Using God's Hot Line

Let's begin this new lesson by requesting God's assistance:

Dear Savior,

Today we would like to study the subject of prayer.

Is it true that prayer is a direct line through which we can communicate with You? If so, how can we use this hot line in the most efficient way?

Trusting in Your promise, we ask You to fill us with Your Holy Spirit, so that the teaching of Your Word may penetrate and transform us. In Jesus Christ we pray.

Amen.

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Matthew 7:7

[Jesus said,]

«Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.»

Many people consider God as a doctor or a lawyer. They address Him only when they are sick or in difficulty!

Yet, prayer is not only a way to get out of trouble when the situation is hopeless. Above all, it is a way, for us who live on earth, to communicate directly with the Creator of the Universe.

A fascinating lesson in prospect!

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Let's start at the beginning... What is prayer?

It's not an act of merit granting us the favor of God...
It's not a pretentious demonstration of piety...
It's not to inform God of our needs, since He already knows them...
It's not a whining to make God want to help us out of pity...
It's not to make God change His mind about His way of doing things...

... PRAYER IS A WAY TO RECOGNIZE OUR GREAT NEED OF GOD, TO ADMIT THAT WITHOUT HIM, WE CAN DO NOTHING.

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Luke 22:31,32

And the Lord said,

«Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.

But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.»

No man ever prayed as Jesus did.

If His life was an active one, it is because it was also a life of prayer.

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Mark 1:35

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, [Jesus] went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

Luke 6:12

Now it came to pass in those days that [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Prayer is described as the breath of the soul.

Just as we cannot survive a long time without breathing, our spiritual life cannot subsist a long time without prayer.

Jesus knew that.

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Luke 11:1

And it came to pass, as [Jesus] was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him,

«Lord, teach us to pray.»

Witnessing the power of Jesus' prayers, His disciples soon asked Him how to pray.

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Matthew 6:9-13

In this manner, therefore, pray:

«Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.»

There is no blessing in the mechanical repetition of this famous prayer.

On the contrary, we must be aware of the requests we present to God through these words.

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Job 27:10

Will [the wicked] always call on God?

Another fundamental question: to whom must we address our prayers?

The Bible is very clear on this point: we must pray no one else but God.

The following verses will clearly show this truth.

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We must pray to God, AND NO ONE ELSE BUT GOD:

«[Jesus] said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name."» (LUKE 11:2)

«We made our prayer to our God.» (NEHEMIAH 4:9)

«He shall pray to God.» (JOB 33:26)

«But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord.» (PSALM 69:13)

«In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.» (PHILIPPIANS 4:6)

«To You I will pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You.» (PSALM 5:2,3)

«[Cornelius] prayed to God always.» (ACTS 10:2)

«Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift, every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father.» (JAMES 1:16,17)

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Romans 8:26

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses.

For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought.

Now that we know we must address our prayers to God alone, the second question is:

«What should we pray for?»

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What should we pray for?

Forgiveness of our sins:
«And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.» (MATTHEW 6:12)

Gift of the Holy Spirit:
«How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!» (LUKE 11:13)

Wisdom:
«If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.» (JAMES 1:5)

Understanding God's will:
«Teach me to do Your will.» (PSALM 143:10)
«Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.» (PSALM 119:18)

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What should we pray for?

Our daily bread:
«Give us this day our daily bread.» (MATTHEW 6:11)
«Feed me with the food You prescribe for me.» (PROVERBS 30:8)

No extra material:
«Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.» (MATTHEW 6:33)

Deliverance from temptation:
«Deliver us from the evil one.» (MATTHEW 6:13)
«Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.» (MATTHEW 26:41)

Help in distress:
«Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses.» (PSALM 107:6)

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What should be the objects of our prayers?

Our enemies:
«Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father.» (MATTHEW 5:44,45)

Leaders and those who are in authority:
«I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, (...) be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness.» (1 TIMOTHY 2:1,2)

Preaching of the gospel:
«Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified.» (2 THESSALONIANS 3:1)

Coming of the kingdom of God:
«Our Father (...), Your kingdom come.» (MATTHEW 6:9,10)
«[Jesus] says, "Surely, I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!» (REVELATION 22:20)

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Matthew 6:6

[Jesus said,]

«But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.»

It may be important to pray in public or with our family. However, secret and personal prayer is essential to our spiritual life.

So we must go away from any distraction that could disturb our meditation. This way, we will be able to listen to what God wishes to tell us.

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Ecclesiastes 3:7

[There is] a time to keep silent, and a time to speak.

Isaiah 50:4

He awakens My ear to hear as the learned.

Habakkuk 2:1

I watch to see what [the Lord] will say to me.

Here is an important point: prayer is not a monologue, but definitely a dialogue between God and us!

Let us keep silent a moment in each one of our prayers, to allow God to speak to us.

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1 Samuel 3:10,11

Samuel answered, «Speak, for Your servant hears.»

Then the Lord said to Samuel (...).

Psalm 4:4

Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.

Ecclesiastes 5:2

Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.

Let's remember: prayer is a dialogue, not a monologue.

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Matthew 6:7,8

[Jesus said,]

«But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.»

God does not take pleasure in recited prayers in which the same requests are repeated again and again.

The prayer presented only once by a trusting and sincere heart is the one that will be accepted.

Praying a lot doesn't mean speaking a lot, but loving a lot.

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Daniel 6:10

[Daniel] knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

Psalm 55:17

Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and [God] shall hear my voice.

During a day, we have several opportunities to address a short prayer to God.

Why not take advantage of them?

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John 14:13

[Jesus said,]

«And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do.»

We must present our prayers in the name of Jesus.

This doesn't simply mean mentioning His name at the end of our prayers...

The Bible teaches us that we must pray with Jesus' sentiments, that is, with a firm trust in the Father's promises, and a desire to accomplish His will, completely relying on His grace.

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1 Timothy 2:5

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:17

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

This is vitally important: when we pray to the Father, let us always remember that there is NO mediator between God and us but Jesus Christ.

The Word of God is positive: we must pray to God only, and only in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Jeremiah 29:12,13

Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Mark 11:24

[Jesus said,]

«Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.»

We know that God always keeps His promises.

If so, why doesn't He always grant our prayers?

First, we must know that there are some conditions, well described in the Scriptures, for the fulfillment of our prayers.

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2 Chronicles 7:14,15

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven. (...)

Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.

James 4:6

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

We must come near God in a spirit of humility, aware of our condition as sinners and our great need of a Savior.

It is indeed when we first learn to kneel before God that we spiritually grow tall.

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Matthew 21:22

And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.

James 1:5-7

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, (...) and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.

Our prayer must always be marked with faith, with a complete trust in our Father.

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John 15:7

[Jesus said,]

«If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.»

James 4:8

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Our trust in God will bring us to seek a close communion with Him.

This desire to develop a personal relationship with God is also a condition for the fulfillment of our prayers.

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Isaiah 59:1,2

Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.

Proverbs 15:29

The Lord is far from the wicked but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

If we know the will of God, and in spite of that we choose to live a sinful life, our prayers will have no power.

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Separation from sin, by the grace of God, gives powerful prayers!

«For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers.» (1 PETER 3:12)

«One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination.» (PROVERBS 28:9)

«Then they will cry to the Lord, but He will not hear them; He will even hide His face from them at that time, because they have been evil in their deeds.» (MICAH 3:4)

«If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear. But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer.» (PSALM 66:18,19)

«Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.» (JOHN 9:31)

«Effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.» (JAMES 5:16)

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1 John 3:22

And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

1 John 5:14,15

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Obedience to the will of God is therefore a very important condition.

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Other important conditions for the fulfillment of our prayers:

Forgiving others:
«And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.» (MARK 11:25)

Absence of selfishness:
«You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.» (JAMES 4:3)

Absence of wrath:
«Therefore I desire that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.» (1 TIMOTHY 2:8)

Harmony in the couple:
«Likewise you husbands, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, (...) that your prayers may not be hindered.» (1 PETER 3:7)

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Romans 12:12

(...) continuing steadfastly in prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray without ceasing.

1 Peter 4:7

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.

Perseverance in prayer is a crucial factor, especially since difficult times lie before us.

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Ephesians 5:20

(...) giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:6

In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

And last but not least: let's be grateful for everything God does for us.

When we pray, we must give thanks to God for His grace, His love, His blessings.

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2 Corinthians 12:7-9

A thorn in the flesh was given to me (...). I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me,

«My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.»

Matthew 26:39

[Jesus] prayed, saying,

«O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.»

Sometimes God chooses to answer our prayer differently from what we would have wished.

But He ALWAYS has a good reason to do so.

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Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Lamentations 3:26

It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

If God seems to delay answering our prayer, let us wait with humility and obedience.

One day, we will understand why God chose to act this way, certainly for our greatest benefit and happiness.

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Luke 22:46

Then [Jesus] said to them,

«Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.»

Luke 21:36

[Jesus said,]

«Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.»

Let us put into practice Jesus' advice, because when we kneel before God, we can better stand before man.

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1 Timothy 2:8

Therefore I desire that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

May this lesson have convinced us to use this hotline to our Creator every day, because it is essential to our relationship with God.

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Let's begin communicating with God right now:

Our Father,

We thank You for this direct line You give us through prayer.

Please help us by Your Holy Spirit to always satisfy the conditions of fulfillment for our prayers, and to pray only for the things which are worth it.

We also thank You for the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ, by whom we receive forgiveness of our sins, and everlasting life. In His name we pray.

Amen.

  The test of Lesson 13 is waiting for you!

Source of the Pictures of this Lesson

Screen 1: «National Parks - Larkspur.» In: «Deluxe Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia CD - 1998 Edition», Compton's Home Library, 1997. Screen 2: STEEL, John. In: «God Cares, volume 2» (MAXWELL, C. Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1985, p.12. Screen 3: THORKELSON, Gregg. In: «Signs of the Times» magazine (July 1999), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.31. Screen 4: COLEMAN, Ralph Pallen. In: «The Way, the Truth, and the Life», Philadelphia, The John C. Winston Company, 1958, p.75. Screen 5: In: «The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes» (TAYLOR, Kenneth N.), Moody Press, Chicago, 1956, p.165. Screen 6: Used by permission. Copyright © 1956, 1984 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. RUDEEN, HERBERT. In: «The Bible Story, volume 8» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.67. Picture edited by Cyberspace Ministry. Screen 7: Used by permission. Copyright © 1963, 1991 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. BERRAN, Robert. In: «My Bible Friends, volume 5» (DEGERING, Etta B.), p.27. Screen 8: Used by permission. Copyright © 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1968, 1996 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. ANDERSON, Harry. In: «Uncle Arthur's Bible Book» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.93. Screen 9: Picture by AYRES. In: «Premiers pas» (PADDOCK, Charles L.), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1964, p.151. Screen 10: Comstock Photo Library, Londres. In: «Revelation» (LORIE, Peter), Simon & Schuster, Labyrinth Publishing Ltd, 1994, p.75. Screen 11: Used by permission. Copyright © 1959, 1987 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. SCHLAIKJER, Jes. In: «Votre Bible et Vous» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.193. Screen 12: In: «The Watchtower» magazine (February 1, 1986), New York, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, p.16. Screen 13: Used by permission. Copyright © 1996 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. Photo by SPRINGER, Joel. In: «Adventist Review» (September 1996), p.17. Screen 14: In: «The Watchtower» magazine (March 15, 1988), New York, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, p.1. Screen 15: MANISCALCO, Joe. In: «Images from the Bible and Sacred History CD», Chosen Works, MLI Software, JM015.BMP. Screen 16: BOWER, Maurice. In: «The Living Bible Encyclopedia in Story and Pictures, volume 14», New York, H.S. Stuttman Co. Inc., 1968, p.1852-d. Screen 17: BOWER, Maurice. In: «The Living Bible Encyclopedia in Story and Pictures, volume 14», New York, H.S. Stuttman Co. Inc., 1968, p.1852-b. Screen 18: Used by permission. Copyright © 1963, 1991 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. BERRAN, Robert. In: «My Bible Friends, volume 5» (DEGERING, Etta B.), p.45. Screen 19: Used by permission. Copyright © 1959, 1987 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. SCHLAIKJER, Jes. In: «Votre Bible et vous» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.103. Screen 20: Used by permission. Copyright © 1962, 1989 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. ANDERSON, Harry. In: «L'Espoir de l'Humanité, volume 2» (Ellen G. White), Editions Le Monde Français, front cover. Screen 21: In: «Signes des Temps» magazine (November-December 1999), Editions Vie et Santé, p.4. Screen 22: In: «Egermeier's Bible Story Book» (EGERMEIER, Elsie E.), The Warner Press, 1963, p.235. Screen 23: In: «Egermeier's Bible Story Book» (EGERMEIER, Elsie E.), The Warner Press, 1963, p.314. Screen 24: JUSTINEN, Lars. In: «Questionnaire Adulte de l'Ecole du Sabbat», Pacific Press Publishing Association, Second Quarter, 1997, front cover. Screen 25: Used by permission. Copyright © 1956, 1984 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. RUDEEN, HERBERT. In: «The Bible Story, volume 8» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.140. Screen 26: In: «The Watchtower» magazine (November 1, 1998), New York, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, p.17. Screen 27: Used by permission. Copyright © 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1976 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. In: «Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Stories, volume 1» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.43. Screen 28: In: «Signs of the Times» magazine (January 1991), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.24. Screen 29: In: «Prophecy Seminars», Seminars Unlimited, 1989, Daniel lesson #23 («The Day of Deliverance»), p.5. Screen 30: In: «The Watchtower» magazine (July 1, 1988), Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, p.8. Screen 31: ANDERSON, Harry. In: «The Touch of Love (The Desire of Ages)» (WHITE, Ellen G.), Family Heritage Books, 1995, p.18. Screen 32: In: «The Watchtower» magazine (December 15, 1991), Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, p.17. Screen 33: Photo by TAYLER, B. et H. Armstrong ROBERTS. In: «Adventist Review» (April 1996), Review and Herald Publishing Association, p.19. Screen 34: In: «The Watchtower» magazine (September 15, 1990), New York, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, p.9. Screen 35: Picture collection «ClickArt 65,000» by Broderbund, CD #4, NATOT668.JPG.

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