The Biblical definition of Prayer:
Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Prayer defined in the Bible is:
1. A lifting up of our soul to God – Psalm 25:1: 143:8
2. Pouring out our heart to God – Psalm 62:8
3. A crying out to God – Psalm 86:3
4. Spiritual incense to God – Revelation 5:8
5. Coming before the throne of grace – Psalm 84:1-2; Hebrews 4:16
6. Prayer is a spiritual sacrifice and the fruit of our lips – Hebrews 13:15
7. Drawing close to God in friendship, fellowship and trust – James 4:8
Character Study
David – 1 Samuel 16 – 1 Kings 2; Amos 6:5; Matthew 1:1&6; 22:43-45; Luke 1:32; Acts 13:22; Romans 1:3; Hebrews 11:32
His father was Jesse whose father was Obed; David was the great-grandson of Boaz and Ruth – Ruth 4:17-22
He was the youngest of eight sons – 1 Samuel 17:12;
The second and most beloved king in Israel’s history – 1 Chronicles 18:14
David offered a prayer of thanks – 2 Samuel 7:18-29 expresses his humble acceptance of who God is.
2 Samuel 7:28 Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. v29 Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing, the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”
His hometown was Bethlehem, also called the “City of David.”
David is known as:
Shepherd, musician and armour bearer:
1 Samuel 16:11-23 He was anointed by Samuel as a young shepherd boy – this was done in secret: he was not publicly anointed until much later, to be the next king of Israel and he also served in Saul’s court as a musician and armour bearer.
Giant slayer:
1 Samuel 17:1-58 tells the story of David and Goliath. v19 says that Saul and all the men of Israel were fighting against the Philistines in the Valley of Elah. Vv41-51 describes how David fearlessly, trusting God to help him was able to kill Goliath with only a sling and a stone
His Humility:
In Psalm 86:1-17 we see David as a man of prayer, coming before God in humility. He had a devoted trust in God in times of deep trouble. He also had an unchangeable belief in the faithful and forgiving nature of God.
For God’s covenant with David and his descendants
2 Samuel 7:8-17 These were the key features of God’s continual protection of David and preserving his kingly line throughout history.
David was called “A man after God’s own heart.”
In 1 Samuel 13:1-14, Samuel rebukes Saul for being disobedient and tells him that God had “sought out a man after His own heart. Acts 13:22 After removing Saul, He made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’
Failures:
2 Samuel 11:1-27 shows that even though David was great, he sometimes stumbled and fell into sin.
He committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband Uriah murdered.
2 Samuel 12:1-25 Nathan the prophet rebuked him.
2 Samuel 13 – 18 tells us of the family problems David had.
Amnon and Tamar – Even though David was angry with his son Amnon, he did not
punish him.
His son Absalom incited the entire nation to rebellion and crowned himself king.
David was a great king and military leader, but he lacked skill and sensitivity when it came to being a father.
2 Samuel 24:1-25 tells us that David gave into pride by taking a census to glory in the strength of his nation.
What the Bible teaches about Prayer:
Old Testament:
In Exodus 15:22-27 Moses led the people of Israel from the Red Sea into the desert of Shur. After three days they started grumbling because they could not drink the water at Marah, as it was bitter. After Moses had cried out to the LORD, he was shown a piece of wood. Throwing it into the water, the water became sweet. It is interesting to note that Marah stands for “bitter” meaning the unbelieving, grumbling attitude of the people. After Marah, they came to Elim where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees meaning God’s bountiful provision.
1 Kings 18:16-39 In this passage we read how Elijah challenged the people to take a stand – he gave them the choice to either follow the 450 prophets of Baal or they can follow God. The prophets of Baal called on Baal’s name from morning until the evening sacrifice. There was no response, no one answered, and no one paid attention. Elijah then built an altar and drenched a bull and wood with water. Elijah prayed to God and his prayer was answered when the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the water in the trench.
There are many Psalms we can pray:
Psalm 3 – trusting God for protection and peace in times of trouble.
Psalm 13 – when we despair or have self-doubt, we can trust God even though He does not always answer us immediately
Psalm 23 – we all know this well-known Psalm which can be prayed in times of fear.
Psalm 51 – David prayed this Psalm after he had committed adultery and murder. Nathan the prophet came to him and rebuked him. Praying for mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing is still just as appropriate today.
Psalm 145 – we have the assurance that we can rely on God.
Jeremiah 29:12-14 In these verses Jeremiah reassures the people of Israel, who had been in exile in Babylon, that God had not forgotten His people. They still had the presence of God in their midst, the privilege to pray to Him and above all His grace.
New Testament:
Jesus teaches about prayer:
In Matthew 6:5-15 Jesus teaches about prayer.
In v5 praying in public;
v6 closet prayer;
v7 repetition;
v8 He reminds us that the Father knows what we need before we even ask Him;
vv9-13 The Lord’s Prayer;
vv14-15 forgiveness.
This teaching was for His disciples to use as a model to keep in mind when they prayed, but it also applies to us as believers in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:26 As a believer, there are times when it feels as if we are unable to “pray” about our problems. The most amazing thing is that at those times the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. He will intercede for us “according to God’s will.” All we have to do is to trust that God will always do what is in our best interest.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray continually. This verse is self-explanatory
Philippians 4:6-7 We all worry at one time or another. The wonderful thing is that we can take our worries in prayer to our Heavenly Father. It is so easy to pray and petition, but our prayers should also include thanksgiving. We so easily forget to thank the Lord for answered prayer! v7 gives us the assurance that we will receive the “peace of God which transcends all understanding,” and to also know that God is in control.
Application
Prayer should be an integral part of our life. As we believe in Jesus and humble ourselves before Him, we are made holy. Psalm 99:5
We can use Jesus’ life as an application for prayer. Jesus’ ministry was characterized by prayer.
1. Jesus began His ministry by praying.
The Baptism of Jesus – Luke 3:21-22
2. Jesus prayed throughout His ministry
All night – Luke 6
Alone – Luke 9:18a
Before daybreak – Mark 1:35
3. Jesus always found time to pray.
Never too busy to pray – Luke 5:15-16
Charles H Spurgeon wrote: “Oh, my brothers and sisters, you will not do better after all, than to quote Scripture, especially in prayer! There are no prayers so good as those that are full of the Word of God! May all our speech be flavoured with texts?” – 1893, Sermon 2310
Conclusion
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Responding in Prayer
Read Psalm 116 – Talking to God.
In this Psalm David says that God bends down to hear our voices and our prayers for mercy. When we call on the LORD in our time of trouble and sorrow, we have the assurance that He is listening and will answer according to His will for our own good. He protects those of childlike faith. In response to God’s mercy we can worship Him with a thankful response and a grateful heart.
All Scriptures are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise stipulated
Journal – Scripture/Prayers/Thoughts: