Prayer - Pt 9

We have found that the first pre-requisite for prayer is "worship" in the first "index" sentence of the Lord's prayer.

Worship in prayers as shown in Scripture, is not repetition or frenzy. It is a review of God's character and His ways.

Note in the following prayers how the petitioner worships God. What does he say about God? How does he approach God?

Jeremiah 32:16-25
Daniel 2:19-23
Daniel 9:3-19

Options: Repeating phrases ("praise You, Jesus") or reviewing His character

Which takes greater familiarity with God's Word?

Which is more beneficial to showing the "worth-ship" of God?

The Second Prerequisite: the Fatherhood of God

John 3:5 (NASB) Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

John 1:12 (NASB) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, [even] to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Not until you receive the Lord Jesus Christ do you become a child of God. However, once received, you are sealed!

Read:

Ephe 1:13 (NASB) In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of [God's own] possession, to the praise of His glory.

Roma 8:14 (NASB) For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"

Prayer is the privalege only of those who are truly the children of God. Prayer IS NOT for the masses à "our Father"

What impact does this have on your prayer life?