Bible Study 4

  1. What is prayer?
    Prayer is the sincere desire of the soul expressed; the opening of the heart to God as to a friend.
    Psalms 62:8
  2. Will God hear when we pray?
    Psalms 3:4
    Psalms 34:4, 6
  3. What is the first step in offering acceptable prayer?
    Hebrews 11:6
  4. What is the basis of true prayer?
    John 15:7
  5. What should be our state of mind in regard to all things asked for?
    Luke 22:42
  6. Might we desire and ask for the wrong things?
    James 4:3
  7. With what confidence should we come to God?
    Mark 11:24
    Matthew 7:7-12
    ‘The prayer of faith, guided by and grounded on Christ’s encouraging promises, shall not be in vain, nay, it shall not only receive an answer of peace, but of honour…. True faith will produce fervency in prayer, and both together will fetch in abundance of the fruits of Christ’s favour.’ – Matthew Henry on Luke 18.
  8. Should we doubt that God hears simply because we do not see an immediate answer?
    James 1:6
  9. When will God refuse to hear us?
    Psalms 66:18
    Isaiah 59:2
  10. Will God hear us when we deal unjustly with others?
    Mark 11:25-26
  11. What is forgiveness?
    Treating an offender as though he had not committed offence. Example
    Matthew 18:23-35
    Matthew 5:23-24
  12. How often should we pray?
    Luke 18:1
    1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
    Romans 12:12
    ‘Seek the clasp of Christ’s hand before every bit of work, every hard task, every battle, every good deed. Bend your head in thee dewy freshness of every morning, ere you go forth to meet the day’s duties and perils, and wait for the benediction of Christ, as He lays His hands upon you. They are hands of blessing. Their touch will inspire you for courage, and strength, and all beautiful and noble living.’ – J R Miller, cited in ‘Alone with God.’
  13. What prayer habits should be formed?
    Psalms 5:3
    Psalms 55:17
  14. Have we a record of anyone’s asking and not receiving?
    2 Corinthians 12:7-9
    ‘If our prayers are not answered, it may be that we have prayed without the right motive, or that we have not prayed according to the Scriptures.’ – D L Moody cited in ‘Alone with God.’
  15. What did Jesus say we should do when trials press us?
    Luke 18:1-7
  16. Who is mentioned as an example of acceptable prayer?
    James 5:17-18
    ‘The great people of the earth today are the people who pray – people who take time to pray. They have not time. It must be taken from something else. That something else is important, very important and pressing, but still less important and pressing than prayer. These are the people today who are doing the most for God in winning souls, in solving problems, in awakening churches, in supplying both men and money for mission posts, in keeping fresh and strong their lives far off in sacrificial service on the foreign field, where the thickest fighting is going on, and in keeping the old earth sweet a little while longer.’ – S D Gordon in ‘Quiet Talks on Prayer.’