The purpose of prayer

1. Most activities in life have some purpose and such is also true for prayer.

2. Some of the reasons people pray are right; others are wrong. List some wrong reasons to pray:

3. ____________________________________________________________________________

4. Man prayers because he has a need—he is the creature and prays to a “higher power.”

5. When do people often pray? ____________________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________________________________________

7. Paul said to pray _________________________ (1 Tim. 2:8).

8. What do we learn from Solomon’s prayer in 1 Kgs. 3:7? ______________________________

9. Do “religious people” need prayer (Lk. 18:13)? ___________________________________

10. What did Jeremiah say in Jer. 10:23 and what does this mean? __________________________

11. Can we make plans (Jas. 4:13)? _________________________________

12. Based on the preceding answer, what benefit is there with prayer? _______________________

13. Are we allowed to pray for ourselves (Mt. 611)? ______________

14. Should we pray for others – 1 Tim. 2:1-2? ______________________

15. Who is specifically mentioned in Jas. 5:13? _______________________

16. Who is specifically mentioned in Jas. 5:14? ________________________

17. One infrequently mentioned benefit of prayer is a better understanding of God.

18. Explain the preceding point: _____________________________________________________

19. Mt. 6:8 – READ.

20. In addition to knowledge, prayer helps increase our ___________________ (Heb. 11:6).

21. Tied in with the two preceding things is the point in Jas. 4:8 – READ – prayer brings us close to God.

22. Often people want the benefits of prayer, but do not want the things that come with it.

23. ______________ is joined with prayer in Phil. 4:6.

24. List examples of the preceding answer: _____________________________________________

25. Relate Dan. 6:10 to the two preceding points: ________________________________________

26. John (1 Jn. 3:22; 5:14) says prayer helps us stay focused on God’s _____________________.

27. It is also important to realize that God also has a purpose for prayer (this is not just for us).

28. Prayer is a means of communication between Him and those who are not condemned.

29. Mt. 6:9 – READ. “Our Father” implies what? ________________________________________

30. Are there times when God will “hear” the prayers of the unsaved (Acts 10:1-4)? ____________

31. How do we reconcile Mt. 6:9 with Acts 10:1-4? _____________________________________

32. Does God “evaluate” the one who is doing the praying (Jas. 5:16; 1 Pet. 3:12)? _____________

33. In some cases a Christian may need to ___________________ before praying (Acts 8:22).

34. Define the word in the preceding blank: ________________________________________