Doctrine of Prayer in the Bible (outline)

                                              Doctrine of Prayer in the Bible – Outline

I. Pray to God the Father, through Jesus, and in the Spirit Ps.63:1, Luke 6:12

II. Elements of Prayer

A. Adoration-Ps.63:3 “your love is better than life…I will praise you as long as I live”

B. Confession –

1.accompanies faith, Acts 19:18; Daniel 9:20

2.Acknowledgment of sin, Jer.14:20

3.humility, 2 Chron7:14

4.remorse, Ps.38:18 5.repentance, Job 42:6

C.Results of Confession—divine mercy and forgiveness, Ps.32:5; 1 Jn.1:9

D. Illustrations of confession—prodigal son, Luke 15:21

tax collector, Luke 18:13

David, Ps.51:1-9

Daniel 9:4

E. Intercession—

1. by leaders, Nu.6:23-26; Rom.1:9; Eph 1:16

2. by the church, Eph.6:18

F. Petition requests—

for conviction, Ps.139:23-24

for daily needs, Matt.6:11

for help, Ps.4:1; Acts 12:5; Matt.15:25

for instruction, Ps.119:33; Ps.25:4

for mercy and grace, Heb.4:16

for health, James 5:14

for spiritual growth, Col.1:9

for wisdom, James 1:5

for the ministry, Matt.9:38

G. Expression of submission—

David, Psalm 32

Jesus, Matt.26:39

Paul, 2 Cor.12:7-9

H. Thanksgiving—Jesus, Jn.11:41; Matt.14:19

Paul, Phil.4:6; 1 Cor. 1:4; Eph. 1:16

III. Manner of Prayer

A. According to God’s will, 1 John 5:14

B. In faith, Eph.3:12; James 1:6

C. Through Jesus, Jn. 16:23

D. Personal and private, Matt. 6:6, Luke 5:16

E. Corporate, 2 Chron.7:14

F. With fervency, Heb.5:7

G. With forgiveness, Matt.6:12

H. Perseverance, Luke 18:1

I.  Sincerity, Heb.10:22

IV. Motives for Prayer

1.belief that God hears, Jn.11:42      

2.for needs to be met

3.to rejoice

4. because you are thankful

5. part of worship

6. obedience

V. Value of Prayer

1. expresses your faith in His presence, sovereignty, and love, Psalm 145:18
2. prayer brings blessing, Ps.86:5; Matt.7:11; Luke 11:9-10
3. prayer brings help, Heb.4:16
4. prayer brings understanding, Jeremiah 33:3
5. prayer strengthens against temptation, Matt 26:41

VI. Hindrances to Prayer

1. disobedience, Jer.11:11                             
2. doubt, James 1:6
3. arrogance, James 4:6
4. anxiety, Phil.4:6
5. hypocrisy, Matt.6:5; 15:7
6. wrong motives, James 4:3
7. unconfessed sin, Ps.66:18; Jn.9:31
8. canned prayers memorized w/o understanding, meaningless repetition, Matt.6:7

VII. Great Prayers in the Bible

1. Jacob in Genesis 32:7-12, humility, submission, dependence
2. Moses in Exodus 32:11-13, 31-32; 33:12-16, intercession
3. David in Psalm 22, a cry for help, and Psalm 51, confession, repentance
4. Solomon in 1 Kings 3:9 for wisdom, 1 Kings 8:23-53 petition for the nation
5. Hezekiah in Isaiah 37:15-20 for deliverance
6. Habakkuk 3, praise for the power and purpose of God
7. Jesus in John 17 for His disciples and the church
8. The Pharisee and the tax collector, Luke 18:9-16
9. The prayers of Paul in Philippians and Colossians

VIII. Praying in the Spirit

1. Ephesians 6:18
2. 1 Corinthians 14:15
3. Romans 8:26