1. Have we the assurance that we have a prayer hearing, and a prayer answering God?
“And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him,” I John 5:14, 15.
2. What is said of the prayer of the righteous?
“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is His delight,” Proverbs 15:8.
3. What is said of the prayers of those who fight God’s law?
“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination,” Proverbs 28:9.
4. In what way did Daniel seek to understand the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar?
“That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; . . . “ Daniel 2:18.
5. Did God hear, and answer the prayer of Daniel, and his fellows?
“Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision,” Daniel 2:19.
6. Did Daniel return thanks to God because his prayers had been answered?
“Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven, Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God forever and forever: for wisdom and might are His,” Daniel 2:19, 20.
7. While Christ was here upon the earth, was it not His custom to return thanks to God, when his prayers had been answered?
“Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me,” John 11:41.
8. What thought does Paul express concerning prayer?
“Pray without ceasing,” I Thessalonians 5:17.
9. And also of giving thanks?
“In every thing give thanks,” I Thessalonians 5:18.
10. Is it not the will of God that we should do so?
“For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you,” I Thessalonians 5:18.
11. In what way did Elias pray before his prayers were answered?
“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months,” James 5:17.
12. Without faith will God answer prayer?
“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing from the Lord,” James 1:6, 7.
13. What does Christ say regarding the prayer of faith?
“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them,” Mark 11:24.
NOTE: It is clearly set forth in the Bible that one should ask according to the will of God if he expects God to hear and answer his petitions. See I John 5:14, 15; James 4:3; Romans 8:26.
14. Why does James say some prayers remain unanswered?
“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts,” James 4:3.
15. When we approach God in prayer through what medium should we come?
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him,” Colossians 3:17, also see Ephesians 5:20.
NOTE: To those who read, and study this lesson, are these thoughts dedicated. If you want God to hear and answer your prayers you must meet the conditions of the Bible. You must be willing to walk in the light as it comes to you, having an honest heart, always seeking more truth, and be willing to say and do all the Lord requires of you.
Isaiah says in chapter 1:19,
“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.”
Other good thoughts are expressed in Isaiah 55:7; Proverbs 15:8, 9; I John 2:4-6 and I John 3:4-7. These scriptures apply to you. You should take heed and obey.
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne,
Make all my wants and wishes known;
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief;
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear,
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless;
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His word and trust his grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.