A SIMPLE THEOLOGY OF PRAYER PART 1
Why Pray? (Understanding the Power and Purpose of Prayer)Lesson 5: Biblical Examples of the Purpose of Prayer
We have heard about the importance of “standing in the gap” on behalf of others. This lesson focuses on Ezekiel 22:30 to help us understand the role of prayer in bringing about God’s purposes on earth.
In this lesson you will:
• discover how the Sovereign God uniquely and intentionally uses the prayers of His people as He rules over the earth.
• see how God dealt with the people of His city, Jerusalem, when He could not find an intercessor to stand in the gap for the land.
• learn how God responded to the intercession of one person standing in the gap before Him on behalf of the sinful people of Israel.
• recognize that the compassionate God of love desires to show mercy more than judgment.
Reading:
• Forgotten Power (Chapter 2, pgs. 17 – top of 18)
• Ezekiel 22
• Psalm 106
• Exodus 32 TLB
Video 5: Biblical Examples of the Purpose of Prayer
Questions to Consider:
1. Does the gap passage of Ez.22:30 fit your understanding of the power of prayer? Why or why not?
2. What do you think of Martin Luther’s quote from the reading on page 17 of Forgotten Power: “Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness.”?
3. If God didn’t want Jerusalem to be destroyed, why didn’t He step in to protect it? Do you agree with Dave’s assessment that God to a large extent has limited the working of His power to the prayers of His people? Why or why not? How does this change the way you think about prayer?
4. Discuss the outcome when Moses stepped in to intercede for the Israelites making an idol and behaving sinfully while he was on the mountain with God.
5. Have you ever been prompted to pray, awakened in the night without knowing why, or have a strong sense to pray for a person or a situation? Have you obeyed? Why or why not? If you did obey, what did God do?
6. Would God find YOU if He was “looking” for someone for a specific prayer assignment? Why or why not?
7. What would need to change about your life of prayer in order to be continually ready to respond when God calls you to pray?
Download PDF of Lesson 5 Questions to Consider
Watch Dave’s Summary Video (2-3 minutes)
Spend Time in Prayer
· Standing in the Gap (Group Leaders see Group Leader Instructions Lessons 1-6; for individuals, see Instructions for Individual Prayer Lessons 1-6)
· Group Leader Instructions Lessons 1-6 (Click for PDF)
· Instructions for Individual Prayer Lessons 1-6 (Click for PDF)
Next Steps:
• Consider continuing your prayer assignment from the prayer time you had for this lesson. Obey God’s urging if He is showing you something to do in response to your prayers. Carry this assignment through the week unless God shows you the assignment is complete, or if He seems to be urging you to continue in prayer.
• Standing in the gap for your pastor(s). In order for your church to become a house of prayer for all nations, you need a prayed for pastor. Click on this link to stand in the gap for your pastor(s) and his/their family/families: Prayer and Care for Pastors and their Families: https://www.harvestprayer.com/resources/church-prayer/prayer-and-care-for-pastors
Supplemental Material for Lesson 5:
• God, Breathe New Life into Us
https://www.heraldofhiscoming.org/index.php/373-past-issues/1992/nov92/4381-o-god-breathe-new-life-into-us-11-92
• Seeking the Face of God for Fresh Mercies
https://www.heraldofhiscoming.org/index.php/371-past-issues/1992/sep92/4374-seeking-the-face-of-god-for-fresh-mercies-9-92
• A Call for Intercessors
https://www.heraldofhiscoming.org/index.php/413-past-issues/2020/nov20/4353-a-call-for-intercessors-11-20
• God Works When Men Pray
https://www.heraldofhiscoming.org/index.php/375-past-issues/1991/jan91/4172-god-works-when-men-pray-01-91
Optional Consultation/Question-Answer Session
With every PrayerU course, there is an option to have a one-hour Zoom session with your instructor(s). This is your opportunity to engage your instructor(s) on a personal level with either a question-answer session, a deeper level conversation about the course content, or both.
There is an additional cost for the consultation session and scheduling is subject to availability.