Bethel Family Church
THE PURPOSE AND ESSENCE OF PRAYER
There is a right way and a wrong way to pray, and if our prayers are not working for us, we must go to the Scriptures to find out why. The purpose of prayer is for fellowship and communion with God. This truly connects us with Him.
Locations & Times
Bethel Home Church
3387 Aristoteles St, Ennerdale, 1830, South Africa
Sunday 9:30 AM
Wednesday 9:30 AM
A FEW INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT PRAYER IN THE BIBLE
Do you know how many prayer are mentioned in the Bible (and how many were answered)? Here's the answer to that question and other things you should know about the prayer in the Bible.
1. There are 650 prayers listed in the Bible. (Here is the entire list and where they can be found.)
2. There are approximately 450 recorded answers to prayer in the Bible.
3. The first time prayer is mentioned in the Bible is Genesis 4:26 (earlier dialogues where initiated directly by God, e.g., Genesis 3:8-13, Genesis 4:9).
4. The Bible records Jesus praying 25 different times during his earthly ministry.
5. In the Bible, Paul mentions prayer (prayers, prayer reports, prayer requests, exhortations to pray), 41 times.
Do you know how many prayer are mentioned in the Bible (and how many were answered)? Here's the answer to that question and other things you should know about the prayer in the Bible.
1. There are 650 prayers listed in the Bible. (Here is the entire list and where they can be found.)
2. There are approximately 450 recorded answers to prayer in the Bible.
3. The first time prayer is mentioned in the Bible is Genesis 4:26 (earlier dialogues where initiated directly by God, e.g., Genesis 3:8-13, Genesis 4:9).
4. The Bible records Jesus praying 25 different times during his earthly ministry.
5. In the Bible, Paul mentions prayer (prayers, prayer reports, prayer requests, exhortations to pray), 41 times.
The Bible lists at least NINE main types of prayer:
a) Prayer of faith (James 5:15), prayer of agreement (also known as corporate prayer) (Acts 2:42),
b) Prayer of request (also known as petition or supplication) (Philippians 4:6),
c) Prayer of thanksgiving (Psalm 95:2-3),
d) Prayer of worship (Acts 13:2-3),
e) Prayer of consecration (also known as dedication) (Matthew 26:39),
f) Prayer of intercession (1 Timothy 2:1),
g) Prayer of imprecation (Psalms 69), and
h) Praying in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:14-15).
a) Prayer of faith (James 5:15), prayer of agreement (also known as corporate prayer) (Acts 2:42),
b) Prayer of request (also known as petition or supplication) (Philippians 4:6),
c) Prayer of thanksgiving (Psalm 95:2-3),
d) Prayer of worship (Acts 13:2-3),
e) Prayer of consecration (also known as dedication) (Matthew 26:39),
f) Prayer of intercession (1 Timothy 2:1),
g) Prayer of imprecation (Psalms 69), and
h) Praying in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:14-15).
1. GOD ANSWERS PRAYER -
LESSON POINT – For prayer to be effective, He needs to speak back to us.
LESSON POINT – God wants to speak to us through our conscience, but if our conscience is cluttered with the things of the world, this “junk” keeps us from hearing Him.
2. GOD ALWAYS COMMUNICATES CLEARLY AND DISTINCTIVELY -
There are ways we can discern if the message we receive is from God or not.
a. If it is really from Him, it will go against all worldly reasoning and rationalization.
b. What we hear requires faith.
c. The message we get requires courage.
d. It lines up with His written Word.
e. It brings us peace.
a. If it is really from Him, it will go against all worldly reasoning and rationalization.
b. What we hear requires faith.
c. The message we get requires courage.
d. It lines up with His written Word.
e. It brings us peace.
LESSON POINT – Prayer needs to be real. God wants a real relationship with us, and being phony or dishonest will not work.
3. WE NEED TO BE STILL AND LISTEN CLOSELY FOR HIS VOICE -
LESSON POINT – The biggest enemy to communion with God is not a closed mouth but distraction. We must learn to quiet our minds, so we can hear Him.
LESSON POINT – We can learn to develop a relationship with God, enjoy His presence, and talk with Him all day long.
LESSON POINT – The real motive for prayer should be to have a relationship with Him.
WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO ME THROUGH THIS MESSAGE?
PRAYER TO PRAY FOR THE THIS WEEK. -
Heavenly Father, we need you now more than ever in our lives, not just to bless us with more physical blessings or things but with spiritual blessings that pertains your life and godliness. Make us devoted to you and give us the grace we need to make prayer a priority - because we desire to grow close to you. In Jesus Name - Amen
Heavenly Father, we need you now more than ever in our lives, not just to bless us with more physical blessings or things but with spiritual blessings that pertains your life and godliness. Make us devoted to you and give us the grace we need to make prayer a priority - because we desire to grow close to you. In Jesus Name - Amen
