Categorical Doctrine of Prayer

Categorical Doctrine of Prayer

1. The approach to prayer
   1. Addressed to the Father (Matt. 6:9; Eph. 3:14; 5:20)
   2. In the name of the Son (John 14:13–14; 16:23–24; Eph. 5:20)
   3. In the power of the Spirit (Eph. 6:18)
2. Three categories of prayer directed to God the Father
   1. From the source of the Son (Heb. 7:25)
   2. From the source of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:26–27)
   3. From the source of the believer-priest (Heb. 4:16)
3. The agenda for private prayer
   1. Confession (1 John 1:9)
   2. Thanksgiving (Eph. 5:20; 1 Thess. 5:18)
   3. Intercession (Eph. 6:18)
   4. Petition (Heb. 4:16)
4. Prayer requires the application of faith-rest: “believing, you will receive” (Matt. 21:22; Mark 11:24).
5. Eight principles of prayer
   1. Prayer is the most effective when the believer learns Bible doctrine and advances to spiritual maturity (John 15:7).
   2. Prayer is an application of the faith-rest drill (Matt. 21:22; Mark 11:24).
   3. Prayer demands cognizance of the will of God, therefore the necessity of maximum knowledge of Bible doctrine (1 John 5:14).
   4. Prayer must be offered in status of the filling of the Spirit (Eph. 6:18).
   5. When the believer is carnal, prayer is ineffective (Ps. 66:18).
   6. Prayer must comply with the principle of grace (Heb. 4:16).
   7. Prayer is part of the divine decree (Jer. 33:3).
   8. Prayer is related to personal love toward God (Ps. 116:1–2).
6. Nine reasons why prayer is not answered (Note: all are connected with carnality)
   1. Not filled with the Spirit (Eph. 6:18)
   2. No faith-rest function (Matt. 21:22)
   3. Mental attitude carnality (Ps. 66:18)
   4. Lust-type selfishness (James 4:2–4)
   5. Lack of obedience (1 John 3:22)
   6. Noncompliance with specific and known will of God (1 John 5:14)
   7. Pride as a basic mental attitude sin (Job 35:12–13)
   8. Lack of compassion or grace orientation (Prov. 21:13)
   9. Lack of domestic tranquility (1 Pet. 3:7)
7. Principle of grace in prayer (Heb. 4:16)
   1. Prayer is a privilege and extension of grace; hence, it is impossible to approach God in prayer on the basis of human good or human merit.
   2. The believer approaches God in prayer on the basis of our High Priest, Jesus Christ, and His merits.
   3. The Father is propitiated by the work of Christ; we must, therefore, approach in prayer through Christ and from a position of fellowship with God.
   4. God does not answer prayers because a person is fervent, moral, sincere, religious, or self-effacing.
   5. God answers prayer because of who and what He is.
8. The categories of petition in prayer
   1. Positive—Negative: Petition answered; desire not answered (1 Sam. 8:5–9, 19–20)
   2. Negative—Positive: Petition not answered; desire answered (Gen. 17:18–21; 18:23–33; 2 Cor. 12:7–10)
   3. Positive—Positive: Petition answered; desire answered (Judg. 16:28; 1 Kings 18:36–39; Luke 23:42–43; John 11:41–45)
   4. Negative—Negative: Neither petition nor desire answered (2 Cor. 12:7–8)