Deep Truths Header
Deep Truths
"...for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."
--1 Corinthians 2:10b

www.deeptruths.com Mo Letters from David Berg and the Children of God / The Family
Menu

Prayer

Praying girl

1. How to pray:

Lk.11:1-4 Lord, teach us to pray...when ye pray, say, Our Father which art in Heaven... (See also Mat.6:9-13 )

A. Praise and thank the Lord before petitioning Him:

Psa.95:2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving
Psa.100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful...and bless His name
Phi.4:6 With thanksgiving let your requests be made known

B. If you have the gift of tongues, pray and praise in it:

1Cor.14:2,4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh...unto God (and) edifieth himself
Rom.8:26,27 The Spirit...maketh intercession for us with groanings
Eph.6:18 Praying always with...supplication in the Spirit
Jude 20 Building up your...faith, praying in the Holy Ghost
1Cor.14:39 Forbid not to speak with tongues

C. Be specific and ask for what you need:

1Ki.3:5,9,10 [God told Solomon,] Ask what I shall give thee
Mat.7:7,8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find
Mat.21:22 Whatsoever ye ask in prayer...ye shall receive
Jn.16:24 Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full
Phi.4:6 Let your requests be made known unto God
Jam.4:2b Ye have not, because ye ask not

D. Pray to the Father in Jesus' name:

Jn.14:13,14 Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do
Jn.16:23 Whatsoever ye...ask Father in My name, He will give
(See also Jn.15:16b ; 16:26 ; Eph.2:18 .)

E. Prayer also includes you listening to God:

1Sam.3:9,10 If He call thee...say, "Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth"
Gen.24:63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field at eventide
Num.9:8 Stand still, and I will hear what the Lord will command
Psa.4:3,4 Lord will hear...commune with your heart...and be still
Psa.46:10 Be still, and know that I am God
(See also Eccl.5:1 ; Zeph.1:7 ; Zech.2:13 .)

F. Listen by meditating on God's Word:

Josh.1:8 Thou shalt meditate therein (the law) day and night
Psa.1:2 In His law doth he meditate day and night
Psa.119:148 [Before] the night watches...I meditate in Thy Word
1Tim.4:15 Meditate on these things; give thyself wholly to them

G. Be diligent to pray, don't be lazy:

Isa.64:7 There is none that calleth upon Thy name, that stirreth himself to take hold of Thee
Dan.9:13 All this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer
Jon.1:6 What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, call upon God
Lk.22:46 Why sleep ye? Rise and pray
Lk.18:1 Men ought always to pray, and not to faint

2. Conditions to getting prayer answered:

A. Pray in faith:

Mat.21:21,22 Have faith...doubt not...whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive
Mk.11:24 When ye pray, believe that ye receive and ye shall have
Rom.4:21 Being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform
Heb.11:6 He that cometh to God must believe that He is
Jam.1:5-7 Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering
(See also Mat.17:18-20 ; Lk.7:1-10 .)

B. Obey God and do His will:

Jn.9:31 If any man...doeth God's will, him He heareth
Jn.15:7 If ye abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you
1Jn.3:22 We ask, we receive, because we keep His (commands) (See also Isa.58:6-9a )

C. Submit yourself to God and pray according to His will:

Psa.143:10 Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God
Mat.6:10 Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven
Lk.22:42 Nevertheless not My will, but Thine (God's), be done
Jn.5:30 [Jesus:] I seek not Mine Own will, but will of (God)
1Jn.5:14 If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth

D. Pray humbly:

Dan.9:18b We do not present our supplications...(because of) our righteousnesses, but for Thy great mercies
Lk.18:10-14 The publican (said), God be merciful to me a sinner
Jam.4:6 God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble

3. Prayer promises:

2Pet.1:4 Are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises

A. Remind God of His promises when praying:

Gen.32:6-12 Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed [and prayed, reminding God of His promises of protection]
Neh.1:4-11 [Nehemiah prayed:] Remember...the word that Thou commandest Thy servant Moses

B. Some promises to claim in prayer:

Psa.37:4,5 Delight thyself in Lord: and He shall give thee desires
Isa.65:24 Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear
Jer.33:3 Call unto Me, and I will answer thee and shew thee great and mighty things
Jn.15:7 Ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you
Jn.15:16b Whatsoever ye ask in My name...[God will] give it
Psa.81:10b Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it

C. The Lord promises to hear prayer:

2Sam.22:7 In my distress I called...He did hear my voice
Psa.34:15,17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth
Psa.72:12 He shall deliver the needy when he crieth
Psa.91:15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him

D. God's blessings for those who seek Him:

2Chr.26:5 As long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper
2Chr.31:21 He (sought God) with all his heart, and prospered

4. How not to pray:

A. Don't be disobedient:

Deut.1:43,45 Ye would not hear, but rebelled against (Word) of the Lord...the Lord would not hearken to your voice
Deut.3:23-27 [Moses' request to enter Canaan denied.-- Num.20:12 ]
1Sam.28:5,6 When Saul enquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not [See the reason in 1Sam.28:15-19 ]
Isa.1:15 When ye make many prayers, I will not hear
Mic.3:4 Then shall they cry unto the Lord, but He will not hear... they have behaved themselves ill (See also 1Sam.13:8-14 and 14:37 ; Hos.5;6 .)

B. Don't be disbelieving:

Job 9:16 If I called, and He answered me; yet would I not believe He had hearkened unto my voice
Mat.17:19,20a Why could not we cast him out? Because of your unbelief
Heb.11:6 Without faith is it impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is

C. Don't harbour unrepented sin in your heart:

Psa.66:18,19 If I regard iniquity in my heart, Lord will not hear
Isa.59:1,2 Your sins have hid His face...that He will not hear
Jam.5:16 Confess your faults...and pray one for another

D. Don't doubt and disobey the Word:

Pro.1:24-28 Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer
Pro.28:9 He that turneth ear...his prayer shall be abomination
Zech.7:12,13 Therefore...they cried, and I would not hear
Jam.1:5-7 Let not that man [who doubts] think he shall receive anything of the Lord

E. Don't hold resentment or "oughts" in your heart:

Mk.11:25 When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought

F. Don't have selfish motives:

Jam.4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts
Deut.23:4,5 They hired against thee Balaam...to curse thee. [But] the Lord would not hearken unto Balaam

G. Don't pray in pride, but sincerely and humbly:

Mat.6:5,6 Not be as hypocrites (who) love to pray [publicly]
Lk.18:10-14 God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are

H. Don't pray long, repetitive prayers:

Eccl.5:2 God is in Heaven...let thy words be few
Mat.6:7,8 When ye pray, use not vain repetitions
Mat.23:14 Woe unto you (who) for a pretence make long prayer
Josh.7:6,10 [God told Joshua to stop praying and get up]

I. What happens when we don't pray:

Jam.4:2 Ye have not, because ye ask not
(See also Isa.64:7 )

5. Private prayer and united prayer with others:

A. Private prayer:

Mat.6:6 When thou prayest, enter into thy closet...in secret
Mk.1:35 He...departed into a solitary place, and there prayed
Mk.6:46 He sent them away, He departed to a mountain to pray
Lk.5:16 He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed

B. United prayer:

Mat.18:19,20 Where two or three are gathered together in My name
Acts 1:13-15 These all [120 people] continued with one accord in prayer...in an upper room
Acts 4:23-31 [After a beating, Peter and John held a prayer meeting]
Acts 12:12 House of Mary...many were gathered together praying

C. "Watching" in prayer:

1Sam.15:11 It grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night
Mat.26:40,41 Could ye not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray
Lk.6:12 He (Jesus) continued all night in prayer to God
Acts 12:5 Peter was kept in prison...prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him
Eph.6:18 Praying always...and watching thereunto

6. When to pray:

A. Be in a constant attitude of prayer:

1Chr.16:11 Seek the Lord...seek His face continually
Pro.3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct
Lk.18:1 Men ought always to pray
Lk.21:36a Watch ye therefore, and pray always
1Thes.5:17 Pray without ceasing (See also Eph.6:18)

B. Pray in time of special need:

Psa.50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble
Psa.27:8 When Thou saidst, "Seek ye My face"
Psa.107:19 They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saveth
Heb.4:16 Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may...find...help in time of need
Jam.5:13 Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray
(See also 2Chr.14:11,12 ; Psa.34:4,6 .)

C. Morning prayer:

Psa.5:3 In the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee
Psa.63:1 O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee
Psa.119:147 I [rose before] the dawning of the morning, and cried
Pro.8:17 Those that seek Me early shall find Me
Mk.1:35 In the morning, rising up before day, He...prayed

D. Evening prayer:

Mk.6:46,47 (Jesus) departed to mountain to pray...even was come
Gen.24:63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field at eventide
Psa.55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray
Dan.6:10 Daniel...kneeled three times a day, and prayed

E. Prayer in the night:

Lam.2:19 Arise, cry out in the night...pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord
Psa.42:8 In the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer
Psa.63:5b,6 When I...meditate on Thee in the night watches
Isa.26:9a With my soul have I desired Thee in the night
Lk.6:12 (Jesus) continued all night in prayer to God
Acts 16:25 At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises
(See also Psa.4:4 ; 119:55,62 .)

7. Wholehearted desperate prayer:

A. Stir yourself up; call on God wholeheartedly:

1Sam.15:11,16 It grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night
Isa.64:7a None...stirreth up himself to take hold of Thee
Jer.29:13 Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye search for Me with all your heart (See also Deut.4:29)
Lam.2:19 Arise, cry out...pour out thine heart like water
Lk.22:44 Being in an agony, He (Jesus) prayed more earnestly
Heb.4:16 Let us therefore come boldly...in time of need
Heb.5:7 (Jesus) offered up prayers...with strong crying and tears
Jam.5:16b Effectual fervent prayer...availeth much
(See Psa.61:1,2 ; 119:10 .)

B. Praying fervently and desperately for others:

Rom.15:30,31 Strive (agonise) together with me in our prayers to God
Col.4:12 Epaphrus...always labouring fervently for you in prayers

C. Don't give up; be persistent:

Gen.18:23-32 [Abraham repeatedly asks God to spare Sodom for the sake of the righteous. God agrees, if there are 10]
Gen.32:24-28 [Jacob refuses to let angel go until he blesses him]
Lk.11:5-10 Because of his importunity (insistence) he will give
Lk.18:1-8a [Widow and unjust judge] Lest by her continual coming
Rom.12:12 Continuing instant (steadfast, persevering) in prayer
Eph.6:18 Praying always...watching thereunto with perseverance
Jam.5:16b-18 The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man (See 1Ki.18:2,41-45 )

D. Challenge God to keep His Word and answer prayer:

2Ki.2:14 [Elisha challenges:] "Where is the God of Elijah?"
Isa.45:11b Concerning the work of My hands command ye Me
(See also Exo.32:11-14 )

E. Sometimes you can change God's mind through prayer:

Gen.19:17-21 I will not overthrow this city (Zoar), for the which thou hast spoken
Exo.32:9-14 Moses besought the Lord...and the Lord repented of the evil which He [had] thought to do
2Ki.20:1-6 [King Hezekiah was told he would die, but when he prayed, God changed His mind and healed him]
Amos 7:1-6 The Lord repented for this: This also shall not be
Jon.3:4-10 [Nineveh cried out and repented, so God spared it]

F. Repeating your desperate prayer:

1Ki.18:42,43 Elijah...put his face between his knees...Go 7 times
Mat.26:44 (Jesus) prayed the third time, saying the same words

G. Fasting and prayer:

Ezra 8:23 So we fasted and besought our God for this: and He was intreated of us
Joel 2:12 Turn ye to Me with all your heart, and with fasting
Mat.17:21 This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting
(See also Deut.9:9,18 ; Acts 13:2,3 ; 1Cor.7:5 .)

8. Other points on prayer:

A. Jesus mediates and prays for us:

Rom.8:34 Christ...Who is at the right hand of God...maketh intercession for us
Heb.7:25 He ever liveth to make intercession for [us]
(See also Lk.22:32 ; Jn.17:9 .)

B. The Holy Spirit prays for us:

Rom.8:26,27 (The Spirit) maketh intercession for the saints

C. Be thankful to the Lord for answering prayer:

Psa.116:1,2,7 I love the Lord, because He hath heard my (prayers)
(See also Psa.30:1-4 ; 66:16,17,19,20 .)

D. Prayer is precious:

Psa.141:2 Let my prayer be set before Thee as incense
Pro.15:8b The prayer of the upright is His delight
Rev.5:8 Golden vials full of odours are the prayers of saints (See also Rev.8:3 )

E. Giving thanks before eating:

1Sam.9:13 People will not eat till he...bless the sacrifice
Mat.14:19 Looking up to Heaven, He blessed and brake...the loaves
Mat.26:26 Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave
Mk.8:6 He (Jesus) took the seven loaves, and gave thanks
Acts 27:35 He (Paul) took bread, and gave thanks to God
1Tim.4:3-5 [Food] sanctified (cleansed) by prayer

9. Ways God answers prayer:

A. Answer to prayer greater than request:

1Ki.3:7-14 [Solomon prayed for wisdom and God granted him much more]
Eph.3:20 Able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask
Acts 12:1-16 [Church prayed for Peter, but not quite expecting his miraculous release from prison (vs.15,16)]

B. Answer to prayer delayed (It tries our faith):

Job 30:20 [Job's prayer not answered immediately]
Psa.40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord, and He...heard my cry
Jer.42:4,7 [Jeremiah's prayer answered 10 days after he prayed]
Lam.3:25,26 The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him (See also Psa.62:1 )
Dan.10:2,12,13 [The answer to Daniel's prayer was delayed for 21 days]
Lk.18:7,8 [Answer] His elect...though He bear long with them
Heb.10:36 Patience...after ye have done will of God, receive
Rev.6:10,11 How long, O Lord? [Answer:] Rest yet a little season

C. Answer to prayer different from request:

Deut.3:23-27 [Moses allowed to view the promised land, not enter]
Jn.11:1-3,6 [Jesus is asked to heal Lazarus, but lets him die, then resurrects him] (See Jn.11:14,15,32,37,43-45 )
2Cor.12:7-9 [Paul prays for healing; instead is given grace to bear his affliction]
(See also 2Ki.5:9-13 )

D. Beware about insisting that God grant your request:

Psa.106:15 He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul
(See 1Sam.8:4-22 ; 12:1,13,16-19 re: asking for a king)
Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family International

Request
James Arendt
James Arendt

My name is James Arendt. I was raised in the Hegewisch neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, served in the USAF from 1970 to 1974, and became a full-time missionary for Christ living 40 years in Japan, 3.5 years in Russia, and a few months in other countries such as Finland, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, South Korea, Taiwan and mainland China where I also served the King of Kings, Jesus, as an Ambassador for His Kingdom. My full bio.

On September 24, 2023, I had an accident and broke the bone of the tip of my left elbow. A boy ran in front of my motorbike less than 2 meters from me as I was leaving home. I stopped suddenly and my front tire slid on the sandy concrete road which caused me to fall. I did not hit the boy. On October 18th I had surgery done on my elbow. The doctor put in titanium rods to hold my bones together. The entire procedure including an entire week in the hospital was roughly $4000 USD. This was done in the Philippines where my wife and I have been living since June this year.


X-rays of bone before and after surgery that inserted titanium rods to reinforce my broken bone.

Before and after one week in the hospital.

Undergoing therapy to bend my arm again.
I'm now undergoing therapy to be able to bend my arm again.

It would be a super blessing to us if any of the visitors of this website can help us cover this expense!

You don't need a PayPay account to send me a donation! Just click on the donate button and you will see an option to send through your debit or credit card.


Or if you have a PayPal account, just log into it and send to my PayPal ID:
james.arendt@jamesjpn.net

Print this pageSwitch to a printer friendly page. / Switch back to formatted page.


Comments

No comments yet.

Add Comment

* Required information
(never displayed)
 
Bold Italic Underline Strike Superscript Subscript Code PHP Quote Line Bullet Numeric Link Email Image Video
 
Smile Sad Huh Laugh Mad Tongue Crying Grin Wink Scared Cool Sleep Blush Unsure Shocked
 
1000
Is it true or false that green is a number?
 
Enter answer:
 
Notify me of new comments via email.
 
Remember my form inputs on this computer.
 
 
Powered by Commentics

Activated MagazineIf you'd like more inspirational material,
subscribe to Activated! Each issue deals with topics that count, such as:

- Faith
- Love
- Prayer
- Success with People
- The Future
- Marriage
- Parenting

...and much more--all in terms that are relatable and easy to follow. Personal accounts from active Christians around the world confirm that God is still alive and working just as wonderfully as ever on behalf of those who love Him.

Put that power to work for you! Connect with the source of love, happiness, peace, freedom, contentment, and the rest of the best life has to offer--God, who the Bible says is love. Change your life! Change your world! Get activated!

Visit www.activated.org

Email E-mail this link to your friend! Email
Enter recipient's e-mail:


Did you like this page? Please tell me about it! If you do, it will inspire me to post more of these Bible studies. I have lots more I can post! E-mail: webmaster@deeptruths.com


[ More Bible Basics ]   [ Deep Truths Home ]
Valid HTML 4.01!