LESSON ONE
The Purpose of Prayer
Jesus set the perfect example of obedience in prayer. Although his day was filled from morning to night with many pressures and responsibilities—addressing crowds, healing the sick, granting private interviews, traveling, and training his disciples—he made prayer a top priority. If Jesus was so dependent upon this fellowship in prayer alone with his Father, how much more you and I should spend time alone with God.
The lives of the disciples and other Christians who have been mightily used of God through the centuries to reach their world for Christ all testify to the necessity of prayer. They too are examples of obedience to our Lord’s command to pray.
Someone has wisely said, “Satan laughs at our toiling, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when he sees the weakest saint on his knees.” Prayer is God’s appointed way of doing God’s work.
This lesson will help you understand why prayer is so important to our Christian life. Study the lesson carefully, taking time to meditate and apply the principles you will learn.
Lesson Objective: To understand the importance of prayer to your Christian life
BIBLE STUDY
Read Acts 3 and 4
Before you consider the many verses below, be sure to read the Bible passages listed above.
If you click on the verses in the study below you can see the entire verse! If you are not on-the-go, consider opening a physical Bible and looking up the passages.
Why Prayer Is Important
Read John 14:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Acts 4:23–33, and Matthew 9:38.
Identify at least three reasons for prayer.
The Apostles’ Motive
Read Acts 4.
- What problem did the apostles face?
- Why did they not ask God to remove the persecution?
- For what did they pray (verse 29)? Why is this significant?
- What was their real motive (John 14:13)?
Your Motives for Praying
On the basis of your personal experience, list at least four reasons you pray.
God’s Motives In Teaching Us About Prayer
Read John 3:5–8 and John 4:23, 24.
- In what form does God exist? What must happen to us before we can have fellowship with him?
What kind of worship does he desire?
What is his delight (Proverbs 15:8)? - List some purposes of prayer from each of the following Bible references:
Matthew 7:7
Matthew 26:41
Luke 18:1 - From your understanding of these passages, what do you think God wants you to realize about him?
Prayer Meets the Heart’s Needs
- According to 2 Corinthians 3:5, what is the source of the Christian’s sufficiency? How do you tap into that source?
- Read Psalm 63. Note the elements of worship and write the word or phrase that describes how we should worship God; include references (for example, “My soul thirsts for you—Psalm 63:1”).
LIFE APPLICATION
Questions
- What conclusions can you now make concerning your relationship with God in prayer?
- Do you understand the importance of prayer to your Christian life?
- Begin a prayer list. Keep a record of the things for which you pray by including the date, request, and the date it was answered.
Memory Verse: “And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.” (1 John 5:14, 15 NLT)