Devotion 2 - Faith - The Power of Prayer.ppt

The power of prayer

1. The Power of Prayer The Power of Prayer

2. What Is Prayer?What Is Prayer?
Steps to Christ, p. 93Steps to Christ, p. 93
•““Prayer is the opening of the heart to Prayer is the opening of the heart to
God as to a friend...Prayer does not bring God as to a friend...Prayer does not bring
God down to us, but brings us up to God down to us, but brings us up to
Him.”Him.”
Steps to Christ, p. 94Steps to Christ, p. 94
•““...Prayer is the key in the hand of faith ...Prayer is the key in the hand of faith
to unlock heaven’s storehouse...”to unlock heaven’s storehouse...”

3. ConditionsConditions
Hebrews 11:6Hebrews 11:6
•““He that cometh to God must believe He that cometh to God must believe
that He is, and that He is a rewarder of that He is, and that He is a rewarder of
them that diligently seek Him.”them that diligently seek Him.”
Steps to Christ,Steps to Christ, p. 96p. 96
•““When we do not receive the very things When we do not receive the very things
we asked for, at the time we ask, we are we asked for, at the time we ask, we are
still to believe that the Lord hears and still to believe that the Lord hears and
that He will answer our prayers.”that He will answer our prayers.”

4. Faith and PromisesFaith and Promises
Steps to Christ, p. 96Steps to Christ, p. 96
•““When our prayers seem not to be When our prayers seem not to be
answered, we are to cling to the promise; answered, we are to cling to the promise;
for the time of answering will surely for the time of answering will surely
come, and we shall receive the blessing come, and we shall receive the blessing
we need most.”we need most.”
Matthew 7:7Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it shall be given “Ask, and it shall be given
you.”you.”

5. Faith and PrayerFaith and Prayer
Education p. 253Education p. 253
•Faith is trusting God--believing that He Faith is trusting God--believing that He
loves us and knows best what is for our loves us and knows best what is for our
good. Thus, instead of our own, it leads us good. Thus, instead of our own, it leads us
to choose His way. In place of our to choose His way. In place of our
ignorance, it accepts His wisdom; in place ignorance, it accepts His wisdom; in place
of our weakness, His strength; in place of of our weakness, His strength; in place of
our sinfulness, His righteousness. our sinfulness, His righteousness.

6. How to Exercise FaithHow to Exercise Faith
Education, p. 253Education, p. 253
• If we are willing to do His will, all His If we are willing to do His will, all His
strength is ours.strength is ours.
•In order to strengthen faith, we must In order to strengthen faith, we must
often bring it in contact with the word. often bring it in contact with the word.

7. ExamplesExamples
•EnochEnoch, pure in heart, holy in life, holding fast his , pure in heart, holy in life, holding fast his
faith in the triumph of righteousness against a faith in the triumph of righteousness against a
corrupt and scoffing generation corrupt and scoffing generation
•NoahNoah and his household against the men of his and his household against the men of his
timetime
•The children of The children of IsraelIsrael at the Red Sea at the Red Sea
•DavidDavid, a shepherd lad, having God's promise of , a shepherd lad, having God's promise of
the throne (Ed.254)the throne (Ed.254)

8. Promises to ClaimPromises to Claim
Education, pp. 256-257Education, pp. 256-257
•"I can do all things through Christ which "I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13. strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13.
• "For he that toucheth you toucheth the apple "For he that toucheth you toucheth the apple
of His eye." Zechariah 2:8. of His eye." Zechariah 2:8.
•"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in
Him; and He shall bring it to pass. . . . He shall Him; and He shall bring it to pass. . . . He shall
bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and
thy judgment as the noonday." Psalm 37:5, 6. thy judgment as the noonday." Psalm 37:5, 6.

9. Duties to FulfillDuties to Fulfill
Education, p. 257Education, p. 257
• The compassion that God manifests toward The compassion that God manifests toward
us, He bids us manifest toward others. Let the us, He bids us manifest toward others. Let the
impulsive, the self-sufficient, the revengeful, impulsive, the self-sufficient, the revengeful,
behold the meek and lowly One, led as a lamb behold the meek and lowly One, led as a lamb
to the slaughter, unretaliating as a sheep dumb to the slaughter, unretaliating as a sheep dumb
before her shearers. Let them look upon Him before her shearers. Let them look upon Him
whom our sins have pierced and our sorrows whom our sins have pierced and our sorrows
burdened, and they will learn to endure, to burdened, and they will learn to endure, to
forbear, and to forgive.forbear, and to forgive.

10. Character DevelopmentCharacter Development
Education, p. 257Education, p. 257
• Through faith in Christ, every deficiency Through faith in Christ, every deficiency
of character may be supplied, every of character may be supplied, every
defilement cleansed, every fault defilement cleansed, every fault
corrected, every excellence developed. corrected, every excellence developed.
•"Ye are complete in Him." "Ye are complete in Him." Colossians 2:10.Colossians 2:10.

11. Studying the Science of PrayerStudying the Science of Prayer
Education, p. 257Education, p. 257
•Prayer and faith are closely allied, and they Prayer and faith are closely allied, and they
need to be studied together. In the prayer need to be studied together. In the prayer
of faith there is a divine science; it is a of faith there is a divine science; it is a
science that everyone who would make his science that everyone who would make his
lifework a success must understand. lifework a success must understand.

12. The Prayer of FaithThe Prayer of Faith
Class IIClass II

13. Prayer of Faith – Step 1Prayer of Faith – Step 1
Asking – Condition 2Asking – Condition 2
But the prayer that comes from an earnest But the prayer that comes from an earnest
heart, when the simple wants of the soul are heart, when the simple wants of the soul are
expressed just as we would ask an earthly expressed just as we would ask an earthly
friend for a favor, expecting that it would be friend for a favor, expecting that it would be
granted--this is the prayer of faith. MLT-19granted--this is the prayer of faith. MLT-19

14. Asking – How Hard Asking – How Hard
Can It Be?Can It Be?
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto youknock, and it shall be opened unto you:…Matt 7:7:…Matt 7:7
•……for any gift He has promised, we may ask; {Ed. for any gift He has promised, we may ask; {Ed.
258}258}
•It is a part of God's plan to grant us, in answer to the It is a part of God's plan to grant us, in answer to the
prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow did prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow did
we not thus ask. {GC 525.2}we not thus ask. {GC 525.2}

15. Asking Properly Asking Properly

Our asking must be according to God‘s will…Our asking must be according to God‘s will…
{Ed. 258}{Ed. 258}
Not as I will, but as Thou wilt.Not as I will, but as Thou wilt. (Mt. 26:39.) (Mt. 26:39.)

16. Asking Properly Asking Properly
•We must ask for the things that He has We must ask for the things that He has
promised…promised…
• For the pardon of sin, for the Holy Spirit, for For the pardon of sin, for the Holy Spirit, for
a Christlike temper, for wisdom and strength a Christlike temper, for wisdom and strength
to do His work, for any gift He has promised, to do His work, for any gift He has promised,
we may ask; …{Ed.258}we may ask; …{Ed.258}

17. Asking Properly Asking Properly
……It is the will of God to cleanse us from sin, to make It is the will of God to cleanse us from sin, to make
us His children, and to enable us to live a holy life. So us His children, and to enable us to live a holy life. So
we may ask for these blessings…{SC 51}we may ask for these blessings…{SC 51}

18. To every promise of God there are To every promise of God there are
conditions. If we are willing to do His will, conditions. If we are willing to do His will,
all His strength is ours. Whatever gift He all His strength is ours. Whatever gift He
promises, is in the promise itself. "promises, is in the promise itself. "The The
seed is the word of Godseed is the word of God." Luke 8:11. As ." Luke 8:11. As
surely as the oak is in the acorn, so surely surely as the oak is in the acorn, so surely
is the gift of God in His promise. If we is the gift of God in His promise. If we
receive the promise, we have the gift. {Ed receive the promise, we have the gift. {Ed
253.3}253.3}

19. Asking for What?Asking for What?
• Every promise in the word of God furnishes us Every promise in the word of God furnishes us
with subject matter for prayer, presenting the with subject matter for prayer, presenting the
pledged word of Jehovah as our assurance. {MB pledged word of Jehovah as our assurance. {MB
133}133}

20. The Prayer of FaithThe Prayer of Faith
Believing-Condition 3Believing-Condition 3
Mark 11:24 Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What Therefore I say unto you, What
things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe
that ye receive them, and ye shall have themthat ye receive them, and ye shall have them..
Ed. 258 …then we are to believe that we receive Ed. 258 …then we are to believe that we receive
…(See also SC 51)…(See also SC 51)

21. Believing by FaithBelieving by Faith
• We need look for no outward evidence of the We need look for no outward evidence of the
blessing. The gift is in the promise, and we may blessing. The gift is in the promise, and we may
go about our work assured that what God has go about our work assured that what God has
promised He is able to perform, and that the promised He is able to perform, and that the
gift, which we already possess, will be realized gift, which we already possess, will be realized
when we need it most. {Ed 258.2}when we need it most. {Ed 258.2}

22. Believing by Faith - 2Believing by Faith - 2
The nobleman wanted to see the fulfillment
of his prayer before he should believe; but he
had to accept the word of Jesus that his
request was heard and the blessing granted.
This lesson we also have to learn.

23. Not because we see or feel that God hears us
are we to believe. We are to trust in His
promises. When we come to Him in faith,
every petition enters the heart of God. When
we have asked for His blessing, we should
believe that we receive it… {DA 200}

24. Thanking Him Thanking Him
Condition 4Condition 4

25. Thankfulness – A Vital Part of the Thankfulness – A Vital Part of the
Prayer of FaithPrayer of Faith
• (We are to ) thank God that we have received (We are to ) thank God that we have received
them. {SC 51}them. {SC 51}
•(We are to) return thanks to God that we have (We are to) return thanks to God that we have
received. {Ed 258.1}received. {Ed 258.1}
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus concerning you.God in Christ Jesus concerning you. {1 {1
Thessalonians 5:18}Thessalonians 5:18}

26. What are we What are we
Praying For?Praying For?

27. Special ConditionsSpecial Conditions
John 16:23, 24John 16:23, 24
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask
the Father in my name, he will give it you. the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask,
and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

28. Asking in Jesus’ Name - 1Asking in Jesus’ Name - 1
But to pray in Christ's name means much. It But to pray in Christ's name means much. It
means that we are to accept His character, means that we are to accept His character,
manifest His spirit, and work His works. The manifest His spirit, and work His works. The
Saviour's promise is given on condition. "If ye Saviour's promise is given on condition. "If ye
love Me," He says, "keep My commandments." love Me," He says, "keep My commandments."
He saves men, not in sin, but from sin; and He saves men, not in sin, but from sin; and
those who love Him will show their love by those who love Him will show their love by
obedience. {DA 668.2}obedience. {DA 668.2}

29. Asking in Jesus’ Name - 2Asking in Jesus’ Name - 2
In Christ's name our petitions ascend to the In Christ's name our petitions ascend to the
Father. He intercedes in our behalf, and the Father. He intercedes in our behalf, and the
Father lays open all the treasures of His grace... Father lays open all the treasures of His grace...
for us to enjoy and impart to others. "Ask in My for us to enjoy and impart to others. "Ask in My
name," Christ says…. Make use of My name. name," Christ says…. Make use of My name.
This will give your prayers efficiency, and the This will give your prayers efficiency, and the
Father will give you the riches of His grace. Father will give you the riches of His grace.
Wherefore ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy Wherefore ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy
may be full." {8T 178.1}may be full." {8T 178.1}

30. Asking in Jesus’ Name - 3Asking in Jesus’ Name - 3
When with earnestness and intensity we breathe When with earnestness and intensity we breathe
a prayer in the name of Christ, there is in that a prayer in the name of Christ, there is in that
very intensity a pledge from God that He is very intensity a pledge from God that He is
about to answer our prayer "exceeding about to answer our prayer "exceeding
abundantly above all that we ask or think." Eph. abundantly above all that we ask or think." Eph.
3:20. {COL 147.3}3:20. {COL 147.3}

31. Fulfill Conditions EmbeddedFulfill Conditions Embedded
in the Text in the Text
Examples:Examples:
I Jn 1:9I Jn 1:9
If we confess our sinsIf we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our , he is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Isa 26:3Isa 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind whose mind
is stayed on thee:is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. because he trusteth in thee.

32. Finding and Fulfilling ConditionsFinding and Fulfilling Conditions
James 1:2-3James 1:2-3
My brethren, My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into count it all joy when ye fall into
divers temptations;divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith Knowing this, that the trying of your faith
worketh patience.worketh patience.

33. Procedure for Presenting PromisesProcedure for Presenting Promises
• God stands back of every promise He has God stands back of every promise He has
made. With your Bible in your hands say, I made. With your Bible in your hands say, I
have done as Thou hast said. I present Thy have done as Thou hast said. I present Thy
promise…promise… {COL 147}{COL 147}

34. Factors to Consider In ClaimingFactors to Consider In Claiming
Our Inability to Fulfill ConditionsOur Inability to Fulfill Conditions
Jer 13:23Jer 13:23
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the
leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, leopard his spots? then may ye also do good,
that are accustomed to do evil. (KJV)that are accustomed to do evil. (KJV)

35. Only God Can Change Only God Can Change
Our Attitudes and ActionsOur Attitudes and Actions
Ezek 36:26-27Ezek 36:26-27A new heart also will I give A new heart also will I give
you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I
will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, will take away the stony heart out of your flesh,
and I will give you an heart of flesh.and I will give you an heart of flesh.
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause And I will put my spirit within you, and cause
you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my
judgments, and do them.judgments, and do them.

36. We Must CooperateWe Must Cooperate
John 15:5John 15:5
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me,abideth in me,
and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for
without me ye can do nothing. without me ye can do nothing.
You are not able, of yourself, to bring your purposes and You are not able, of yourself, to bring your purposes and
desires and inclinations into submission to the will of God; desires and inclinations into submission to the will of God;
but but if you are "willing to be made willingif you are "willing to be made willing," God will ," God will
accomplish the work for you…{MB 142}accomplish the work for you…{MB 142}

37. What Do We Do What Do We Do
With All Those Conditions?With All Those Conditions?
Treat Them As PromisesTreat Them As Promises

38. Conditions=Commands=PromisesConditions=Commands=Promises
The creative energy that called the worlds into The creative energy that called the worlds into
existence is in the word of God. This word existence is in the word of God. This word
imparts power; it begets life. Every command is a imparts power; it begets life. Every command is a
promise; accepted by the will, received into the promise; accepted by the will, received into the
soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One. soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One.
{Ed 126}{Ed 126}