Sun. 18/1/2015

Quarter’s Theme: Discovering Spiritual Maturity

Unit 2 Theme: Practicing Spiritual Maturity Essentials (Lessons 4-9)

Quarter’s Theme: Discovering Spiritual Maturity

Unit 2 Theme: Practicing Spiritual Maturity Essentials (Lessons 4-9)

Sunday 18/1/ 2015

LESSON 7

THE HABIT OF PRAYER

Suggested Hymns: G.H.B. 200, 202

Devotional Reading: LK. 11:1-13

Topic For Adults

PRAYER IS NEEDED TO FINISH WELL

Topic For Youths

YOU OUGHT TO PRAY AND NOT LOSE HEART

Topic For Intermediates

TEACH US TO PRAY

Scripture Lessons

1 JN. 4:8; 5:14-15; PS. 25:4-5;

JN 15:7; 16:23-24; MATT. 5:14-15; 6:5-8; 18:21-22;

PHIL. 4:6-7; EPH. 6:18; NUM. 14:18;

1 SAM. 2:2; JER. 31:39;

JAM. 1:5-8; 4:2

Memory Verse:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6) NKJV.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL READING

Sun. 18/1/2015

Guidelines To Effective Prayer Life

Lk. 18:1-8

To receive answers to prayers, you need to have access into God’s presence. Pray that the blood of Jesus will cleanse you from every known or hidden sin so that your prayers will not be hindered (Heb. 10:19-20). Enlist the help of the Holy Spirit in praying; and pray according to the revealed will of God in the Bible. Avoid praying superstitious unbiblical, ill-motive prayers (Jam. 4: 2). Be genuine in your asking; and when the answers do not come in time, don’t give up – be importunate in asking. Maintain a regular and consistent prayer time and pattern. You sometimes need to add fasting to your prayers (Matt. 17:20-21). It is important to have faith in God when asking. Doubt erases whatever answer heaven has written. Anyone who doubts either God will do it or not, should not expect to receive anything from God (Jam. 1:5-7). Make prayer your lifestyle; don’t wait until there is an emergency before you pray.

Point of Emphasis:        Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks.

Prayer Point:            Fire of God, consume all hindrances to my prayers. I will not labour in vain at the altar of prayer.

BACKGROUND

Prayer is a dialogue between God and His Covenant people. It can also be
described as the act of communicating regularly with God about His will.
Israel is a nation born of prayer. Those who did exploit for God in the Old and New Testaments prayed. Jesus’ teaching and example inspire prayer. He corrected some abuses and misunderstanding about prayer. This week’s lesson opines to enlighten us on the need to pray earnestly, regularly and correctly.

NOTES ON THE TEXT

1. WHAT DOES PRAYER MEAN AND ENTAIL?: 1 JN. 5:14-15; PS. 25:4-5; JN. 16:23-24; MATT. 6:5-8

Summarily, prayer is the act or habit of talking with God. E.M. Bounds says “the one who have most fully illustrated Christ in their character, and have most powerfully affected the world for Him, have been those who spend so much time with God as to make it a notable feature in their lives”.

The Scripture asserts that Jesus maintained a lifestyle of prayer (Mk. 1:35; Lk. 3:21; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18) and encou-raged believers to pray. “Then He spoke a parable to them that men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Lk. 11:1).

Meaning of Prayer:

• Prayer is the habit of communing with God about His will (1 Jn. 5:14-15).
• It is a dialogue based on our knowledge about God (Jn. 14:12-13).
• It is an invitation to receive guidance, direction and instruction from God (Ps. 25:4-5).
• Effective prayer is a dual way communication – you make request to God and receive from Him (Gen. 18).

What it Entails:

You must come to God to fellowship with Him. Don’t try to impress anybody. Know that you have a covenant right to come to God and expect to be heard. You must pray in Jesus’ name and believe that your prayer has been answered.

1. PRAYERS: DIFFERENT OPERATIONS AND RULES: PHIL. 4:6-7; EPH. 6:18; NUM. 14:18; 1 SAM. 2:2; 1 JN. 4:8

Secularly, when one directs his or her requests to the right channel or person with a correct address, such a letter will get to the right destination and will be treated promptly. God has several names which describe a facet of His character. Read the Bible to get these names and their qualities. Our prayer begins to get accelerated result if we are conversant with the different types of prayer and supplication and the different rules.

Undisputedly, God is patient, merciful and forgiving (Num. 14:18). He knows everything (1 Sam. 2:2). He is loving (1 Jn. 4:8) etc. The 8 Hebrew names of God which declare who He is are:

(i)     Jehovah-Shammah: This shows that you are not alone. He is with you everywhere (Ezek. 48:35).

(ii)    Jehovah-Rohi: He leads, feeds and protects you. He is your Shepherd (Ps. 23:1).

(iii)   Jehovah-Jireh: He is a great provider therefore, you cannot lack (Gen. 22:14).

(iv)  Jehovah-Rophe: He is the great physician who heals (Exo. 15:26).

(v)   Jehovah M’Kiddish: God sanctifies, you can be holy and be like Jesus (Lev. 20:8).

(vi)  Jehovah-Shalom: God gives peace inspite of any situation or circum-stance (Judg. 6:24).

(vii) Jehovah Nissi: He gives victory in conflict, battle and confrontation (Exo. 17:15).

(viii) Yahweh or Jehovah: God of the covenant. I will be what I need to be [unchangeable] (Exo. 3:14).

The understanding of these names and their operations will enhance your prayer when you pray these prayers:

• Prayer of thanksgiving and adoration – Ps. 110:4.
• Prayer of agreement – Matt. 18:19.
• Prayer of faith (Matt. 11:24; 1 Cor. 4:13) It must develop – Rom. 12:3.
• Prayer of consecration and dedication (Lk. 22:39-42).
• Prayer of intercession – Rom. 8:26.
• Prayer of binding and loosing (Matt. 18:18; Lk. 10:19; 2 Cor. 10:4-5).
• Praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20; 1 Cor. 14:1-5).

III.   AVOIDING HINDRANCES TO PRAYER: JER. 31:37; JAM. 1:5-8; MATT. 18:21-22; JN. 15:7

The network that carries prayer to God never gets busy but prayer can be hindered by the following:

1. Unconfessed sin: Ps. 66:18; Jer. 31:39; 1 Jn. 1:9
2. Lack of faith: Jam. 1:5-8; Mk. 6:1-6; Matt. 21:22
3. Disobedience: 1 Jn. 3:21-23.
4. Lack of transparency with God and others: Jam. 5:16.
5. Unforgiveness: Matt. 18:21-22; 6:14-15.
6. Wrong motives: Jam. 4:3.
7. Idols in our lives: Ezek. 14:3.
8. Disregard for others: Ps. 33:13; Jn. 13:34; 1 Pet. 3:7, 2:13.
9. Disregard for God’s sovereignty: Matt. 6:9-10.
10. Unsurrendered will: Jn. 15:7; 1 Pet. 3:12; Ps. 139:23-24.

It must be borne in mind that it is not every prayer that is answered, we must cherish communion with God more than our petitions.

1. PRACTICAL RULES FOR EFFECTIVE PRAYER: JAM. 4:2; MATT. 5:14-15

• Cleanse yourself with Jesus’ blood always. Confess every sin of commission and omission (Heb. 9:13-14).
• Ask for wisdom to pray accurately in accordance with God’s perfect will and pray Biblically (Jam. 1:5).
• Be persistent and believe when you pray – Mk. 11:24; Lk. 18:1-8.
• Don’t pray amiss. You can maintain any posture – Jam. 4:2; 1 Jn. 5:14-15.
• Add fasting to your prayer – Matt. 17:20-21.
• Grow in your prayer life. Schedule regular prayer times and be consistent.
• Create a place and atmosphere for your prayer (Lk. 1:35) and make prayer your lifestyle (1 Thess. 5:25). Don’t doubt, forgive, (Jam. 1:6-8; Matt. 6:14-15; 5:23-24; Mk. 11:25-26).
• Pray for your family and when you pray, listen to what God will say, this may not be an audible voice but a still small voice or thought.

CONCLUSION

Prayer is work, you don’t talk prayer, you do it. Learn to cultivate a habit of constant communion with God.

QUESTIONS

1. What is prayer?
2. How often should we pray?
3. Mention the 8 Hebrew names of God. What do these names have to do with your prayer?
4. Mention some of the rules for effective prayer.
5. How can you become an effective prayer warrior?

French

DIMANCHE 18/01/2015

CONSEILS PRATIQUES POUR UNE VIE DE PRIERE EFFICACE

LUC 18 :1-8

Pour que tes prières soient exaucées, tu as besoin d’avoir accès auprès de Dieu. Prie, afin que le sang de Jésus te purifie de tout péché connu ou caché  afin que tes prières  ne soient pas entravées. (Héb.10:19-20). Demande l’aide du Saint-Esprit en priant et prie selon la volonté de Dieu telle que manifestée dans la Bible. Evite de faire des prières superstitieuses ayant de vils motifs et lesquelles ne sont pas fondées sur la Bible. (Jac. 4:2). Sois sincère dans ta demande et quand les réponses à tes prières tardent à venir, ne jette pas l’éponge – sois importun dans ta demande. Garde un modèle et un temps de prière régulier et constant. Tu as souvent besoin de joindre le jeûne à tes prières. (Matt. 17:20-21). En demandant, c’est important d’avoir foi en Dieu. Le doute efface n’importe quelle réponse écrite par les cieux. Quiconque doute à savoir si Dieu exaucera sa prière ou pas, ne doit pas s’attendre à recevoir quoi que ce soit de lui. (Jac. 1:5-7). Fais de la prière ton style de vie; n’attends pas jusqu’à ce qu’il y ait urgence avant que tu ne pries.

Point essentiel : Prie sans cesse; rends grâces en toutes choses.

Axe de prière : Feu de Dieu, consume tous les obstacles à mes prières. Je n’œuvrerai pas en vain sur l’autel de prière.