Prayer
Prayer & Desire
Adapted from the writings of E. M. Bounds
A Goodsoil Discipleship Lesson - Bro. A. Madonio
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
Matthew 6:5
Lesson Introduction
What this lesson teaches:
* This lesson teaches the relationship between faith, Jesus and prayer.
* We will learn that true, burning desire causes us to need to pray.
* We will discuss the sobs of true prayer vs. "Xerox" prayers.
Scripture references used:
* Isaiah 53:12, Hebrews 7:25, Mark 11:24, Matthew 5:6
Other scripture that may be helpful:
* Genesis 24:12-27, Judges 16:28, 1 Samuel 1:10-20, 1 Kings 18:41-45, 2 Chronicles 7:14, 2 Chronicles 33:11-13, Ezra 10:1, Nehemiah 1, Psalm 6:9, Isaiah 37:9-38, Jeremiah 31:9, Matthew 6:5-6, Luke 18:10-14
Discussion questions for study:
1. Did you read this lesson in preparation for this week's discussion?
2. If you want to pray about something, but you have no faith, what should you do? Will it do any good to pray?
3. Can you see the interrelationship between FAITH, JESUS, and PRAYER?
4. Do you ever think of Jesus praying and interceding for us, non-stop, ever since His ascension to glory? Are you glad He is interceding for you? Does knowing this fact make it easier to offer Him worship and praise?
5. Can you see the relationship between praying with desire and needing to pray? Can you see the difference between praying for our needs and needing to pray?
6. Does it make sense that definite and specific prayer is based on true desire?
7. Can you understand how to be in the habit of prayer without making it a habit only?
8. Are you more attuned to avoiding XEROX prayers?
9. Finally, if you are truly filled with the Spirit of God, can you ever be satisfied with a shallow prayer life?
Faith is the source, the life, the projecting force of prayer. Without faith, why bother? Without faith you'll be like those described in Matthew 6:5.
Matthew 6:5 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
Prayer is dependent on the name, merits and constant intercession of Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 53:12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Hebrews 7:25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Do we only pray for our needs?
NO! We are always needy!
Then, what causes us to NEED to pray?
DESIRE !
Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Desire EXALTS the object and fixes the mind on it.
Prayer based on desire is always definite and specific.
If prayer is mushy and vague, the desire has departed.
Prayer ought to be a part of our spiritual habits, BUT it ceases to be prayer when it is carried on by HABIT ONLY. It is the depth and intensity of the SPIRITUAL DESIRES that give depth and intensity to prayer.
Tough Questions:
* Is your praying like reading an often repeated shopping list to God?
* Can you name the latest object of your prayer time that you had a deep
spiritual desire for, a yearning that really needed God's satisfying touch?
* Have you ever sobbed during your prayer time?
* Can you even remember your last true prayer time?
What do we really mean by DESIRE ?
* Desire is FOCUSED.
* Desire is INTENSE & NARROW.
* Desire is like aiming a rifle or laser beam
* Desire cannot spread itself thin over a wide field.
* Desire wants a very few things and it wants them badly, so badly that
nothing but God's will can make it content.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6
ADMIT IT: Don't our prayers often lie around in the sticky goo and mire of mere wishes or feeble, memorized concern? XEROX PRAYERS !!
Many in the Christian Church are good at praying, but how often are those prayers truly filled with desire? And if they're not desire-filled, who is the object of their prayers? Is it truly Jesus?
We have good outer "form", but our inner life is dried and withered. We say all the right things, but our hearts are not the ones doing the talking, only our mouths. Remember Matthew 6:5 . . .
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
Matthew 6:5
Is our flame is burning low?
Our hearts need to be worked on, not only to get the evil out, but to get the good in. The method and inspiration which brings IN the good is HOLY SPIRIT IGNITED DESIRE!!
Desire is a Holy flame in the soul that awakens
Heaven's attention, and then all of Heaven's
inexhaustible supplies are at your disposal
to fulfill your true desires!!
