This twelfth and final lesson will include the questions, answers, and commentary for the one-hundred-ninth through the one-hundred-eighteenth question of this Discipleship. As per the Holy Bible, this twelfth and final lesson answers questions concerning prayer. If you study and learn the information in this twelve-lesson Discipleship Program, you will know the basics of Christianity. God bless you throughout your study.
Christian Discipleship Lesson Twelve
QUESTION 109: WHAT IS PRAYER?
Answer: Prayer is an offering up of our desires to God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies. Scripture: 1 John 5:14; 1:9; Philippians 4:6; Psalm 10:17; 145:19; John 14:13, 14.
Prayer is reverently sharing your requests with God, considering God's will. He will not entertain unbiblical requests. Always remember to also thank Him for everything in your life – the good and the bad. God teaches you and helps you grow through blessings and tribulations, and we should always be grateful to God for everything, in Jesus' name.
QUESTION 110: WHAT RULE HAS GOD GIVEN FOR OUR DIRECTION IN PRAYER?
Answer: The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer, but the special rule of direction is that prayer, which Christ taught his disciples, is commonly called the Lord's Prayer. Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.
We should always pray for God's will in our lives – not our will, but His alone. To effectively pray within God's will, you must know the doctrines and theology of the entire Word of God. As Jesus said in Matthew 26-39, "…nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
QUESTION 111: WHAT DOES THE PREFACE OF THE LORD'S PRAYER TEACH US?
Answer: The preface of the Lord's Prayer, which is "Our Father, who art in heaven," teaches us to draw near to God, with holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us, and that we should pray with and for others. Scripture: Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:13; Romans 8:15; Acts 12:5; 1 Timothy 2:1-3.
We should speak to God, focus on Him, and always share our thoughts with Him in reverence and with confidence that he will answer our prayers. He will answer yes, no, or not now – maybe later, according to His will. God is not a vending machine. You don't get what you choose; you get what God desires for you. God's will is perfect, and He knows exactly what you need. Your will is often self-centered and sinful. Always accept God's will.
QUESTION 112: WHAT DO WE PRAY FOR IN THE FIRST PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER?
Answer: In the first petition, which is "Hallowed be thy name," we pray that God would enable us and others to glorify him in our lives and that God would set all things to his glory because he alone is worthy. Scripture: Matthew 6:9; Psalm 67:1-3; Romans 11:36; Revelation 4:11; 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Our prayers should always acknowledge that God is absolutely Holy – our one and only God and absolutely worthy of our praise and adoration.
QUESTION 113: WHAT DO WE PRAY FOR IN THE SECOND PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER?
Answer: In the second petition, which is "Thy kingdom come," we pray for the destruction of Satan's kingdom. And that the kingdom of grace may be advanced; that ourselves and others be brought into it, and kept in it; and that the kingdom of glory may hurry. Scripture: Matthew 6:10; 9:37,38; Psalm 68:1-18; Romans 10:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Revelation 22:20.
Christians, do not place your hearts and minds in this world. Live in this world as best you can within God's will, but look forward to the next. This earth is not our home; it's just the first step in our journey to heaven. So, spread the word of God to all people so they can join us in our journey to heaven.
QUESTION 114: WHAT DO WE PRAY FOR IN THE THIRD PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER?
Answer: In the third petition, which is, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," we pray that God, by his grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things, as the angels do in heaven. Scripture: Matthew 6:10; Psalm 103:20, 21; 25:4, 5; 119:26.
As I mentioned before, we are to pray for God's will in our lives. Christianity is a religion of grace, and we are absolved from every sin we have or will ever commit. But if we are true Christians, filled with the Holy Spirit, we will choose obedience to God's will and obey God's Holy Word. We choose God's will with thanksgiving for His generosity, mercy, and grace.
QUESTION 115: WHAT DO WE PRAY FOR IN THE FOURTH PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER?
Answer: In the fourth petition, which is, "Give us this day our daily bread," we pray that of God's free gift, we may receive an adequate portion of the good things of this life and enjoy his blessing with them. Scripture: Matthew 6:11; Proverbs 30:8, 9; 1 Timothy 6:6-8; 4:4, 5.
We pray to God that he gives us the daily necessities of living, including food, water, clothing, and shelter.
QUESTION 116: WHAT DO WE PRAY FOR IN THE FIFTH PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER?
Answer: In the fifth petition, which is, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors," we pray that God, for Christ's sake, would freely pardon all our sins; which we are rather encouraged to ask because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others. Scripture: Matthew 6:12; 18:35; Psalm 51:1, 3, 7; Mark 11:25.
As Christ made it possible for God to forgive us, we should extend similar mercies to all those we encounter. This forgiveness is not to say that we extend forgiveness for unrepentant sin. But if a person repents, we are obligated to forgive. Our grace towards others complies with God's will and may lead some of them to Christ.
QUESTION 117: WHAT DO WE PRAY FOR IN THE SIXTH PETITION?
Answer: In the sixth petition, which is, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil," we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin or support and deliver us when we are tempted. Scripture: Matthew 6:13; 26:41; Psalm 19:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13; John 17:15.
We are to ask God for knowledge, wisdom, and the ability to avoid sin. We also ask for the strength to repent if we participate in sinful behavior.
QUESTION 118: WHAT DOES THE CONCLUSION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER TEACH US?
Answer: The conclusion of the Lord's Prayer, which is, "For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen." It teaches us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only and in our prayers to praise him, attributing kingdom, power, and glory to him. In testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard, we say amen. Scripture: Matthew 6:13; Daniel 9:18, 19; 1 Chronicles 29:11-13; 1 Corinthians 14:16; Philippians 4:6; Revelation 22:20.
We must pour out our adoration and respect for God. Acknowledge that the whole universe and beyond is His kingdom, and he possesses all the power and glory for His creative sovereign rule over everything forever. Then punctuate the end of our prayer with "Amen," proclaiming, so be it according to God's perfect will.
Christian Discipleship
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