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EPHESIANS LESSON 4 – (CHAPTER 3) – 11/02/19

LESSON 4- Ephesians

Chapter 3

The Mystery- Revelation

Our Inheritance in Christ Cont.’

 

Chapter 3:1-21

 

Paul’s 2nd Prayer

Eph.3:14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

3:14 Overwhelmed by what grace communicates, I bow my knees in awe before the Father. Mirror Translation

 

 

Prayer is the expression of man’s thoughts to God the Father. The Bible, God’s Word, and the Voice of God you hear are the expressions of God’s thoughts to mankind. Therefore, human beings can have two-way communication with the Almighty God.

Prayer is an extension of the Faith-Rest principle – it is a part of the Grace principle of claiming promises from the Bible. Here are some of the principal passages dealing with prayer: Psalm 116:1,2; Isaiah 65:24; Jeremiah 33:3; Matthew 7:7; John 14:13,14; 15:7; Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17

 

Principles of Prayer

Prayer is for Christian believers only. One can address God as Father/Yaweh, as a member of the family of God. John 1:12; Gal. 3:26

Prayer should be directed to God the Father/Yaweh. Eph. 5:20; Matt. 6:9; 1 Peter 1:17

Prayer should be made in the name/nature of the Lord Jesus Christ/Yeshua Ha’Masiach. John 14:13: 15:16

The power for prayer is through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Eph. 6:18 Prayer is never made to the Holy Spirit.

 

Four Parts to Private Prayer

  1. The first part of private prayer is the confession/repentance (changing mind back to the Mind of Christ).
  2. Next, thanksgiving should be made to express appreciation to God the Father for His blessing and provision. Eph. 5:20
  3. Then, prayer should be made for others (intercession). Eph. 6:18

 

 

 

Of course, there is no formula or ritual for prayer. Prayer is of the heart led by Holy Spirit.

Rom. 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [a]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

 

 

VARIOUS KINDS OF PRAYERS:

PRAYER OF FAITH – MATTHEW 21:22, MARK 11:24

  1. PRAYER OF CONSECRATION LUKE 22:42
  2. PRAYER OF COMMITMENT 1 PETER 22:42
  3. PRAYER OF WORSHIP LUKE 24:52-53, ACTS 13:1-4
  4. PRAYER OF AGREEMENT MATTHEW 18:18-20
  5. PRAYER IN THE SPIRIT; PRAYING IN TONGUES, 1 COR. 14:14-15
  6.  UNITED PRAYER ACTS 4:23-31
  7. PRAYER OF PETITION 1 JOHN 5:14-15

    8. Elements of petition:  Some helps

 

·Pray the Word of God.

·Pray in and by the Holy Spirit.

·Write your petition (if possible).

·Pray the prayer of petition.

·Have confidence, know that He hears you and shall answer.

·Praise God for the answer.

 

* Personal Note: I rarely petition God since I have already been blessed and provided for, only where circumstances merit a prayer of petition. Again, there is no formula or ritual. Prayer is from the heart to the Father in the name/nature of Jesus Christ/Yeshua Ha’Masiach

  1. PRAYER OF SUPPLICATION- Praying on behalf of others. Phil 4:6
  2. INTERCESSORY PRAYER Eph. 6:18

 

Reasons Why Some Prayers Are Not Answered

Sometimes God does not respond to prayers from believers, no matter how earnest that prayer might be. The main reason that this communication is hindered is carnality (asking amiss) on the part of the one praying.

James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures (hēdonē, sensual delights or desires) 

 

 

 

When a Christian is not walking in fellowship, the only prayer that God will answer is that of confession OR REPENTANCE.  We will teach next week about repentance. When confession/repentance (changing of the mind and attitude) is made, the Lord provides cleansing, according to the provisions of 1 John 1:9, at which time further prayer can be made.

 

There are many reasons given in the Bible why some prayer is not answered.

  • Lack of forgiveness Mark 11:25
  • Lack of faith: Matt. 21:22; Mark 11:24; Rom. 14:23; James 1:5-7
  • Failure to take in the Word in your heart, not praying the Word (lack of edification): Prov. 1:24-31; Prov. 28:9; Zech. 7:11-13
  • Selfishness: James 4:2,3
  • Carnality: Psalm 66:18; Micah 3:4; Isa. 1:15; 59:1-3
  • Lack of compassion: Prov. 21:13
  • Lack of harmony in the home, prayers hindered: 1 Peter 3:7
  • Pride and self-righteousness: Job 35:12,13
  • Lack of control of the Holy Spirit: Eph. 6:18
  • Lack of obedience: 1 John 3:22; Eph. 5:18; Deut. 1:43-45; 1 Sam. 14:37; 1 John 5:14

 

Posture in prayer:

In the Biblical accounts of prayer, many postures are described. Abraham fell upon his face before God. (See Genesis 17:3, 17.) Moses prayed with his hands outstretched. (See Exodus 9:27–29.) King Solomon knelt in prayer. (See I Kings 8:54.) Jesus prayed looking up into heaven. (See Mark 6:41, John 11:41, and 17:1.)

Communication with God does not require a certain physical position, but about the attitudes of our hearts.

We will continue with Lesson 4 and a teaching on repentance next week.

The blessings of the Lord are upon you whether by blood, adoption/sonship or assignment. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22

Author Becca Card

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