Lesson 10
| LESSON X – PRAYER (Communicating with the God who is there) What is prayer? Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When you said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” Psalm 27:7-8 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, for to You I will pray. Psalm 5:1-2 Then I called upon the name of the Lord: O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul! Psalm 116:4 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works. Psalm 73:28 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. Psalm 34:6 …and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. Luke 2:37 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ… Philippians 1:3-6 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: “You are My Son, today I have begotten You.” As He also says in another place: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek”; who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplication, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the thing which He suffered. Hebrews 5:5-8 Prayer is communication with God: seeking Him, listening, declaring, glorifying Him, thanking him for His many blessings, pleading for salvation, asking for our needs to be met, interceding for others, moment by moment guidance: addressing any and all reasons and matters; just as God does within Himself! To whom should we pray? But when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:6 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him. “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed by Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Luke 11:1-2 Give heed to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Psalm 5:2 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:59 But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Romans 5:8-11 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians 2:18 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:13-14 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. John 16:23 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. John 15:16 …giving thanks always for all thing to God the Father in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:20 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5 If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:26-28 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out. “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:6 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God., looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal live. Jude 20 Pray to the Father and to the Son. Pray in the name of, and for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Intercessor. Pray always in and through the Holy Spirit. Yet, no instance of praying directly to the Spirit appears in the New Testament, because God the Father and Jesus are in heaven, but the Spirit dwells even now within the heart of every believer. Why should we pray? Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. Mark 13:33 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Mark 13:38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Matthew 9:38 Copyright © 2004 Soul Winners for Jesus Christ non-denominational evangelistic association Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God: and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplication, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1 Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6 You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless. If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a money lender to him; you shall not charge him interest. If you ever take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious. Exodus 22:21-27 I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. Psalm 3:4 The lord has heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer. Psalm 6:9 Then the priests, the Levites, arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard; and their prayer came up to His holy dwelling place, to heaven. 2 Chronicles 30:27 Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may oppress no more. Psalm 10:17-18 You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come. Psalm 65:2 For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil. And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 1 Peter 3:10-12 In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me. Psalm 86:7 Moses and Aaron were among His priests, and Samuel was among those who called upon His name; they called upon the Lord, and He answered them. Psalm 99:6 If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the remnant whom the Lord calls. Joel 2:32 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:13-15 It may be that they will present their supplication before the Lord, and everyone will turn from his evil way. For great is the anger and the fury that the Lord has pronounced against this people. Jeremiah 36:7 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16 We pray because prayer is commanded by and acceptable to God; God hears, God answers, and prayer is effectual for you and for others. What should we pray? Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God: and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplication, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them. Isaiah 19:20 Now therefore, O Lord our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone. 2 Kings 19:19 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Psalm 19:13 Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in time of trouble? The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; let them be caught in the plots which they have devised. Psalm 10:1-2 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:10-11 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to your servant. Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. Psalm 119:76-77 Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not make me the reproach of the foolish. Psalm 39:8 Restore us, O God of hosts; cause your face to shine, and we shall be saved! Psalm 80:7 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You. Psalm 51:12 But I am poor and sorrowful; let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high. Psalm 69:29 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. 2 Chronicles 20:12 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; cause me to understand wherein I have erred. Job 6:24 I will say to God, ‘Do not condemn me; show me why you contend with me.’ Job 10:2 Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Psalm 39:4 Revive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. In Your mercy cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul; for I am Your servant. Psalm 143:11-12 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart – these, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:15 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many. 2 Corinthians 1:9-11 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:19-20 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. Romans 10:1-3 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may they prosper who love you. Psalm 122:6 I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He makes Jerusalem a praise on the earth. Isaiah 62:6-7 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints… Ephesians 6:18 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:43-45 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service, and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2 Pray about everyone and everything. Nothing is too small or too big to include in prayer. Pray for self and for others; for believers and for unbelievers; for those who love you and those who would do you harm. Commune with God not only with your words, let your every thought and act; indeed, let your whole life be a continual prayer to the Lord. When, where, and in what manner should we pray? Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. Acts 12:5 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to you. And I will look up. Psalm 5:3 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith? 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplication and prayers night and day. 1 Timothy 5:5 Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 1 Timothy 2:8-10 Now while Ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping, and bowing down before the house of God, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept very bitterly. Ezra 10:1 And so it was, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the Lord, that he arose from before the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven. 1 Kings 8:54 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Psalm 95:6 Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. Isaiah 45:22-23 So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped. Exodus 4:31 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. Mark 14:35 Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary. Psalm 28:2 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. Psalm 63:4 And she said, “O my Lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord. 1 Samuel 1:26 Then the king turned around and blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. 1 Kings 8:14 If disaster comes upon us – sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine – we will stand before this temple and in Your presence, and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save. 2 Chronicles 20:9 “And when you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that you Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:25 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ Luke 18:13 And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 1 Samuel 1:12-13 Pray continually, everywhere, as you go about your day. There are no specific rules about the manner of praying: TALK TO HIM! LISTEN TO HIM! How should we pray? Hear a just cause, O lord, attend to my cry; give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips. Psalm 17:1 Give ear to my prayer, O God, and do not hide Yourself from my supplication. Psalm 55:1-2 Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:1-2 Hear, O lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When you said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” Psalm 27:7-8 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come to You. Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble; incline Your ear to me; in the day that I call, answer me speedily. Psalm 102:1-2 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13 He went a little farther and fell on His Face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39 Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, and in Your righteousness. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no one living is righteous. Psalm 143:1-2 The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, their tongues fail for thirst. I the Lord, will hear them; I the God of Israel, will not forsake them. Isaiah 41:17 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 18:13-14 When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the humble. Psalm 9:12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. Daniel 10:12-13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will her from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 Now when he was in affliction, he implored the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God. 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation. Psalm 91:14-15 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; be merciful to me according to Your word. Psalm 119:58 I cry out with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord! Psalm 119:145 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:18 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. Psalm 145:19 So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Luke 11:9-10 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? Luke 18:7 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not my will but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Luke 22:41-44 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you , always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven. Lamentations 3:41 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full Copyright © 2004 Soul Winners for Jesus Christ non-denominational evangelistic association assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-22 When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; this I know, because God is for me. Psalm 56:9 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. Matthew 21:22 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:24 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:19-23 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. Matthew 21:22 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-7 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. Psalm 34:15-16 If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up; you will remove iniquity far from your tents…You will make your prayer to Him, He will hear you, and you will pay your vows. Job 22:23-27 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:22 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7 Why have we fasted, they say, and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice? In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and exploit all your laborers. Indeed you fast for strife and debate, and to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, to make your voice heard on high. Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, and an Copyright © 2004 Soul Winners for Jesus Christ non-denominational evangelistic association acceptable day to the Lord? Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, “Here I am.” Isaiah 58:3-9 If you would earnestly seek God and make your supplication to the Almighty, if you were pure and upright, surely now He would awake for you, and prosper your rightful dwelling place. Job 8:5 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 1 Timothy 2:8-10 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. Psalm 145:18-19 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:24 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. 1 Corinthians 14:15 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. Philippians 4:6 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. John 5:14-15 Why have we fasted, they say, and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice? In fact in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and exploit all your laborers. Indeed you fast for strife and debate, and to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, to make your voice heard on high. Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict this soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? Isaiah 58:3-5 Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ Isaiah 58:6-9 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:6 With the desire to be heard and to be answered, pray as Jesus taught us to pray: humbly, earnestly, with all your heart, in faith believing, in righteousness and truth, with thanksgiving, according to His will, in secret. How should we not pray? They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. Yet they say to God, ‘Depart from us, for we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him?’ Indeed their prosperity is not in their hand; the counsel of the wicked is far from me. Job 21:13-16 For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he may gain much, if God takes away his life? Will God hear his cry when trouble comes upon him? Job 27:8-9 There they cry out, but He does not answer because of the pride of evil men. Surely God will not listen to empty talk, nor will the Almighty regard it. Job 35:12-13 Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2 They soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul. Psalm 106:14-15 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:7-8 Then He said to them in His teachings, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40 Copyright © 2004 Soul Winners for Jesus Christ non-denominational evangelistic association You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:3 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear. Psalm 66:18 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. Isaiah 59:2 Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, He hears him. John 9:31 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. Proverbs 28:9 “But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the Lord of Hosts. Therefore it happened, that just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen.” says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 7:11-13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard. Proverbs 21:13 When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. Isaiah 1:15 Therefore, thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them which they will not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them. Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to whom they offer incense, but they will not save them at all in the time of their trouble. Jeremiah 11:11-14 Then they will cry to the Lord, but He will not hear them; He will even hide His face from them at that time, because they have been evil in their deeds. Micah 3:2-4 Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for the Lord heard it, and his anger was aroused. So the fire of the Lord burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp. Numbers 11:1-2 And now, I pray, let the power of my Lord be great, just as You have spoken, saying, ‘The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation. Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people from Egypt even until now.’ Then the Lord said: “I have pardoned, according to your word; but truly, as I live, Copyright © 2004 Soul Winners for Jesus Christ non-denominational evangelistic association all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord – because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it.” Numbers 14:17-23 The Holy Scriptures do not teach us to pray according to some formula or with vain repetition. If you would pray, do not speak or even think unbelievingly or selfishly; as one who would presume that they could abuse or misuse God to satisfy their fleshly lusts. What happens when we pray? I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. Psalm 34:4-6 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation.” Then Moses pleaded with the Lord his God, and said: “Lord, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians speak, and say, ‘He brought them out to harm them, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your descendents as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’” So the Lord relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people. Exodus 32:9-14 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. James 5:17-18 And it shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24 I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1 O Lord of hosts, how long will You be angry against the prayer of your people? Psalm 80:4 And it happened that after ten days that the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. Jeremiah 42:7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? Luke 18:7 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. Luke 1:13 O Lord, my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me. Psalm 30:2 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 I called on the Lord I distress; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. Psalm 118:5 Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. 1 Kings 3:11-14 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Nevertheless, the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam, but the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you. Deuteronomy 23:5 Then you returned and wept before the Lord, but the Lord would not listen to your voice nor give ear to you. Deuteronomy 1:45 And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.” Exodus 14:15 ‘I pray, let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, those pleasant mountains, and Lebanon.’ But the Lord was angry with me on your account, and would not listen to me. So the Lord said to me: “Enough of that! Speak no more to Me of this matter.” Deuteronomy 3:25-26 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generation, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20 Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 God answers prayer. God, who deserves perfect love and trust, will hear and will do what is best. He may answer immediately, or the answer may be delayed. He may grant the request, the answer may exceed the petition, or the request may be denied for His good reasons. Just pray and then step out believing! What happens if we do not pray? Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. 1 Samuel 12:23 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. James 4:1-2 Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, when your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, they would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil. Proverbs 1:24-33 Thus says the Lord to this people; “Thus they have loved to wander; they have not restrained their feet. Therefore the Lord does not accept them; He will remember their iniquity now, and punish their sins.” Then the lord said to me, “Do not pray for this people, for their good. When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.” Jeremiah 14:10-12 But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statues which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country. Deuteronomy 28:15 Life does not get better if you ignore or disobey God! If you refuse to acknowledge The Father, He will neither help you in times of trouble nor will He give you the gift of salvation: how you respond to the creator has eternal consequences. |
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