Lesson Five

                                  The "Why" Of Prayer  (part 1)
                                                       (The Power of Prayer)

INTRODUCTION:
1. A part of learning "why" we pray is to understand that there is  power in prayer.
2. As a Christian, are you as prayerful as you should be?  If not, part of the problem may be  that you     fail to realize the power of prayer. 
a. "a man's power in the spiritual world is measured by his prayer."  (Forbes Robinson)
b. This power is of God, not man - Eph. 3:14-21; Phil. 2:13
3. In this lesson we will study the fact that God answers prayer and some of man's false ideas                  regarding this.

I. GOD ANSWERS PRAYER
A. A plainly stated fact in the Bible - James 5:16-18; Matt. 7:7-11
B. Prayer accomplishes good - James 5:16 ("avails much").
  1. James didn't say it avails to the full extent of our wishes.
  2. But, this scripture says that prayer does much; there is power in prayer for good.
C. Every acceptable prayer is answered according to God's will and desire.
  1. Sometimes God will grant the petition we ask of Him.
  2. Sometimes God will grant our request, but in time and according to His purpose for our lives; we          may think God is saying "No", when He is really    saying, "Yes, but wait".
  3. Sometimes God will grant our prayers, but in a different way than we  anticipated (example:  when        we pray for strength/endurance, He may give us trials which will develop what we prayed for - cf.          James 1:2-4
  4. Sometimes God will say "No" - 2 Cor. 12:7-9; 2 Sam. 12:15-23
   a. As Christians, we must reconcile ourselves to this fact.
   b. But his denial doesn't mean He didn't answer our prayer; He answered,  but just not the way we           wanted Him to

II. ERRONEOUS VIEWS THAT GOD DOESN'T ANSWER PRAYER EXAMINED
A. "God is unchangeable, therefore prayer has no effect".
  1. This idea is not from the Bible; there are Bible examples of answered prayer:
   a. God "hearkened" to Rachel's prayer for a child - Gen. 30:22
   b. Hannah prayed for a child - 1 Sam. 1:10-13
   c. Hezekiah prayed for deliverance from death - 2 Kings 20:1-6
  2. If the unchangeable God answered prayer then, He will do it now.
B. "Miracles have ceased, and to expect God to answer prayer would be to expect a   miracle".
  1. This is based on the false assumption that God cannot answer prayer without  violating the laws           of nature.
  2. Such an idea limits God; if He is powerful enough to create this universe out of nothing, can't He          operate in the realm of natural laws?
  3. Examples of prayers answered without a miracle:
   a. Elijah's prayer for rain - James 5:16-17
   b. Nehemiah's prayer for Jerusalem's wall - Neh. 1:11 - 2:8
   c. Our prayer for our "daily bread" - Matt. 6:11
C. "Prayer is merely a glorified pep-talk".
  1. This idea suggest the only good in prayer is the boost to a greater zeal - a motivator!
  2. Such a notion stems from little or no faith in God; and, if true, one could pray to an idol with the            same effectiveness.

CONCLUSION:  There is power in prayer.  Think of the blessings God would give His people if we would but ask or ask properly according to His truth - Matt. 7:7-8; cf. James 4:2-3

QUESTIONS

1. When we speak of "the power of prayer", whose power are we making reference to?


2. How were the Ephesian Christians empowered according to Ephesians 3:14-21?


3. What does prayer do according to James 5:16?  Explain.


4. Does the fact that there is power in prayer mean that God will give me everything I want?   Explain.


5. Does the fact that there is power in prayer mean God will always answer my prayers  immediately?       Explain.


6. What can we learn about prayer from 2 Corinthians 12:7-9?