Bible Study
February 1, 2015
Question - Is there a special formula to praying?
Answer - No
Prayer is Communicating with God. You have a voice and your voice is heard!!
The bible gives examples of people praying on their knees (1 Kings 8:54), standing (1 Kings 8:22), bowing (Exod. 4:31), prostate (2 Chron. 20:18 and Matt. 26:39). There are also examples of individuals praying with their eyes open, eyes closed, with their hands raised or folded. In other words, there is no set way to pray physically. According to Matt. 6:7, "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking" (KJV). Simply put, this means just do not be repetitive or mechanical while you pray.
You should not pray hastily. Think about what you are saying and say it with purpose. "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few." Ecc. 5:2 (KJV) God will hear us when we call out to him. Not only will God hear you, but he will grant you what you ask, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7 (KJV).
One thing to keep in mind as you pray, the answer may not be immediate. It is important to keep praying until you get your answer. Never give up on praying for your needs. Mat 7:7 says, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (KJV). The answer may not be the one you want, but it will be the right answer for God's plan.
Question - Is there a special formula to praying?
Answer - No
Prayer is Communicating with God. You have a voice and your voice is heard!!
The bible gives examples of people praying on their knees (1 Kings 8:54), standing (1 Kings 8:22), bowing (Exod. 4:31), prostate (2 Chron. 20:18 and Matt. 26:39). There are also examples of individuals praying with their eyes open, eyes closed, with their hands raised or folded. In other words, there is no set way to pray physically. According to Matt. 6:7, "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking" (KJV). Simply put, this means just do not be repetitive or mechanical while you pray.
You should not pray hastily. Think about what you are saying and say it with purpose. "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few." Ecc. 5:2 (KJV) God will hear us when we call out to him. Not only will God hear you, but he will grant you what you ask, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7 (KJV).
One thing to keep in mind as you pray, the answer may not be immediate. It is important to keep praying until you get your answer. Never give up on praying for your needs. Mat 7:7 says, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (KJV). The answer may not be the one you want, but it will be the right answer for God's plan.
January 28, 2015
Question - Where is the battle with the devil fought?
Answer - In your mind.
There is a war with the devil and it occurs in your mind. See:
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor 10:4-5 (KJV)
The doubtful mind
Luke 12:29 says, "And seek not ye what ye sall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind."
When Satan questioned Eve in the garden, he caused her to doubt. In Gen 3:3, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. In Gen 3:4, And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.
Satan is the master liar and he will wreck your mind if you let him. he will distort your thought patterns and destroy your confidence in God. The lie - God is against me. All your trouble is coming from God. he has let you down. You "imagine" that God is blessing others but not you. You become unhappy with your lot in life and blame God. Basically, you have listened to Satan's lie and have begun to doubt God's love for you.
The Renewed Mind
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Eph 4:23 (KJV)
We need to have our minds renewed after we are saved, because of our sinful nature and our sinful choices we made before we became Christians. Basically, we need to surrender our minds to Christ. I have heard it said that so and so brought a lot of baggage to the marriage. Well, all of us bring a lot of baggage to our Christian life and walk with the Lord. The bible says in Rom 12:2, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. We need transformation, something only God can do.
How does God do this?
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom 10:17 (KJV).
Question - Where is the battle with the devil fought?
Answer - In your mind.
There is a war with the devil and it occurs in your mind. See:
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor 10:4-5 (KJV)
The doubtful mind
Luke 12:29 says, "And seek not ye what ye sall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind."
When Satan questioned Eve in the garden, he caused her to doubt. In Gen 3:3, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. In Gen 3:4, And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.
Satan is the master liar and he will wreck your mind if you let him. he will distort your thought patterns and destroy your confidence in God. The lie - God is against me. All your trouble is coming from God. he has let you down. You "imagine" that God is blessing others but not you. You become unhappy with your lot in life and blame God. Basically, you have listened to Satan's lie and have begun to doubt God's love for you.
The Renewed Mind
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Eph 4:23 (KJV)
We need to have our minds renewed after we are saved, because of our sinful nature and our sinful choices we made before we became Christians. Basically, we need to surrender our minds to Christ. I have heard it said that so and so brought a lot of baggage to the marriage. Well, all of us bring a lot of baggage to our Christian life and walk with the Lord. The bible says in Rom 12:2, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. We need transformation, something only God can do.
How does God do this?
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom 10:17 (KJV).
© 2015 Briarcliff Pentecostal Church