Developing a Passion for Prayer
Review of Lesson 1
The five reasons for prayer discussed last week are:
1. Prayer is ________________ by God.
2. Prayer provides __________________________ with God.
3. Prayer is a ____________________ for believers.
4. Prayer is a pathway to _____________.
5. Prayer promises _______________.
Lesson 2: Realize the Purposes for Prayer
Sometimes we get confused about the purpose for prayer. Usually, when there is a big decision to make or if something is going wrong, we feel a need to pray. For example, teenagers might pray for a good grade in school, that the person in the next desk would notice them, or that their parents would be merciful in spite of their disobedience. As adults, we don’t pray much differently… we pray for a pay raise, that God would help us get through a difficult situation that we created, or that somehow He would bless us in spite of our failings. There’s nothing wrong with praying for those things, but prayer is so much more. It involves telling as much as it involves asking.
I can remember when I was “growing up”, I would “say my prayers” every night before bedtime. That was before I knew Christ as Savior. I prayed because I was told it was the right thing to do. I also remember counting on someone to hear my prayers. But, as a child, my prayers were always requests. The truth is, I didn’t know how to pray and I didn’t even know who I was praying to at the time.
Now that I am a Christian and have “grown up” in Christ, I know who I pray to and I’ve learned more about how and why I pray. Shortly after I was saved, I learned four things that make up prayer – or four purposes for prayer. Since that time I have tried to incorporate all of those purposes into my daily conversation with God. That’s not to say that every time I pray I ensure each purpose is met, but as I go through my day I try to pray with these purposes in mind. I guess that helps me have an “attitude” of prayer that is spoke of by Paul in First Thessalonians as “praying without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
The essential purpose of prayer is to talk with God. It is the believer’s privilege to go before the throne of God and share our deepest desires and concerns with Him. I learned that this essential purpose has four components:
- Acknowledgement of God
- Confession of sins
- Thanksgiving to God
- Supplication for others and self
These four purposes can be easily remembered using the acrostic ACTS, which is the first letter of each component.
Later, when we study the model for prayer provided by Jesus in Matthew 6 and Luke 11, we will see that these components were part of the prayer model Jesus spoke. The following describes each component and provides examples of their purpose in prayer.
1. Give Acknowledgement to God
Acknowledging God is the primary purpose of our prayer. Generally, without even considering it, we start our prayers by acknowledging it is God to Whom we are speaking through Jesus Christ. But acknowledgement should go beyond simply addressing God by His name. We should acknowledge God for Who He is and for His position.
Consider David, as he is recorded in Psalms:
Psalm 8:1-4 (KJV) 1 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? Psalm 18:1-4 (KJV)
1 I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
Notice how, in both passages, David is specific in the ways he acknowledges God:
- By His name
- By His strength
- By His glory
- By David’s love for God
- As a rock
- As a fortress
- As David’s deliverer
- As David’s strength
- As a buckler
- As the horn of David’s salvation
- As a high tower
There are countless ways that we can personally acknowledge God – by Who He is and perhaps more importantly, by what He means to us. When I pray, I praise God for His majesty, for His lovingkindness, for the great salvation He has provided to me. And there’s so much more.
Sometimes, we ought to purpose to pray solely to acknowledge God.
Consider, what are some ways that you can personally acknowledge God through prayer?
2. Openly Confess Our Sin against God
The second purpose of prayer is to confess our sins before a holy God. Certainly, as a believer saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven and we have assurance of a home in Heaven. But we still need to be clean and holy to have an intimate fellowship with God while we are in our flesh here on earth. John explains this as follows:
1 John 1:7-9 (KJV)7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Even as a Christian, we have sin in our lives that must be confessed. Confession occurs through prayer, by getting alone with God and opening up our heart to Him. Consider David, a man after God’s own heart, who sinned famously but confessed his sin in a personal, heartfelt manner that allowed God to cleanse him for further service.
Psalm 51:1-17 (KJV)1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Note that David was very specific about his sin and his need for God to cleanse him. Like David, we need to go to God in prayer, with a pure heart, and with honest lips, confessing all that stands between God and us and the sweet fellowship He offers us.
Furthermore, we should seek to have God examine us deeply. As we confess our sin to God, we should ask Him to examine us and reveal where we need to be cleaned…
Psalm 139:23-24 (KJV)23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Consider, are there any secret sins that you withhold from God, knowing that He will forgive you if you just confess them?
3. Express Thanks to God
The third component of prayer is to purposefully give thanks to God for what He provides and what He allows to be a part of our lives. Sometimes we pray a quick prayer of thanksgiving for our “daily bread” or for some immediate blessing. But to really get close to God’s heart and have intimate communication with Him, we need to reflect on all He has provided – even things we take for granted.
The apostle Paul wrote that we should always give thanks in prayer… and he was careful to demonstrate this practice of thanksgiving in his letters to the Church.
Philippians 4:6 (KJV)6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Colossians 4:2 (KJV)
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
In Psalm 75, the Psalmist offers an excellent example of purposefully giving thanks to God for specifics:
Psalm 136:1-26 (KJV)1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
That’s quite a list… certainly we can think of similar specifics so that when we get alone with God, we can let Him know that we are thankful for the special things He does for each of us.
Not only are we to be thankful for the blessings God brings, but we are to be thankful in our prayers for trials He allows to come our way. Consider what Peter wrote:
1 Peter 4:12-13 (KJV)12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Everything happens for a purpose. Coincidence and surprises are not a part of God’s plan. He allows trials for a purpose and we are to thank Him for helping us get through them.
Consider, what are some specific and unique blessings (or maybe trials) that you can purposefully thank God for when you pray?
4. Ask for Supply from God
The fourth and final component of prayer is to purposefully ask God for what you need or desire, whether it is for you personally or for another. Recall Paul’s command to the Philippians:
Philippians 4:6 (KJV)6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Supplication means asking God to supply a need or desire. The idea is to purposefully ask for things that are a consistent with God’s will. While it might be nice to pray for a new car, it may not be part of God’s will at the moment. However, praying for a reliable means of transportation to accomplish God’s will (like getting back and forth to church and work) is more like it. That doesn’t mean we can’t ask for extraordinary things. Our God is an extraordinary – supernatural – all powerful God who can provide blessings beyond all measure. We just need to be aligned with God will when we make our requests.
Psalm 102 demonstrates a prayer seeking God to supply help in time of affliction:
Psalm 102:1-4 (KJV)1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
In Psalm 119, we find several examples of prayers of supplication:
Seeking God to supply wisdom from His Word
Psalm 119:17-18 (KJV)17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Seeking God to supply strength to stay “right” in the midst of a wicked world
Psalm 119:33-38 (KJV)33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
Seeking Gods deliverance and salvation
Psalm 119:173-176 (KJV)173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
Psalm 143 provides another excellent example of a request for God’s supplication for many specifics, including drawing closer to God, deliverance from enemies, and escape from troubles.
Psalm 143:7-12 (KJV)7 Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
As you can see from this Psalm, the Psalmist gets very specific about his needs. Many times we stay very general with God, when what God really wants to hear are our deepest thoughts and desires. It’s not that He doesn’t already know those things, because He does know them. He wants to hear you tell Him about it. It’s like being told “I love you” by someone who you know loves you… it’s nice hearing it sometimes.
Consider, what are some specific needs that you could purposefully ask God to supply, either for you or someone you know?
How Do Teens Pray with Purpose?
Understanding prayer’s purpose, how does a teenager pray with purpose?
- First, teens can acknowledge God for His providence in their lives, His protection and guidance, and His salvation, as well as His greatness; and if teens are walking close to God, they can acknowledge God for His fellowship and friendship… there’s so much that God is to a teenager and to all of us!
- Secondly, teens can confess daily their sins, realizing that God wants a repentant heart, not someone who pridefully believes they are “perfect”.
- Third, teens can be thankful for what God has brought into their lives: parents, friends, teachers, youth pastors, their church, the provision that God provides daily, and so much more.
- Lastly, teens can pray for their specific needs and the needs of others – wisdom to know God’s will, protection from Satan, strength to resist temptation, courage to stand for Christ, and evidence that makes them a light to their friends that need Christ.
Summary
In summary, it’s important to realize that God wants us to pray with purpose. He has provided a model for purposeful prayer that includes acknowleging Him, confessing our sins, expressing thanksgiving to Him, and seeking His supply in our lives and in the lives of others. Plus, He has promised to answer us when we pray with purpose.
Join me next week as we continue to develop a passion for prayer. Our next topic will be “Realizing the Need for Prayer”.
