1

We Believe —

First Principles of PrayerFirst Principles of Prayer

– as taught by Scripture and illustrated in the lives of the righteous

that Jesus“is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.” 1John 1:9

2

First Principles of Prayer

• Prayer Works! (James 5:16)

• It is good to praise God (Psalm 147:1)

• We should pray for all men” (1Tim 2:1)

• God will forgive! (1John 1:9)

3

4

5

Hebrews 7:25 “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

John 14:13-14 “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

1John 2:1 “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”

6

Hebrews 7:25 “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

John 14:13-14 “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

1John 2:1 “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”

7

Hebrews 7:25 “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

John 14:13-14 “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

1John 2:1 “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”

8

• God is not unwilling!

• Jesus’ Intercession

• Jesus our High Priest

• Some practicalsuggestions

Class outline:

9

• 2Cor 5:14-21

– “all this is from God” (vs. 18)

– “in Christ God was reconciling” (vs. 19)

– “God makes appeal through us” (vs. 20)

– “For our sake …” (vs. 21)

10

• Hebrews 2:10-3:2

– Jesus “perfectly prepared” by God (2:10)

– Jesus “appointed” by God (3:2)

11

• Hebrews 2:10-3:2

– Jesus “perfectly prepared” by God (2:10)

– Jesus “appointed” by God (3:2)

• John 16:23-27

– “the Father himself loveth you because ye have loved me”

12

• Rom 5:1-2 – “we have obtained access to grace” (RSV)

• Eph 2:18– “[we] have access in one Spirit” (RSV)

• Eph 3:11-12– In Christ, “confidence of access” (RSV)

13

• Do we consider our weakness greater than God’s strength? Consider Manasseh!

(2Chron 33:1-13)

• Do we consider our problems so dire (and so much of our own making) that we cannot bring them before God? Consider Jonah!

(Jonah 2)

14

• Do we consider our weakness greater than God’s strength? Consider Manasseh!

(2Chron 33:1-13)

• Do we consider our problems so dire (and so much of our own making) that we cannot bring them before God? Consider Jonah!

(Jonah 2)

15

• Intercession does not imply hostility

• Against Paul by the Jews (Acts 25:24)

• Elijah’s petitions against Israel (Rom 11:2)

• Jesus’ intercession (Romans 8:31-39)

• Context: “If God be for us …”

16

• Intercession does not imply hostility

• Against Paul by the Jews (Acts 25:24)

• Elijah’s petitions against Israel (Rom 11:2)

• Jesus’ intercession (Romans 8:31-39)

• Context: “If God be for us …”

17

“Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.”

Exodus 28:29

“And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.” (Exodus 28:2)

18

Similarities –

• made like unto his brethren (2:10-16)

• he himself hath suffered being tempted (2:18)

• touched with the feeling of our infirmities (4:15)

19

Similarities –

• made like unto his brethren (2:10-16)

• he himself hath suffered being tempted (2:18)

• touched with the feeling of our infirmities (4:15)

Differences –

• into heaven itself (9:24)

• a single offering (9:25-27)

• law made nothing perfect (7:19)

• priests died (7:23) Jesus “ever liveth” (7:25)

20

“to the uttermost”

Pan – teles

“as far as the east is from the west”

21

• Make time for prayer

22

• Make time for prayer

• Find a quiet place for prayer

23

• Make time for prayer

• Find a quiet place for prayer

• Enjoy family prayer

24

• Make time for prayer

• Find a quiet place for prayer

• Enjoy family prayer

• Consider fasting

25

• Make time for prayer

• Find a quiet place for prayer

• Enjoy family prayer

• Consider fasting

• Keep a prayer list

26

• Make time for prayer

• Find a quiet place for prayer

• Enjoy family prayer

• Consider fasting

• Keep a prayer list

• Use the Lord’s prayer as a model

27

• Make time for prayer

• Find a quiet place for prayer

• Enjoy family prayer

• Consider fasting

• Keep a prayer list

• Use the Lord’s prayer as a model

• Acknowledge Jesus as living and presentAcknowledge Jesus as living and present

28

“Jesus did not teach the disciples to make their supreme petitions to him, but to the Father through him: ‘Ye shall pray the Father in my name’ ... Yet this need not exclude … prayer and thanks (subordinately permissible to him) …

If Jesus were on earth, and we were to meet him, would we not do homage and make request of his favor? Undoubtedly. Well, he lives, and though we see him not, he sees us, and has all power: for it is given to him …

He is able to succour those who are tempted, and shall we not make request?”

R. Roberts, The Christadelphian, 1st May 1873

29

Our Lord and Master Lives –

He ever livethto make intercession for us,

and is able to save us

to the uttermost.