Praying Together
Lesson 2
Recommended Reading Chapter 1 of “The Power of Praying Together “ by Stormie O’Martian
We have studied the foundation of prayer which is God’s Love, and studied the root of prayer in the Hebrew. Moving on, into our application of prayer, God’s word gives direction or purpose to our prayers and provides helpful KEYS in scripture for us.
Let’s start by asking that happens when most people pray? It is just an act to get our hopes up with a distant God who is so distant that He does not seem to care? -- or can we expect something good to develop because a relationship with God is being built through prayer?
When we allow God’s purposes to guide our prayers, we should see God working when we pray.
I. Purpose of Prayer: Let’s examine the purpose of prayer
- Prayer is communication with God. Through prayer we can build a relationship with God and others so that God’s purposes will be done on earth. That relationship should reflect the character of God which is Love. I John 4:8b.
What are some of God’s purposes? Let's list some examples:
1. That we will have love one to another John 13:35
2. That we will forgive each other Matthew 6:14-15
3. That we will build each other in the faith Heb 3:13
4. That we will praise the Lord Psalms 107:8
5. That we will have abundant life John 10:10
There are many more that can be found in God's word. What is important to understand, is that these purposes give us good solid direction for our praying. God's Holy Spirit will help us find them when we study God's Word. Here are 2 principles that may be helpful to use in finding God's direction in finding principles that we need to use applicable to the situation that we are praying about.
1. Search the Scriptures
2. Study the scriptures
It is wise before jumping into prayers for major issues to search the scriptures Our prayers can be swayed by impassionate pleas. God’s word will keep us focused on His purposes for our prayer. The exception to this would be an Emergency—that would require immediate prayer. Now continuing on, once you have taken time to study God's Word concerning an issue, what you have learned will help your prayers to focus on God’s purposes for ourselves and others. The scriptures are there to help us be able to understand what God wants. Always ask for the help of God’s Holy Spirit to guide you as you search the scriptures.
Purposes of prayer can be thought of as general direction. There are times we will need more specific direction in prayer when we pray. Often this specific direction can be found by taking the time to identifying KEYS in scriptures.
God’s word points to Himself and his character as a Holy Love. Using Scripture in prayer helps us to know it is God who is helping us, when we ask for His help. Use of scripture in prayer also helps builds confidence in God. In addition, that action of using scripture in prayer may help others open their hearts to the Lord. (Is 55:11). When we use scripture in prayer, we are actually sending God’s word forth. It will accomplish God’s purpose.
II. Keys: Let’s look at one way we can find these keys. When we look for scriptures that relate to the issues at hand, look for focus points in these scriptures related to the issues at hand. A focus point is often the subject of a verse and can be called a Key. Ask God if this is the scripture and direction He wants you to pray concerning the situation you are praying about. If you sense that God wants you to use them, do not be afraid to use them when you pray. Be careful to not to take scripture out of context.
Here are some examples of finding keys in verses:
Matt 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy note: the key is ‘mercy’.
Matt 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God note: The key is ‘seek God’.
In study of scripture, you will also see other passages with a number of keys. Some of these may be found in prayers that the Apostle Paul prayed for those he led to the Lord. The prayers the Apostle prayed that are recorded in the Bible are scripture, and are in accordance with God’s will, as scripture is God’s word revealed to us.
Here are a few examples of these prayers that the Apostle Paul prayed.
Eph 1:17-19
Eph 3:16-21
Phil 1:9-11
Col 1:9-12
When we use scripture in prayer, and not taking it out of context, we are aligning our prayer with God’s word and His will.
I John 5:14-15 says: “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us. And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petition that we desired of Him.”
Aligning our prayer with God’s scripture is an important principle that really does help and direct our prayers. Always let the Holy Spirit of God help you in finding Purposes and Keys in scriptures that should be used in your prayer.
When we pray with others, the principles of praying using scripture and praying in line with God’s purposes, and His keys, will help us in praying with others.
Result of Prayer: When people see answers to prayer, it is evidence to them that Jesus is alive and interested in them and that He really does Love them.
----Reflective questions--read them over, and considering responding to one question in the comment section below this section:
When a situation faces us, do we respond with a reactive manner? Example—I know what we should do—but in reality what do we do?
Have you prayed with what may be a gut reaction? Some might call a gut reaction an intuitive reaction.
How can we find what God wants on a matter?
Life's situations can be confusing. Can that affect how we pray?___ What should we do to have clarity and direction when we pray?
In praying together with someone else, and we refer to scripture in our prayer, how might they receive that?
In considering that question above, how do you receive someone praying and referring to the Word of God in their prayer?
Using the word of God in prayer, will it help someone else to be more willing to trust it? Why?
When you use scriptural principles in your prayers, do they give you more confidence that God will help you?
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Scripture is God's word and full of promises. So it gives confidence when we use scriptural principles in prayers for we rely on God's word in action as it is stated in Is 55:11 His word is sure and it does not return empty. I once used Mal. 3:16 before a prayer night meeting and He was there in our dreams he revealed " I want you to be Holy" in Exodus 19 .Glory to God!
Your focus on looking at scripture-Keep it-It encourages others to see fellow believers looking at scripture and using scripture in their praying.
Francis--
To many those prayer books were ritual, but to those who take the time to study them--they focus on a lot of scripture, and issues that are often on our heart.
I am glad that you are looking at them -- not as ritual, but it appears from the heart.
Blessings as you study them.
Edrie-
-Your thoughts are an encouragement to others to refer to the word of God as they pray.
As a Worship Leader I find myself so busy preparing for each and every Sunday. Sometimes I must admit it can become overwhelming. I'm sure that I echo the feelings of all who are involved in this ministry. I would urge each of you who are Prayer Warriors for your church to remember to lift up your Worship Leaders daily as they prepare for the week. I would encourage you to especially remember them on Sunday mornings and perhaps even be bold enough to pray with them before your service begins. What a blessing it would be for me and my team if there was someone who would come to us on a Sunday morning and pray for us and the upcoming service.
Regarding using songs or choruses that have scripture or are solidly based on scripture, let me say, that I always press into the Word and pray before I choose any song set for any given Sunday. Being guided by my Pastor with the theme for the day gives me a place to begin. I meditate on the lyrics of new songs and will search God's word to find foundation to support them before ever using a song for Worship. When appropriate I will have the supporting scripture read to the congregation as part of our Worship set. I think this helps them press into the meaning of the song and helps to make it more personal.
It's facinating to me, however, that as I pray over a song set sometimes God will direct me to songs where I truly don't understand how they will fit the theme of the day. But I have learned that He always knows what we will be facing during our Worship and those songs usually hold a special place that day. He is always so good!!
Betty,
Great encouragement to pray for our worship leaders. Often those who pray don't take time to pray for the ministry in their churches.
I have seen one worship team that followed your pattern that the pastor only had to preach 10-15 minutes. All he had to do was throw out the net (figuratively). There was a real sense of being aware of the Holy Spirit guiding the service. The songs were indeed, many times, prayers from the heart, and worship of the heart.
May the Lord continually guide you in your calling as a worship leader. PTL.
I prayed for my son today using scripture. He is a college student and on tight budget. He owed a large pick up truck and used it for construction jobs during the summer and is a avid hunter. Last Sunday he felt led to sell the truck due to current gas prices and find a more fuel efficient car. He had prayed about this as well. The truck sold on Thursday, and today my husband and him traveled several hours south to find a rust free car. He had been looking on line in a certain area. He knew if possible he needed to find the car this weekend as he would need it for returning to school.
After reading through this weeks lesson today, I called them to see how the hunt was going? He replied not good, I asked the Holy Spirit to lead me to scripture I could text to him to help him stay focused. He had studied the book of James last summer with many of his friends, and I felt the Spirit remind me of that, and the passage James 1:5-6, telling us if we lack wisdom, ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt.
I also felt led to text Jeremiah 29:11 and remind him God has plans for him, plans to prosper him and not to harm him, plans for hope and a future.
I prayed these two scriptures back and inserted his name where I could. It was wonderful!!
A hour later a car had been found and purchased and they are on the way home. Thank you Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit!
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