Life after Salvation starting

Bible reading is God's way of speaking to you and me. Praying is our way of speaking to God. The Lord wants to be more than just a Saviour to us; He wants to be our Friend. Developing this friendship through prayer is called fellowship. Fellowship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ is the most important activity of the believer. Don't ever forget this fact. Learn to talk to the Lord about everything. If you do this, your spiritual life will grow in wisdom by the Word of God. The experience of answered prayer is thrilling. There ought to be a time everyday that we personally go to the Lord on our knees. Then there ought to be a time everyday that we go to the Lord in prayer as a family. And, we ought always to be in the mood of prayer wherever we go, because God is only a prayer away. That is real fellowship. Notice what the Word of God says about prayer.

09.01 Since God is our refuge, what are we told to do? Psalm 62:8     
          Trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart before Him.

09.02 With what attitude should we approach God in prayer? Hebrews 10:22     
          True heart.  Full assurance of faith.

09.03 In Luke 11:9, what three words does Jesus use to describe prayer and what promise is connected
          with each?        	Promise:
	(1) ASK          	It shall be given you
	(2) SEEK              	Ye shall find.
	(3) KNOCK        	It shall be opened unto you.

09.04 In Philippians 4:6-7:
          (a) What are we to do? Let your requests be made known unto the God.
          (b) What is promised?  Peace of God.

09.05 In Psalm 50:15:
          (a) What is God's command? Call upon Him in the day of trouble.
          (b) What is His promise?  He will deliver thee.

09.06 What are two reasons that God answers our prayers?
          (a) John 14:13   That the Father may be glorified.
          (b) John 16:24   That your joy may be filled.

09.07 In your own words, write out I Thessalonians 5:16-18:
          God's will for me is to pray always with a thankful heart and to rejoice in doing so.
          "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God
           in Christ Jesus concerning you."

09.08 According to Jeremiah 33:3, if we call upon God what will He do?
          I will answer thee and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

09.09 According to Ephesians 3:20, if we call upon God what will he do?
          He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.

09.10 What is one thing we must do to receive answers to prayer? John 16:24 ASK in Christ's name.

09.11 Upon Whose merits (in Whose name) should we pray? John 14:13-14 In Christ's name.

09.12 By what do we enter the holiest? Hebrews 10:19 Blood of Jesus.


The divine pattern of prayer is to:
		Pray to the Father
                                In the name of the Son
                                With the help of the Holy Spirit.

09.13 As we pray, our attitude should follow Jesus' example. Luke 22:42 "Not my will, but thine be done."

09.14 What is another condition for answered prayer?
          (a) Heb. 11:6    Faith.
          (b) Matt. 21:22 Believe.

09.15 What gives us faith that God will hear us? I John 5:14-15 Confidence. Ye know.

09.16 How do we find God's will and build faith for answers? John 15:7
          Abiding. Asking. Seeing answered prayers.

09.17 What is one hindrance to unanswered prayer? Psalm 66:18 Sin. Iniquity in my heart.

09.18 In Romans 10:1
          (a) How does Paul describe his concern for his lost countrymen? Desire in his heart.
          (b) What did he do about it? Prayed.
          (c) What was his goal for them? For salvation.

09.19 According to I Timothy 2:1-4:
          (a) For what three groups of people should we pray?
	(1) For all men.
                (2) For kings.
                (3) For all that are in authority.
          (b) Why? That all should be saved.
          (c) What is prayer in the sight of God? I Tim. 2:3 It is good and acceptable.

09.20 For what does the Lord especially want us to pray? Matt. 9:37-38
          Labourers - The harvest is ready!!!

09.21 For what should we ask for those who serve Christ around the world? (Your hometown)
          (a) Eph. 6:19-20 Boldness to make known the Gospel.
          (b) II Thess. 3:1-2 Freedom to preach - Safety from unbelievers.

09.22 According to Eph. 6:18-20, how should we pray? In the Spirit.

09.23 In Eph. 6:18-20, for what did Paul ask? Boldness to make known the Gospel.
          Why?  We are Ambassadors for Christ.

09.24 For what should we ask for ourselves?
          (a) James 1:5 Wisdom.
          (b) Psalm 119:34 Understanding.
          (c) Psalm 119:133 Order my steps - Guide me.
          (d) Matt. 26:41 Flee temptation - Enter not.
          (e) Psalm 51:2, 10  Clean heart from sin - Renew a right spirit in me.
          (f) Psalm 37:5 Commit (commitment) - Trust.
          (g) Psalm 19:14  Words and heart attitude to be acceptable.

09.25 For whom else should we pray? Matt. 5:44 Your enemies.

	Have you started a prayer list? You will find it a helpful reminder in praying.
	Be specific. God answers specifically. Include the following:
                (1) Your family
                (2) Your unsaved family, friends, and acquaintances.
                (3) Your pastor, church and its ministry.
                (4) Missionaries and Christian workers you know.
                (5) Your personal needs.

09.26 According to Matt. 6:9-13, Jesus teaches certain principles which we should include in our personal praying.
          (a) Whom should we address in prayer?  God our heavenly Father.
          (b) Whose Name should we honor and worship? God's name.
          (c) What do you think "Thy Kingdom Come" means? God's earthly Kingdom.
          (d) What phrases include our personal submission to God? Thy will be done.
          (e) What specific needs should we ask to be supplied? Daily needs.
          (f) As we ask God to forgive our offenses, what obligation do we have? We must forgive others first.
          (g) From what two things should we pray to be kept?
	(1) Lead us not into temptation.  (2) Deliver us from evil.

CONCLUSION:
To have a life that is pleasing to God; it must be a life of prayer. You may have heard the saying,
"A family that prays together, stays together."
 
Husbands, does your family:
        (1) Have prayer time together?  Yes ________  No _________ I can't answer for you.
        (2) Attend the Mid-week Prayer Service? Yes ________  No _________ I can't answer for you.

If not, why not? God is not looking for excuses; He is looking for OBEDIENCE.