- Do you feel that prayer is getting from God what you want?
- Jesus and His first followers were poor and unpopular. What does this suggest about their prayer lives?
- In passages cited from John 4, 5, 6 and 8, what was Jesus’ attitude towards His Father?
- How does this same attitude shape prayers in Matthew 6:9-10; 26:42, Luke 11:2 and John 12:27-28?
- What causes prayers to fail, according to James 4:3?
- What causes prayers to succeed, according to passages like John 8:29; 15:7 and Hebrews 5:7-8?
- What decisive action will you take now, as a result of this lesson?
EXTRA REFERENCES AND 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 the topics Submission and Respectful.
Submission A surrendered heart results in obedient deeds, and expressions of humility and submission in prayers. OT As Abraham boldly negotiated with God, he confessed his insignificance: “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes” Genesis 18:27. He obeyed by offering his son, and by responding, “Here I am” Genesis 22:1,11 cf. Genesis 31:11; 46:2; Exodus 3:4; 1 Samuel 3:4-10; Isaiah 6:8; Acts 9:10. Jacob seemed to bargain with God Genesis 28:20-22, but later confessed, “I am not worthy” Genesis 32:9-10. Moses argued with God Exodus 4:1-13, but later prayed, “Please show me now Your ways, that I may know You in order to find favor in Your sight” Exodus 33:13 cf. Joshua 5:14; Psalm 25:4-5; 27:11; 51:6; 86:11; 90:12; 94:12; 119:12; 143:10. Moses taught Israelites to confess dependence on God Deuteronomy 26:1-11 cf. Psalm 22:10; 27:9; 31:5; 55:22. Solomon emphasized obedience and repentance with prayer 1 Kings 8:22-61; 9:3-7; 2 Chronicles 6:13-40; 7:12-22. Accept God’s “no” 1 Kings 19:4-8. Rebellion and prayer do not mix Joshua 7:10-11; Psalm 109:7; Proverbs 15:8; 28:9; Isaiah 1:15; 59:1-2; Jeremiah 7:16; 11:14; 14:10-12; Lamentations 3:8,44. NT Calling on the name of the Lord includes obedience Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46-49; Acts 2:21-41; Romans 10:13 with Joel 2:32, Acts 22:16 cf. obedience and salvation Acts 5:32; 22:10,16; Romans 2:7; 6:3-4,17-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; James 2:24; 2 Peter 1:22; 4:17; Hebrews 5:9. Prayer conditioned on obedience: “Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do what pleases Him” 1 John 3:22 cf. John 14:14-15; 15:7; 1 John 1:5; 5:14-15. Accept God’s “no” Luke 22:42; 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 cf. Acts 16:6-7. Rebellion and prayer do not mix 1 John 5:16 cf. Matthew 7:21; Luke 6:46; 18:14; 20:47; see Insincerity (in the lesson – Jesus Shows Us That Prayer Should Be Sincere 2, segment Thought Questions, Extra References and Notes).
Respectful Titles OT God honored as sovereign Job 1:20-22; 40:3-5; 42:1-6; Ecclesiastes 5:1-6; Psalm 39:1-13; 90:1-17, which led His people to seek His guidance Judges 1:1; 18:5; 20:23,27; 1 Samuel 8:6; 22:15; 23:2,4; 30:8; 2 Samuel 2:1; 5:19,23; 1 Kings 22:7-8; 2 Kings 3:11; 8:8; 22:13; Psalm 27:4; Isaiah 8:19; 9;13; Jeremiah 10:21. Those who did not consult the Lord failed Joshua 9:14; 1 Chronicles 10:14; 2 Chronicles 16:12; Isaiah 8:19; 9:13; 30:2; Jeremiah 10:21; Zephaniah 1:6 cf. 1 Samuel 28:6; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14. NT God honored as Lord in prayer Matthew 4:10; 9:8; 11:25; Mark 13:18-20; Luke 1:46,68; 2:29; 4:8; 10:2,21,27; 20:37; John 12:38; Acts 1:24; 2:21; 4:29; 7:60; 8:22,24; 9:13; 10:4; 13:2; 14:23; 22:19 Romans 15:11; 1 Corinthians 1:31; 2 Corinthians 10:17; Philippians 4:4-6; Hebrews 1:10; James 3:9; 5:4,15; 2 Peter 3:12; Revelation 4:8,11; 11:17; 15:3-4; 16:7; 18:8; 19:6; cf. John 20:28; 1 Corinthians 16:22; 2 Corinthians 3:17; and Sovereign Acts 4:24-30; 1 Timothy 6:15-16; Revelation 6:10.