A Relationship

Builder

Six Lessons

Only 15 Minutes

Each

GOD HAS

A PLAN

FOR YOUBible Study by Donna Maricelli, © 2009

PPT by Richard Tracey, © 2010

Lesson 6

Prayer,The Divine Privilege

ASpiritual Connection

“Let us… come boldly

unto the throne of grace…”

Hebrews 4:16

What is prayer? Prayer is talking to God.

Open and honest verbal expression is necessary for any relationship to develop.

Likewise, sharing hopes, dreams, and despair will strengthen your spiritual relationship with God.

God is ever present

and attentive. Can you imagine the privilege of unlimited access to a powerful political leader?

Human beings possess a greater honor.

God is ever present

and attentive. Almighty God, the creator of the universe, is always available to humanity through prayer.

Psalm 94:9 tells us… “He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?”

God is ever present

and attentive. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help.” (Psalm 46:1)

Multi-dimensional prayer deepens your spiritual relationship.

Prayer is intended to be more than a mundane ritual.

“…use not vain repetitions…” Matthew 6:7

Multi-dimensional prayer deepens your spiritual relationship.

Various levels of communication are necessary for intimate relationships to retain their passion.

Basic

Secondary

Advanced

Basic Level: Child to the father

People often feel that God is too busy to be bothered except in an emergency.

On the contrary, He has plans to meet your every need.

He is waiting to be asked.

Basic Level: Child to the father

Ephesians 3:20 talks about: “…him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…”

John 14:14 tells us that: “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

Secondary Level:Friend to friend

This level of prayer communicates to God that you are interested in more than a “BLESS ME” relationship.

Secondary Level:Friend to friend

It conveys your sincere desire to really know Him.

“…the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh to his friend.” Exodus 33:11

Advanced Level:One with the

father Through this selfless prayer, it is possible to lose personal identity as you take on the nature of Christ.

Advanced Level:One with the

father Self-seeking desires are surrendered to the will of the Spirit.

“…not my will, but thine, be done. …being in an agony he prayed more earnestly…” Luke 22:41-44

Advanced Level:One with the

father Jesus became the intercessor between the Father and lost humanity.

Likewise, when a person intercedes in prayer, they submit a passionate plea in someone’s behalf.

Advanced Level:One with the

father A go-between becomes an advocate making the case to God for another. “… O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor!” Job 16:21

What will increase the effectiveness of

prayer? Pray in the Spirit “…we know not what we should … but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings…”

Romans 8:26

What will increase the effectiveness of

prayer? Pray in the Spirit “…I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also:” 1st Corinthians 14:15

What will increase the effectiveness of

prayer? Pray with faith: God is able to meet all needs, around the world, simultaneously.

What will increase the effectiveness of

prayer? Pray with faith:

“Do not I fill heaven and earth? Saith the LORD.”Jeremiah 23:24

What will increase the effectiveness of

prayer? Pray with faith: “…all things…ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

Matthew 21:22

What will increase the effectiveness of

prayer? Pray with desperation: “I cried unto God with my voice… and he gave ear unto me.” Psalm 77:1

Desperation does not seek the approval of

others. “…blind Bartimaeus, … sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called.” Mark 10:46-52 & Luke 18:35-43

Desperation does not allow barriers to hinder

its pursuit The woman with the issue of blood crawled through a crowd to get to Jesus.

Mark 5:25-34

Desperate prayers may cause a person to act out

of character “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 have poured out my soul before the LORD.” 1st Samuel 1:15

Personal Application

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you…ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7

Personal Application

Pray to Deepen your spiritual relationship.

Personal Application

Pray to Become an instrument for a holy purpose.

Personal Application

Pray to Intercede for others.

Personal Application

Access your influence with Jesus Christ through prayer.

He is listening.

The oak pursues

its created purpose

For further growth and reproduction, the oak must dig deeper into the earth.

Through it’s persistent invasion of the soil, it continues to develop an extensive concealed root system.

The oak pursues

its created purpose

The tiny acorn has completely transformed into an oak fulfilling it’s created purpose.

Prayer and Study of the Word of God continues to deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ.

It will cause the old you to begin to simulate His likeness.

The Positive affect of Jesus in your life will influence

others to follow Him, fulfilling your created purpose.

Discussion

Questions What new concepts have you learned after studying this lesson?

Discussion

Questions How would you describe dimensions of prayer?

Discussion

Questions Identify fears that would inhibit you from perusing a new level of prayer.

Discussion

Questions Would you be interested in a further study of the Word of God?

Let’s Pray Together Commit to commune with Jesus Christ every day, one on one, in a new dimension of prayer.

Let’s Pray Together Ask Him to help you to be open to Him in a new dimension of prayer. Basic

Secondary

Advanced

Let’s Pray Together Seek to discover more about Him by further study of His Word.

Let’s Pray Together Pray for your life to become an effective tool to win others to Jesus Christ.

Prayer users you from the limited, visible world into the supernatural ‘throne room’ of Almighty God.

Reading Assignment:

Nothing is too hard for God (Jeremiah 32:17)

Prophet Elijah prays for fire and rain. (1st Kings 18:20-45)

Persecuted believers are given supernatural strength. (Acts 4:1-33)

Looking Ahead

Although you have now completed the 6 weeks of the “God Has A Plan For You” Bible Study there is much more for us to learn about God.

If you would like, we can continue to study His Word together…