Key verse: Matthew 21:22 "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

Biblical truth: Prayer is talking to God. It is worship and it is asking. It is the presentation of our desires and burdens before the throne of grace with the confidence that we shall obtain help. (Hebrews 4:15-16) The help we obtain is mercy and grace and we receive it because of what Jesus did for us.

The three main components of prayer are, asking, waiting and receiving. The Bible tells us that if we ask we shall receive. There are no verses however, that tell us how long the wait will be. The difficult part of prayer is the patience during the waiting period. The time between the asking and the receiving is often the time that God uses to help you see that you don't really want what you asked for, and that He will make you more satisfied with what He knows is best for you. In other words, the waiting period between when you ask and when you receive is very beneficial.

The Asking:

Jesus told His disciples to ask (John 16:24) and James says we have not because we ask not (James 4:2) Asking demonstrates dependence and that is pleasing to God. He calls us His little children and as children, we need things from our Father. As our Father, He would not answer us in a cruel fashion or trick us, but loves to give good things to His children. (Matthew 7:7-11)

1. Things we should ask for: There are things that the Bible tells us we should pray for, and also ways that we should pray.

   a. We are to pray continually. (without ceasing, I Thessalonians 5:17)

   b. We are to cast our cares on Him. (I Peter 5:7) This means we are to ask Him for answers and help then leave the answer and outcome to Him.

   c. We are to pray for others. (I Samuel 12:23, I Thessalonians 5:25)

   d. We are to pray for wisdom. (James 1:5)

   e. We should pray for those in authority. (I Timothy 2:1-3)

   f. We should pray for courage. (Acts 4:23-32)

   g. For our needs to be met. (Philippians 4:6)

2. How should we ask?

   a. Ask like a son. The son is allowed to ask whatever he desires of the Father. That is one of the privileges of son ship. (Luke 15:11-12, John 15:7)

   i. Prayer is presented as a father/son relationship. (Matthew 7:7-11) There would be no way that God would allow an earthly father to better exemplify the relationship than Him.

   ii. Sons have privilege. (Galatians 4:6-7) By the new birth and by the adoption of sons we have been made sons and placed into all the privileges of the Christian life. One of the greatest privileges is prayer.

   b. Ask on the basis of need: The Lord knows what we need before we pray for it. (Matthew 6:8) He still desires that we pray or He would not have told us to ask.

   i. When we present to Him our needs it is the needy praying to one that has everything and needs nothing. (Psalm 50:12)

   c. Ask on the basis of friendship. The Lord calls us friends. (John 15:13-16) He tells us that we are to ask the Father for things on the basis of our friendship with Him (Jesus) and because of that friendship, the Father will answer our prayers.

   d. Ask with a belief that He will answer. (Matthew 21:22)

   i. If we ask of Him we know that He hears us. (I John 5:14-15) We can have confidence that He will answer us.

   e. Ask with a boldness, or confidence that we will obtain mercy and grace. (Hebrews 4:16)

   i. Notice that it is a throne of grace and not a throne of criticism or judgment. It is not a throne where we will be rejected for not praying exactly the right words, but it is the throne of our heavenly Father who delights in us because of Jesus.

   f. Ask on the basis of promise. Many great and precious promises have been made to us in the Bible by our heavenly Father.

   i. Where two or three agree. (Matthew 18:19)

   ii. He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

   iii. Askers become receivers. (Luke 11:10)

   iv. Things we don't know will be revealed to us. (Jeremiah 33:3)

What are some things you would like to ask God for, or thank God for?

The Waiting:

Waiting times are difficult times. It seems like God did not hear and the answer is not coming. It seems as if God has forgotten about you and your prayer and that He does not care. Nothing could be further from the truth. The waiting time is an important time to trust God and get closer to Him. It is also a time of examination to see if there are hindrances to prayer in your life. There are no formulas in the Bible to know how long you have to wait on the answer to a prayer, just know that it is God that is at work in you in the way that pleases Him. (Hebrews 13:21)

1. Hindrances to prayer: It may be that one of these things is causing a hold up in the answer to prayer.

   a. Not asking in faith (James 1:5-7)

   b. Asking for the wrong things (James 4:3)

   c. Not keeping a good relationship with your spouse (I Peter 3:7)

   d. Un-confessed sin in our lives (Psalm 66:18)

   i. Bitterness or un-forgiveness. (Hebrews 12:15, Mark 11:25-26)

   ii. Willful disobedience.

   e. Not asking in Jesus name or authority.

   i. It is not a magic word or formula but its knowing what He authorizes you to pray for. (John 14:13-14) His name and authority are the basis for our relationship with God. It must be according to His will. (I John 5:14-15)

   f. Not delighting in Him and what He wants and allowing that to control the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

2. Waiting is a good time to examine ourselves to see if there may be things in our lives that God wants us to deal with before we can receive the answer to prayer. It is also a time to learn to trust God.

   a. God is truth and does not lie. (Numbers 23:19)

   b. The adversary will attack and make you think God has forgotten you. Remember that he (the devil) lies and cannot tell the truth. Do not believe him. Cast you care on the Lord and allow Him to control the outcomes. (I Peter 5:7-10)

What things has God taught you in the past while waiting on an answer to prayer?

The Answer:

The answers will come in the Lord's timing and there is nothing we can do in the meantime except trust Him. The only immediate answers promised in the Bible happen in Hebrews 4:16 where He promises mercy and grace when we go to the throne. Mercy is what has allowed us to come to the throne and be welcomed when we should be judged. Grace is the favor of God that we receive and what helps us wait on the answer. Paul asked that God remove a thorn from his flesh but was satisfied rather with the grace of God to endure the thorn. (II Corinthians 12:8-9)

1. The answer will come. It may come when you get to heaven, such as the healing of a very sick family member, or relief from difficult living conditions, but it will come. (Numbers 23:19)

   a. He will not leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)

   b. He knows what we need even before we ask. (Matthew 6:8)

   c. He says he will answer. (Jeremiah 33:3)

   d. He is for us. (Romans 8:31)

   e. He gave us Jesus which was His greatest gift. All other things are of lesser value and He would not withhold them from us. (Romans 8:32)

2. We should learn gratitude for all that God gives us daily that we overlook. We should praise Him daily for His blessings.

   a. Whether things are good or bad. (Philippians 4:11-13)

   b. In all things give thanks. (I Thessalonians 5:18)

What daily things does God provide that often go unnoticed?

What special prayers has God answered in the past and did you publicly praise Him?

Personal study time:

Review the model prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13. Break the prayer down in sections and consider what each section indicates about God, our relationship to Him and how we should pray. Use the spaces below for notes.

Our Father

• What does this say about our relationship with Him?

Which art in heaven

• Our position relative to His?

Hallowed be thy name

• What does this say about who He is?

Thy Kingdom come

• What does this indicate about who's purpose should be in focus?

Thy will be done

• Who's will should we want for our lives?

In earth, as it is in heaven

• Who is to do His will on this earth?

Give us this day our daily bread

• What does this say about our wants?

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

• Could we avoid a hindrance to prayer if we really meant this?

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

• What does this say about our direction and His protection?

For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, for ever. Amen

• This looks like it is all about God and not about us. Would that make a great prayer attitude?