Building a Life of Prayer

In Acts chapter 10 there is a great instance of the Gospel going to the Gentiles. It begins initially with two different individuals—Cornelius and Peter—who were seeking God in prayer. God often orchestrates significant activities through people who are devoted to prayer.

As we continue to consider the example of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, it is interesting that in his prayer at the time of his death, he cried out with a loud voice. Could it be that the Lord used Stephen's loud prayer to affect Saul who was standing nearby and who would later have an encounter with Jesus? 

Stephen, one of the first deacons in the early Church, challenged the religious people who were resisting the truth of the Gospel. The religious leaders were angered and stoned Stephan to death. Just before he took his last breath, Stephen prayed, "Lord do not hold this sin against them."

As we continue to look at the pattern of prayer shown in the Book of Acts we see that when Peter and John were threatened and forbidden to speak about Jesus they gathered the believers together and prayed. They exalted God and asked for boldness to continue to speak the Word of God. 

After the remarkable outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter preached the Gospel and 3000 people became Christians. These new followers of Jesus devoted themselves to several primary spiritual disciples, one of which, was prayer.

The Book of Acts follows the four Gospels and gives us the history of the early Christian Church. The early church leaders had a great devotion to prayer. The first thing they did after Jesus' ascension into heaven was to gather together and pray. 

Bringing together the 3 chapters in John that we've been looking at this week—Chapters 14-16—we see a remarkable emphasis on praying to the Father in the name of Jesus with great assurance that our prayers will be heard and answered. But there are conditions like abiding in Christ and having the Holy Spirit as our guide and helper.

In John 16:23-28 Jesus gives the strongest possible encouragement to believers to pray in his name with great confidence and joy. However, there are conditions that go along with these promises. When we come before the father in the name of Jesus we do so on the basis of what Jesus Christ has done on the cross and his righteousness, not on the basis of our own righteousness. 

Jesus told his disciples that it was in their best interest for him to leave because then he would send the Holy Spirit. We need the help of the Holy Spirit to have Christ's words abiding in us. There is a clear link between having the guidance of the Holy Spirit and abiding by Jesus' words and praying effectively. Believers in Jesus Christ never pray alone—they pray in fellowship with t...

In John 15, as in John 14, Jesus gives remarkable promises about prayer. Jesus calls us to abide in him, surrender to his Lordship, and be obedient to his teachings. When we abide in him we have the incredible promise of effective prayer and fruit-bearing that glorifies God. 

In John 14:16-17 Jesus is speaking about the Holy Spirit who dwells within believers. We need God's help to pray as we should and God gives us that help in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

In the Gospel of John Chapter 14 Jesus gives the strongest possible encouragement to believe in prayer. Believing prayer is prayer that will give glory to God. There is a strong emphasis on living a life of obedience to Jesus' commands in this passage and praying in his name.

In the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 21, after the "cleansing of the Temple", Jesus teaches his disciples to pray in true faith which is always surrendered to God's will. Jesus gives encouragement to them to have a strong belief in prayer but is also teaching that faith is not a tool to manipulate God into giving us what we want. 

In Luke Chapter 18, Jesus teaches about the importance of humility in prayer. The parable he tells contrasts a self-righteous Pharisee with an often despised tax collector. The tax collector, however, is considered justified by God because of his humility. 

Jesus teaching on prayer found in the Gospel of Luke Chapter 18 immediately follows his teaching on his return in Chapter 17.  He uses a parable to teach that they should always pray and not lose heart.  God is pleased when we persevere in trusting him.

In Luke Chapter 11 Jesus teaches about the need to persist in prayer. After providing a model for prayer to his disciples, Jesus tells them a story that is an illustration and a call to persistence in prayer. This persistence in prayer is especially important in praying for the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

When Christ was on the cross, he prayed. Jesus was forgiving those who had wronged him. He also prayed from Psalm 31:5. Jesus lived a life of prayer just as he expects his followers to live lives of prayer. 

When Jesus was facing the greatest challenge in his life he first spent time in prayer. Prior to the crucifixion Jesus prayed on the Mount of Olives. While he was praying, Jesus was agonizing over having to bear the sin of the world.

In Luke Chapter 9 we read about Jesus' transfiguration which occurred when he and a few of his disciples went up on a mountain to pray. It demonstrates God's power and glory upon the life of Christ. As believers, we need to rely upon prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit just as Jesus did. 

Jesus' routine seemed to be one of rising early in the morning to pray and then embarking on a full day and evening of ministry.  On the night before choosing his 12 apostles, he spent the entire night in prayer. Jesus enjoyed communion with God and it strengthened him.

In the Gospel of Luke Chapter 3 we read about Jesus coming to be baptized by John the Baptist.  When Jesus is baptized, he is praying. He is shone to be anointed by the Holy Spirit while he is praying. Jesus lived a life of prayer. 

Jesus' model prayer that he gives us in Sermon on the Mount is commonly called The Lord's Prayer . It can be used as a guide for your own time of daily prayer. Having a plan for your time of prayer can make that time much more fulfilling, effective, and rewarding. 

Satan temps us in order to tear us down. He is described in the Scriptures as the "god of this world." How then do we, as believers, prevail over Satan and his temptations?  

It can be difficult to forgive those who have hurt us deeply.  God calls us to forgive them because he knows that it is in our best interest. There are dangers to unforgiveness such as a hindered prayer life, bitterness, anger, and loss of joy.

God calls those who have received his great forgiveness to forgive others. Jesus tells us a parable about this in the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 18. Does the parable indicate that if we don't forgive someone else then we lose our salvation?