The Principles Of Prayer

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                                "PRAYER"

                        The Principles Of Prayer

INTRODUCTION

1. In "The Privilege Of Prayer" we saw that few truly benefited from
   prayer...
   a. Children of God, who became such through obedience to Jesus Christ
   b. Sinners seeking after truth and righteousness, who will be heard
      in that God will provide them opportunity to hear and obey the
      truth

2. The full benefit of prayer comes only as "The Principles Of Prayer"
   are observed...
   a. Principles laid down by Jesus and His inspired apostles
   b. Principles that determine the final outcome of our prayers

[What are "The Principles Of Prayer" that must govern our praying?
First of all...]

I. WE MUST PRAY IN FAITH

   A. PRAYER REQUIRES FAITH...
      1. "And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you
         will receive." - Mt 21:22
      2. Otherwise, prayer will not be answered - cf. Jm 1:5-8

   B. FAITH IN GOD...
      1. That He is, and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him
         - He 11:6
      2. Such faith comes from the Word of God - Ro 10:17

[With the aid of His Word, we can have the kind of faith that pleases
God, and ensures an answer to our prayers.]

II. WE MUST PRAY WITH HUMILITY

   A. HUMILITY BEFORE GOD...
      1. A virtue highly valued by God - Isa 57:15; 66:1-2
      2. The Lord is near, and saves those with contrite spirits - Psa
         34:18
      3. He gives grace to the humble - Pr 3:34

   B. HUMILITY IN PRAYER...
      1. Exemplified in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax
         collector - Lk 18:9-14
      2. Humility leads to exaltation by God - Lk 18:14; Jm 4:10

[With faith and humility before God, we are prepared to pray with the
proper disposition...]

III. WE MUST PRAY IN HARMONY WITH GOD'S WILL

   A. GOD'S WILL AND OUR PRAYERS...
      1. Prayers are answered favorably if we ask "according to His
         will" - 1Jn 5:14
      2. Prayers more concerned with our will than God's are turned down
         - Jm 4:3

   B. HIS WILL BE DONE...
      1. So Jesus taught us to pray - Mt 6:9-10
      2. So He prayed in the garden at Gethsemane - Lk 22:42
      3. Such praying made easier when our will is to do God's will
         - cf. Jn 4:34

[With faith in God and humility toward Him, we will gladly yield to His
will for us.  Note also...]

IV. WE MUST PRAY WITH THANKSGIVING

   A. PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING...
      1. "giving thanks always for all things to God" - Ep 5:20
      2. "in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving"
         - Php 4:6
      3. "...prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving" - Col 4:2
      4. "pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks" - 1Th 5:
         17-18

   B. THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE...
      1. God's people were always to be thankful - Ps 100:4; Col 3:15
      2. Ingratitude an indication of apostasy - Ro 1:21; 2Ti 3:2

[Do we seriously think God will help us with our present burdens if
don't take the time to thank Him for past blessings?  Finally, another
principle of prayer is that...]

V. WE MUST PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS

   A. PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS...
      1. Taught by Jesus Himself to His disciples - Jn 14:13-14; 16:23
      2. Commanded by Paul to the Christians at Ephesus - Ep 5:20

   B. THE NAME OF JESUS AND PRAYER...
      1. Means more than simply adding "in Jesus' name" at the end of
         our prayers
      2. We acknowledge Jesus as the only way by which we can approach
         God - Jn 14:6
      3. We recognize Him as our "high priest" who intercedes for us
         - He 7:24-25; Jn 14:13

CONCLUSION

1. In summary, "The Principles Of Prayer" we have examined are these...
   a. We must pray in faith
   b. We must pray with humility
   c. We must pray in harmony with the will of God
   d. We must pray with thanksgiving
   e. We must pray in the name of Jesus

2. We cannot overestimate the value of the Word of God in regards to
   these principles...
   a. Faith comes from the Word of God
   b. Humility is learned by reading the Word of God
   c. Knowing the will of God is impossible without the Word of God
   d. Thanksgiving is made easier when we read of our blessings in the
      Word of God
   e. The importance of having Jesus as our High Priest is revealed in
      the Word of God

With the Word of God to guide and aid us in observing "The Principles Of
Prayer", we are better equipped to make prayer a truly meaningful and
beneficial experience in our lives.  But there is yet another principle
of prayer (persistence) to which we shall give consideration in our next
study...
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