The Promise of Prayer

The Promise of Prayer
March 10, 2012
Larry R Evans

Quiz

1. Prayer and Bible study are two different spiritual exercises. True or False?
2. The more clearly we see Jesus the greater possibility we have for a deeper transformation to take place within us. True or False?
3. The change in one’s outside appearance is the best indicator of what has happened on the inside. True or False?
4. God may be powerful but it is Jesus who taught Him how to be personal. True or False?
5. Closing our prayers with the words “in Jesus name” is the formula to use if we wish for our prayers to be answered. True or False?
6. We should not be overly confident when praying because we do not know how God will answer. True or False?
7. Prayer is worship. True or False?
8. For Jesus, prayer was a restful and peaceful opportunity to get away from all anxiety. True or False?

Outline of Our Study and Reflection


1. To understand the need and purpose of prayer I find it helpful to go to Genesis 1:1
a. “In the beginning God. . . “ [Elohim—the powerful God.]
b. “In the beginning God created”
c. “The man and woman were both naked and they
felt no shame” Gn 2:25 [Shame is more than
embarrassment; it connotes exploitation and
humiliation. Deut. 28:48; Isa 58:7; Jas 2:15-16]

2. Gen. 2 introduces God with a different name: Yahweh. The I Am – the covenant God, the promise-keeper, the God of relationships! (Gen. 2:4f)

3. Gen. 3 introduces the fall. The serpent breaks with the change of names and avoids using the name of God that suggests relationship but once they become disobedient the author resumes the use of LORD or Yahweh.
a. Gn 3:8 “man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walkingin the garden.”
b. LORD God called to the man: “Where are you?”
c. That question suggests that a chasm had begun to develop.
d. If we talk about the Fall and Redemption without the book ends of Creation and Restoration we simply do not get the whole picture and we miss much of the forward momentum of the Bible.

4. Isa 59:1,2 1 Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

5. Ex. 25:8 “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.

6. Jn 1:14 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

7. Jesus bore our iniquities Isa. 53:6

8. Jesus to send the promised Comforter. Lk 24:49

9. Everyone filled with awe as they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowshiop, the breaking of bread AND prayer.

10. Prayer can transform us and it can deepen our understanding of God.

Principles I Have Learned About Prayer

1. The greater the revelation the greater the transformation. (e.g. Moses & Jesus)

2. God is both powerful and personal.

3. How we think of Jesus and the Father determines how we will approach prayer.

4. Prayer is often the battle field where victories are won.
5. Prayer is a worship experience.

Conclusion

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matt. 6:33)

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