ContentsChapter 8 of 11

Prayer

Answers to Your Questions About Prayer

Prayer is one of the greatest privileges the believer has upon deciding to live the Christian life. When believers pray, they speak directly and personally with their heavenly Father. There is nothing that comes between them and God.

To pray, we do not need to use difficult words or a special tone of voice. We only need to present our feelings and requests to God with sincerity and confidence.

  1. 1.Is prayer important in every area of life?

    Yes. We should pray about everything!

    In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

    Philippians 4:6-7

  2. 2.In whose name should we pray?

    In the name of Jesus.

    Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.

    John 14:13-14

  3. 3.Does God hear the prayers of His people and answer them?

    Yes. God always hears and answers, but His answer does not always match what we wish and want!

    This is the boldness which we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us.

    1 John 5:14

    Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.

    James 5:16

  4. 4.What promise is made to those who pray according to God’s will?

    God will grant them what they ask.

    “Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.

    Matthew 7:7

  5. 5.Will God always give us everything we ask for?

    No, because there are times when we ask for unnecessary things, with sin in our hearts.

    You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

    James 4:3

    If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord wouldn’t have listened.

    Psalms 66:18

  6. 6.Is there another reason why God does not give us everything we ask for?

    Yes, when what we have asked for is not what is best for us.

    By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, a thorn in the flesh was given to me: a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively. Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

    2 Corinthians 12:7-10

  7. 7.Is prayer mainly for asking God for things?

    No. Prayer includes praise, confession and thanksgiving, as well as petitions.

    Pray like this: “‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’

    Matthew 6:9-13

  8. 8.What warnings did Jesus give about prayer?

    That we must be careful not to pray in search of the praise of men, and that we need to forgive others their offenses before we pray.

    “When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward.

    Matthew 6:5

    Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions.

    Mark 11:25

  9. 9.What attitude should we show when we pray?

    We should pray with humility and confidence.

    if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

    2 Chronicles 7:14

    Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

    Hebrews 4:16

  10. 10.Does God give us only the blessings we ask for?

    No. God gives us much more than we ask or can imagine.

    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,

    Ephesians 3:20