“The Spirit Helps Us To Pray”

A Biblical Theology of Prayer

Learning Objectives

Section II. Old Testament

Who were the people of the OT who prayed What were the occasions of their praying How did they approach and address GodHow God’s nature affected their prayingWhat were the outcomes of their praying What lessons can we learn from their praying

Lesson 2

Prayers of the Patriarchs and Their

Contemporaries

Prayer from the Beginning Adam & Eve – God desires communion and communication (Genesis 3)

It was God who created

It was God who initiated

It was God who sought

Seth – After the fall communion and communication was lost (Genesis 4)

It was man who hid

It was man who broke the link

It is man who is in need

Enoch – But some “Walked with God” (Gen. 5:22)

There are a few who understand

There are a few who seek

There are a few who follow

We were designed for relationship with God who desires to commune and communicate with us.

Recognizing our need is the prerequisite for calling upon God.

“Walking with God” brings us closer to Him, but too few chose that route

Prayer from the Altar of Sacrifice

Prayer from the Altar Noah – originated the practice of Altar building (Genesis 8:20)

This was man’s initiative

This was man’s connection

This was man’s effort

Abraham – continued the practice of Altar building

Built to honor the Lord

Built to meet with the Lord

Built in obedience to the Lord

Isaac and Jacob – continued the practice of Altar building

The generations of seekers

The generations of pray-ers

The generations of the faithful

But as it denotes faith, relationship and worship; God honors the practice of coming to the altar.

Hearing the Lord, worshipping at an altar, and showing faith are all inseparable in the OT.

Seeking the Lord in prayer is the common thread of the faithful, there will never be an end to our altar worship

Prayer from the Altar

• The altar is a place of thanksgiving

Noah’s first act upon leaving the ark was to build an altar (Gen 8:20)

• The altar is a place of worship Abram build an altar to worship after receiving God’s covenant (Gen 12:7)

• The altar is a place of consecration Abraham dedicated Isaac to the Lord on the altar of sacrifice (Gen 22:9)

• The altar is a place of prayer

Isaac build an altar and “called on the name of the Lord.” (Gen 26:25)

• The altar is a place of surrender

Jacob build an altar to acknowledge “El Elohe Israel” (Gen 33:20)

• The altar is a place of repentance Jacob repented of the idolatry of his people at the altar (Gen 35:2)

Prayer of the Believer “Abraham’s prayerfulness increased”

• Romans 4:3 - “What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness”

• Galatians 3:6 – “Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was

credited to him as righteousness."

• James 2:23 – “And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,"[ and he was called God's friend.”

Prayer for Deliverance Jacob’s pattern of prayer is a familiar one (Genesis 32:9-11):

- first, identified His God “O God of my father Abraham…”

Our Father, in Heaven, hallowed is your Name

- second, identified God’s promise “O Lord, who said to me…”

Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven

- third, identified his unworthiness “I am unworthy…”

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as WE forgive those who sin against us

- finally, identified his petition “Save me…from…”

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.

Prayers of Intercession• Abraham – Intercedes for others people

– Intercedes for Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:23-33)– Intercedes for Abimelech (Genesis 20:17-18)

• Jacob – Intercedes for his own people

- Intercedes upon returning to Bethel and his intercession leads to the protection of his people (Genesis 35:1-5)

• Job - Intercedes for his friends

- “My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of me that is

right, as my servant Job has” (Job 42:8-10)

God’s Sovereignty and Prayer Abraham – experienced the results of his own prayerlessness leading

him to Egypt and compromising his wife, taking Hagar to himself thus having Ishmael… but God’s purposes prevail

Isaac - experienced God’s sovereignty in praying for Rebekah to have a child; instead of one child the Lord gave him two sons that later war with one another… but God’s purposes prevail

Jacob – experienced the results of his own deceit in dealing with his brother, forced to flee his home and live with his idolatrous uncle, until finally returning to the Lord years later… but God’s purposes prevail

Job – experienced God’s sovereignty as few have, even though he was considered “blameless” by God himself, but simply as an demonstration of God’s sovereignty over every life… AND God’s purposes prevail!

Time to Pray

• Declare God’s sovereignty over His creation and every area of life

• Intercede for to God’s rule in our city, region and nation

• Pray for God‘s glory to fill the earth

Next Week

The prayers of Moses

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