Luk 19:46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Dan 9:13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.
 

Ps 145: 18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
 

Ps 145: 19 He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them
 

2 Chron. 7: 14: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

     When we pray, we need to examine ourselves to see if we are hindering the blessings of God in our attitudes and intentions of the heart.  Are we truly seeking to know and live God's truth? If not, are we willing to change?

5.  Prayer - Praying with a right heart (2)

Isa 56:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
 

Isa 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Pro 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

Pro 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Pro 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

     Christians are no longer under a law covenant but are under grace, and anyone who comes to God through Christ is accepted with Him, in which God calls us His children, not servants.  Today, He still asks us to join ourselves to Him in our minds and hearts, and to remain in His love, so that our prayers will be answered, and our joy will be full.  

  6. Prayer - Praying with a right heart (3)

Luk 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

     As we grow in our understanding of God's righteousness, and that we are made whole solely through the sacrifice of Christ, for in our carnal nature there is no good thing, then we will understand true humility versus self-righteousness. True humility doesn't dwell on condemnation, for we are not condemned, but gratefully considers the reality of God's redemptive love within.

  7.  Prayer - Praying with a right heart (4)

Jam 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
 

1Jo 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
 

1Jo 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

     As we read and study the Word of God, we become familiar with the will of God for His people, in which we can pray with understanding and confidence.  Powerful are the prayers of the saints who remain in Him. 

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  8.  Prayer - How to pray (1)

In private without vain repetitions

Mat 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
 

Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
 

Mat 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
 

Mat 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

     Reward - V. 5: mis-thos'
 

Apparently a primary word; pay for service (literally or figuratively), good or bad: - hire, reward, wages.

Shall reward thee - V. 6: apodidōmi

To give away, that is, up, over, back, etc. (in various applications): - deliver (again), give (again), pay, perform, recompense, render, requite, restore, reward, sell, yield,

Openly - shining, that is, apparent (literally or figuratively); neuter (as adverb) publicly, externally: - abroad, + appear, known, manifest, open [+ -ly], outward ([+ -ly]).
 

  9.  Prayer - How to pray (2)

To Our Father

Luk 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

Luk 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
 

Luk 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
 

Luk 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

     Jesus models a prayer that demonstrates our relationship to God as our "Father," a Father Who is holy, faithful to His promises, provider of our needs, forgiver of our sins, and our deliverer from all evil. 

  10.  Prayer - How to pray (3)

Ask the Father in the name of Jesus Christ

John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
   

John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

John 16: 23: And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
  

John 16:24: Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
 

Ask

The present imperative, implying continuous asking. Be asking.

Compare - Mar 6:22, the aorist imperative, marking a single, definite petition.
 

  11.  Prayer - How to pray (4)

 con't . . . To the Father / in Jesus Christ's name / as children of God

Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
 

Joh 16:26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

Joh 16:27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

1Jo 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Mat 12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

The name of Jesus Christ represents all of His character, work, authority, and power, in which we approach the Father with His Word and promises. 

Because of the Spirit of Christ in us, we are the children of God and we approach God as our Father. 

Advocate - one who pleads the cause of another in a court of civil law, for Christ is the propitiation for our sins.  Jesus Christ is our legal advocate and intercessor.

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  12.  Prayer - How to pray (5)

 Thanking the Father in the name of Jesus Christ

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Dan 6:10 Now when Daniel . . . he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

Eph 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
 

Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
 

1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

supplications - a petition

prayers - worship

intercessions - petition in behalf of another

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  13.  Prayer - How to pray (6)

 Giving thanks because . . .

 1Co 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

2Co 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
 

1Ch 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psa 30:4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

   

 In prayer, we remember and are thankful to God in Christ because:

•  We have God's grace in Christ (undeserved kindness).

•  We have been given an inheritance in Christ.

•  We are highly esteemed by God in Christ.

•  We have the victory in Christ.

•  We have fellowship in Christ, with God, Who is good, merciful, and holy.

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  14.  Prayer - How to pray (7)

 A.  Without wrath and doubting

1Ti 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath [violent passion] and doubting.

Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath [violent passion]; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Jam 1:20 For the wrath [violent passion] of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

     Great spiritual fruit awaits the Christian, who learns to overcome the flesh with the power of Christ. 

  15.  Prayer - How to pray (8)

 B.  Con't . . . Without wrath and doubting

Jam 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
 

Jam 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
 

Jam 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive (take hold of) any thing of the Lord.
 

Jam 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
 

Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Wavering: V. 6

Greek - diakrinō

From G1223 and G2919; to separate thoroughly, that is, (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively to discriminate (by implication decide), or (reflexively) hesitate: - contend, make (to) differ (-ence), discern, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger, waver (Strong).

He shall receive: V. 7

Greek - lambanō
 

To take, get hold of, or seize - Active not passive or subjective

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  16.  Prayer - How to pray (9)

Pouring out the heart

Psa 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
 

1Sa 1:15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.

Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
 

Lam 3:41 Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.

Psa 119:58 I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

       There is great peace in spending time alone with God and pouring out our hearts before Him, and know that He hears our every word. 

  17.  Prayer - How to pray (10)

 Earnestly seek God

Isa 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Psa 5:2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

Psa 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
 

Psa 27:7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
 

Psa 27:8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

Psa 86:7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

Psa 17:6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
 

       Seek - A primitive root; properly to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication to seek or ask; specifically to worship.

     It is always God's will that we seek Him in prayer; we are never to think that God will not hear us, or that He is unwilling to meet our need.

     Also as Christians, seeking the face of the Lord is more than just a request; it is a lifestyle, in which God is our sufficiency in everything as we stand on His promises in Christ, and worship God in Spirit and in Truth. When we pray to God, we pray to Him in truth and confess those promises in our worship and requests.

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  18.  Prayer - How to pray (11)

 Know that the Word of God is the will of God

Psa 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

Psa 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
 

Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Jer 1:12 Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.

Jer 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

Psa 43:3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

       The Lord has given us His Holy Spirit and the written Word, and as we are led, we approach the throne of God with His truth and light.  In doing this, we need to understand the will of God for His Church by rightly dividing the Word of Truth, from times past to times present.

  19.  Prayer - How to pray (12)

 Know that God seeks to perform His good will on earth

Psa 42:8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
 

Heb 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
 

Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

2Co 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Psa 81:10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
 

Psa 81:16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

       God is always light; He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, in which He seeks to perform all His good will on earth. Many times Christians will pray and ask for something without any assurance of receiving the thing, because they wonder if it is God's will.  We can pray more effectively, if we remind ourselves that God's will isn't a secret, and all of His promises in Christ are yea and Amen. 

  20.  Prayer - How to pray (13)

Self-encouragement in faith

Psa 77:12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

Psa 77:11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

Psa 63:7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

Psa 59:16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.

Psa 31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

Psa 42:6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

Psa 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

       When David sought the Lord, he encouraged himself against doubt, by recalling and verbalizing the faithfulness of God in times past. 

21.  Prayer - How to pray (14)

22.  Prayer - How to pray (15)

Testing our faith

Psa 88:13 But unto thee, O Jehovah, have I cried; And in the morning shall my prayer come before thee.

Psa 65:2  O thou that hearest prayer, Unto thee shall all flesh come.

1Jn 5:15  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

1Jn 5:14  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

Psa 6:9  Jehovah hath heard my supplication; Jehovah will receive my prayer.

One way we can measure our faith in prayer is whether or not we are experiencing confidence in God.  Faith knows that God is listening.

23.  Prayer - The Power of Faith (1)

The Lord demonstrates the power of faith in prayer

Mar 11:13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he [Jesus] came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season of figs.
 

Mar 11:14 And he answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit from thee henceforward for ever. And his disciples heard it.
 

Mar 11:21 And Peter [the next day] calling to remembrance saith unto him, Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
 

Mar 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
 

Mar 11:23 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it.
 

Mar 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

 When it comes to faith, we are never at the end of our rope, but we are always challenged to take God at His Word, and all that Christ is and believe. 

24.  Prayer - The Power of Faith (2)

The Lord assures our faith (1)

Luk 11:5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
 

Luk 11:6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

Luk 11:7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.

Luk 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

Luk 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Luk 11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

       Here the perfect love and willingness of God to answer our prayers is in contrast to the inconsistencies of a good friend.  The Lord here is not teaching persistence in prayer as though the Father, at times, would need our determination to convince Him to respond to our needs.  If it's possible to convince  the unwilling to help us, how much more will God hear our requests. 

25.  Prayer - The Power of Faith (3)

The Lord assures our faith (2)

Luk 11:11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
 

Luk 11:12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
 

Luk 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

     The Lord, in His infinite wisdom, brings the family context into view, as a common ground of understanding the special bond that exists between God and His children. 

 26.  Prayer - Ask (1)

     Asking amiss 

Mat 20:20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
 

Mat 20:21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
 

Mat 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
 

Mat 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
 

Mat 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
 

Mat 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
 

Mat 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
 

Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

     This section of Scripture is a great illustration of the Kingdom of Light, for understanding the lusts of the flesh versus the love of God's Spirit.   Their desire, to reserve the best seats of God's house for themselves, is a reflection of human nature, but the only way we can truly reign with God, is to walk in His love.

27.  Prayer - Ask (2)

     Asking & fellowship 

1Jn 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
 

Keep

From "teros"

A watch; perhaps akin to G2334); to guard (from loss or injury, properly by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from G5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from G2892, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus
 

   28.  Prayer - Ask (3)

     United in Prayer 

Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Mat 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

Act 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
 

Act 12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
 

Act 12:7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

These Scriptures are a great source of inspiration for Christians to unite together in prayer and in faith to expect God's answer. 
 

  29.  Prayer - Ask (4)

     Ask anything 

1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

1Jn 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

Psa 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

Jer 17:14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.

Psa 119:117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

We can ask God for anything according to His revealed will.  We can go to God for salvation for others, deliverance, healing, and strength.

  30.  Prayer - Affliction (1)

Jas 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

Psa 119:107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.

Psa 102:1 <A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD.> Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.

Psa 22:24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

Isa 63:9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

Isa 49:13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

     When we find ourselves in the midst of hardships or troubles, God's message to the afflicted is to pray and be patient for He will not fail us. 

Strong's - Hebrew "Quicken"

A prim root (compare H2331, H2424); to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively to revive: - keep (leave, make) alive, X certainly, give (promise) life, live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, (X God) save (alive, life, lives), X surely, be whole.
 

     31.  Prayer - Prayer and fasting (1)

Dan 9:3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

Mar 9:25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
 

Mar 9:28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

Mat 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

    When we read these verses, we are encouraged to become clear and concerned in seeking the power of God in prayer, particularly in our fight against evil.

   32.  Prayer - Prayer and fasting (2)

Mat 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
 

Mat 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
 

Mat 6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
 

Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
 

Openly - Greek:    phaneros (fan-er-os')
 

From G5316; shining, that is, apparent (literally or figuratively); neuter (as adverb) publicly, externally: - abroad, + appear, known, manifest, openly, outwardly.
 

 33.  Prayer - Prayer & tongues (1)
 

1Co 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

1Co 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

1Co 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
 

1Co 14:17 For thou verily givest thanks well . . . ."

Act 10:45-46 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
 

       In a study of New Testament tongues and prayer, we find that the early church both prayed in tongues and with their understanding. They sang in tongues and sang with their understanding.  We also learn that speaking in tongues magnifies the Lord and gives thanks well.  Tongues is listed as one of the nine manifestations of the Holy Spirit. 

  34.  Prayer - As partakers of the heavenly calling (1)

Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.
 

Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

       When we pray, we remember that Christ is our true mediating, merciful and faithful High Priest, in Whom we are never separated from the love of God.  But the finished work of Christ is a continual intercession of mercy and grace for all the saints, in which we are made partakers of God's heavenly calling in Him, and in which He calls us "holy."  The saints of Christ are not miserable, unworthy sinners, as some might preach, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation,(1 Pet. 2:9) . . ." unto God. 

   35.  Prayer - Praise & worship (1)

1Ch 23:30 And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even;

1Ch 25:3  . . . under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.'

1Ch 16:4 And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:

1Ch 23:5 Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.

1Ch 29:13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

Psa 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

Psa 56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

     In the Old Testament, they praised God for both His name and His Word, for all that God is and for all that God spoke.  As believers in Christ, it is God's Holy Spirit within that empowers us to worship God in both Spirit and Truth, and by our walk we praise God.  Vocalizing our faith in praise to God is one of the highest and most powerful expressions of prayer, particularly in spiritual warfare.

  36.  Prayer - Praise & worship (2)

2Ch 20:21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.

2Ch 20:22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

Psa 7:17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

Psa 9:14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

Psa 21:13 Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.

Psa 22:23 Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

Psa 22:26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

Psa 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

       Praising the Lord from the heart is an expression of living faith that empowers the body of Christ with the light and power of God over every work of darkness. 

  37.  Prayer - Praise & worship (3)

Psa 34:1 <A Psalm of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.> I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Psa 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Psa 48:10 According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.

Psa 50:23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

Psa 52:9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.

Psa 54:6 I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.

Regarding Psalm 34:

"After celebrating God’s gracious dealings with him, David exhorts others to make trial of God's providential care, instructing them how to secure it. He then contrasts God’s care of His people and His punitive providence towards the wicked (JFB)."

  38.  Prayer - Hindrances to faith in prayer (1)

2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

     The Lord is always merciful and full of grace, even when we find that we have lost our way, and have grieved His Holy Spirit.  We don't have to be perfect before we can come to the Lord and ask for His help.  We all need His answers, grace and His power, in conforming to His image, and we will only find perfection in His Spirit.  There are two very important factors for releasing faith in prayer: honesty and sincerity of heart.

 39.  Prayer - Be inspired (1)

Psa 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

Psa 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Isa 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Rom 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Jud 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.

Jas 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Jas 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

Jas 5:18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

Jas. 5:16

Availeth much (polu ischuei).

“Has much force.” Present active indicative of ischuō (from ischus, strength).

40.  Prayer - Paul's Intercession for the Saints (1)

2Ti 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

2Th 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Phi 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

Amen!

 41.  Prayer - The Lord's Intercession for the saints (1)

Joh 17: 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Joh 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

Joh 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

Joh 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

Joh 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Joh 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

Joh 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
 

Just prior to the Lord's arrest, He lifted His face towards heaven, and  with the utmost perfection of heart, He prayed for every believer, both then and now. 

42.  Prayer - The Lord's Intercession for the saints (2)

              Part 2

Joh 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

Joh 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Joh 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

Joh 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Joh 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

Joh 17:25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

Joh 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

       The Lord's words help us to understand these verses; most significantly, "what did Jesus mean when He prayed to the Father, "that they all may be one?"  As He states, "that they may be one in us," meaning fellowship with Him and the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit, the gift of God to every believer in Christ.  We belong to the family of God.

*Verses from KJV or ASV, definitions from Strong's Heb./Gk. Dictionaries.  All sources - esword, unless otherwise stated.