February 5 , 2006
Prayer That Can Change Your Life—Part 2
"The Privilege of Praying for People"
Matthew 6:10
1. The Lord's Prayer is a model for us to use to learn how to pray.
Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
—Matthew 6:9-13 (NASU)
Prayer begins with Gods interests, God's name, God's kingdom, and God's will.
2. Intercessory prayer—praying for God's will to be accomplished in the lives of others.
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
—1 Timothy 2:1-4
3. Intercessory prayer—involves knowing the heart of God.
"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
—Luke 10:22
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
—Ephesians 3:16-19
4. Intercessory prayer—involves compassion toward people.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
—Matthew 9:36-38
Four ways to develop God's heart for lost people:
- Ask God to let you see people the way he sees people and feel about people the way He feels about people.
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings...
—Matthew 23:37
- Begin to pray with a group for lost people.
The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.
—Exodus 33:11
The best training ground for prayer is prayer itself!
- Become educated about your community and world.
- Read through the Gospels with an eye to see the heart of Jesus for people.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish , but everyone to come to repentance.
—2 Peter 3:10
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
—1 Peter 4:7
Lifework
Who are you praying for that they might come to know Christ? Who have you placed on the prayer banner so that you will remember each week to lift them up to God in prayer? Who have you asked to join you in praying for the salvation of others?
The Power of Intercession
Personal and Small Group Study
Getting Started
Read How To Pray by R. A. Torrey chapters 4-6. Talk about the things you have learned together as a group.
- What going away gift have you given or received that still brings a smile to your life today?
- What is the best reason you have heard, for not believing in Christ?
Digging Deeper: Read John 17:1-26
- What is about to happen in Jesus' life? How is Jesus' deity emphasized in verses 1-5?
- Who or what is the focal point of Jesus' prayer in verses 6-19? If your were to give a report card to God the Father on Jesus' activities, what comments would you write after reading verses 6-8?
- What does Jesus mean by, "The name you gave me" (Look at John 8:58 and Exodus 3:14.)?
- Who or what is the focus of Jesus' prayer in verses 20-26? What kind of unity exists between God and Jesus that we should copy? What is the result of having this type of unity?
- What does verse 24 reveal about Jesus' love for you?
Applying It To My Life
- This week, whom have you glorified by the way you lived?
- What two phrases might you use to sum up your goals for this year? How do those goals relate to God's purposes?
- How are you prayers for others like or unlike Jesus' prayer? Do your prayers reflect the short-term and urgent or the long-term and need of people?
- If Jesus prayed for the short-term needs of His disciples, how would this prayer be different?
- If you were paid $100 an hour for consciously working at loving others, how much money would you have made this past week? What is one way you will earn more this next week?