Prayer is an offering up of our desires to GOD for all things
lawful and needful, with humble confidence that we shall obtain them through
the meditations of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. JESUS said
in John 14:6,” I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the
father, but by me”. Prayer is a holy privilege made possible by the sacrifice
of JESUS CHRIST on our behalf.
Prayer is a relationship with GOD. It is a conversation between you and GOD.
God seeks a love relationship with you. GOD desires your fellowship
and he wants us to love him with all your heart, Deut. 6:5. He wants us to know
him and experience his love and presence. This love relationship is the point
of which effectual prayer begins.
PRAY in KJV occurs 306 times, O.T. 240 times, N.T. 66 times PRAYER in the KJV occurs 104 times, O.T. 73 times N.T.
31 times
The KJV Old Testament Hebrew Lexiconon Prayer Strong's Number: 08605 Original WordWord
Origin
hllpt from
(06419)
Transliterated Word
T@phillah
tef-il-law' Definition:
prayer, pray a prayer, house of prayer, hear prayer in Ps titles (of
poetic or liturgical prayer)
The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon on Prayer Strong's Number: 4335 Original WordWord Origin
proseuchv
from (4336)
Transliterated Word
Proseuche Phonetic
Spelling pros-yoo-khay' Definition:
prayer addressed to God, a place set apart or suited for the offering of
prayer, a synagogue, a place in the open air where the Jews were wont to pray,
outside the cities, where they had no synagogue, such places were situated upon
the bank of a stream or the shore of a sea, where there was a supply of water
for washing the hands before prayer
1. TO WHOM TO PRAY
A. Pray unto GOD, Acts 12:5, Ps. 5:1-3, Job 33:26
B. In my name (JESUS), John 14:13, John 16: 23, 26
1. A. Not to pray or worship to Angels, Rev. 22: 8-9 2. WHEN TO PRAY A. Always, Eph. 6:18, Luke 18: 1
B. Without ceasing, 1 Thes. 5:17
C. Three times a day, Ps 55:17
D. Continue in prayer, Col. 4:2
E. In public, Acts 1:14
3. WHERE TO PRAY
A. In your closet, Matt. 6:6
B. On the mountain, Luke 6:12
C. In the upper room, Acts 2:14
D. In the house of GOD, Acts
3:1
E. In the jail, Acts 16: 25
F. With anxious souls, Acts 10th
chapter
G. In the temple, Acts 2:42-47
H. On the shore, Acts 21:5
I. House to house, Acts 2:46
J. Everywhere, 1 Tim. 2: 8
4. HOW TO PRAY
A. ASK---Mathew 7:7, John 15:7, and John 14:14
B. Ernest prayer (In the Holy Spirit), Romans 8:26
C. Praying in persecution, Mathew 5: 44
D. Answers to prayer, Mark 11:24,
Ps 65:2
E. Mandate to prayer, Luke 18:1
F. The privilege to prayer, Acts 16: 4
G. Power in prayer, Romans
5:2, Eph 2:18
H. Without doubting, 1 Timothy 2:8
I. Effectual prayer, James
5:16
J. Power of prayer,
Hebrews 4:16
K. Belief, Mathew 21:22
L. Subjects for prayer, (Everything), Phil.
4:6
M. Two or three gathered, Mathew 18:19-20
PETITION PRAYERS A. Asking For yourself, Acts 8:24,
B. Asking for others to pray for you, Romans 15:30
INTERSESSION PRAYERS
A. Asking for others, Romans 1:8-10,
Eph. 6:20, 1 Thess. 1:1-2, Col. 4: 3-4, 1 Thess.
1:2-3, 3: 3-6
B. Pray for others, James 5:16
THREE CIRCLES OF PRAYER
A. All Saints. Eph. 6:18 with Col.1:3; 4:12
B. All Men. 1 Tim. 2:1 with Matt.5:14.
C. All Things. Matt.21:12 with Phil.4:6
PRAYER
A. Personal -----Eph.1:16, 3:14
B. Church--------Acts 2:42, 12:5
C. Social-----------Acts12:12
D. Secret---------Matt. 6: 6
5. TEN ELEMENTS OF PRAYER
A. Adoration, Ps.95:6, Dan 6:10
B. Confession, Ps 32:5, Dan 9: 4
C. Restitution, Luke 19:8, Lev. 9:2, 5
D. Unity, John 17:11, 21
E. Faith, Hebrew 11: 6, Mark 11: 24, Matt. 21:22
F. Perseverance, Gen. 32:26, James 5:17
G. Petition, Is 37:14, 1 John 5:14, 15 Num. 22:42
H. Submission, Luke 22:42
I. Willingness to give, Mal. 3:10, 1 Cor.16:1
J. Thanksgiving, Phil. 4:6
K. Praise and Worship, (LORD'S Prayer ---Matt 6:9-13), Phil :3, Acts 2:
46-47, Acts 13: 2, Acts 16:25, Luke 24: 52-23, 11 Chron.
20:18,
22
LORD and SAVIOR JESUS
CHRIST
1. CHRIST’S first prayer (JESUS being baptized and
praying), Luke 3:21
Garden of Gethsemane, Luke 22: 39-46, Mark 14: 32-42,
Matt.26:39
2. CHRIST’S prayer to the FATHER, John 17
3. CHRIST taught his disciples how to pray, Mathew 6:
9-13
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name. 10. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is
in heaven. 11. Give us this day our daily bread. 12. And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors. 13. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
3. A. In the Sermon on the Mount CHRIST had announced the new
basis of prayer (relationship) . The believer is a child of GOD through
the new birth (John 3:3). CHRIST'S law of prayer may be summarized: 1.
He grounds prayer upon relationship, and reveals GOD as freely charging
Himself with all the responsibilities, as His heart glows with all the
affections of a Father toward all who believe on JESUS CHRIST (Matt 6:
26-32; 7: 9-11). Prayer therefore is a child's petition to an all-wise,
all-loving, and all-powerful, Father-GOD. 2. In the LORD'S prayer
CHRIST gives an incomparable model for all prayer. It teaches that right
prayer begins with worship; puts the interest of the kingdom before merely
personal interests; accepts beforehand the Father's will, whether to grant or
to withhold; and petitions for present need, leaving the future to the Father's
care and love. The LORD'S prayer in Matt. 6:9-13 was not ( In
the name of JESUS CHRIST ) but as a child of GOD through the
new birth (John 3: 3-6 JESUS answered and said unto him, Verily verily,
I say unto thee, Except a man be born again (from above), he
cannot see the kingdom of GOD. Being born from above, then we can
come to the Father in the name of JESUS CHRIST (John 14: 6). The
new promise and privilege in prayer in John 14: 13-14, “And
whatsoever ye ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified
in the Son. 14. If yeask any thing in my name, I will do it. and
as in John:16: 23-24 JESUS said, " And in that day ye
shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask
the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24; Hitherto have ye asked nothing
in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
We are a now generation, we want everything right now, including our prayers
answered right now. We are to believe (Matt. 21: 22) "And all things,
whatsoever ye ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive".
We have to remember it's GOD's timing and will for us to answer our
prayers. I for one don't want anything if it is not in GOD'S will. In
Psalms 65:2 GOD hears our prayers and in Mark 11: 24 when we pray, believe
that ye receivethem, and ye shall have them. 4. CHRIST INSTRUCTS them to pray for laborers, Matt 9:37-38, Luke
10: 2
5. CHRIST speaks of House of Prayer, Matt. 21:13, Mk.11: 17, Luke
19: 46, see also Thus saith the LORD, Isaiah 56:7 6. CHRIST teaches where to pray, Matt. 6:5-6
7. CHRIST teaches when to pray, Luke 18:1
8. CHRIST illustrates the Spirit we should have when we pray,
Luke 18 :10-14, Matt. 6:5-7
9. What did CHRIST do when he began to pray, John 17: 1
10. What did CHRIST say about eternal life in his prayer, John 17:
2-3
11. What did CHRIST say about praying for us, John 17: 20-23 12. CHRIST prayed for GOD'S love to be in his disciples, John 17: 25-26
13. CHRIST’S last prayer on the cross, Luke 23:34, 46, Matt 27:46,
Mark 15: 34
THE FOUR ALLS
Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to You. - PSALM 32:6
If the effectiveness of our spiritual warfare depends not just on wearing the
six pieces of armor (Eph. 6:14-17), but also on constant, believing
prayer, then we must ask ourselves: What can we do to make our prayer lives more
effective?
The place given to prayer in both the Old and New Testaments is remarkable. All
the great saints of the Old Testament knew how to pray - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,
Moses, Joseph, David, Daniel, Jeremiah, and Isaiah, to mention just a few. The same
prowess in prayer can be seen also in the New
Testament
Jesus, as the chief shepherd leading the way, Mathew 6: 9-13.
But of course the greatest Person of prayer was none other than our Lord Jesus
Christ. Although He possessed great knowledge and wisdom, He found it essential
to turn aside time and time again to pray. On certain occasions He would spend
whole nights in prayer or rise long before dawn in order to pray and maintain
His communion with God.
Is it surprising, therefore, that being so dependent on prayer, He should have
told His disciples: "Pray always and [do] not become
discouraged" (Luke 18:1). Praying is the only alternative to fainting
- we must pray or else we faint.
Paul's teaching with regard to prayer in Ephesians 6:18 revolves around four
"alls." We are to pray at all times, with all prayer, with all
perseverance, and for all the saints. Most Christians, however, pray at
some times, with some prayer, and some degree of perseverance for some of God's
saints. When we replace "some" by "all" in
these expressions, we are on our way to effective praying.
Then Jacob prayed, "O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O
Lord, who said to me, 'Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will
make you prosper,'
Therefore the people came to Moses, and said , We have sinned , for we have
spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take
away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
And Hannah prayed , and said , My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is
exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies ; because I rejoice
in thy salvation.
And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and
supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from
kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.
And Elisha prayed , and said , LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may
see . And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw : and, behold,
the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
Now when Ezra had prayed , and when he had confessed , weeping and casting
himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a
very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very
sore.
Now when Solomon had made an end of praying , the fire came down from heaven,
and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD
filled the house.
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed , he went into his house; and
his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his
knees three times a day, and prayed , and gave thanks before his God, as he did
aforetime .
And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession , and said , O Lord,
the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love
him, and to them that keep his commandments;
And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he
would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down , and taught the
people out of the ship.
And it came to pass , that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he
ceased , one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray , as John
also taught his disciples.
But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down , and prayed ; and turning him
to the body said , Tabitha, arise . And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter,
she sat up .
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always
for you,
ALL SCRIPTURE TAKEN
FROM THE HOLY BIBLE THE KING JAMES VERSION
ABOUT PAUL THE APOSTLE
Paul the Apostle and Acts of the
Apostles
Chronology of Acts: There isn't enough data for exact Chronology, but
sufficient to approximate most of the dates. It is known that Herod's death,
(Acts 12:23), was in 44 A.D. Mention of Paul's arrival in Jerusalem about the
time that Herod had James killed (Acts 11:30-12:2); and Paul's departure
from Jerusalem right after the death of Herod, (Acts12:23,35), makes it look
like this was the visit referred to in Galatians 2:1, 14 years after Paul's
conversion. If so, considering Hebrew usage of counting parts of years at the
beginning and end of a period as years, the 14 years may actually have been 13
years, or even less; which would place Paul's conversion about 31 or 32 A.D.
This, with 30 A.D. as a starting point, and 60 A.D. as the known date of
Festus' appointment as governor at Caesarea, (Acts 24:27), the following dates
may be as probably approximately
correct.
Formation of church in Jerusalem, Acts 2.................................…..30
A.D.
Stoning of Stephen, Dispersion of the Church, Acts 7, 8...….........31or 32
A.D.
Conversion of Saul, Acts 9...................................................31
or 32
A.D.
Paul's First Visit to Jerusalem after Conversion.........................34 or
35 A.D.
Conversion of Cornelius, the Gentile........................between 35 and 40
A.D.
Reception of Gentiles at Antioch, Acts 11....................…….....about...42
A.D.
Paul's Second Visit to Jerusalem, Acts 11: 27-30...............................44
A.D.
Paul's First Missionary Journey, Galatia, Acts 13, 14.......................45-48
A.D.
Council at Jerusalem, Acts 15.....................................................….
50
A.D.
Paul's Second Missionary Journey, Greece, Acts 16,17,18 ..............50-53
A.D.
Paul's Third Missionary Journey, Ephesus, Acts 19, 20.....................54-57
A.D.
Paul Reached Ephesus,
Acts19................................................….... 54
A.D.
Paul Left Ephesus in June, 1 Cor. 16:8...............................................
57
A.D.
Paul in Macedonia, Summer and Fall, 1 Cor.
16:5-8..............................57
A.D.
Paul in Corinth Three Months, Winter Acts 20:2-3.........................57-58
A.D.
Paul Left Philippi in April, Acts 20:6...............................…................58
A.D.
Paul Reached Jerusalem in June, Acts
20:16………....……….….…….58A.D.
Paul in Caesarea, Acts 24, 25, 36.............. Summer 58 A.D.to Fall 60
A.D.
Paul's Voyage to Rome, Acts 27-28..............…...................Winter 60-61
A.D.
Paul in Rome 2Years ...........................….........…................... 61-63 A.D.
About Paul of Tarsus
PAUL born in the chief city of the Roman province of Cilicia,
Tarsus, Acts 22:3; Acts 21:39, modern day Tersous in southeastern Turkey in the
early years of the first century A.D. Paul was from a Hellenistic Jewish family
who traced their roots to the ancient tribe of Benjamin, Philip. 3:5, and was
also son of a Pharisee, Acts 23:6. Paul had a sister and a nephew, Acts23:16
Paul named Saul at birth was a Jew; but unlike most Jews, he was also born a
Roman citizen Acts 22:27. A freeborn Roman, Acts 22:28 that is, born in a free
city that had all the political rights and privileges of the city of Rome
itself. Paul went to Jerusalem to school and was under the guidance of Rabbi
Gamaliel, Acts 22:3 a doctor of the law, a Pharisee, Acts 5:34. His use of the
Old Testament bears testimony to his rabbinic training. It is not clear whether
his family moved to Jerusalem while he was young or whether Saul was sent there
for his education. His letters attest to excellent Greek, while life and
studies in Palestine presuppose knowledge of Hebrew (spoke in Hebrew tongue like
in Acts 21:40) and Aramaic. Facility in Latin cannot be ruled out.
His writing show intimate knowledge of the Greek Old
Testament, the Septuagint (LXX) (a translation of the Old Testament into Greek
dates to about 200-300 B.C. and comes from the Egyptian city of Alexandria. Its
name and abbreviation (LXX) comes from the fact that a team of seventy-two
scholars did the translation work. The Septuagint provides an early testimony
to the Old Testament text. Sometimes scholars have been able to resolve difficult
readings in the Masoretic text by comparing it to the Septuagint. Paul was a
member of the Pharisees, a strict Jewish sect, and rose to a position of some
eminence. Paul even may have been a member of the Jewish ruling body, the
Sanhedrin. (This was the recognized headship of the Jewish people originating
about the 3rd century which was composed of 70 members, mostly priests and
Sadducean nobles), (Sadducees, a sect thought to have originated about the same
time as the Pharisees. Being guided by secular considerations, they were in
favor of adopting Greek customs. A priestly clique, and were wealthy and
influential. To a great extent they controlled the Sanhedrin), some Pharisee,
scribes, and elders (tribal or family heads), presided over by the high priest. Paul must have learned the Greek language at
Tarsus in both speaking and writing. At Tarsus also he learned the trade of
tent making Acts 18:3 after which he occasionally made with his own hands. At
the time a goat's haircloth called cilicium was manufactured in Cilicia, and
was largely used for tents.
As a member of the Jewish elite, Paul became a persecutor of
Christians; Acts22:4-5, but his course was changed completely one day on the
road to Damascus Acts 22: 6-16 also Acts 9:1-16 where he meant to capture
Jewish Christians who had fled there seeking refuge. Paul met the risen Jesus
Christ on that day (about 37 A.D.) this is known as Paul's conversion. Some
scholars believe and insist that Paul had personal knowledge of Jesus during
Jesus’ earthly ministry. Also believing very possible the young Saul even
witnessed Jesus' death. There is no actual evidence to support this. Paul
thereafter threw himself into missionary work throughout Asia Minor and Greece
establishing many churches and bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jew)
Acts 9:15. Paul taught on three levels,
the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. Paul always spoke in terms
that were meaningful to a particular audience. This is best demonstrated during
his second missionary journey in the city of Athens when he gave his famous
sermon on Mars Hill. Facing an educated tribunal, he addressed his audience
using logic and Greek poetry.
Known by his Hebrew name Saul until Acts13:9, then is called
Paul (means little, small) from now on. Paul spent various lengths of time in
Arabia, Damascus, and Jerusalem eventually spending along their stint far to
the north in Syria and his native Cilicia (Gal 1:15-21).From there Barnabas
enlisted his services for teaching duties in the church at Syrian Antioch, Acts
11:25. Ironically, this multiracial
church had been founded by Christians driven out of Palestine by persecutions
instigated by (Paul) Saul of Tarsus (Acts 11:19-21). Paul's writings (letters)
arise from the missionary activity and the theological effort required to
educate and sustain those who found Christ through his preaching.
Galatians was probably written following Paul and Barnabas's
tour of the Roman province of Galatia (about 47-49 A.D.). This is the so-called
first missionary journey, Acts 13-14. The first church council meeting was held
at Jerusalem, Acts 15 to rule on the relationship of Gentile Christians to the
Old Testament laws. After the council, Paul and Silas preached in Antioch. Then
they left for Syria and Cilicia. On this second missionary journey, Acts15:36
to 18:22 began about 50 to 53 A.D., where they were to go again to visit their
brethren in every city where they preached the Word of God. They traveled
throughout Macedonia and Achaia, establishing churches in Philippi,
Thessalonica, Berea, Corinth, and Ephesus before returning to Antioch,,
Acts16:1 to 18:22. There was some contention between Barnabas and Paul because
of John Mark (surname Mark Acts 12:25- The Gospel of Mark) John Mark turned
back from Paul's first journey, Acts 13; 13. The Bible doesn't say why, but now
he wanted to go and Paul thought it not best because Mark departed from them
from Pamphylia and went not with them to work, Acts 15:38. Barnabas took Mark
and they went to Cyprus and Paul chose Silas, Acts 15:40 also called Sylvanus,
and went to Syria and Cilicia confirming the churches. They (Barnabas and Paul)
worked again 1 Cor 9:6 and Col 4:10. Some 12 years later, about 62 A.D. Mark
also appears in Rome with Paul Col 4;10, Marcus sister's son to Barnabas, Mark
was kin to Barnabas. Even 4 or 5years later, Paul just before martyrdom, is
asking for Mark to come to him, 11Tim 4:11. Thus it seems Mark became one of
Paul's beloved helpers. Then Paul finds Timothy in Acts 16, in Lystra and takes
him along. Timothy ever afterward was Paul's unfailing companion. Paul was
seldom without a fellow worker; his partners included Barnabas, Silas, Luke,
and others. He also endeavored to train young Christians, such as John Mark,
Timothy and Apollos, in the work of missions.
The Third missionary journey, Acts 18 1:21 was about 54 to
57 A.D. Paul traveled through Galatia, Phrygia, Macedonia, and Achaia
encouraging and teaching the believers, Acts 19:1-to-21: 9. During this time,
he felt compelled to go to Jerusalem; and although he was warned by Agabus and
others of impending imprisonment, Acts 21:10-12 he continued his journey in
that direction. While in Jerusalem, Paul was accosted in the temple by an angry
mob and taken into protective custody by the Roman commander, Acts 21:17-to-22:
29. Now we see Paul as a prisoner and on trial before the Jewish high council
(Acts 23:1-9), Governor Felix, Acts23:23--24:27, and Festus and Agrippa, Acts
25:1-to-26: 32. In any case, Paul gave a clear witness to the Lord. Because
Paul appealed to Caesar, however he was sent to Rome for the final hearing of
his case. But on the way, the ship was destroyed in the storm, and the sailors
and prisoners had to swim ashore. Even in this circumstance Paul shared his
faith, Acts 27:1-28:10. Eventually the journey continued and Paul arrived in
Rome, where he was under house arrest while awaiting trial, Acts 28:11-31. Luke
ends Acts abruptly with the word that Paul had freedom in his captivity as he
talked with visitors and guards, "proclaiming the Kingdom of God with all
boldness and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop
him" (Acts 28:31).There is no biblical record of Paul's death, but
tradition tells us he was martyred in Rome in the middle of the first century
(mid-to late A.D.60),possibly A.D.65 and was beheaded during the reign of Nero.
Paul is known with certainty to have been the author of Romans, the two
Epistles to the Thessalonians, the two Epistles to the Corinthians, and the
Epistles to the Galatians, Philippians, Philemon, Colossians, and Ephesians. In
addition, tradition credits him as the writer of the two Epistles of Timothy,
as well as Titus, also known as "The Pastoral Letters".
The book of Acts (the events recorded cover a period of 32
years) is the history of how Christianity was founded and organized and solved
its problems. Community of believers began by faith in the risen CHRIST and in
the power by God's Holy Spirit, who enabled them to witness to love, and to
serve. The disciples were empowered by God's Holy Spirit, the promised
Counselor and Guide sent when Jesus went to heaven. In the first century,
Christianity spread from believing Jews to non-Jews in 39 cities and 30
countries, islands, or provinces. The Holy Spirit's work demonstrated that
Christianity was supernatural. Thus, the church became more Holy Spirit
conscious than problem conscious. By faith, any believer can claim the Holy
Spirit's power to do CHRIST'S work. When the Holy Spirit works, there is
movement, energy, and ability to get the Gospel to the whole world. How are you
fitting into GOD'S plan for spreading Christianity? What is your place in this
movement?
*References*The Holy Bible, King James Version by Scofield,
D.D, The Holy Bible translated out of the Original Tongues 1872 KJV,
