The Philadelphia Trumpet, in conjunction with the Herbert W. Armstrong Bible Correspondence Course, presents this week’s discussion into the study of the Bible. Simply turn to and read in your Bible each verse given in answer to the questions.
The God who sits at the controls of the universe is a living, active God. And at his right hand is the living Jesus Christ. Do you know this God? Do you pray to this God? You should! Because as great and powerful as this true God is, He delights in the person who seeks to know Him and talk to Him in prayer. (Proverbs 15:8)
One of the hardest things for many people to learn is how to pray effectively. But you can come to communicate with the all-powerful God of the universe.
The Purpose of Prayer
1. Does God command us to pray? (Luke 18:1; 21:36.) Does God expect to hear from us? Matthew 6:5; Luke 11:12. Note the words “when you pray.”
2. Why does God command us to pray? Does the Apostle Paul show that no one is righteous of himself? (Romans 3:10.) Is the human mind without God’s spirit opposed to God? (Romans 8:7-9 ) What about the heart, which the Bible uses to represent the motives and intentions of the mind? (Jeremiah 17.9.)
3. Who is ultimately responsible for inspiring human nature and all the evil in the world? (Corinthians 4:4) Ephesians2:2) Has he indeed deceived the whole world? (Revelation (12:9)
Satan broadcasts evil moods, attitudes and impulses to human minds, but he has no power to force anyone to do anything wrong. Though no one is compelled to respond to and obey Satan’s impulses, the unsuspecting automatically do so without realizing what is taking place in their minds. Humans have thus acquired Satan’s nature, which we will call “human nature”
4. Do Christians who are aware of Satan’s influence still stumble and commit sin because of weakness or temptation? (1 John 1:8; Romans 7:15-24.
5. How can mere humans possibly overcome the power of Satan and the pulls of the flesh? (Romans 7:25; Philippians 4:13. How does Christ strengthen us? (Philippians 1:19)
The Holy Spirit is the power of God, which Jesus Christ supplies to true Christians. I t enables Christ to live in us (Galatians 2:29) and gives us the strength to overcome. However, we must ask the Father for the help (Luke 11:33)
6. How crucial is the Holy Spirit to a true Christian’s life? (Romans 8:13-14)
Eternal life is unattainable without the Holy Spirit working in our lives. And it must be replenished daily.
Daily prayer is essential for salvation, for without God’s help, none of us can overcome the downward pulls of our human nature that lead us to sin. Only those who overcome sin and develop the righteous character of God’s spirit may become sons of God (Revelation 21:7) Without active and effective prayer, therefore, we can never be born into God’s Family. That is why God commands us to pray. Prayer is not optional religious exercise. It is a core need that affects your eternal destiny.
God Wants to Know You
God talks to us through His written word, the Holy Bible, and we can talk to Him through prayer. Prayer is our part of a two- way conversation with God. This allows us to get to know God as He comes to know us.
1. Does God want us to seek Him and make our request known? (Isaiah 55:6-7); Matthew 7:7; (Philippians 4:6)
God wants us to tell Him, as we would a parent or close friend, how we feel and what we think. We do this having heartfelt prayer. Prayer is personal, private sincere communication with our Creator.
2. Does God hear and delight in the prayers of those who seek to please Him and do His will? (Psalm 34:17; Proverbs 15:8, 1 Peter 3:12)
3. Can God know our needs even before we tell Him? (Matthew 6:8; Will He give us those things we ask for? (Matthew 21:22; 1 John 3:22; 5:14-15)
God knows what is good for us. He will supply our every need if we ask according to his will, and if we believe and obey His laws.
How should we pray
One of Jesus’s students asked Him to teach the disciples how to pray (Luke 11:1) Christ gave His disciples a prayer outline after which to pattern their own prayers. These instructions are found in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4)
Did Jesus tell His disciples to pray in a private place or a public place? (Matthew 6:5-6.) What time of day did He pray? (Mark 1:35) What was Jesus physical position when He prayed? (Luke 22:41)