The Strand Study Bible

LUKE “MINI” SERIES Seven Steps To A Better Prayer Life

*learn to humble ourselves (Mt 21:12-16) *learn to reflect on our humble beginnings (Psa 74:1-3,21) *learn to desire what is right (Psa 33:1-5) *learn what it means to be of a willing spirit (Psa 50:23) *learn to praise Him daily (Psa 72:15 & 113:3) Lesson #2 . Learn to petition God daily concerning His pleasure (Luke 11:2 - “ thy will be done ”)

God’s will for our life is that we seek His pleasure through fasting. According to the Bible, there are four kinds of fasting: 1. Burdened-hearted fasting This kind of fasting resulted out of grief and frustration. Called a “no-account” fast, this type of fasting did not count for anything. People fasted simply because their hearts were so burdened they could not eat (Judg 20:24-26, I Sam 1:1-7 & 31:11-13, II Sam 1:1-12 & 3:33-35, I Ki 19:8-10, Dan 6:18-20 and Ezra 10:1-6) 2. Broken-hearted fasting This kind of fasting resulted out of a desire to gain, or regain, three spiritual necessities: (1) the presence of God (I Sam 7:3-6); (2) the pity of God (God’s grace and mercy) (II Sam 12:9-22 & 17:26, Psa 69:1-10, I Ki 21:27, Joel 1:13-14 & 2:12-14, Jonah 3:4 and Neh 1:1-11 & 9:1-3); and (3) the protection of God (II Sam 15:31, Psa 109:24, II Chro 20:1-4, Esther 4:1-16 and Ezra 8:21-23) 3. Bible-hearted fasting This kind of fasting resulted out of desire to know God’s word and to do His will for the sake of others (Exo 24:18, Deut 9:9,18 & 34:28, Lev 16:29-34 & 23:32, I Sam 24:22, Psa 35:13-14, Dan 9:1-3,23-27 & 10:1-14, Zech 8:19, Mt 4:1-4, Lk 4:1-2, Mt 9:14, Mk 2:18, Lk 5:33 Lk 2:36-37, Acts 9:9 & 10:30 & 13:1-4 & 14:23, I Cor 7:4-5 and II Cor 6:3-5 & 11:23-27) 4. Bad-hearted fasting This kind of fasting resulted out of selfishness and pride. Men refused to eat because of four different reasons: (1) They sought prestige (Mt 6:16-18 & 9:14-15 and Lk 18:12); (2) They sought profit (I Ki 21:9-12); (3) They sought pleasure (Isa 58:3-8); and (4) They sought power (Acts 23:12-13). NOTE – We cannot petition God properly concerning His pleasure until we first learn to obey what we already know to be true (Jn 7:16-17 & 8:31-32 & 14:13-14 & 15:7, Mt 21:22, Mk 11:22-24 and Jms 4:1-4). NOTE – According to the Bible, we cannot petition God properly concerning His provision until we first learn to ask Him for things on a daily basis (Lk 11:3 and Mt 7:7-8) NOTE – According to the Bible, we cannot petition God properly concerning penitence ( forgiveness ) until we first learn to forgive others (Mt 6:14-15 and Mk 11:25-26). NOTE – God’s people must ask God to protect them against three enemies: (1) the world ( lead us not into temptation ); (2) the flesh ( lead us not into temptation ); and (3) the DEVIL ( but deliver us from EVIL ). NOTE – According to the Bible, we cannot petition God properly concerning people until we first learn to believe that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6) Lesson #7 . Learn to petition God daily for power (Luke 11:13 - “ how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit [power] to them that ask Him ”) NOTE – According to the Bible, we cannot petition God properly concerning His power until we first learn to ask Him continually (Lk 11:13) NOTE – Prayer defined is nothing more than communicating with God on His level. William Steuart McBirnie in Secrets of Successful Prayer (Booklet) notes: Prayer is our means of communication with Him to learn His divine pleasure; to express our love and confidence in Him; to secure His guidance so that His perfect Will may be done; to open our weakness to His strength and power, so that He may work through us unhindered. These seven areas ( praise, pleasure, provision, penitence, protection, people , and power ), when addressed properly, place us on God’s level. THE ADAGE IS TRUE: A lot of kneeling usually keeps one in good standing Lesson #3 . Learn to petition God daily for provision (Luke 11:3 - “ Give us day by day ”) Lesson #4. Learn to petition God daily concerning penitence (Luke 11:4 - “ forgive us our sins ”) Lesson #5 . Learn to petition God daily for protection (Luke 11:4 & 18:1-7 - “ deliver us from evil ”) Lesson #6 . Learn to petition God daily on behalf of people (Luke 11:5-12 - “ a friend of mine ”)

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