Lecture Notes on Prayer and Its Effects

Key Illustrations and Stories

• Illustration of Persistent Prayer:

  • Jesus emphasizes the importance of repeated and persistent prayer, promising that answers will come speedily.
  • Persistence is essential; breakthroughs often follow a tipping point in prayer.

• Personal Experience:

  • Anecdotal story about overcoming the fear of someone under the bed, demonstrating simple solutions.

Effects of Prayerlessness

• High Price of Prayerlessness:
  • Prayer is crucial for maintaining continuous fellowship with God.
  • Prayerlessness leads to various negative effects on a believer's life.

Examples from Scripture

• Jesus' Prayer in the Garden (Luke 22):

  • Jesus warned his disciples about their impending denial, particularly Peter.
  • Jesus invited them to pray to avoid entering into temptation.
  • Temptation: God's provision of strength through prayer could have prevented Peter's denial.
  • Heart Condition: Lack of prayerfulness can render a situation tempting due to personal weakness.

• Loving and Praying for Enemies (Matthew 5):

  • Love your enemies: Praying for those who oppose us affirms our identity as sons and daughters of God.
  • It reveals our Christ-like nature to the entire Spirit realm.

Principle of Prayer

• Prayer Without Ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17):
  • Continuous fellowship with God is the essence of prayer.

Stories and Illustrations

• Communion and Healing:
  • Personal practice of taking communion daily and praying for family members.
  • Story of a friend healed from seven diseases through daily communion.
  • Power of the Blood: Symbolic prayer for family members' spiritual well-being.

Practical Teachings on Prayer

• Persistence in Prayer (Luke 18):

  • Parable of the widow pleading with an unjust judge illustrates the need for persistent prayer.
  • God’s Timing: God’s answers come quickly once they are released, even if persistence is required beforehand.

• Prayer and Heart Conditions:

  • Individuals interpret circumstances differently based on their heart conditions.
  • Prayerfulness provides discernment on the nature of life's challenges, preventing unnecessary hardships.

Addressing and Understanding Temptation

• Example of the $100 Bill:
  • Illustrates how temptation is subjective and tied to personal heart conditions.

Impact of Prayerlessness

• Vacancy Created by Prayerlessness (Luke 11):
  • Prayerlessness creates vacancies that the enemy seeks to fill.
  • Historical examples show how groups or denominations deteriorate without consistent prayer.

Role of Persistent Prayer in Breakthroughs

• Sustained Effort:
  • Persistent prayer helps us grow to steward the blessings God intends for us.
  • Examples: Illustrated with scriptures explaining the need for repeated prayer to manifest dreams.

Summary and Practical Application

• Short, Earnest Prayers:
  • Short prayers can bring big answers if they are earnest and heartfelt.
  • Nehemiah’s Example: One-sentence prayers can be effective when deeply connected to an issue.

Call to Action

• Increase Prayerfulness:
  • Corporate prayer and continuous individual fellowship with God are emphasized.
  • Maintaining Connection: Keeping an ongoing connection with God throughout the day increases responsiveness and spiritual awareness.

Closing Thoughts

• Practice and Fellowship:
  • Practice continuous prayer and maintain a connection with God for a better spiritual life.
  • Communion with God: Aim to achieve an ongoing state of prayerfulness and fellowship with God.