Lesson Four
                 The "When" and "Where" Of Prayer

INTRODUCTION:
1. Christianity is practical; we must put into practice what we have  learned - cf.  James 1:22-25
2. This is certainly true concerning prayer.  In this lesson we will look  at Bible examples of prayerful people, as well as direct instruction  from the Lord, which can guide us in being a people of prayer.

I. WHEN?
A. Make Time - cf. Eph. 5:15-16
  1. Prayer is not something we do only if we have some extra time. 
  2. We must make time!
   a. Real problem here - wanting to pray
   b. Jesus planned His time to pray - Mk. 1:35
   c. Is your life too busy to pray?  Matt. 6:33
  3. Read the words to the song, "Take Time To Be Holy".
B. Pray Daily (spontaneous and scheduled times)
  1. David - Psalm 55:16-17
  2. Daniel - Dan. 6:10
  3. These great men made it a practice to pray at set times throughout the day; we    would do well to follow their example.
C. Pray At Special Times
  1. Special needs call for special times to pray - joy, sorrow, depression,    temptation, major events in one's life (school, marriage, children, career, etc.).
  2. Examples:
   a. Jesus prayed when He faced making important decisions - Lk. 6:12-13
   b. Paul and Silas prayed during a trying circumstance - Acts 16:25
   c. Nehemiah prayed on the spur of the moment - Nehemiah 2:4-5
   d. Daniel prayed in the midst of national calamity - Daniel 9:3-19
   e. David prayed at the death of a loved one - 2 Samuel 12:15-
D. Always - Lk. 18:1; 1 Thess. 5:17
  1. The idea here is that we should never stop praying!

II. WHERE?
A. "In Secret" - Matt. 6:5-6
  1. Most of our praying should be spent in private.
   a. It important that we choose time when we are alert and can be isolated     from the world around us.
  2. Its value:
   a. It forms a close union and fellowship with God.
   b. It is a true test of our sincerity and devotion.
    1) You certainly are not seeking to please men.
    2) Hopefully, you aren't trying to falsely impress God.
  3. Our Father will reward us "openly" - Matt. 6:6
B. "where two or three are gathered together in My name" - Matt. 18:19-20
  1. Early Christians often prayed together:
   a. In times of trouble - Acts 4:23-24; 12:5, 12
   b. In times of departure - Acts 20:36; 21:5
   c. In the "church" assembly for worship - 1 Cor. 14:15, 23-25; 1 Tim. 2:8
  2. God's people know the sweetness of fellowship and are strengthened when they    pray together.

CONCLUSION:  Remember, knowledge of God's Word about prayer is vain if we aren't       practicing prayer in our lives.

QUESTIONS

1. Discuss our need to pray in light of the teachings in Ephesians 5:15-16



2.     Does Matthew 6:33 have any reference to prayer?  Explain your answer.





3. From the examples of David and Daniel, what do we learn regarding the frequency and posture  of prayer?



4.   What important decision did Jesus make for which He prayed all night?  What can we learn  from His example?




5. From Daniel 9:3-19, make a general list of what Daniel prayed for.








6. What do you learn from Paul's prayer in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10?







7. What does "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17) mean? 



8. For what purposes did the early Christians come together to pray?   How can we follow their  examples today?