Barnabas File

Encouraging Words from the Word by Maynard H. Belt

A Bible Study On Prayer

What Really Is Prayer?

  1. P = is Prevailing! In Gen. 32:28 the angel said to Jacob, “As a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” What does prevailing mean? It means to become effective, to succeed, to triumph.

  2. R = is Requesting! Matt. 7:7: “Ask, and it shall be given unto you.” Some pray only when trouble comes. We must pray often, asking largely.

    3. Thou art coming to a king, large petitions with thee bring;

    For His grace and power are such, none can ever ask too much! — John Newton

  3. A = Acccepting! Mt. 21:22: “Whatsoever ye ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” We must ask with expectancy…and we will receive with joy and appreciation.
  4. Y = is Yielding! Lk 22:42: “...not my will, but thine be done.” Jesus was facing the cross, His life was at stake, but He yielded to His Father’s will. Payers will be answered; burdens lifted; broken homes mended; souls saved….when we yield our will to His will.
  5. E = is Evangelizing! James 5:16: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Just think, our prayers can reach around the world to touch missionaries and love ones. Distance is no barrier to the effects of prayer. If you don’t pray for lost friends and family members, who will?
  6. R = Rejoicing! Jn. 16:24: “Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” Rejoicing comes with the anticipation of knowing God can answer. Prayer is not “Now I lay me down to sleep!” It is work!

Why Do We Pray?

  1. To have fellowship with God – Psalm 63:1, 5-8
  2. To know God’s leading – James 1:5
  3. To be kept from evil – II Thessalonians 3:1-3

When Can We Pray?

  1. Anytime – Psalm 55:16-17
  2. All the time – I Thessalonians 5:17
  3. A quiet time – Matthew 6:6

How Do We Pray?

  1. Believing – Matt. 21:22; James 1:6
  2. Boldly – Eph. 3:12; Hebrews 4:16
  3. In the Spirit – Eph. 6:18a; Jude 20b
  4. In the name of Christ – John 16:23, 26
  5. Expecting Answers – Mark 11:24; I John 5:14-15
  6. With praise & thanksgiving – Psa. 34:1; Phil. 4:6; I Thess. 5:18

What Are Some Hindrances To Prayer?

  1. Unconfessed sin – Psalm 66:18
  2. Refusal to hear and obey – Proverbs 28:9
  3. A life occupied with idols – Ezekiel 14:3; I John 5:21
  4. Unforgiving spirit – Mark 11:25-26
  5. Lack of faith – James 1:6-7
  6. Selfishness – James 4:3
  7. Disharmony in the home – I Peter 3:1-7

Hope To Keep On Praying When You Might Think Your Prayers Are Not Being Answered

  1. Job was bothered by unanswered prayer – Job 19:6-8
  2. David was bothered by unanswered prayer – Psalm 22:2; 35:13
  3. Jeremiah was bothered by unanswered prayer – Lamentations 3:18; 44
  4. Hannah kept on praying until she had a son – I Samuel 1:9-11; 26-28
  5. Paul accepted his thorn and waited – II Corinthians 12:8-10

A Suggested Format for Establishing a Prayer Period

  1. Keep 7 sheets, one for each day, in a notebook. Divide among the 7 days things you want to pray for such as unsaved relatives and friends, church, pastor and staff, SS teachers and workers, missionaries, local, state, national leaders, and your own personal needs.
  2. Day:________ Order for prayer: Praise, confession, thanksgiving, supplication
  3. Specific Request Date Began Date Answered

–Maynard H. Belt