PRAYER

Philippians 4:6:  Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything by prayer and petition (Definite Request) with thanksgiving continue to make your needs known to God.

Matthew 26:41:  Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit is willing indeed, but the flesh is weak.

PURPOSE:

To gain understanding of the types and purpose of prayer.

To mature in personal prayer power and discipline.

1.  Definition of prayer:

  a.  Prayer:  Dictionary Definition - a request or petition made to God.  Communion with God.

  b.  Types of prayer:

 

Repentance	Forgiveness
Petition	Request and supply
Intercession	Warfare
Adoration	Fellowship

OR

A	- Adoration
C	- Confession
T	- Thanksgiving
S	- Supplication, petition, intercession

  c.  Most prayers are actually a combination of all of the above.

2.  The manner of prayer for the disciples.

 a.  The Lord's Prayer - Matt 6:9, Luke 11:2

OUR FATHER

Recognition of relationship used in familiar way by Hebrews.

WHICH ARE IN HEAVEN

Place of authority far above the realm of earth.

HALLOWED BE THY NAME

A Name above all Names, representing a spotless and infallible character.

THY KINGDOM COME

Submission to the government of God.  Theocracy not democracy.

THY WILL BE DONE

Submission of the free will to the perfect will of God.

IN EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

Establish your rule here to agree with your heavenly plan and purpose.

GIVE US THIS DAY

My concern is with this day and I'll not fret about tomorrow.

OUR DAILY BREAD

Supply my daily needs, Spirit, Soul and Body.

AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE OTHERS

In the same way that you forgive me, I forgive others.

LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL

I am confident that you are willing and able to keep me in the way I should go. Knowing that you have promised that whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be delivered.

FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM

My allegiance is to your Kingdom.

AND THE POWER

All power in heaven and earth.

AND THE GLORY FOREVER

The is none who is worthy of the eternal glory except the KING of kings and the LORD of lords.

AMEN

I am in complete agreement.

b.  The Lord's Prayer was not given to us to use as a vain repetition.  It is a pattern and it is the infallible word of God, given that we might grow and mature and become like the One we serve:  THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!

3.  Kinds of Prayer:

 a.  Repentance:  A confession of sin and a request for forgiveness.

  1.  II Chron 7:14

  2.  Acts 8:14-24

 b.  Petition:  A request for a need to be met.  Example:  Necessities of life, healing, guidance, wisdom.

  1.  Luke 22:41-42

  2.  Acts 4:31

  3.  Phil 4:6

  4.  Always base your petition on the Word of God.

 c.  Intercession:  To stand in the gap.  This prayer is in behalf of others and is ministry.

  1.  I Tim 2:1-4

  2.  John 17

  3.  Servants and Handmaidens:  Joel 2:28-32.  We are called to be co-laborers with JESUS who is our GREAT INTERCESSOR.  Hebrews 7:25.

  4.  Our call to intercession is to giving ministry like that of Jesus.

   a.  John 17:18

   b.  John 20:21

   c.  Is 59:16-17

   d.  Eph 6:10-18

  5.  Intercession is birthing in the spirit realm.

   a.  Is 66:8

   b.  Gal 4:19

   c.  Romans 8:26-28

  6.  The motivation for intercession is AGAPE LOVE.

   a.  John 3:16-17

   b.  I John 3:16

  7.  The law of reaping and sowing is put into effect on your behalf so:

BE YE A DOER OF THE WORD AND NOT A HEARER ONLY, DECEIVING YOUR OWN SELVES.  JAMES 1:22

  8.  Exodus 17:5-16

  9.  Hebrews 12:12

In order that you might honestly look at your own prayer habits, please keep a brief prayer diary for a week.  How did you pray; for whom did you pray; how much of the word did you use?  Did you get results now or do you have a question about effectiveness?

 d.  Prayer of agreement.

  1.  Greek - Sumphoneo - to be in one accord.  (In harmony like a group of musical instruments).  Think of the word "symphony".

  2.  Amos 3:3

  3.  Matt 18:18-19  Spiritual law:  Binding and loosing.

  4.  Duet 19:15

  5.  Whom do you agree with?

   a.  Proverbs 18:21

   b.  II Cor 6:14-18

4.  Prayer and fasting

 a.  Fasting means voluntary abstinance from food and/or liquids.

 b.  Fasting is not:

  1.  Fasting is not a starvation diet to force God to move your way.

  2.  Fasting is not to be linked with laziness or stubbornness.

  3.  Fasting is not necessarily a sign of Spiritual Maturity.

 c.  Fasting has many benefits.

  1.  Fasting teaches discipline of the Spirit over the Soul and the Body.

  2.  When properly done fasting brings forth season's of repentance and refreshing.

  3.  Strengthens one's Spirit.  Matt 17:21

  4.  Cleanses one's body.

  5.  When properly done it is instrumental in breaking bad habits.

 d.  Scriptural basis for fasting.

1.  Jesus taught purity of motive.  Matt 6:16-18

2.  Opening of Jesus' ministry was marked by 40 days of fasting.  Matt 4:1, Luke 4:1

3.  Preparation for revival.  The solemn assembly.  Joel 2:12

4.  Direction for the Church:  Please not, "As they ministered to the Lord and fasted"....

 a.  Acts 13:2,   Acts 14:23

 e.  Types of fasts:

  1.  Complete fast:  No food or water.  To be done only by direction of God and with care, especially if over a prolonged period of time.

   a.  Ezra 10:6

   b.  I Kings 19:8

   c.  Exodus 34:28

  2.  Partial fast:  One or two meals a day.  Common  in the church today.

  3.  No pleasant bread:  Dan 10:3

  4.  Sacrificial fast:  I Sam 7:6

  5.  Lord's Fast:  Is 58

 f.  Directions for fasting:

1.  PREPARE:

   a.  Determine duration, the beginning and the end.

   b.  Clear your schedule of extras that  interfere with prayer times.

2.  SET A MORNING PATTERN:

   a.  Rise up and wash your face.

   b.  Anoint your head with oil.

   c.  Proclaim the day of the Lord.

3.  Stay out of the kitchen.

4.  Take time to break your fast.  If it was a  prolonged fast, break it slowly and avoid rich, spicy or fatty foods.

5.  Stay away from caffeine and sugar.

6.  Remember:  Hunger is mostly habit.  The sensation will leave in about 20 minutes.

7.  Headaches are often withdrawal from caffeine, sugar, etc.

8.  A glass of water will often fool your stomach.

9.  If you find yourself failing, eat a cracker or a piece of fruit and go on your way.  Don't make everyone miserable because you are not eating.

The emphasis must be on meditating on the word, prayer and ministry unto the Lord through Praise and Worship.