Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy and find grace

to help in time of need.

 

Communication is essential for any growing relationship, including our relationship with God. When you pray, the Holy Spirit helps you know what to say and how to say it.

We may master the technique of prayer and understand its theory. We may have unlimited confidence in the veracity and validity of the promises concerning prayer; we may plead them earnestly. But if we ignore the part played by the Holy Spirit, we have failed to use the master key.

 

PRAYER – YOUR COMMUNICATION WITH GOD

1. As a believer in Christ you have been given a special opportunity.
What is it and why is it given to you? Heb 4:16

2. Because God is the believer’s refuge, what are you told to do? Ps 62:8

How does 1 Thessalonians 5:17 relate to this verse?

3. There are different types of prayer. Match each reference with the corresponding type of prayer:

Psalm 38:18    Hebrews 13:15    James 1:5    Ephesians 5:20    1 Samuel 12:23

Praise (for who God is)

Thanksgiving (for what He has done)

Confession

Prayer for others

Prayer for personal needs

The greatest people today are those who pray. Not those who talk about prayer or can explain everything about it, but those who take the time to pray. They don’t have extra time. They have to take it away from something else. That ‘something else’ is also very important and inevitable, yet it is less important than prayer.

 

THE BENEFITS OF PRAYER

Not only do Christians have the privilege of talking with God, they also experience great benefits from their communion with God.

4. What truth do you find both in Jeremiah 33:3 and Ephesians 3:20?

5. What result did the psalmist experience when he prayed? Ps 34:4

What are some fears you can discuss with God?

6. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7 about a powerful key to freedom from anxiety:

a) What are you to do?

b) Why do you feel God is interested in every area of your life?

c) What is God’s promise?

d) In what area can you immediately begin to apply this truth?

 

CONDITIONS OF PRAYER

7. What conditions of prayer do you find in the following verses?

Psalm 66:18

Matthew 21:22

John 15:7

John 16:24

1 John 5:14-15

Even when conditions are met, it sometimes appears as if God is not answering prayer. But remember that “No” and “Wait” are as much of an answer as “Yes”.

Here are some questions for you to think about:

Consider Jesus’ pattern for prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.

a) How does prayer begin? Why is this important?

b) Which requests are God-centred?

c) Which requests are man-centred?

d) In what specific ways can this pattern for praying help you pray?

 

FOR WHOM DO YOU PRAY?

8. What did Paul desire for those who didn’t know Christ? Rom 10:1

What did he do about it?

9. Read 1 Timothy 2:1-4. What groups of people should you pray for? Why?

10. What does the Lord desire you to pray for? Mt 9:37-38

Why do you feel this is important?

11. Using Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 as a guideline, list some requests that you could pray about for others and for yourself.

We should pray when we are in a praying mood, for it would be sinful to neglect so fair an opportunity. We should pray when we are not in a proper mood, for it would be dangerous to remain in so unhealthy a condition.

 

DAILY CONVERSATION WITH GOD

After Adam’s fall, God sought him by asking: “Where are you?” (Gen 3:9) Today, God asks the same question of us. What was true then is still true today. God gave man the opportunity to belong to the family of God at great cost. He loves you. He longs for personal fellowship with you. This fellowship begins when you accept God’s solution to your sins and invite Jesus Christ into your life.

12. What attitudes can you have in coming to God?

Psalm 27:8

Psalm 63:1

13. Examine Luke 10:38-42. You can make several observations from this passage which relate to spending time with Jesus Christ.

a) Contrast the activities of Mary and Martha.

b) Why did Jesus rebuke Martha?

c) Like Martha, you may be easily distracted by many things. What activities might distract you from meeting with God?

d) What can you do to overcome these distractions?

14. From what you have already learned, record several reasons why you need to spend daily time with God, reflecting on His word and conversing with Him in prayer.

Even though he has had many experiences with the Lord, a man cannot be at peace with Him unless he cares for personal encounters with Him. Spend as much time with Him as possible and let other things take their course! Never neglect Him!

 

SUMMARY

The Father has given us prayer as a means of communicating with Him. Through Christ, our High Priest and Mediator, all God’s children can “come boldly to the throne of grace”. Prayer can take many forms, including worship and praise, thanksgiving, confession, intercession and personal petition. Through each of these, we draw near to the Father. Since the Father Himself has given us this opportunity for two-way communication, don’t neglect to meet with Him! He desires communion with you and you need to grow spiritually in communion with Him. Therefore, meeting with Him is absolutely necessary.

 

Download: Reflection on Heb 4:16