Mar 31 2008
Bible Study Week 5 - Prayer and the Christian Part 1
Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson
The purpose of this lesson is to guide us to understand and know the importance of prayer and the place of prayer in a Christian’s life.
Lesson Objective
This lesson will guide the participants to:
- Discover the definition and meaning of prayer
- Discover the purpose of prayer
- Discover the importance of prayer
Introduction
Throughout the entire Bible, we meet men and women who encountered God through prayer. We find difficult situations and obstacles that were removed and changed through prayer. It is against this backdrop of prayer that we will now embark on a journey to discover what prayer entails. This series will be divided into two parts; in part one, we will dwell on private prayer or the place of the prayer closet and in part two we will focus on public prayer i.e. synagogue prayers.
Today’s Lesson: In The Prayer Closet
Begin today’s lesson by reading 1 Sam 1:9-201 Sam 1:9-20
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest was sitting upon his seat by the door-post of the temple of Jehovah.
10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto Jehovah, and wept sore.
11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Jehovah of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thy handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thy handmaid, but wilt give unto thy handmaid a man-child, then I will give him unto Jehovah all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before Jehovah, that Eli marked her mouth.
13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I poured out my soul before Jehovah.
16 Count not thy handmaid for a wicked woman; for out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation have I spoken hitherto.
17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace; and the God of Israel grant thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
18 And she said, Let thy handmaid find favor in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat; and her countenance was no more [sad].
19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before Jehovah, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and Jehovah remembered her.
20 And it came to pass, when the time was come about, that Hannah conceived, and bare a son; and she called his name Samuel, [saying], Because I have asked him of Jehovah.
, Jonah 2:1-2Jonah 2:1-2
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
2
1 Then Jonah prayed unto Jehovah his God out of the fish's belly.
2 And he said, I called by reason of mine affliction unto Jehovah, And he answered me; Out of the belly of Sheol cried I, [And] thou heardest my voice.
and Matthew 6:5-6Matthew 6:5-6
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
5 And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.
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The Power of Private Prayers
Let us start part one on private prayers by looking at two individuals in the Old Testament who prayed in private and received answers to their prayers and how their lives were transformed by these prayers.
1. Hanna
The story of Hanna is a story about God’s faithfulness to a woman’s prayer made in private. We read that Hanna wept and prayed with her heart, while only moving her lips without making any audible sound. When Eli, the high priest saw her, he thought she was actually drunk and rebuked her, but Hanna explained that she was not drunk and he understood and released her with his blessings.
Although Hanna was in the temple, she understood very well the power of a private prayer with God her only redeemer. Many people today have left fervent prayers to the Pentecostals yet this kind of prayer is typified by Hanna’s style of prayer.
2. Jonah
Unlike Hanna who prayed whilst in the temple, Jonah prayed to God while he was in the belly of the fish that had swallowed him because of disobeying God. God still heard him because we are told that the fish vomited him immediately after this prayer and Jonah went on to preach repentance to the people of Nineveh.
Prayer therefore has no limits because God is omnipresent, and He hears our prayers even in private and answers us in public. Jesus teaching on private prayer says that we should “not be like the hypocrites” who love to pray standing in synagogues and on street corners to be seen by other people.
What is Prayer?
- Prayer has been defined as an act of humble worship in which we seek God with all our heart. Notice how Hanna prayed fervently and with anguish of soul until she was actually mistaken for a drunkard! So while praying let us not mind what others say.
- Prayer is also an expression of an intimate relationship with out heavenly Father. Jesus taught his disciples that prayer leads to an intimate relationship with the Father which includes dependency for daily needs, obedience to his Word and asking for forgiveness of sin.
- Prayer can also be spontaneous, especially in times of danger like in Peter’s case when he prayed to Jesus to save him from drowning and Jesus did so immediately. (Matt 14:30Matt 14:30
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me. ). So it really does not matter whether we are in the temple or in the belly of the fish or drowning like Peter, God hears and answers our prayers.
Bible Study Questions For Discusion - Week 5
- Why do you think Eli mistook Hanna to be drunk while she prayed in the temple?
Please explain…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - Do you think Eli was justified in mistaking Hanna for a drunkard?If yes please explain………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- Do you think it was possible for Hanna to be annoyed about Eli’s accusation that she was “drunk”? As Christians what do we learn from Hanna’s reaction of humble explanation to Eli? Please explain………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- Why do you think Hanna made a vow to God about her prayer request and how do vows help us in our prayers? Please explain………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- What do we learn from Hanna’s style and manner of prayer as Christians today? Do you think such prayers are o.k in church today? Please explain………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- Give one advantage of private prayer according to what Jesus taught in Matthew 6:5-6Matthew 6:5-6
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
5 And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. . Please explain……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… - Why do you think Jonah prayed while in the belly of the fish and can you classify this as a spontaneous prayer? Please explain………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- What do we learn from Jonah’s place of prayer?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
For Meditation: Luke 11:9-10Luke 11:9-10
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
- Pray Until Something Happens (PUSH)
“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
Note:
When you are praying, leave plenty time to wait on God to speak to your heart.
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