Lesson: PRAYING THE GODLY WAY
TEXT: Matt. 6:5-8
MEMORY VERSE: 1Thess. 5:17
‘Pray continually.’ (NIV)
INTRODUCTION:
Praying the godly way starts with purity of heart (cf. Jn. 9:31) and relief of the needy (cf. Isa. 58:5-12). It takes into account the needs of others also (intercession – 1Tim. 2:1-6). Praying is talking. It might include action as in the case of Abel who had died but is still talking – cf. Heb. 11:4. It makes necessary inference based on God’s Word which is spirit, thus, making the one praying to be seen as praying in the spirit. In other words, it is to talk to God the very thing God told us before as reason for Him to order your life and world according to His spoken Word in which you have believed and spoken. Read a model Christian prayer in ‘Acts 4:23-31’. Praying is also talking in action and cannot be limited to words of mouth as Abel is still talking through the acceptable sacrifice he offered when he was alive (ibid). One that relieves the needy is said to be lending to God expecting repayment (see Prov. 19:17). Someone is praying for healing when he gives alms to the poor (see Ps. 41:1-3). More so, Jesus intercedes on our behalf as He watches over us as He watches us live His life that benefits our neighbourhood (see Heb.7:25). The Holy Spirit is also praying for us giving oracle to our faithful sacrifices before God (see Rom.8:15, 16, 26). Prayer to God is fellowship with Him as fellowship is expressed in giving and taking (cf. Phil.4:15).
OBJECTIVE: Briefly, we are going to see features of corporate and individual praying as well as how God answers our prayers and the determinants.
PRESENTATION:
Step I: CORPORATE PRAYER
1. Corporate vocal and candidate vocal
(a) The corporate vocal denotes all talking according to items given by the leader as in ‘Acts 4:23-31’.
(b) The candidate or delegate vocal denotes one member appointed to lead other members who will agree with an “amen” as in ‘1Cor. 14:16-17’.
i. In leading corporate prayers, understood
medium must be used for easy communication as the Bible passage above emphasizes.
ii. Corporate worship activities must acknowledge order wth regards to obeying
the leader appointed and bound by the time allotted since divine acceptance does not hinge on duration of time spent and quantity of words spoken (cf. Matt. 6:7-8).
Step II: INDIVIDUAL PRAYING
(a) Unlike corporate way of praying, individual praying has no administrative order in Scripture except in not being nude and doing all to God’s glory for one’s
blessing. (cf. Col. 3:17).
(b) The one praying chooses venue and duration as Jesus did (see Luke 6:11-12; Heb. 5:7)
Step III: HOW GOD ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS
1. In asking, sometimes we get the very thing for which we asked like Jonah. (see Jonah 2:1-10).
2. Sometimes, God gives to us more than we asked for like Solomon (see 1Kgs 3:9-13).
3. At times, God gives in exchange of what we asked for like Moses and Aaron (Deut. 32:48-52).
i. In order that God forgive them, He denied them visas into the material Promised Land so as to save their souls and guarantee them entrance into the eternal Promised Land.
4. Sometimes, we are asked to keep praying, believing and waiting like the widow of ‘Luke 18:1-8’ teaching persistence.
5. Sometimes, God says ‘NO’ because what we have asked for will not glorify Him and will be detrimental to our existence (cf. Jam. 4:1-6).
Step IV: DETERMINANTS TO FAVOURABLE ANSWERS TO OUR PRAYERS
Five pronounced factors determine favourable answers to our prayers:
1. Doubtlessness (Faith unwavering) (Matt. 6:8; Mark 11:23-24).
2.. Persistency (Luke 18:6-7; 1Thess. 5:17).
3. Fullness of time (FOT) (see Gal. 4:4-5).
4. Holiness, humility and hospitality (cf. Jn. 9:31: Heb.12:14; Jam.1:27).
5. Motives (Jam.4:3).
CONCLUSION:
Do you pray like the son or daughter of a King because that is who you are? Or, are you praying beggarly like the son or daughter of a slave and foreigner? As we announce the will of God in preaching and teaching His Word, that is what prayer and singing do also. In case you did not understand it so, begin now to talk or pray or make decree as though you know who you really are in your relationship with the King of kings and Lord of lords, even Jesus. Sing too with that consciousness to the hearing of principalities (leaders in spirit’ settlements) always. See where you are now as the presence of God since His Word which is spirit abides in you, and then do all things (in thought, words and deeds) in the name (authority) of Jesus Christ, giving the Father glory in Him. (see Col. 3:17).
EVALUATION:
1. Why do we say prayer is talk back time?’
2. What method of corporate praying is more effective?
3. Reading ‘Jn. 2:23-25 and 2Sam. 7:1-17’, can God bless people for nursing a good thought to give services to Him even if not yet doing? Why?
4. Why are we correct to say that God gave Moses and Aaron an exchanged reply?
PRAYER: Thank God for His Word and pray for knowledge of why we pray so that our daily prayers will seek, first of all, the things of the spirit to which God will attach the needful things of this world to us.
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