- What kind of thoughts or feelings do earthly “fathers” first bring to your mind?
- What was Jesus’ favorite way of addressing God in prayer?
- What is the message for us in the way Jesus talks of God in Luke 11:2; Matthew 6:9 and John 20:17?
- What amazing realities are revealed in 1 John 3:1-2 and 1 John 5:13?
- According to Hebrews 10:22, with what kind of heart should we draw near to God?
- Do you personally have this sense of assurance that God welcomes you and hears your prayers?
- What decisive action will you take now, as a result of this lesson?
EXTRA REFERENCES AND STUDY NOTES
Suppose that, for your own purposes, you want to look up other Scriptures related to this lesson. In that case, you may wish to start with Faithfulness of God and Thanks.
Faithfulness of God OT Genesis 32:10; Exodus 34:6; Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 25:10; 26:1-3; 33:4-5; 36:5-10; 40:11; 86:15-16; 91:4; 100:5; 138:2; 143:1; Lamentations 3:22-25. Examples in prayer “The man bowed his head and worshiped the LORD and said, ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His steadfast love and His faithfulness toward my master’” Genesis 24:26-27. “For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon Him?” Deuteronomy 4:7. “But as for me, my prayer is to You, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of Your steadfast love answer me in Your saving faithfulness” Psalm 69:13. “But [despite disasters] this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” Lamentations 3:21-23. God cannot lie, His promises never fail Numbers 23:19; Joshua 21:45; 23:14-15; 1 Samuel 3:19; 15:29; 1 Kings 8:56; Psalm 33:11; Nehemiah 9:8; Malachi 3:6. God’s word is dependable Deuteronomy 8:3; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; 12:6; 18:30; 19:7-11; 33:4, 6; 93:5; 119:140, 160; Proverbs 30:5; Isaiah 8:16, 20; 40:8-9; 55:10-11. NT God is faithful Romans 3:3; 1 Corinthians 1:8-9; 10:13; 2 Corinthians 1:18-22; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Hebrews 10:23. 1 Peter 4:19; 1 John 1:9 cf. Hebrews 3:6; Revelation 1:5; 3:14; 17:14; 19:11. Prayer is based on divine faithfulness Philippians 1:3-10; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, 24. God cannot lie, His promises never fail Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18; James 1:17 cf. 2 Peter 2:22; 1 John 1:5. God’s word is dependable Matthew 4:4; 7:24; Mark 13:31; Luke 8:11; 11:28; 16:17; John 5:24; 8:31-32; 10:35; 17:17; Acts 20:32; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-16; James 1:21; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 2:2; 2 Peter 1:4,19-21.
Thanks OT Levitical worship emphasized thanksgiving Leviticus 22:29; 1 Chronicles 16:4-8,41; 25:3; 29:13; 2 Chronicles 30:22; 31:2; Nehemiah 11:17; 12:24. “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High” Psalm 9:1-2. See also 1 Chronicles 16:34-36; 2 Chronicles 7:3; Ezra 3:11; Psalm 26:6-7; 35:18; 50:23; 57:9; 75:1; 79:13; 86:12; 95:2; 100:4; 106:1; 111:1; 118:19-21,28-29; 136:1-4; 145:10; Isaiah 12:1-6; 38:19; 51:3; Daniel 2:23; 6:10; Jonah 2:9. NT Examples Luke 2:38; 17:16; Acts 27:35; 28:15; Romans 1:8,21; 6:7; 7:25; 14:6; 1 Corinthians 1:4; 10:16; 14:18; 15:57; 2 Corinthians 1:11; 2:14-15; 4:15; 8:16; 9:11-15; Ephesians 1:16; 5:4,20; Philippians 1:3; 4:6,20; Colossians 1:3,12; 2:7; 3:15-17; 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 2:13; 3:9; 5:18; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:13; 1 Timothy 1:12; 2:1; 4:3-5; 2 Timothy 1:3; Philemon 1:4; Hebrews 13:15; Revelation 4:9; 7:12; 11:17. See Praises (in the lesson – Jesus Shows Us That Prayer Should Be Sincere 1, segment Thought Questions, Extra References and Notes), Specifics (in the lesson – Jesus Shows Us That Prayer Should Be Sincere 1, segment Thought Questions, Extra References and Notes).