Basics For Believers

Lesson Twelve: The Necessity Of Prayer

I. God's Word tells us that in order to receive anything from Him, we must ask.

1. James 4:2; Matt. 6:7-9; 7:7

2. God is omniscient (all-knowledgeable), omnipotent (all-powerful), and omnipresent (can be anywhere and everywhere), yet it is necessary for us to pray.

II. Man Gives Away His God Given Dominion.

1. Gen. 1:26-28.

A. After God created the earth, He placed everything into man's hands. Man signed everything over to the devil - Gen. 3:6. Satan became ruler of the world (John 12:30-31; 14:30; 2 Cor. 4:4; Luke 4:5-7).

B. Even though all belongs to God (Psalms 24:1-2), he gave all to man, man in turn gave all to the devil. Because God is fair and just, He will not usurp authority over the devil, therefore He needs someone here on earth to invite or ask Him to do what needs to be done. He needs LEGAL entry.

III. God Can Do His Part When We Do Ours.

1. What we do here on earth determines what will be done in heaven. - Matt. 18:18-20.

A. Moses cooperation with God was the deciding factor for victory - Exod. 17:9-11.

2. Our prayer life can either accomplish or hinder God's purposes on earth. God will reveal His purpose to us, but we must still pray so that it can be accomplished - Ezek. 36:37.

A. Our praying determines what God does on earth. The power of God is at our disposal. God desires that we use it. Much prayer, much power. Little prayer, little power. No prayer, no power.

IV. Prayer: The foundation for success in the early church.

1. Acts 1:14

A. If it were not for the early disciples prayer and supplication, God could not have done what He did on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4, 42-47)

B. It is God's desire for all to be saved but He will not force His will upon anyone. We must pray for the lost (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9).

2. The early church shows us how diligence and committment to prayer determines how how God can work in our lives.

A. Acts 4:31-33; 6:4; 12:1-11; 13:2-4.

CONCLUSION: Some have a problem when you tell them that God cannot do certain things on the earth without someone praying. "God Almighty needs no one, He is God and can do whatever He wishes" is the argument you may encounter. Yet, we know that it is God's will for people to be saved but not everyone is. If God were truly ruling upon the earth, then why is this world in such a mess?

God is powerful enough to do as He pleases. However, what His power attributes gives Him the ABILITY to do, His moral attributes PREVENTS Him from doing so. The Bible tells us that God cannot lie - it's impossible for Him to do so (Titus 1:1-2; Heb. 6:18; Num. 23:19). He has established certain laws that even He cannot violate because it would be against His nature.

Satan's time is short (See Revelation 12) and soon Jesus will rule and reign over the earth. THEN God shall have full control. Until then, you an I are required to pray and allow God to rule and reign upon the earth through US.

E-mail: victoryword@yahoo.com

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