Introduction
This is Study One of a series in which I hope to cover ALL the prayers of the Bible!
The notes are designed for us to corporately participate in learning from the prayers that are recorded in the Bible. We will seek to relate these prayers to what we have learnt so far over the past 25 Sessions, and share some of our own personal experiences and understanding of these types of prayer. To this end there is plenty of space in the notes for you to add what you learn.
This sessions topics include: -
Crying out to God - Gen 32:9-13
Mercy for Sodom - Gen 18:22-23
Forgiveness for the Rebellious - Gen 34:9
An unusual request -Joshua 10:12
He poured his heart out -2 Sam 7:18-39
How to destroy an army -2 Kings 19:15-19
Remember me, my God, for good - Nehemiah 5:19
Why do we make prayer so difficult sometimes?
Nearly 100 straight speaking, uncrafted, unpoetic, and simple prayers are found in the Old Testament. Prayers that you and I probably say every day, quite naturally, but get to a prayer meeting and we have to be so clever sometimes! Yet we can learn from the Bible, God loves to hear us speak to Him like this just as much as He loves our ramblings, in fact I sometimes wonders whether He leans over to an angel and whispers “Can you get him to come to the point, so I can do something about what I know he wants, but I can’t release the answer till he’s finished.” Or “Why is he knocking on every other door than he wants opened.” Perhaps He only says things like that about me?
In the Old Testament these petitionary prayers are often one-liners. Take for example Moses prayer for Miriam
“O God, I pray. Please heal her”
God spoke to Moses, gave him clear instruction, and after seven days Miriam was healed. How simple. Ask. Hear. Obey and receive.
Let us see three basic things about these types of prayer
i) The Old Testament saints felt free to speak to the Lord in this manner, at any time, and in any place. They did not need to go to the temple or tabernacle.
ii) These prayers grew out of the life experiences of the OT believers, reflecting the circumstances of their lives. They were very spontaneous.
iii) These prayers were just like normal speech between two people, they were as natural as talking to anybody else.
Structure
If there is any structure to the types of prayer we are examining, I doubt whether it was thought out and planned, before the prayers were offered. Some commentators give the typical structure as
Address – O God, I pray
Petition – Please heal her.
And Judges 16:28
Address - O Lord God
Petition - Remember me I pray!
Strengthen me, I pray just this once!
Motivation - O God that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes.
Some of the prayers got more detailed and included testimony of Gods faithfulness in the past, and personal reasons why the believer reckoned he/she needed Gods assistance and answer to his/her prayer. They reflect the way you may reason with a friend to come to your assistance.
When petitioning you are asking the Lord for a specific grant or benefit, earnestly entreating Him for grace, favour and mercy for a particular need.
How do you petition the Lord?
In childlike faith with your specific request, knowing He desires to give good gifts to His children (see Matt 7:11, Luke 18:17, James 4:3)
What are the conditions for asking?
Check your motivation. Selfishness or for God to be glorified? (see John 14:13, James 4:2-3)
Ask in faith without doubting. A+B=R (Matt 21:21-22, Mark 11:23, Heb 3:12, James 1:6)
Ask in accordance with His will. You will often determine His will by actually making your request and then hearing Him speaking to you. Don’t be afraid because you don’t know His will. (see John 15:7, Rom 10:8-10, 1 John 3:18-22)
Abide in the True Vine. This is a two-way commitment, you must hear, believe and do His word and then the Triune God makes His abode in you. (John 14:23, 15:1-10)
Bear good fruit (Matt 7:15-27, 15:13, Luke 3:8-9, 8:14,15, John 15:2,16)
Ask in the name of Jesus. He has given YOU the authority to use HIS NAME. (See John 14:13, 16:23-24, Phil 2:9-10)
What should I ask for?
Whatsoever things you so desire. (Mark 11:24, John 14:14, Phil 4:6)
Old Testament Examples of Petitionary Prayers
Genesis 17:18 “O that Ishmael might live before You.”
Ishmael was born to Sarah’s slave Hagar and therefore not direct heir to Abrahamic covenant, these were for Isaac. God both granted and denied Abraham’s petition!
He responded to the intent – and promised to bless Ishmael.
He denied the specific request – and reserved the covenant for Isaac.
What can you learn from this? How does this relate to your understanding of what we have already learnt?
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Genesis 18:22-33 “Would you also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there were fifty righteous in the city.”
Abraham knew Gods intent through discussion with Him, He was going to destroy Sodom. He made intercession for the people of the city. He knew his personal state, but dust and ashes daring to ask God, and then conversed with God acquired an agreement for God to relent if there were even 10 righteous in the city. How would we pray for a depraved city, which we did not live in and there was only one person to be found righteous?
God answered Abraham’s prayer, with an agreement for mercy IF.
Lessons for today – Lessons for YOU ________________________________________________________________________________________
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Genesis 24:11-14 “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day”
A specific petition from Abraham’s servant to help find a wife for Isaac. It is a very detailed prayer request.
The prayer was answered before he had even finished Gen 24:15
Lessons for today – Lessons for YOU ________________________________________________________________________________________
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Genesis 28:3,4 “May God Almighty bless you”
Whilst these words were addressed to Jacob by Isaac, the request was for God to do something for Jacob.
Lessons for today – Lessons for YOU ________________________________________________________________________________________
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Genesis 32:9-12 “O God of my father Abraham … deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother”.
How freely Jacob expresses his sense of unworthiness and fears to the Lord.
Lessons for today – Lessons for YOU – What was Jacobs’s motivation?
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Genesis 43:14 “May God Almighty give you mercy before the man.”
The prayer of the helpless. Jacob had to totally depend on Gods mercy. He knew he would have to yield to the man in control in Egypt, he did not know it was his son Joseph.
Lessons for today – Lessons for YOU – What does it tell you about prayer when you appear captive to your own circumstances?
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Exodus 32:11-13 “Lord why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people?”
Lessons for today – Lessons for YOU – Why did the Lord relent?
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Exodus 32:31-32 “Oh, these people have committed a great sin.”
Moses recognised and understood the concept of community guilt, and that everyone bears some responsibility for the moral condition of the community as a whole. Oh that we would grasp this biblical concept.
God answers with a promise to send an angel before them to lead them, but does not turn a blind eye to those who have sinned Exodus 32:33 “I will blot them out of My book”
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Exodus 34:9 “Let my Lord, I pray, go among us, even though we are a stiff necked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your inheritance.”
God promises to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan, but expects His people to expel the Canaanites and purge the land of pagan worship.
Does God have conditions attached to His answers?
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Numbers 14:19 “Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray”
The people choose to fear the report of the 10 spies despite Caleb’s and Joshua’s favourable report and Gods promise.
God answers, pardons, but does He still expect us to live with the consequences of our rebellion?
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Numbers 16:15 “Do not respect their offering.” Num 16:22 “Oh God … shall one man sin and You be angry with all the congregation”
God was angrier with Korah and his followers than Moses.
Lessons for today – Lessons for YOU
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Numbers 27:16-17 “Let the Lord … set a man over the congregation”
Despite being told he was about to die Moses prayed for the congregation, and God speaks and instructs him to anoint Joshua for his job.
Lessons for today – Lessons for YOU ________________________________________________________________________________________
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Deuteronomy 1:11 “May the Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times more numerous than you are.”
Words addressed to Israel but a prayer for Israel, Moses was sure God would answer.
Lessons for today – Lessons for YOU ________________________________________________________________________________________
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Deuteronomy 3:23-25 “O Lord God … I pray. Let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan.”
Moses wanted to see the conclusion of Gods promises, despite the fact that God had told Him not to speak to Him any more about the matter.
We are allowed to ask anything but can we expect Gods pleasure if it is against His will?
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Deuteronomy 9:25-29 “I prayed to the Lord, and said, O Lord God, do not destroy the people.”
The perpetual intercessor for repeated sinners!
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Joshua 10:12 “Then Joshua spoke to the Lord … and said in the sight of Israel, “Sun, stand still.”
Joshua wanted TOTAL VICTORY. Rain and hailstones killing many was insufficient. Gods answer, ILLUMINATE the battlefield for a further 12 hours, so Joshua can totally destroy the enemy.
Lessons for today – Lessons for YOU
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Judges 6:36-39 “If you will save Israel by my hand as You have said – look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor.”
Judges 13:8 “ O my Lord, please let the Man of God whom You sent come to us again and teach us what we shall do for the child who will be born.”
Even this prayer bought guidance for the life of Samson but did not prevent his moral and spiritual weakness.
Lessons for today – What does this teach us about godly parents praying for their children?
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Judges 16:28 “ O Lord God, remember me I pray. Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!”
As a judge Samson was commissioned to lead and protect Gods people. But his prayer like most of his life was selfish.
Lessons for today – When does God answer selfish prayer?
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Ruth 1:9 “ The Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.”
Addressing her daughters but seeking a blessing from God. As a request it is a prayer, but also prophetic in nature.
Lessons for today – What does this teach us about seeking Gods blessing for loved ones?
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1 Samuel 1:11 “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant … but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord”.
Hannah wept in her barrenness. This is not bargaining with God but making a vow expressing devotion and thanksgiving.
Lessons for today – Does Hannah keep her vow? Does God hear her plea? Why?
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1 Samuel 1:17 “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.”
Another example of a prayer spoken to a person, Hannah, and answered by God.
2 Samuel 7:18-29 “Now, O Lord God, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning this house, establish it forever and do as You have said.”
David had just received the Davidic covenant to be fully realised in Jesus, that his throne would be established forever. This followed the disappointing news that he would not be building the temple in Jerusalem. So in response to Gods word through Nathan the prophet David’s prayer shows:
Humility and wonder in how God would choose him.(7:18-20)
Awareness that the promise was born out of Gods grace (7:21-24)
Confidence in God fulfilling His word (7:25-28)
Within the prayer David’s emotions are expressed (humility, awe, thanksgiving and wonder). The prayer is jumbled and unstructured, clearly spontaneous, and very different from his careful structuring in the Psalms.
Lessons for you.
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2 Samuel 14:17 “And may the Lord your God be with you.”
A prayer that David would have wisdom
2 Samuel 15:31 “O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness”
David discovers his old advisor has deserted, his prayer is spontaneous, David demonstrates his awareness of God’s involvement in all his life.
2 Samuel 24:3 “Now may the Lord your God added to the people a hundred times more than they are, and may the eyes of the lord the king see it. But why does the lord my king desire this?”
Joab speaking to David expresses a prayer to the Lord for Him. However, this prayer is a little stilted and is an expression of good wishes. We can learn from this and earlier examples that prayers can be introduced into conversation, but should not be made just to please the person we are speaking too, but come from a natural and inspired desire for God to work on behalf of the person we are speaking too.
When did you last pray for someone during a normal conversation like this?
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1 Kings 1:36 “Amen! May the Lord God of my lord the king say so too.”
Here is an example of heartfelt, spontaneous, praise and prayer to God for David’s decision to make Solomon king.
When you are pleased with a decision made by somebody, do you naturally pray praise to Father?
1 Kings 1:47 “May God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and may He make his throne greater than your throne.”
1 Kings 3:6-9 “Give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil.”
God appears to Solomon in a dream and asks him what he wants. This is Solomon’s request – wisdom for others. It is a selfless prayer which pleases the Father. We learn also in the prayer that Solomon acknowledges Gods hand in David’s life. Oh that our children would praise God for the evidence of His hand upon us.
1 Kings 8:14-61
1 Kings 18:36-37 “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant.”
Elijah prays in front of 400 prophets of Baal to His God. His appeal for God to reveal Himself was made ONCE. In order that the people of Israel may turn back to their God, not to impress the prophets of Baal. The answer was immediate, and with fire.
What does this prayer teach about the importance of personal relationship with Jesus in relation to repetition?
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2 Kings 6:17,18, & 20 “Lord, I pray”
Elisha asks that his servants eyes be opened, the Syrians eyes be blinded (the Hebrew word is better translated that they see an illusion rather than reality), and then that the Syrians would see again.
Three very specific prayers, addressed to the Lord, which He answered.
Each called on God to confound the ability to perceive the current situation.
What can you learn from this in your quest to pray for the state of this town and nation?
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2 Kings 19:15-19 “Now therefore, O Lord our God, I pray save us from his hand.”
Hezekiah brings Sennacheribs demand into the temple of the Lord and places it before Him. His prayer was confident and straightforward. God responded with a word through the prophet Isaiah that not an arrow would fly over the walls, and then with an angel to kill 85,000 in a night.
Motivation in Prayer. What does this prayer tell us about Gods concern for our reputation? What does the prayer tell us about the importance of our concern for His reputation?
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2 Kings 20:3 “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart.”
What has changed in the motivation of Hezekiah’s prayer? Does God respond?
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1 Chronicles 4:10 “ Oh that You would bless me indeed.”
What is honourable about this prayer? What is right about Jabez’s attitude?
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1 Chronicles 29:16-19 “O Lord God Of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You. And give my son Solomon a loyal heart.”
David’s main concern is that the heart of the people of Israel be fixed with God and that his son Solomon remains loyal to God.
In the structure of this prayer what are David’s priorities? Are they consistent with God’s priorities?
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2 Chron 14:11 “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God.”
Confident prayer for Gods assistance by Asa, brought decisive victory.
2 Chron 20:5-12 “O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon YOU.”
Another example of decisive confident prayer in battle.
2 Chronicles 30:18-19 “May the good Lord provide atonement for everyone who prepares his heart to seek God.”
The prayer of King Hezekiah, that led into a spiritual revival of temple worship and festival observation. More prayers and men like these, please Lord.
Must prayer be followed by sincere intent to honour God before revival comes? What does this passage show?
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Nehemiah 5:19 “Remember me, my god, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.”
Does this prayer imply God forgets? Is seeking a reward from God for commitment to build Gods purposes, wrong?
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Nehemiah 6:9b “Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.”
Nehemiah simply asks for courage as he faces ridicule and attack in the building program. Simple prayers.
Nehemiah 6:14 “My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works.”
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Nehemiah right to seek God to act against His enemies?
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Isaiah 6:8 “Here am I! Send me."
Upon receipt of your forgiveness and cleansing, do you so readily respond to Gods call to mission?
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Amos 7:2 “O Lord God, forgive, I pray! O that Jacob may stand, for he is small!” and 7:5
When you get a vision of God’s judgement, do you spontaneously beg for forgiveness? When did you last see Gods holiness? How did this affect your prayer life for the nation?
Jonah 1:14 “ We pray, O Lord, please do not let us perish for this mans life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O Lord, have done as it pleased You.”
This prayer offered by unbelievers to Yahweh is answered and brings about a vow to worship Him.
Would God have answered the prayers if they were offered to their own gods? Does God hear the prayers of the desperate unbelievers, other than those for personal salvation?
Zechariah 7:3 “Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?”
This is a prayer for guidance.
God’s response – REBUKE – because their fasts were out of self pity. Jesus does not respond to our invites to our pity parties. He wants fasts and prayers of repentance and sorrow for our sins?
How do you respond to Gods rebuke to your prayers?
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A+B=R Asking plus believing = Receiving
Acknowledgements
Elizabeth Alves – Becoming a Prayer Warrior
Larry Richards – Every Prayer in the Bible
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