Page 42 - Teach us how to Pray - Book Layout - PDF

THE PRAYER OF THE BELIEVER

Through prayer, we get access to the riches that are laid up for us
with the Heavenly Father. He appointed prayer for our benefit and
thus we pray not because we do not trust God, but to prevent our
faith from slumbering in. - Calvin

7.1 HOW ARE BELIEVERS TO PRAY / A FEW QUALIFICATIONS FOR
A TRUE PRAYER

Three things stand out when we study the New Testament on
prayer. True Christian prayer is characterized by faith,
humbleness, and gratitude. Let us look at these qualifications
briefly.

1 st Qualification: Faith

 Read James 1:6 – Faith in God and that He can and will hear
our prayers

 Read Hebrews 11:6 – Faith in our Covenant God!

 That God “is” in this passage does not only mean that He
exists, although that is also especially important to
acknowledge. But it also means that God is there for and
with His people. He is there to help them. He is there to save
them. He is there to answer and to fulfill His promises. Thus,
we must trust Him.

 What was wrong with the prayers of the people James
tells us about in James 4:3? What guidelines does it
provide for the motives we must pray with? (See also
James 1:6)