answered.
Mt.6:6 But you, whenever you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees what is done in secret will recompense you.
- We can pray in private alone.
Acts 2:42 And they (the model Christian congregation in Jerusalem) were continuing to busily engage themselves in the teaching of the apostles and in fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers.
- We can pray publicly with our fellow Christians.
1 Thess.5:17 Pray constantly.
- We can pray all the time wherever we may be--as Jesus did, who prayed in the wilderness, the hills, a garden, on a mountain, on the cross; and as the apostles and early Christians did, who prayed in prison, aboard ship, in their homes, on a house top, on a beach, in the temple, and in the house of a government official.
The Truth Is: We can pray:
1. In the privacy of our own home.
2. In public with our fellow Christians.
3. Anywhere and everywhere at all times
Mt.6:9-13 (Jesus said): You pray, then, in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread;
And forgive us our debts, as we also surely forgave our debtors;
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
The Truth Is: Jesus taught us to pray the Lord’s Prayer.
Gal.3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
- Through faith in Jesus we are the dear redeemed children of God, who may call upon him as our Father.
Jn.16:23 Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you should ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
- When we pray as believers in Jesus and ask God to hear our prayers for Jesus’ sake, we can pray with the confidence God will hear and answer our requests.
The Truth Is: With the address of the Lord’s Prayer Jesus:
1. Assures us God is our Father and we are his children.
2. Assures us we can pray with the confidence God will hear and answer us.
Ps.103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me bless his holy name.
- God’s name is holy in itself. We cannot cause it to be holier than it is already by what we say or do. What we as God’s children speak in his name and do in our lives, however, can glorify or dishonor his name. While God’s name is always holy, because we are sinners, our use of it and our regard of it in what we do is not always holy. Therefore Jesus taught us to pray that God would enable us to keep his name holy among us by what we say and do.
- God uses many names and titles for himself in the Bible, all of which we are praying would be kept holy by us. His name is also his reputation for who and what he is and what he stands for. We pray his reputation among us would also be preserved in its holy state.
Jer.23:28 . . . but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully.
- We can keep God’s name holy by preaching and teaching his Word faithfully, which upholds his holy name and reputation. False teaching in his name dishonors his name and is a sin against the second commandment, (see lesson #9 on What is the Truth about Commandments One and Two, teaching false doctrine). Jesus teaches us to ask God to enable us to speak his Word faithfully and to prevent us from uttering false teachings.
1 Cor.10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all things to the glory of God.
- We can keep God’s name holy by living godly lives that glorify his name. We bring disgrace on God’s name, however, with our sins, see Romans 2:23,24. Jesus teaches us to ask God to enable us to live holy lives and to keep us from falling into sin.
The Truth Is: With the first petition Jesus teaches us:
1. God’s name is holy and to pray that we may keep it holy.
2. To ask our Father to enable us to keep his name holy by teaching his Word faithfully and living holy lives according to it.
Lk.17:20,21 Now, after he (Jesus) was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation, nor will they say, ‘Behold, here it is,’ or, ‘Behold, there it is,’ for the kingdom of God is within you.”
- The kingdom of God is a divine realm within our hearts.
Jn.18:36,37 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I should not be handed over to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not from here. Therefore Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “Rightly you say that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I may testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.”
- Jesus is the King within the invisible kingdom of God. He speaks the truth of the gospel and those who listen with believing hearts are on his side and in his kingdom.
- The kingdom of God, then, is Jesus’ rule in our hearts by the gospel by which we believe and are saved and follow him. Jesus teaches us to pray that his gracious ruling in our hearts would come to us and to many others through the power of his gospel.
Ro.5:5 & 1 Cor.12:3 . . . the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. . . and no one is able to say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
- Jesus’ gracious ruling in our hearts comes to us when God gives us the Holy Spirit through the gospel, so we are filled with God’s love for us in Jesus and we believe he is our Lord and Savior.
The Truth Is: With the second petition:
1. Jesus teaches us to pray for his ruling in our hearts by the gospel.
2. We pray God would give his Holy Spirit through the gospel, so this kingdom of God comes to us and to many others.
Mk.16:15; 1 Tim.2:3,4; 1 Thess.4:1,3 Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. . . This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. . . you received from us how you ought to conduct yourselves and please God, . . . For this is the will of God – your sanctification, (your being holy).
- God’s will is threefold: that his gospel be preached to all people; that all people come to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ and be saved; and that we as God’s children live holy lives that please him. God’s will, then, is that the first and second petitions come to pass.
- Throughout these lessons we have learned the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh stand as God’s enemies who are opposed to this will of God. Jesus teaches us to pray that God would hinder these enemies from preventing his will being done on earth, so his will may be done on earth as it is done among his holy angels in heaven.
The Truth Is: With this third petition:
Jesus teaches us to pray that God’s will for the salvation of us and many others be done on earth.
Ps.145:15,16 & Phil.4:19 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at its proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. . . And my God will fill every need of yours. . .
- Daily bread is everything we need for our life and bodily welfare. God gives this daily bread to all people, even without their asking for it.
Js.1:17 & Ps.118:1 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, . . . Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his love endures forever.
- With this petition Jesus teaches us everything we receive for our bodily life and welfare is a gracious gift of God that we should receive with thanksgiving.
Mt.6:25,33,34 “For this reason I say to you, stop worrying for your life – what you should eat, or what you should drink, not even for your body, what you should wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? . . . But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.”
- With this fourth petition Jesus teaches us not to worry but to take each day one at a time and trust our Father will provide for our needs.
The Truth Is: With this fourth petition Jesus teaches us:
1. Our Father provides for all our needs.
2. To receive with thanksgiving all that our Father provides us.
3. Not to worry about the future but to put our trust in our Father to provide for us one day at a time.
Lk.11:4 “Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who sins against us.”
- Debts, or trespasses, refers to our many sins against God.
- With this petition Jesus teaches to pray for the forgiveness of our sins.
Isa.59:2 But your iniquities have caused a separation between you and your God. And your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
- Our sins separate us from God and disqualify us from having him hear and answer our prayers.
- With this petition Jesus teaches us to pray that God would not refuse to hear our prayers because of our many sins, but grant his forgiveness and be willing to hear us.
Col.3:12,13 Therefore as the chosen of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another and forgiving each other, if anyone should have a complaint against someone. Just as the Lord also forgave you, so you also forgive.
- With this petition Jesus teaches us to show our thankfulness for our Father’s forgiveness by forgiving others as he forgave us.
The Truth Is: With this fifth petition Jesus teaches us to:
1. Ask our Father to forgive our many sins against him.
2. Ask our Father to be willing to hear and answer our prayers.
3. Thank our Father for his forgiveness by forgiving those who sin against us.
Js.1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.
- By temptation Jesus means anything that could cause us to fall into sin, false beliefs, or despair. The devil, the world, and our sinful flesh, not God, are responsible for these temptations.
1 Cor.10:13 God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted more than what you are able, but with the temptation he will also make the way of escape, so you are able to bear it.
- With this petition Jesus teaches us that our Father will not let us be tempted beyond the ability he gives us to withstand them. Indeed, he enables us to resist and overcome them.
The Truth Is: With this sixth petition Jesus teaches us:
To pray that our Father will not permit us to be tempted above what we can bear but will enable us to resist and overcome them.
Acts 14:22 . . . through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.
- Evil is all the bad things we must suffer in this world as the result of the fall into sin.
- With this petition Jesus teaches us to ask our Father to deliver us from the evil in this world, which he does when he shields us from it or enables us to bear it.
Ro.8:28 And we know that God works all things for good for those who love him, . . .
- With this petition Jesus teaches us to ask our Father to cause the evil in this world to work for our good.
2 Tim.4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom.
- With this petition Jesus teaches us to ask our Father to finally deliver us from this evil world and to graciously take us home to heaven.
The Truth Is: With this seventh petition Jesus teaches us to ask our Father:
1. To deliver us from the evil in this world, either shielding us from it, enabling us to bear it, or causing it to work for our good.
2. To finally deliver us from this evil world and take us to heaven.
Mt.6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God. . .
- With this doxology Jesus teaches us we can be certain the preceding petitions will be answered because we are first seeking the kingdom of God.
Eph.3:20 Now to him (God) who is able to do all things in extreme abundance, infinitely more than what we ask or think, according to the power that is at work in us, . . .
- With this doxology Jesus teaches us we can be certain the preceding petitions will be answered because our Father has the power to do all that we ask.
Jn.14:13,14 And whatever you should ask in my name, this I will do, in order that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you should ask me anything in my name, indeed I will do it.
- With this doxology Jesus teaches us that we can be certain the preceding petitions will be answered, because when we ask for them in his name, this glorifies our Father in heaven.
Rev.7:12 “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen!”
- Amen is a word of confidence. It comes from the Hebrew word which means truly.
- With the word “amen” Jesus teaches us to believe that what we have asked in this prayer will truly come to pass. Yes, it will be so.
The Truth Is: With the doxology and "amen" Jesus teaches us that we can be certain this prayer will be granted by our Father:
1. For it first seeks his kingdom.
2. For he has the power to do all that we ask.
3. For it gives glory to him.
4. And we should pray believing that what we have asked will truly come to pass.
1. Which of the following statements are correct?
a. Prayer is a work of the Holy Spirit in our heart.
b. Prayer is a means of grace, by which God conveys his mercy to us.
c. Prayer consists only of spoken words.
d. Prayer may be the unspoken thoughts and desires of the heart.
e. Prayer is an act of worshipping God.2. Why do you pray?
3. Why must we pray in Jesus’ name?
4. Give an example of a vain repetition.
5. What is an invaluable service you can do for your fellow Christians, church, and pastor?
6. Why don’t we pray for the dead?
7. Does God hear and answer all of our prayers?
8. Do you have a prayer for mealtime?
9. Analyze the seven petitions. How many ask for spiritual blessings and how many ask for temporal blessings for our life in this world? What does this teach us to concentrate our prayers on?