Lesson 16: PRAYER
Begin a regular prayer life and, if at all possible, go to an active prayer meeting each week. Jesus promised: “Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).
No doubt you have found by now that there are quite a few different ways in which your Christian life is tested. The Bible says “Give all your problems to God, for He cares for you. Be sensible; be on guard, for your enemy the devil (Satan) roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to destroy. Resist him, and be strong in your faith” (1 Peter 5:7-9).
Do not get discouraged. The devil will do all he can to discourage you, telling you that you are not a very good Christian, and tempting you to do wrong. Resist him! Watch out for these temptations and when they arise, pray and ask for God's help to overcome them. If you do sin, remember God says: “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and wash us from all impurity” (1 John 1:9). God will forgive all sin, if we are truly sorry for it, and if we are prepared to turn from it with His help.
So one of the things we can pray for is forgiveness for sin, and for God's help in overcoming temptation. But there are many other things we can pray for, too.
First, you should pray for your friends and their needs, especially if they do not know Jesus as you do; pray that they too will become Christians. Second, you can pray about your own needs and problems, and ask for God's help in your daily life. Remember, God is concerned about everything you do, whether it is large or small. Third, do not forget to thank God for all the prayers of yours He has answered and for all His goodness, especially for sending Jesus to die for you, and take away your sins. Finally, praise God for Who He is: the Almighty God, King and Creator of the whole Universe, your Lord and Saviour.
Pray often during the day. You do not have to close your eyes every time you pray; sometimes it may not be convenient to do so. Also, your prayers do not have to be long; they may be only one or two sentences breathed out quietly to God, but He hears, He knows, He cares!
God says that if we have faith, then every prayer we pray that is according to His will, shall be answered. It may take time, and it may not be quite as we expect, but He will do what is best! (1 John 5:14-15; Romans 8:28).
Look at some of God's promises – these will encourage you to pray for:
- guidance (Isaiah 30:21)
- help (Isaiah 41:10)
- healing (James 5:13-18)
- forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
- material needs (Matthew 6:25-33)
- all we need (Philippians 4:19)
Four different types of prayer are conveniently remembered by the letters A-C-T-S:
Adoration: praise and worship to God.
Confession: confessing sin and confessing the truths of God’s Word (the Bible).
Thanksgiving: giving God thanks for His goodness.
Supplication: - praying for the needs of other people
- praying for our own needs
- praying against the attacks of Satan (sometimes called “spiritual warfare”)
It is good to make sure that our prayer-times are a balance between these various forms of prayer, so that we are not just asking all the time!
QUESTIONS
1. What did Jesus say will happen if we ask, seek and knock? (See Matthew 7:7).
2. Why do we sometimes not receive things that God would like to give us? (See James 4:2-3).
3. Why is it good to pray with other Christians and not only by ourselves? (See Matthew 18:19-20).
4. What are some things we need to remember as we pray? (See Matthew 21:22; John 16:23-24; Romans 8:26-27).
5. What should we do when Satan attacks or tempts us in some way?
6. What are some of the things we should pray for? (1 Timothy 2:1-4).