Lesson 4

The Joy of Prayer and Worship

The Lord invites His children to regularly communicate with Him through prayer and worship. We can have constant access to God, lifting our burdens and problems before his throne. Prayer puts believers in touch with the resources of heaven for power, protection and provision. Worship reminds us who we are before God, as we give God his due through honor glory and praise. As we pray, and as we worship, our relationship with Christ grows even stronger. Together, let us learn to communicate with God as the Bible teaches. Memorize James 5:16.

Prayer is talking to God

1. Why do we talk to God?

Psalm 56:3,4                                                                                                                                                                        

Philippians 4:6                                                                                                                                                                   

1 Peter 5:7                                                                                                                                                                            

2. What is the result of prayer?

Philippians 4:7                                                                                                                                                                   

Romans 10:13                                                                                                                                                                    

Read Luke 18:1-11

3. What was the reason Jesus taught his disciples this parable?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

4. What is the theme of the parable?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

5. What will God do when we pray?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

6. When we pray how should we approach God?

Hebrews 4:15,16                                                                                                                                                             

John 14:6                                                                                                                                                                               

7. How often are we to pray?

1 Thessalonians 5:17                                                                                                                                                    

As a follower of Christ, you are to develop a lifestyle of prayer, where prayer is constantly on your lips. You can do this because God is not geographically bound. You don’t have to go anywhere in order for Him to hear you. He is with you always wherever you go (Matthew 28:20).

8. Why are some prayers not granted?

Isaiah 1:15-20                                                                                                                                                                    

James 4:3                                                                                                                                                                               

2 Corinthians 12:8,9                                                                                                                                                      

Types of Prayer

1. Worship: In worship, you are occupied solely with God, ascribing to Him all the virtues of His attributes and giving to him what he deserves (Psalm 29:1,2).
2. Praise: In praise, you consider what God has done and who he is (Psalm 8; 145:1,2).
3. Thanksgiving: This is similar to praise, but it involves the recollection of what God has done and what he is doing now. This includes thanking God for the good and the bad (Psalm 105:1,2; Ephesians 5:20).
4. Adoration: In adoration, you tell your feelings toward God (Psalm 18:1; Psalm 73:25).
5. Devotion: In devotion, you commit your life to God for lifelong service (Psalm 73:28; Romans 12:1,2).
6. Confession: In confession, you are concerned with the condition of your heart and you desire to be fully reconciled to God. Confession is a prerequisite for approaching God in worship and prayer (Psalm 51:3,4; 1 John 9,10).
7. Communion: In communion, you are involving yourself with God by being aware of His presence and allowing Him through Scripture and by His Holy Spirit to impress upon your heart the thoughts of God (Psalm 94:18,19).
8. Petition and Supplication: In petition and supplication, you are asking God for personal needs and even wants, but they should be offered for the glory of God (1 Chronicles 4:10; Matthew 7:7,8).
9. Lamentations: When you are going through an experience that seems to contradict the promises of God, you can cry out to him (Psalm 88). If there is a person or an organization that has hurt you terribly, you can tell God how you feel and what you wish would happen to them for what they did (Psalm 109:6-15). Being truthful to God brings healing and victory (John 8:32).
10. Intercession: In intercession, you are deeply concerned for someone other than yourself. Intercession is the present ministry of Christ at the right hand of God on mankind’s behalf and is perhaps the greatest expression of love on the part of Christians for one another (Colossians 1:10-12; 4:2,3; Romans 8:34).