(Prayer is an expression of one’s most inner feelings
of thanksgiving to God and request for His help. In the
Bible, prayer is often combined with fasting on the part
of the one who prepares his or her mind for prayer.)
A. Necessity of prayer:
1. Pray after Jesus' example (Lk 5:16; 6:12;
22:45).
2. Jesus gave model prayer (Lk 11:1-4).
3. Example of the Christian's prayers (At 2:42; 6:4;
12:5; Rm 1:9; 12:12).
B. How to pray:
1. Pray to God the Father (Lk 16:27; 2 Co 13:7).
2. Pray in the name of Jesus (Jn 14:13; Rm 1:8; Cl
3:17).
3. Pray in faith (Mt 21:22; Js 1:6,7).
4. Pray earnestly (Cl 4:12; Js 5:16,17).
5. Pray believing (Mt 21:22; Mk 11:24).
6. Pray everywhere (1 Tm 2:8).
7. Pray publicly (At 4:23-31).
8. Pray in secret (Mt 6:4-6).
9. Pray in humility (Js 1:5-8).
10. Pray unselfishly (Js 4:3).
11. Pray with thanksgiving (Ph 4:6).
12. Pray according to God's will (1 Jn 5:14).
13. Pray unceasingly (Rm 12:12; Cl 1:3,9; 1 Th
5:17; 3:10).
14. Pray intensely (Mt 7:7-11; Cl 4:12).
15. Pray with righteous living (1 Jn 3:22; Js 5:16).
C. Pray for:
1. Persecutors (Mt 5:44).
2. Wisdom (Js 1:5-8).
3. Daily bread (Mt 6:11).
4. That God's will be done (Mt 6:10).
5. Forgiveness (Mt 6:12).
6. For relief from temptation (Mt 6:13).
7. For one another (Js 5:16).
8. For deliverance (Mt 6:13; 2 Th 3:1,2).
9. For relief from sickness (Js 5:14,15).
10. That leaders might have wisdom (1 Tm 2:1,2).
11. For laborers in God's harvest (Mt 9:38).
D. God's response to prayer:
1. He restores health (2 Kg 20:1-4; Js 5:13-16).
2. He opens doors (Mt 6:9-13; 1 Co 16:9; 2 Co
2:12).
3. He provides food (Mt 6:25-34).
4. He provides escape from sin (1 Co 10:13).
5. He delivers (Rm 15:30-32; 2 Tm 4:18; 2 Pt 2:9).
6. He raises up evangelists (Mt 9:38; 1 Tm 1:12).
7. He limits temptations (Ps 125:3; Lk 22:32; 1 Co
10:13).
8. He aids our service (1 Co 8:6).
9. He gives safe journeys (Rm 1:9,10).
10. He protects (Pv 18:10; 29:25; 2 Co 1:10,11; Ph
22).
11. He changes adversity (Ph 1:12-19).
12. He produces opportunities (At 19:8-10; Cl 4:3;
Pl 14).
13. He helps us stand (Cl 4:12; 2 Jn 4; 3 Jn 3,4).
14. He brings brethren together (1 Th 3:10).
15. He brings forth fruit (1 Co 3:5,6; 1 Th 1:2-8; 2 Th
1:11,12).
16. He makes fruit glorify Jesus (1 Co 1:31; 1 Th
2:20).
17. He opens doors for preaching (Ep 6:18,19; 2 Th
3:1,2).
18. He delivers from wicked men (2 Th 3:1,2; 2 Tm
4:17).