March 7 | The Prayer of Request

Series | The Life of Prayer and Heart of Worship 

Scripture | Ephesians 6:18, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

Lesson 7 | The Prayer of Request

Paul in the above verse gives the basis for “all kinds of prayers and requests” in the Christian life.  Some may think of prayer as only being “one-dimensional,” however; they are many different aspects and dimensions in prayer.  The most popular form of prayer is, “the prayer of request.”

The prayer of request is praying to God for Him to meet a need.  Jesus taught His disciples this kind of prayer in the Lord’s Prayer when he prayed, “Give us our daily bread.”  Also, Jesus spoke of this kind of prayer in John 14:13-14, “13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

The Biblical way to pray the prayer of request is to, (1) Come to God the Father in Jesus’ name, (2) Pray based on God’s will revealed in the Bible, and (3) Lastly, end with praise and confidence in God’s power.

Here is an example of the prayer of request regarding the need of finances, “Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus asking you to provide financial blessings for me so that I might be a blessing to my family and community.  I ask you to bless me according to your Word in Luke 6:38 where you said, “that if I give it will be given back to me.”  As a faithful tither and giver of offering I therefore ask according to your Word to pour out your blessings upon me for your Kingdom sake.  I believe you are able and I praise you for Your goodness.  Amen.”

Of course, every prayer should come from your own heart and be spontaneous, but the basic principles should be followed.  Also, remember that God’s promises come with conditions that must be obeyed for God to respond and answer accordingly.  Thus, always place obedience to God’s Word as the basis of your requests and remain submitted to His will.  In doing so, I believe you will see God answer your prayers and meet your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus!

Reflection | What are some of your needs? 

Action | (1) Think about three important needs in your life. (2) Find a promise from God in His Word for each of your needs.  (3) Lastly, in obedience to God’s Word pray to God the Father in Jesus’ name and make your requests known with praise and trust! 

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Numbers 8:1-9:23, Mark 13:14-37, Psalm 50:1-23, &Proverbs 10:29-30. Click here to read online.

March 6 | The Lord’s Prayer Pt. 5, Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Series | The Life of Prayer and Heart of Worship 

Scripture | Matthew 6:13, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

Lesson 6 | The Lord’s Prayer Pt. 5, Lead Us Not Into Temptation

The last and final exercise in the Lord’s Prayer workout is to ask God to both lead you not into temptation and deliver you from the evil one.  The source of temptation comes to the believer in two ways, (1) from the outside forces of the devil and his demons- Ephesians 6:12, and (2) from the inside forces of the fleshly body, James 1:13-15. 

Thus, Jesus’ prayer for His disciples not be led into temptation is basically asking God to led them daily in His righteous and holy ways.  As a result, if a believer can clearly know the voice of God and be led in the paths of righteousness, by default, they will not be led into temptation.  Thus, the prayer of not leading us into temptation is really a prayer for God to lead us into righteousness, Psalm 23:3.

The prayer to be delivered from the evil one is also important because daily the devil is like a roaring lion seeking to devour God’s people, 1 Peter 5:8.  However, when Jesus died on the cross He totally defeated and destroyed all of the powers and works of the evil one, 1 John 5:8.  Thus, the moment a person is born again all the authority and victory of Jesus is given to them, Romans 8:37.  In turn, if a Christian does sin or leave the path of righteousness, God is able to protect them and deliver them when they repent and ask for deliverance. 

Therefore, the believer should pray daily for themselves and the community in which they live in to follow God’s righteous paths and if they should sin, to repent and be delivered from the evil one.  God desires for all people to live holy and be free from the work of the devil! 

Reflection | In what ways is the devil trying to lead you and your community into temptation resulting in his control?

Action | (1) Ask God to show you the ways in which your earthly body and the devil tries to lead you into temptation.  (2) Then pray for God to lead you in the paths of righteousness (free from sin) and to deliver you from the power (snares and traps) of the devil.  (3) Lastly, pray the same things for your community.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Numbers 6:1-7:89, Mark 12:38-13:13, Psalm 49:1-20, &Proverbs 10:27-28. Click here to read online.

March 5 | The Lord’s Prayer Pt. 4, Forgive Us Our Debts

Series | The Life of Prayer and Heart of Worship 

Scripture | Matthew 6:12, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

Lesson 5 | The Lord’s Prayer Pt. 4, Forgive Us Our Debts

The fourth exercise in the Lord’s Prayer is the prayer of forgiveness of sins.  Though the believer has been saved perfectly and given a new nature made in the perfect image of God he or she is still able to both be tempted and sin.  Therefore, repentance (praying for forgiveness of sin and the changing of one’s behavior) should be a common prayer for the believer whenever they disobey God whether in thought, speech, or deed.

Just like when praying for “our daily bread” the plural is used, so too is the plural used in the prayer of forgiveness, “forgive us our sins” and forgive “our debtors.”  Therefore, the disciple is not only to pray that God forgives his own personal sins, but the sins of his community.  Praying for the forgiveness of other’s sins is called “intercession.”  While the great Old Testament prayer warrior Daniel was living in Babylon he not only prayed for his sins to be forgiven, but also for the whole nation of Israel, Daniel 9.

Also, Jesus taught more in regards to giving others forgiveness after the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:14-15, “14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”  As a result, Jesus both in the Lord’s Prayer and His teachings boldly taught that if His disciples did not forgive others their sins, the sins they committed would not be forgiven.

Therefore, in your daily prayer times you should pray for your sins to be forgiven as well as the sins of your community (for example- violence, perversion, greed, etc.) and forgive those who have sinned against you throughout the day.  In turn, sin will be defeated in your life and in the lives of others in your community.  Thus, God’s Kingdom will come in fullness to all people and nations.   

Reflection | Do you forgive others when they sin against you like how God forgives your sins when you sin against Him? 

Action | (1) Search your heart and repent of any known sin. (2) Pray for the sins of your community to be forgiven.  (3) Lastly, forgive others who have sinned against you in the same way God has forgiven your sins against Him.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Numbers 4:1-5:31, Mark 12:18-37, Psalm 48:1-14, &Proverbs 10:26. Click here to read online.

March 4 | The Lord’s Prayer Pt. 3, Give Us Our Daily Bread

Series | The Life of Prayer and Heart of Worship 

Scripture | Matthew 6:11, “Give us today our daily bread.”

Lesson 4 | The Lord’s Prayer Pt. 3, Give Us Our Daily Bread

The third exercise in the Lord’s Prayer workout is to pray for one’s needs to be met in the context of community.  After a believer has started their prayer by praising and “hallowing the name of God” and seeking first “His kingdom to come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” the door is now open for one’s needs to be properly lifted up to God.

However, notice the plural form of this prayer, “give us today our daily bread.” The words “us and our” are used in contrast to “give me today my daily bread.”  The words “me and my” are used to signify one’s own needs, however, “us and our” are used to represent the needs in one’s community.  Therefore, Jesus was teaching them that when the disciple prays he or she should pray for everyone’s needs to be met, not just their own.

God said in ancient times to Abraham that He wanted to “bless him to be a blessing” and that “all nations would be blessed through him,” Genesis 12:13.  As a result, it has always been God’s divine will to use His people to be a blessing to others upon the earth.  In Acts 2:44-45 Luke records the following description of the first disciple’s generosity and charity, “44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.”  Thus, when God’s people pray for their own needs they should always do so in the context of community for this is the very purpose why God blesses His people in such abundance.

In your prayer times you should always be confident that God cares for your every need, however, you should never look to your needs alone but also to others.  Remember to see all the gifts and blessings that God gives “to you” are to go “through you” to the community in need “around you!” 

Reflection | Do you daily pray for other’s daily needs to be met or just your own? 

Action | (1) Examine your heart and repent of any selfishness. (2) Begin to pray every day for other’s needs to be met along with your own.  (3) Lastly, as God meets your daily needs be ready to share with others, for this is how God answers your prayers to help others. 

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Numbers 2:1-3:51, Mark 11:27-12:17, Psalm 47:1-9, &Proverbs 10:24-25. Click here to read online.

March 3 | The Lord’s Prayer Pt. 2, Thy Kingdom Come

Series | The Life of Prayer and Heart of Worship 

Scripture | Matthew 6:10, “… your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Lesson 3 | The Lord’s Prayer Pt. 2, Thy Kingdom Come

The second “exercise” of the Lord’s Prayer “workout” is to bid God’s kingdom to come on the earth as it is in heaven and for God’s will to be done.  God’s Kingdom or the Kingdom of God is the active rule and reign of Jesus Christ as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  God’s will is for things on earth to be done His way, just like everything is done in heaven for His glory.    

The Kingdom of God first invades people’s hearts when they are born again, John 3:3 & Luke 17:21.  Then God’s people who have the Kingdom of God within them are to bring forth the Kingdom of God upon the earth through their good works by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray that Jesus would rule and reign in people’s heart on earth as He does in heaven.  As a result, when Christ is made King, all the benefits of the Kingdom are received.  In God’s Kingdom sinners are set free from the power of sin and made holy.  In the Kingdom, the broken hearted are healed and the past is overcome.  In the Kingdom, the sick are healed, people dwell together in perfect unity, the fullness of joy and peace is experienced, and life is lived to the fullest!

Jesus went on further to teach in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Therefore, when praying our first concern shouldn't be our needs, our daily bread, or for earthly kingdoms- rather, first and foremost the believers main priority in life and especially in prayer should be to ask and seek for God’s Kingdom to come upon the earth in their generation and for His will to be done with people as it is in heaven.

Can imagine what it would be like to see this prayer answered in your lifetime?  To see the fullness of God’s Kingdom upon the earth as it is in heaven and for people everywhere obeying His perfect will- this would truly be “heaven on earth!”   

Reflection | Do you believe God can replace, “hell on earth” with His Kingdom and bring, “heaven on earth?” 

Action | (1) Remove your needs and wants from being your first priority in prayer and make God’s Kingdom the first priority of all your prayers. (2) Every time you pray seek first God’s Kingdom. (3) Lastly, after you pray for God’s Kingdom to come then ask for your needs to be meet for the benefit of His Kingdom and by His will.  

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Leviticus 27:14-Numbers 1:54, Mark 11:1-26, Psalm 46:1-11, & Proverbs 10:23. Click here to read online.

March 2 | The Lord’s Prayer Pt. 1, Hallowed be Your Name

Series | The Life of Prayer and Heart of Worship

Scripture | Matthew 6:9, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…”

Lesson 2 | The Lord’s Prayer Pt. 1, Hallowed be Your Name

As Jesus began to teach His disciples how to pray He gave them a basic outline and routine.  Today, his example prayer is known as, “The Lord’s Prayer.”  However, many people use this specific prayer to actually violate Jesus’ command in the prior verse.  In Matthew 6:7 Jesus said,“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.”

Thus, when well-intentioned people pray this prayer over and over again, they are in danger of sounding just the like the pagans who continually and mindlessly repeat their same prayers and mantras over and over again.  As a result, I believe the best way to view Jesus’ prayer is more like a “prayer workout” then a “word-for-word repetitive prayer.”  In other words, when we look closely at the Lord’s Prayer we can see five unique areas we can pray to God at any given time and with spontaneous words.

For example, Jesus starts the prayer by saying, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name,”thus we can see this as the “praise and worship” section of our prayer routine.  Meaning, we should always start our prayers by addressing God as our Father and by giving Him honor. “Hallowed by your name,” means to “give honor to the name of God,” specifically that Yahweh (Hebrew for “Lord”) will be honored in our lives and in this world.

Thus, when you pray try to start with acknowledging God as your Father because He adopted you and brought you into His family.  And then honor His name by giving Him worship and praise.  In turn, a great way to apply this first step in prayer is to start your prayers like this, “Father, I love and adore your name, may you be glorified in my life today and upon this earth.”

Take some time right now to honor your heavenly Father with praise and worship!    

Reflection | Mediate on the great blessing of God being your heavenly Father.   

Action | (1) In your prayer times acknowledge God as your Father. (2) Then honor His name with praise and worship.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Leviticus 25:47-27:13, Mark 10:32-52, Psalm 45:1-17, &Proverbs 10:22. Click here to read online.

March 1 | Lord, Teach Us to Pray

Series | The Life of Prayer and Heart of Worship

Scripture | Luke 11:1, “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

Lesson 1 | Lord, Teach Us to Pray

The word “prayer” in the Bible has two different applications.  First, it means, “to make a request” or “ask for something.”  Second, the word prayer means, “to communicate and talk with God.”  Therefore, today and for the rest of your life you have the privilege of talking to God and sharing with Him your requests.

God not only wants you to call on Him in your times of need to make requests, He also desires for you to have meaningful fellowship with Him.  Thus, in times of prayer He desires to both hear you heart and share His with you.  The disciples in the above passage had seen the consistent prayer life of Jesus and wanted to pray like how he did.  In ancient times prophets and teachers, like John the Baptist, would teach their followers specific kinds of prayers and various places and times to pray.  Thus, the twelve desired to know how Jesus wanted them to pray.

Do you desire to learn how to pray like Jesus did?  Are you interested in having a life of prayer devoted to God like the first disciples?  If you answered, “yes,” then the first thing you should desire to do is learn from Jesus’ example found in the Bible.  Because prayer is one of the most important gifts that God has given His children.  For it is by prayer, we can know the will of God, have our needs meet, be encouraged, receive forgiveness, lift up others in their troubles, and know God more personally. 

Therefore, take some time today to set a regular time of prayer with God.  Begin to ask Him to teach you how to pray effectively and the way He commanded His disciples.  As you grow in your prayer life, you will grow and develop in every other part of your life.  Remember, “from your prayer life, God will give you purpose and power in life!”    

Reflection | Do want to learn how to pray like Jesus? 

Action | (1) Ask Jesus to teach you how to pray. (2) Begin to pray and spend time both talking to God and listening to His voice. (3) Lastly, get ready for the lessons in this series to increase and encourage your prayer life.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Leviticus 24:1-25:46, Mark 10:13-31, Psalm 44:9-26, &Proverbs 10:20-21. Click here to read online.