J.W. McGarvey
A Series of 52 Bible Lessons - 1889
Prayer

Study Compiled by Kevin L. Ziegler, Evangelist
at South Side Church of Christ, Danville, IL 61832
 southside.restorationplea.com

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LESSON XXXI.—Prayer. 

A DUTY TO PRAY. 

Repeat some words of Jesus, in which prayer is enjoined as a duty. #Mt 7:7 26:41 Lu 18:1. Some words of Paul to the same effect. #1Th 5:17 Php 4:6 1Ti 2:1. Some words of James. #Jas 5:13. 

Is prayer more frequently spoken of in the Scriptures as duty, or as a privilege? Does the fact that it is a privilege make it any the less a duty? Is it a sin to neglect it? 

AN ANSWER PROMISED. 

Quote some words of Jesus containing the assurance that prayer will be answered. #Mt 7:7,8. What is meant by seeking and knocking, in this passage? Ans.—They are figurative expressions for prayer. Quote other promises of Jesus. #Mr 11:24 Joh 16:23. Quote one from James. #Jas 5:16. One from Peter. #1Pe 3:12. One from John. #1Jo 5:14,15. 

Is God able to fulfill such promises as these? Can one who believes the Bible doubt that he will do it? Is there any more reason to doubt these promises than any others in the Bible? 

EFFECTS OF PRAYER. 

What does Paul say about being careful? #Php 4:6. What does the word "careful" here mean? Ans.—It means full of care. How does Paul direct us in the remainder of this verse to free ourselves from care? What does he say will be the consequence of this? #Php 4:7. What is meant by the peace of God? Ans.—The peace which God bestows on us. If, then, we let our requests be made known to God in everything, what will be the effect on our own minds? If Christians are full of care, what does it prove in regard to their prayerfulness? 

If we pray for any particular virtue, will this help us to acquire said virtue? If we pray for the spiritual good of any person, that person knowing that we thus pray for him, is it likely to do him good? Are these results on ourselves and on others the promised answers of prayer? Ans.—No; they are the natural effects of prayer. What do you understand by an answer to prayer? Ans.—Something that God does for us or for others because we pray for it. If, then, the only benefit derived from prayer is the good effect on the person who prays, and on others who hear the prayer, is there any real answer to prayer? 
LESSON XXXII.—Prayer. 

FAITH OF THE APOSTLES IN PRAYER. 

In which way do men more clearly show their faith, by words or by actions? In what way did the apostles decide between Joseph and Matthias as the successor to Judas? #Ac 1:23-26. Is there any way of deciding questions that is more uncertain than casting lots? Repeat the prayer which they offered before they drew the lots. #Ac 1:24,25. How did they expect the Lord to show which he had chosen? Did they then believe that God would cause the lot to fall this way or that? Did they believe that he would do this in answer to their prayer? When the lot fell on Matthias what did they believe was the cause of it? If God controls such matters as the casting of lots, what is there that he does not control? 

When Peter and John had been arrested and commanded not to preach any more in the name of Jesus (#Ac 4:18), what did they do on being released? #Ac 4:23. When the other apostles heard the story, what did they all do? #Ac 4:24. In their prayer what did they ask the Lord to do? #Ac 4:29,30. Why did they wish the Lord to behold the threatenings of the Jews? Did they then believe that God would, in answer to their prayers, do something to protect them? 

When Paul wrote the epistle to the Romans, on what journey was he about to start, and for what purpose? #Ro 15:25. How had he obtained the means of ministering to the saints? #Ro 15:26. What prayer did he ask the brethren to offer to God for him? #Ro 15:30-32. Did he then believe that their prayers would help him to escape from his enemies? 

Have we an account of the journey to Jerusalem here referred to? Ans.—Yes; it is found in #Ac 20:3-21:16. After he got to Jerusalem did he fall into the hands of the unbelievers? #Ac 21:27-31. State how he was delivered from them. #Ac 21:31-34. Was the prayer of himself and his Roman brethren answered? How much of it? #Ro 15:31. How much of it was yet to be answered? #Ro 15:32. Was this part also answered? Ans.—Yes; the remainder of the book of Acts shows that it was, and that it was answered by a series of remarkable events and hair breadth escapes. [The student should here read from #Ac 21:36, to the end of the book to see how Paul was finally brought from Jerusalem to Rome, in answer to his prayer.] 

While Paul was a prisoner in Rome, what prayer did he ask the Ephesians to offer for him? #Eph 6:18,19. Did he believe that their prayers, offered for him at Ephesus would be of service to him in Rome? What prayer did he ask the Colossians to offer for him, about the same time? #Col 4:2-4. What confidence did he express in the prayers of the Hebrew brethren? #Heb 12:18,19. As the apostles were inspired men, were they mistaken in what the, believed and taught? As they showed by both word and action that they believed in the answer of prayer, what does this prove on the subject? 
LESSON XXXIII.—Prayer. 

ON WHAT CONDITIONS PRAYER IS ANSWERED. 

What does Jesus say in reference to the connection between belief and the answer of prayer? #Mr 11:24. If, then, we pray for anything, not believing that we will receive it, will the prayer be answered? What does the apostle James say on the same subject? #Jas 1:5-7. What, then, is the first condition on which prayer is answered. 

What does James give as a reason why some of the prayers of his brethren were not answered? #Jas 4:3. If we ask God for anything, merely to gratify our lusts or passions, do we ask amiss? Will such prayers be answered? What should be our purpose in asking anything from God? If he were to grant prayers which are offered for an improper purpose, would it do us good, or harm? When we think of praying for any particular thing, what ought we to ask ourselves in regard to our purpose? What, then is the second condition of the answer to prayer? Repeat what John says on this subject. #1Jo 5:14,15. What condition is named here? #1Jo 5:14. What is meant by "according to his will"? Ans.—According to what God knows to be best both for us and for others. Would it be right for a prayer to be answered which is not best for us and for others? What, then, is the third condition of the answer to prayer? Name all three of the conditions which have thus far been mentioned. 

In what way do we learn what is God’s will? Ans.—We learn it in part from the Bible, and in part from the order which God has established in nature. Should we pray for anything that is contrary to Bible teaching? Should we pray, then, for sinners to be pardoned before they are baptized? In order to always pray according to God’s will, as revealed in the Bible, what knowledge is necessary? 

Would it be praying according to God’s will to ask for rain without a cloud? How do you know? Is it right to pray for anything that is contrary to the established order of things? If God can give us rain and health by a miracle, would it appear easier or harder for him to give them without a miracle? 

When we pray for anything which we know its according to God’s will, and which we desire for a pure purpose, can we believe that we will receive it? Are the conditions of acceptable prayer then such as we can generally comply with? 

Can you give an example of an apostolic prayer that was not answered? #2Co 12:7-9. When Paul found that it was not the will of God to take away the thorn, did he pray for it any longer? What did God give him in place of what he desired? #1Co 12:9. Was this better or worse for him? #1Co 12:9,10. What then does God sometimes do, instead of granting what we wish?
LESSON XXXIV.—Prayer. 

FORGIVENESS AND PERSEVERANCE. 

When we pray for the forgiveness of our sins, on what condition will it be granted? #Mt 6:14,15. Is this forgiveness the formal declaration to the offender that you forgive him, or is it the freeing of your heart from resentment? On what condition are we required to formally forgive an offender? #Lu 17:4. In what case, then, is forgiveness a condition of the answer of prayer? 

Repeat the parable of the unjust judge. #Lu 18:1-8. What did Jesus mean to teach by this parable? #Lu 18:1. Suppose that we should conclude that what we are praying for is not according to God’s will; should we continue praying for it? But if we believe it is according to his will, and if we desire it for a right purpose, yet after praying for a time, we do not obtain it, what should we do? Is prayer for the salvation of our friends an example of this? Give other examples. 

PLACE AND MANNER OF PRAYER. 

What does Jesus say about the proper place for private prayer? #Mt 6:5,6. If a man chooses a place for his private prayers where others can see him, what is the object? As this is the way that hypocrites do, how can you be sure that such a person is not a hypocrite? What sin does the Savior for guard us against by this precept? What do you think of the propriety of bowing down for secret prayer when you take your seat in a house of worship? What of the preacher’s doing so when he enters the pulpit? 

After what manner does Jesus teach us to pray? #Mt 6:9-13. Is this model prayer a long one? Are there any repetitions in it? Has it many high-sounding words? How, then, should our prayers be in regard to length, repetitions, and simplicity of speech? 

PRAYER IN THE FAMILY. 

Is family prayer expressly named in the New Testament? Quote #1Pe 3:7. What prayer would be hindered by husbands mistreating their wives? What does Paul say about where we should pray? #1Ti 2:8. This clearly requires men to pray in every suitable place. How are fathers commanded to bring up their children? #Eph 6:4. Can they do this well without leading the family in prayer? What, then, do you think is the duty of parents in this particular? 

WHO SHOULD PRAY. 

What is one of the objects of public prayer? #1Co 14:14-17,26. Should any one be invited to pray, then, who cannot pray to edification? Who is to be the judge, the person himself, or the brethren? How are they to learn whether he can pray to edification? 

As we are required to pray in faith, can an unbeliever offer an acceptable prayer? As it is the prayer of a righteous man that availeth much, will the prayer of a wicked man avail? Can a sinner expect his prayers to be heard while he refuses to obey God?

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