Page 34 - Principles for Discipling Others-Student textbook

Study Section 7: Five Aspects of Prayer

7.1 Connect.

Many years ago I went on a mission trip to Brazil. We were building a church there in a
remote city out of bricks, then on the last day were going to install the roof and have a large
service to share the Gospel with the community. All week long several in our group went
door to door inviting people to come to the service at the end of the week.

The day came for the service, but we had yet to install the roof. Suddenly it started to rain.
It rained so hard that you could not see any spaces between the raindrops. We went into a shelter and
waited for the rain to stop, but it did not. We waited as long as possible, because any later and we
would not be able to get the roof completed. But the rain continued. Finally, we gathered together and
prayed, asking God to stop the rain so we could finish the roof and have the services later than night.
We said “Amen” then walked over to the door. The rain continued, but we all decided we would just
have to work in the rain. The second we stepped out into the rain, it stopped. God answered our
prayers and many people came that evening to hear the Gospel and to receive Christ. God answers
prayer!

7.2 Objectives:

1. We will learn the five aspects which constitute effective prayer.

2. We will learn the various kind of requests that God wants to hear from us.

3. We will look at why God’s asks us to pray and how to make our prayers count for eternity.

7.3 Five Aspects of Prayer

1. Praise – a type of prayer that glorifies God…commends and speaks highly of Him and
makes much of His divine attributes.

2. Confession – prayers admitting one’s sins and short-comings….either wrong things done
or those that we should have done that we did not do.

3. Thanksgiving – prayers giving thanks for prayers answered,
benefits provided…. expressions of gratitude…celebrations of
divine goodness toward us, the church, our nation, etc.

4. Intercession – prayers requesting divine intervention on behalf
of ourselves, our loved ones, friends, salvation of others…. lost
souls both near and far away.

5. Petition - prayers requesting divine favors on our behalf or for
others.

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