Chapter
139
Importance of
Prayer
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What is the
promise to those who ask and seek for the things they need?
"Everyone that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth; and
to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Matt. 7:8.
How does the
Saviour illustrate the willingness of Heaven to grant favors to those who ask?
"If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good
things to them that ask Him?" Matt. 7:11.
In whose name
should we present our prayers to God?
"And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the
Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will
do it." John 14:13, 14.
Why is it
necessary to ask God for all these things?
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and
cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither
shadow of turning." James 1:17.
Through what
means are these gifts received?
"Everyone that asketh receiveth."
Matt. 7:8. "If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things
to them that ask Him." Matt. 7:11. "Whatsoever ye shall ask the
Father in My name, He will give it you." John 16:23. "Ask, and ye
shall receive, that your joy may be full." John 16:24.
How should we
pray to God.
"I will pray with the spirit, and
I will pray with the understanding also." 1 Cor. 14:15.
With what should
the prayers of a suppliant be mingled?
"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Phil. 4:6.
Should certain
forms be repeated in public for the purpose of being heard by men?
"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for
they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." Matt. 6:7.
What must
necessarily prompt our petitions, in order to please God?
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that
cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him." Heb. 11:6.
How strong must
this faith be?
"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe
that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 11:24.
When praying for
forgiveness, how should we feel toward those who have in any way injured us?
"And when ye stand praying, forgive if ye have aught against any:
that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you you r
trespasses." Mark 11:25.
What will result
if this injunction is not carried out?
"But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in
heaven forgive your trespasses." Mark 11:26.
What should we
do when in affliction?
"Is any among you afflicted? let him pray." James 5:13.
Should we pray
in secret?
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when
thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father
which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Matt. 6:6.
To what places
did our Saviour retire for secret devotion?
"And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a
mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there
alone." Matt. 14:23.
But if it should
happen that we were thrown into the presence of those who ridicule prayer, or
were forbidden to pray, should we give up our customary devotion?
"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." Dan. 6:10.
What is said of
Cornelius and his family?
"A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which
gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway." Acts 10:2.
Did the
apostolic believers have gatherings for prayer?
"And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the
mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together
praying." Acts 12:12.
How often does
the apostle exhort the church to pray?
"Praying always with
all prayer and supplication in the Spirit." Eph. 6:18.
How does he
express himself on this point elsewhere?
"Pray without ceasing." 1 Thess. 5:17.
In the parable
of the importunate widow, what reason did the judge give for finally heeding her
petition?
"Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow
troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary
me." Luke 18:4, 5.
How does the
Saviour apply the parable?
"And the lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not
God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear
long with them?" Luke 18:6, 7.
What does the
Saviour conclude in answer to His own question on this point?
"I tell you that He will avenge them speedily." Luke 18:8.
What question
does the Saviour immediately ask?
"Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shalt He find faith on the
earth?" Luke 18:8.
For what purpose
was the parable employed?
"And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always
to pray and not to faint." Luke 18:1.
What injunction
did the Saviour leave on this point for the special benefit of those who would
live just before His second coming?
"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy
to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son
of man." Luke 21:36.
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