A12.1 – WHAT IS PRAYER?

1. Some people say everybody is the architect of his own fortune; therefore, there is no need to pray for God’s assistance.

2. Some other people say, no matter what you do, destiny can never be changed. That is to say, you have to keep praying because God is completely responsible for whatever happens to man here on earth.

3. But the truth is that heavens help those who help themselves. In other words, much as you need God’s assistance, and pray for such, you must do what you can do to receive such assistance

4. Prayer is the act or practice of making spoken or unspoken communication to God.

5. Prayer is the expression of thanksgiving, praise, confession, and making requests for something such as help or for somebody’s well-being.

6. Prayer is conversation with God, Mat. 7:7

7. Prayer is:

a) “Beseeching the Lord” Ex. 32:11

b) “Pouring out the soul before the Lord” 1Sam 1:15

c) “Praying and crying to heaven” 2 Chr. 32:20

d) “Seeking unto God and making supplication” Job 8:5

e) “Drawing near to God” Ps. 73:28

f) “Bowing the knees” Eph. 3:14

g) “Ask, and ye shall receive” Mat. 7:7-8

8. Prayer presupposes a belief that

a) God exists and that He hears and can answer, Heb 11:6

b) God has ability and He’s willing to assist

c) God controls all things including all creatures and all their actions.

9. For prayers to be answered,

a) Prayer must be offered with reverence and godly fear, Mark 11:24

b) Prayer must be offered in humility, John 14:13-14

c) Prayer must be sincere, Heb. 10:22

d) Prayer must be offered with earnest importunity, Eph. 2:18

e) Prayer must be offered in the faith that God is, and He’s the hearer and answerer of prayer, and that he will fulfill His Word concerning the request, Mat 21:22

f) Prayer must be offered in the name of Jesus Christ, John 14:13-14