Let's begin this study in prayer...
Psalm 62:5-8Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.
In our previous studies we not only studied about what our attitude
should be in prayer and some keys to answered prayer but we also
reviewed a model for prayer that our Lord Jesus Christ gave to us.
However, there still remains some questions to be addressed. And so
let us begin.
I. IS THERE MORE POWER IN UNITED PRAYER VS AN INDIVIDUAL BELIEVER?
A. THE ISSUE
Actually this question arises from a teaching that suggests that
in God's eye united prayer is more powerful or persuasive than
praying alone. The root of this teaching arises from the following
scripture,
Matthew 18:19-20
However, upon closer examination the above scriptures have
nothing at all to do with prayer. Actually, the above scriptures
are speaking to the subject of Church discipline. The point being
made is that for issues requiring church discipline it takes two
or three to render the judgement. To see this, let us read from,
Matthew 18:15-20
Now with respect to the issue of prayer, let us just review one of
the most fantastic promises that God has given to His children,
i.e. the born again believer.
B. GOD'S PROMISE
Let us begin by reading,
John 15:7-8
Let us just stop and think about what our Lord Jesus Christ has
just said. Pretty awesome isn't it? In fact this promise is so
important for us to remember that our Lord Jesus Christ repeats
it many times throughout His Word. For example, let us go and
read some excerpts of what Jesus told His disciples to prepare
them for His departure.
John 14:12-14
Notice vs 14 ...in My Name...
and again,
John 16:23-24
Notice vs 24 ...in My Name...
Finally, the Holy Spirit through James encourages us by telling
us that: "The prayer of a righteous man (or woman) is powerful
and effective."
To see this, let us read from,
James 5:16(b)-18
QUESTION: Does this mean that we should not pray together?
No! In fact we find that the early disciples did pray together.
To see this, let us read about the time when they prayed after
Peter and John were released from prison.
Acts 4:23-24...etc.
However, the point to be made here is that God hears us and
knows our needs where ever we are (alone or with others).
II. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO PRAY IN JESUS' NAME?
In order to understand what is going on here, we need to realize
that now that Jesus Christ is in Heaven, we (the born again believer,
i.e. Christian) are His representatives on this earth. To see this,
let us read the prayer that Jesus said for His disciples.
A. JESUS' PRAYER FOR HIS DISCIPLES
1. FOR HIS DISCIPLES THEN
John 17:6-19
Notice vs 18 "...I have sent them into the world."
and,
2. FOR THOSE WHO WILL BE HIS DISCIPLES
John 17:20-26
Notice vs 21 "May they be in Us so that the world
may believe that You have sent Me."
Hence when we pray we are to pray as a representative of Jesus
Christ, i.e. as He would or in other words "In His Name."
Remember,
B. IT IS NO LONGER WE WHO LIVE, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN US
To see this, let us read how the apostle Paul views himself in,
Galatians 2:20
Hence, the significance of the following words from the parable
of the vine,
John 15:7-8
Now in order to help us abide in Christ and pray in His Name,
our Lord and God has given us the Holy Spirit to see this, let us
read from,
John 16:13-15
Notice vs 14 ...He will take of what is mine and
declare it to us.
Oh My! Oh My! Oh My!
Our Lord Jesus Christ has truly provided for all our needs!
III. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO PRAY IN THE SPIRIT?
As seen from the previous question, it means that our prayers and
worship are to be inspired or motivated by the Holy Spirit. To see
this, let us read what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman that He met
at the well,
John 4:21-24
Now when we do this, when we yield to the Holy Spirit to help us pray,
we find that our prayers could be manifested in one of three ways.
A. GROANINGS
We find this given to us in,
Romans 8:26-27
Then there can be,
B. TONGUES
To see this, let, us read a portion off the instruction that the
Holy Spirit gave through Paul to the Corinthian Church concerning
the misuse of the gift of tongues during public worship,
1 Corinthians 14:2-5
Notice vs 2 he who speaks in a tongue does not speak
to men but speaks to God, in his spirit.
4 he who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.
Finally, we find that when praying in the Spirit, we can also pray
with,
C. OUR UNDERSTANDING
To see this, let us begin by reading from,
Ephesians 6:18-20
Notice vs 18 pray always (or) on all occasions ...in
the Spirit...
Now with this in mind, let us return to the Holy Spirit's
instruction to the Church in Corinth relative to the use of
tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:14-15
Notice vs 14 if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays.
15 I will pray with (my) spirit and I will
also pray with the understanding (or) mind.
However, whether we pray with our spirit or our understanding,
all is to be in the Holy Spirit.
Finally,
IV. MUST WE PRAY OUT LOUD (i.e. AUDIBLY}? NO!
In order to see this, let us read about how Hannah prayed to God
before Samuel was born.
A. THE SITUATION
1 Samuel 1:1-7
B. HANNAH PRAYS
1 Samuel 1:8-11
C. ELI AND HANNAH'S CONVERSATION
1 Samuel 1:12-18
Notice vs 13(a) and 17
D. GOD ANSWERS HANNAH'S PRAYER
1 Samuel 1:19-20
V. CLOSING
And now before we close, let us read the following Psalm.
Psalm 8:1-9
Let's end this study in prayer...
Philemon 4-7I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all thr saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Read the book by John Sweet, Jr.
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