Why is prayer important to the healthy Christian life?

1 Peter 3:12

What is prayer?

Psalms 5:1, 3

Psalms 61:1-3.

Note: Prayer is opening our heart to God as we would to a friend. This is not necessary, of course, to make known to God what we are, but such communion enables us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us; It brings us up to Him.

What request did the disciples make of Jesus?

Luke 11:1.

What was Jesus’ response to this request?

Luke 11:2-4. Note: He directed them to present their daily needs before God in prayer and to cast all their care upon Him. The assurance He gave them that God would here their prayers is our assurance as well.

What additional counsel regarding prayer did Jesus give?

Matthew 6:5,6.

What about the wording we use in our prayers?

Matthew 6:7,8.

What example did Jesus give us regarding the importance of prayer?

Luke 6:12

Mark 6:46

Luke 5:16.

Is God really willing to listen to our prayers?

Job 22:27

Psalms 34:15. Note: Our Heavenly Father waits to bestow upon us the fullness of His blessings. What a wonder that we pray so little! God is ready and willing to hear the sincere prayer of His humblest child, yet we are so often reluctant to make our wants and needs known to Him. The angels love to bow before Him; they regard communion with Him as their highest joy. And yet we on earth seem satisfied to walk without the light of His spirit or the companionship of His presence. What must the angels think when we pray so little and have such little faith in spite of the fact that God’s heart yearns to give us more than we can ask or think.

How anxious is God to answer our prayers with those things that are good for us?

Matthew 7:7-11. Romans 8:32

What effect does prayer have on temptation?

Mark 14:38.

Note: The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of Satan entice them to sin and it is all because they do not make us of the privilege of prayer.

What are some conditions to having God hear and answer our prayers?

Matthew 5:6, Matthew 7:7,

Proverbs 15:29, Proverbs 28:9,

Psalms 66:18,

Mark 11:24,

Matthew 6:12,

Philippians 4:6,

Colossians 4:2,

1 Thessalonians 5:17.

As important as prayer is, should we withdraw from the world to spend all our time in prayer?

John 17:15.

What are we to think when it appears that our prayers have not been answered?

James 4:3

Romans 8:26

Can we weary God with our prayers?

James 5:11

1 Peter 5:7

Note: keep all your wants, your joys, your sorrows before God. You cannot burden or weary Him. He who has all your hairs numbered is not indifferent to your needs.

In whose name should we pray and what does this mean?

John 16:23, John 15:16. Note: To pray in the name of Jesus means more than a mere mention of His name at the beginning and end of our prayers. It means to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus, believing His promises, relying upon His grace and working His works.

What should be an important ingredient in our prayers besides requests and wants?

Psalms 107:8.

How certain can we be that God hears every sincere prayer and will respond?

1 John 5:14, 15.