Principles of answered prayer
PRINCIPLES OF ANSWERED PRAYER.
Principles means:- (a) Laid down rules. (b) The true foundation. (c) The truth about something.
:- (a) Laid down rules. (b) The true foundation. (c) The truth about something.What is prayer?
Prayer is :- (1) a communication act between two parties. (2) Asking and receiving. Please, it is not begging. (3) It is a means of intervention. (4) It is not a religious act. (5) It is a weapon to resist an opponent. (6) It is a key to unlock every closed door. (7) It is not an emotional release. (8) It is an act of faith.
:- (1) a communication act between two parties. (2) Asking and receiving. Please, it is not begging. (3) It is a means of intervention. (4) It is not a religious act. (5) It is a weapon to resist an opponent. (6) It is a key to unlock every closed door. (7) It is not an emotional release. (8) It is an act of faith.References:- Matt. 7:7-9; Mark 11:23-24; Matt. 21:21;Ps. 65:2; Heb. 11:6; I Thess. 5:17; I John 5:14-15; John 14:13-14; 15:7.
:- Matt. 7:7-9; Mark 11:23-24; Matt. 21:21;Ps. 65:2; Heb. 11:6; I Thess. 5:17; I John 5:14-15; John 14:13-14; 15:7.Why do we pray?
It is because God commanded it in the Bible :- (a) Lk. 18:1 ( Men ought to pray and not to faint). (b) I Thess. 5:17 (Pray without season). (c) Phil. 4:6 (Let your request be made known to God). (d) Matt. 26:41 (Watch and pray).
Prayer is God’s way for Christians to have fullness of joy. James 4:2; Matt. 21:21; Jn. 14:13-14.
Prayer is God’s appointed ways for Christian to get things.
Prayer is the only avenue to get out of troubles; the cure for all worry and anxious care. Phil. 4:6-7; Ps.55:22; I Peter 5:7.
Prayer is the only way to have the power of Holy spirit for God’s work. Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 6:19-20; Lk. 11:13; II Cor. 7:14.
Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Rom. 10:13; Lk.23:39-43.
It is because God commanded it in the Bible :- (a) Lk. 18:1 ( Men ought to pray and not to faint). (b) I Thess. 5:17 (Pray without season). (c) Phil. 4:6 (Let your request be made known to God). (d) Matt. 26:41 (Watch and pray).
Prayer is God’s way for Christians to have fullness of joy. James 4:2; Matt. 21:21; Jn. 14:13-14.
Prayer is God’s appointed ways for Christian to get things.
Prayer is the only avenue to get out of troubles; the cure for all worry and anxious care. Phil. 4:6-7; Ps.55:22; I Peter 5:7.
Prayer is the only way to have the power of Holy spirit for God’s work. Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 6:19-20; Lk. 11:13; II Cor. 7:14.
Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Rom. 10:13; Lk.23:39-43.
Prayer and Faith: - Prayer is asking and receiving; is communication; is not thanksgiving, worship, adoration, praise etc.
: - Prayer is asking and receiving; is communication; is not thanksgiving, worship, adoration, praise etc.Faith is trusting; believes. (References:- Mk.11:12-24).
Have faith in God. Mk.11: 22.
Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Heb.11:6
Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Rom.14:23.
If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed Matt.17: 20.
The great importance of faith:-
:-You cannot please God without faith Heb.11:6
Faith is plainly commanded as a duty John 20:27; Heb.3:7-12&19
Unbelief is a sin. Heb. 3:19; 12:1
Faith can get anything in the universe Matt. 17:20; Mk. 9:23; James 5:15; III John 1:2-4
Prayer without faith is sin. Rom. 14:23.
Exercising faith in prayer (Rom. 10:17)
Every Christian should set out to develop, grow and act on confidence faith in God in every detail of life. The ways to exercise faith in prayer are:-
Learn the word of God Ps. 1:2-3; Joshua 1:8; Rom.10:17. If you want to have faith in God, you must know His word. You will not know what God has promised you unless you learn His word.
Full surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit. John 3:20-22; I John 5:13-15 (Real faith is exercised only in the will of God found in His word. Gal. 6:17)
Act on the faith you have. Heb. 11:6 (Take God at His word, risk Him, depend upon Him and your faith will grow. Faith is acting Heb. 11).
Faith comes by asking for it. Rom.12:3; I Cor.12:9; Matt.7:11; Lk.;17:5; Mk.9:21-24
Ask for it, thirst and hunger and receive it by faith.
Note:- Faith helps mightily in prayer. Rom. 14:2
Knowing the Will of God in prayer:-
Text or References:- Matt. 26:39 & 42; I John 5: 14 - 15; John 14: 13 -14..If you want your prayers answered, seek to pray in the ‘Will’ of God, not contrary to His ‘Will’ .
Seek to pray for things that can please Him.
Example of Jesus in Gethsemane. Matt.26:39 & 42; John 11:42.
The Will of God can be found in God’s word. Joshua 1:8; Ps. 1:2-3
Assurance in prayer. I John 5:14-15; Ps. 37:4
Asking in Jesus name. John 14: 13-14; Jn. 16:34. Praying in Jesus name is the authority before the father.
Faith comes when praying in the Will of God. Mark 9:23; Mk.11:23-24; Rom. 10:17.
STUDY TEXT:- The Apostles of Jesus Christ. Acts 4:23-31, compare with Ps. 2:1-3 & 4-12.
:- The Apostles of Jesus Christ. Acts 4:23-31, compare with Ps. 2:1-3 & 4-12.STEPS IN PRAYER:-
:-Identify the needs or necessity for prayer. This comes from worry, pain, affliction, needs, troubles, opposition and so on. Ps. 34:4&10; 17,19.
Vs. 4 - Fear, the righteous man sought the Lord
Vs.10- Lack the righteous man seeks the Lord
Vs.17-Trouble, the righteous man cried to the Lord
Vs.19-Affliction, The Lord delivered him.
Be definite in Prayer. This means that what exactly do you needs. ( of ascertain what you need).Matt.6:11; Mk.11:24; Lk.11:5
Ask what you need. Matt.7:7-9; Matt.21:22; Jer.29:12-13; Lk.11:9-10 Prayer is asking and receiving. God expects His people to ask.
Believe. God expects us to believe Him in respective of our needs. Matt.21:22; Mk.11:24; Gen.15:6; Ex.4:31.
Three Responses of God:-
I have heard you and give you what you ask for.
I have heard you, but be patience
No, but I have something better to it, or for you.
Exercise strong Faith in receiving what you pray for. James 1:6
Avoid doubt in your heart and unbelief. James 1:7-8; Heb. 3:19.
Praise God for answered prayer. By this, you show the sense of gratitude.
:-Identify the needs or necessity for prayer. This comes from worry, pain, affliction, needs, troubles, opposition and so on. Ps. 34:4&10; 17,19.
Vs. 4 - Fear, the righteous man sought the Lord
Vs.10- Lack the righteous man seeks the Lord
Vs.17-Trouble, the righteous man cried to the Lord
Vs.19-Affliction, The Lord delivered him.
Be definite in Prayer. This means that what exactly do you needs. ( of ascertain what you need).Matt.6:11; Mk.11:24; Lk.11:5
Ask what you need. Matt.7:7-9; Matt.21:22; Jer.29:12-13; Lk.11:9-10 Prayer is asking and receiving. God expects His people to ask.
Believe. God expects us to believe Him in respective of our needs. Matt.21:22; Mk.11:24; Gen.15:6; Ex.4:31.
Three Responses of God:-
I have heard you and give you what you ask for.
I have heard you, but be patience
No, but I have something better to it, or for you.
Exercise strong Faith in receiving what you pray for. James 1:6
Avoid doubt in your heart and unbelief. James 1:7-8; Heb. 3:19.
Praise God for answered prayer. By this, you show the sense of gratitude.
Three Responses of God:-
I have heard you and give you what you ask for.
I have heard you, but be patience
No, but I have something better to it, or for you.
Exercise strong Faith in receiving what you pray for. James 1:6
Avoid doubt in your heart and unbelief. James 1:7-8; Heb. 3:19.
Praise God for answered prayer. By this, you show the sense of gratitude.
I have heard you and give you what you ask for.
I have heard you, but be patience
No, but I have something better to it, or for you.
Exercise strong Faith in receiving what you pray for. James 1:6
Avoid doubt in your heart and unbelief. James 1:7-8; Heb. 3:19.
Praise God for answered prayer. By this, you show the sense of gratitude.
Hindrance to prayer:-
Text:- I Peter 3:7; Isa. 59:2; Psa. 66:18; Ephe. 5:22-29
1. Wrong relationship between husband and wife. I Peter 3:7; Ephe. 5:22-29. E.g. Achan’s family (Joshua 7:21-26); King Saul, King Hezekiah. Therefore, husband has to love his wife, honour her and dwell with her according to knowledge. Likewise wife has to reverence her husband.
2. Prayer is hindered by wrongdoing, debts unpaid, offended brother un-reconciled. Matt. 5:23-24.
3. Unforgiving heart. Matt. 6:9-15.
4. Un-confessed sin. Isa. 59:2
TYPES OF PRAYER
Prayer of Agreement (Matt. 18:18-19, Amos 3:3) . RULES:- (a) Be in agreement . Amos 3:3. (b) Have a specific things in mind .Mark 11:14. (c) Be in line with the God’s will .I John 5:14. (d) Believe and have faith Matt. 24:22. (e) Refuse to doubt .James 1:2 (f) Give thanks. Heb. 13:15.
Prayer of Petition:- It means an earnest request to God from the heart. RULES:- (a) You desire for what you need. (b) Search or locate the scripture to use the word of God to back up your prayer. (c) Pray in faith. (d) Doubt not. (e) Give thanks.
:- It means an earnest request to God from the heart. RULES:- (a) You desire for what you need. (b) Search or locate the scripture to use the word of God to back up your prayer. (c) Pray in faith. (d) Doubt not. (e) Give thanks.Prayer of Unity: - It means people more than five in number to seek God’s face for a specific thing.
: - It means people more than five in number to seek God’s face for a specific thing. (Matt. 18:18-19, Amos 3:3) . RULES:- (a) Be in agreement . Amos 3:3. (b) Have a specific things in mind .Mark 11:14. (c) Be in line with the God’s will .I John 5:14. (d) Believe and have faith Matt. 24:22. (e) Refuse to doubt .James 1:2 (f) Give thanks. Heb. 13:15.Prayer of Petition:- It means an earnest request to God from the heart. RULES:- (a) You desire for what you need. (b) Search or locate the scripture to use the word of God to back up your prayer. (c) Pray in faith. (d) Doubt not. (e) Give thanks.
:- It means an earnest request to God from the heart. RULES:- (a) You desire for what you need. (b) Search or locate the scripture to use the word of God to back up your prayer. (c) Pray in faith. (d) Doubt not. (e) Give thanks.Prayer of Unity: - It means people more than five in number to seek God’s face for a specific thing.
: - It means people more than five in number to seek God’s face for a specific thing.Prayer is asking and receiving. God expects everyone to pray. God answers the prayers of young and old, men and women, poor and rich, white and dark people.
Part B:-
4 PRAYER OF AGREEMENT:- Matt. 18:18-20. This prayer involves two to five people. If it is more than five, it becomes prayer of unity. Biblical examples are:- Abraham, Gen. 18:16-33.
Rules: -
It involves two to five people of the same faith. (b) There must be something to pray for. (c) Pray according to God’s will. (d) Refuse to doubt. James 1:6. (e) Give thanks. I Thess. 5:18.
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION:- Eph. 6:18-19. This prayer involves individual or groups. It is a means of standing to request concerning any matter, situation or circumstances. We can pray for loved ones, enemies, family members, church, Nations and leaders.
:- Eph. 6:18-19. This prayer involves individual or groups. It is a means of standing to request concerning any matter, situation or circumstances. We can pray for loved ones, enemies, family members, church, Nations and leaders.PRAYER FOR IMPORTUNITY:- LK. 11:1-13. This prayer involves individual or group to tarry in prayer. Someone may spend more hours, weeks, months, even years in seeking the face of the Lord. Biblical examples are:- (a) Daniel. Dan.10:12-13. The answer to prayer took twenty-one days (21). (b) Hannah. I Sam. 1:7-20. She spent years. The Bible says ‘year after year’.
:- LK. 11:1-13. This prayer involves individual or group to tarry in prayer. Someone may spend more hours, weeks, months, even years in seeking the face of the Lord. Biblical examples are:- (a) Daniel. Dan.10:12-13. The answer to prayer took twenty-one days (21). (b) Hannah. I Sam. 1:7-20. She spent years. The Bible says ‘year after year’.PRAYER OF CONFESSION
It involves two to five people of the same faith. (b) There must be something to pray for. (c) Pray according to God’s will. (d) Refuse to doubt. James 1:6. (e) Give thanks. I Thess. 5:18.
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION:- Eph. 6:18-19. This prayer involves individual or groups. It is a means of standing to request concerning any matter, situation or circumstances. We can pray for loved ones, enemies, family members, church, Nations and leaders.
:- Eph. 6:18-19. This prayer involves individual or groups. It is a means of standing to request concerning any matter, situation or circumstances. We can pray for loved ones, enemies, family members, church, Nations and leaders.PRAYER FOR IMPORTUNITY:- LK. 11:1-13. This prayer involves individual or group to tarry in prayer. Someone may spend more hours, weeks, months, even years in seeking the face of the Lord. Biblical examples are:- (a) Daniel. Dan.10:12-13. The answer to prayer took twenty-one days (21). (b) Hannah. I Sam. 1:7-20. She spent years. The Bible says ‘year after year’.
:- LK. 11:1-13. This prayer involves individual or group to tarry in prayer. Someone may spend more hours, weeks, months, even years in seeking the face of the Lord. Biblical examples are:- (a) Daniel. Dan.10:12-13. The answer to prayer took twenty-one days (21). (b) Hannah. I Sam. 1:7-20. She spent years. The Bible says ‘year after year’.PRAYER OF CONFESSION
This prayer involves individual or group. It involves confession of sins, confession of faith etc. Dan.9:1-11; Psalm 27:1-14; Rom. 10:9-10 ‘…. With thy heart we believe unto righteousness with our mouth confession is made unto salvation’.
PRAYER ALTAR
Altar is the place of meeting between God and man. Altar is a place of sacrifice, denial and a place of fire. Gen.8:20; 22:9; Matt. 16:24; Heb. 12:29. In the old testament, prayer altar is physical and visible. In the new testament, the prayer altar is spiritual. It is located in the heart of man. Jn. 4:20-24.
APPROACH TO PRAYER ALTAR.
.Obedience. Isa. 59:2; Pro. 28:9; Jn. 9:31.
Trust. Ephe.3:20; Pro. 3:5-6
Forgiveness. Unforgiving heart is a great barrier. Mk. 11:25; Matt. 6:14.
Meekness. Psalm 25:9.
Humility. Lk. 18:10-14; James 4:6.
It is not the matter of efforts but the way is being done is matter. The Lord search the heart.
I Sam. 16:7.
PRAYER LIFE OF JESUS.
Jesus always sought God early in the morning. He maintained constant fellowship with God. Lk. 9:18; Matt. 14:23.
He always prayed before he took a major decision. He prayed all night before he chose his disciples. Lk. 6:12-16.
He prayed so as not to fall into temptation. Lk.22:40; 42,43.
He prayed in order to seek the Will of His Father. Lk. 9:28; Lk. 11:1.
Jesus always sought God early in the morning. He maintained constant fellowship with God. Lk. 9:18; Matt. 14:23.
He always prayed before he took a major decision. He prayed all night before he chose his disciples. Lk. 6:12-16.
He prayed so as not to fall into temptation. Lk.22:40; 42,43.
He prayed in order to seek the Will of His Father. Lk. 9:28; Lk. 11:1.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
TEXT:- Matt. 6:5-15; LUKE 11:1-13.
This is a pattern of prayer. It is a model. It is wrong to recite it on our service days. It is also wrong to take it as a doctrine. The Lord’s prayer is a principle for God’s established kingdom.
PATTERN:-
"Our Father". This is Father-Son relationship. This is voice of one who has been genuinely born of God. Who has received salvation and his sins has been forgiven.
"Hallowed be thy name". This is an act of reverence. You see God as supreme; Almighty and Omni. God’s name has to be reverent.
"Thy Kingdom come". This is kingdom subjects relationship. Titus 2:13; Rev.22:20. We should pray for Christ’s return. At this point, we pray for the salvation of souls of these sinners around us.
"Give us this day". God expects us to be daily conscious. Matt. 6:25-34. This pattern of prayer forbid us of worries and anxieties.
"Our daily bread". This is daily necessity. God’s children have the right to pray for daily needs. Foods, clothes, shelter, jobs, physical necessities are included in God’s will for a Christian. Christian’s do not always get what they want, but Christians ought to get what they need. James 1:17.
"Our Father". This is Father-Son relationship. This is voice of one who has been genuinely born of God. Who has received salvation and his sins has been forgiven.
"Hallowed be thy name". This is an act of reverence. You see God as supreme; Almighty and Omni. God’s name has to be reverent.
"Thy Kingdom come". This is kingdom subjects relationship. Titus 2:13; Rev.22:20. We should pray for Christ’s return. At this point, we pray for the salvation of souls of these sinners around us.
"Give us this day". God expects us to be daily conscious. Matt. 6:25-34. This pattern of prayer forbid us of worries and anxieties.
"Our daily bread". This is daily necessity. God’s children have the right to pray for daily needs. Foods, clothes, shelter, jobs, physical necessities are included in God’s will for a Christian. Christian’s do not always get what they want, but Christians ought to get what they need. James 1:17.
PRAYING FOR HEALING
What is sickness? (2) Causes of sickness. (3) Biblical proof of sickness. (4) The sources of sickness. (5) What is divine health. (6) Cure of sickness. (7) Do the Christian sick ? (8) The will of God to heal those who are sick. (9) Biblical proof to show that God did not heal all the sick. (10) Living under the covenant of divine health.
What is sickness? (2) Causes of sickness. (3) Biblical proof of sickness. (4) The sources of sickness. (5) What is divine health. (6) Cure of sickness. (7) Do the Christian sick ? (8) The will of God to heal those who are sick. (9) Biblical proof to show that God did not heal all the sick. (10) Living under the covenant of divine health.
WHAT IS SICKNESS:- Sickness is physiological disorder. The situation when the body metabolism works wrongly affects the state of human being body system.
:- Sickness is physiological disorder. The situation when the body metabolism works wrongly affects the state of human being body system.CAUSES OF SICKNESS:-
:-(1) Stress- Too much of thinking. (2) Fatigue and boredom. (3) Burn out. (4) Malnutrition. (5) Satanic oppression and manipulation.
BIBLICAL PROOFS:-
Leprosy. Matt. 8:2.
The servant of centurion falls sick. Matt. 8:6.
Two blind men. Matt. 9:27.
A woman diseased with an issue of blood twelve years. Matt.9: 20.
A Syrophenician woman. Her daughter fell sick. Matt. 15:22.
Hezekiah was sick. Isa. 38:1-5.
Epaphroditus was sick unto death. Phil. 2:2.
Trophimus was sick. II Tim. 4:20.
SOURCES OF SICKNESS:-
:-Physical ailment.
Satan. E.g. Job.
God.
DIVINE HEALTH:-
:-Divine health is a covenant of God to mankind where man would enjoy a perfect and blissful life. This is a life without sickness, pains, affliction and oppression. Exo23: 25-26; Ex. 15:26. The Covenant of divine healing is "I am the Lord that healeth thee".
DO THE CHRISTIANS SICK?
?Bible didn’t prove it that Christians do not fall sick, instead we can see list of these believers who were sick.
1. II Kings 13:14 "Elisha was sick of the sickness whereof he died"
2. II Tim. 4:20. Trophimus was sick.
3. Epaphroditus.
4 II Cor. 2:1-10. Apostle Paul was sick for the bible recorded that there was thorn in his flesh.
The Bible emphasized it in: -
James 5:13, "Is any one of you afflicted"
James 5:14, "Is any one sick among you"
Rom. 8:28, "All things work together for good to them that love God".
Certainly, sickness should be an occasion for prayer. We were commanded to pray when we are afflicted and sick.
SICKNESS AND FAITH
Faith is necessary when someone is praying to be healed. James 5:15. "And the prayer of FAITH shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.
Yet, there is need to confess our sins……, fault. This call for holiness within and without. II Cor. 7:1; James 5:16.q
ANOINTING OIL AND HEALING
The oil that Apostle James prescribed here in James 5:14 represents Holy Spirit. The person (elder) who wants to conduct healing section must be full of Anointing and thereby ready to impact it to the person who is sick.
THE WILL OF GOD TO HEAL
1 Jer. 8:22, "Is there no balm in Gilead, Is there no physician there……"
2 II Chr. 7:14, "….and I will heal their land"
3 Luke 5:17, "Lord was present to heal them"
4 Pro. 3:8, "It shall be health to thy navel".
God is interested in the health of His people. God said, "I will restore health unto you, and heal thy wound". Likewise, He said. "I am the Lord that healeth thee". Exo. 15:26.
Yes, thank God, it is usually God’s will to heal His own. He invites us to pray, a prayer of faith. Heb. 11:6, "for without faith, it is impossible to please Him".
PRAY FOR ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING YOU WANT
Reference Texts:-
Mark 11:24, "What thingsoever ye desire, when ye pray….."
John 15:7, "Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you".
Psalm 37:4, "He shall give thee the desire of thy heart".
John 14:14, "If ye shall ask anything in my name I will do it"
Phil. 4:6, "In everything by prayer and supplication, let your request be made known unto God".
God expects every Christian to seek Him in prayer. He is fully ready to answer every prayer. Every prayer prayed according to His will that He has good pleasure to answer. Psalm 34:4.
1. Believers are invited to "Ask for Liberally anything they want. James 1:17; Mark 11:23-24. James said, "every good gift and every perfect gift comes from God". God wants us to ask liberally. "Whatsoever means anything in the world. There is no limitation to our request. Let us ask until our joy be full. God wants us to pour out our "DESIRE" unto Him. I John 5:14-15; Psalm 34:10.