What the Bible Teaches

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Chapter 430

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PRAYER
For Whom and When to Pray

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Topic 30:   For Whom to Pray

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POINT 10:   We should pray for ourselves.

      1 Chronicles 4:10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.

      Psalms 106:4-5 [4] Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them, [5] that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation and join your inheritance in giving praise.

      2 Corinthians 12:7-8 [7] To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. [8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.

      Hebrews 5:7 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

      John 17:1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you."

   A prayer for self is not by any means necessarily a selfish prayer. We may pray for something for ourselves in order that God may be glorified by our receiving it. (John 17:1)

      Psalms 50:14-15 [14] Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, [15] and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.

   If we would pray more for ourselves, God would be more glorified in us, and we would be a greater blessing to others. It was well for the world that Jesus spent so much time in prayer for Himself. If we wish to be fit to pray for others we must spend much time in prayer for ourselves. It is a bad sign when one is always praying for others and never for himself. He is not like his Master.

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POINT 20:   We should pray for one another -- i.e., believers should pray for fellow- believers.

      James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

      Romans 1:9-10 [9] God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you [10] in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

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POINT 30:   We should pray for Ministers of the Word.

      Ephesians 6:19-20 [19] Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

      Colossians 4:3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

      2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 [1] Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. [2] And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.

      Acts 13:2-3 [2] While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." [3] So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

      Matthew 9:38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

      Those whom God has called to devote their lives to the ministry of the Word should be the especial objects of the prayers of God's people. The neglect of prayer on the part of God's people accounts very largely for the absence of power on the part of God's ministers.

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POINT 40:   We should pray for those who have been converted through our ministry.

      1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 [9] How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? [10] Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. [11] Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. [12] May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. [13] May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

   It is remarkable how often Paul writes to his converts about his praying for them. We find Jesus also praying for His converts:

      John 17:9-26 [9] I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. [10] All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. [11] I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name -- the name you gave me -- so that they may be one as we are one. [12] While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. [13] "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. [14] I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. [15] My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. [16] They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. [17] Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. [18] As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. [19] For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. [20] "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, [21] that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. [22] I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: [23] I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. [24] "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. [25] "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. [26] I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

   It is to be feared that few modern ministers pray for their converts with the frequency and intensity that Paul did for his. "Night and day praying exceedingly" he writes in one place.

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POINT 50:   We should pray for sick brethren.

      James 5:14, 16 [14] Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. [16] Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

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POINT 60:   We should pray for any brother we see committing a sin that will not lead to the sinner's death.

      1 John 5:16-17 [16] If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. [17] All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.

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POINT 70:   We should pray for all the saints.

      Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

   Christ's prayer took in all believers in all ages.

      John 17:9, 20 [9] I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. [20] "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, [21] that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

   Our sympathies, and consequently our prayers, should take in the whole Church of Christ. It is astounding how narrow is the circle taken in by the prayers of the average Christian. Every child of God is my brother, and should be remembered in my prayers. Let us give our prayers a wider sweep.

      Psalms 36:10 Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.

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POINT 80:   We should pray for our children.

      1 Chronicles 29:19 And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.

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POINT 90:   We should pray for our rulers.

      1 Timothy 2:2-3 [1] I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- [2] for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. [3] This is good, and pleases God our Savior, [4] who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

   It is to be feared that most Christians today are grievously disobedient to God at this point. The present fashion is to rail at our rulers. This is in direct disobedience to God's Word:

      Jude 1:8-9 [8] In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. [9] But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"

      2 Peter 2:10-11 [10] This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; [11] yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord.

      1 Peter 2:17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

   Christians can accomplish far more for "good government" by praying for than by railing at the powers that be.

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POINT 100:   We should pray for the city where we live.

      Jeremiah 29:7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.

   A Christian should be interested in all lands and in all places. But we have an especial responsibility and duty in prayer, as well as service, toward the place where God puts us.

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POINT 110:   We should pray for Israel.

      Romans 10:1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.

      Joel 2:17 Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, `Where is their God?'"

      Isaiah 62:6-7 [6] I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, [7] and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.

   It is a sin not to pray for Israel.

      1 Samuel 12:22-23 [22] For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own. [23] As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.

   A special blessing is pronounced upon those who pray for Jerusalem.

      Psalms 122:6-7 [6] Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. [7] May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels."

   Jerusalem is very dear to God.

      1 Kings 11:13 Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.

      Zechariah 2:7-8, 10-12 [7] "Come, O Zion! Escape, you who live in the Daughter of Babylon!" [8] For this is what the LORD Almighty says: "After he has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you -- for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye -- [10] "Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you," declares the LORD. [11] "Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. [12] The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem.

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POINT 120:   We should pray for those who use us spitefully and persecute us.

      Luke 6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

      Matthew 5:44 [44] But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

      Luke 23:34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

      Acts 7:60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

   We have a special obligation to pray toward those who do us wrong.

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POINT 130:   We should pray for all men.

      1 Timothy 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone

   We should pray for all men.

   The love of God takes in the world.

      John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

   So should our prayers; but there are certain classes, as seen above, toward whom we have a special obligation of prayer.

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Topic 40:   When to Pray

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POINT 10:   The holy men of the Bible prayed three times a day, evening, morning, and at noon.

      Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

      Psalms 55:16-17 [16] But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. [17] Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.

      Acts 10:9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.

      Acts 10:30 Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. ...

      Acts 2:1, 15 [1] When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place [to pray. After they received the Spirit they began speaking in tongues]. [15] These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning!

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POINT 20:   We should pray very early in the morning, before dawn.

      Psalms 119:146-147 [146] I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes. [147] I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.

      Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

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POINT 30:   Our Master and Example "continued all night in prayer to God."

      Luke 6:12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

   This was on the eve of a decisive step in His life, the choice of the twelve. A similar thing occurred at a great crisis in His life, when the multitude wished to take Him and make Him king.

      John 6:15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

      Compare Mark 6:46-48 [46] After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. [47] When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. [48] He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. ...

   First-century Jerusalem did not measure time in hours; nights were divided into four 'watches'.

   It is a good example to follow. There are some who strangely object to whole nights spent in prayer. They say that faith takes at once what it asks. Did the Saviour not have faith?

      Compare also Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

   Nights of prayer to God are followed by days of power with men. It is recorded of John Livingston that he spent a night in prayer and religious intercourse with a company like-minded, and that the next day he preached with such power in the kirk of Shotts that 500 people dated their conversion or come definite advance is their spiritual life from that sermon. Of course, one can keep a night of prayer in a false and legal way.

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POINT 40:   We should pray day and night.

      Psalms 88:1 O LORD, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you.

   At all times our heart should be looking up to God, and this upward look of the heart will be frequently uttering itself in a cry to Him.

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POINT 50:   We should pray at every meal.

      Matthew 14:19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

      Acts 27:35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.

      1 Timothy 4:4-5 [4] For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, [5] because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

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POINT 60:   We should pray to God in the day of trouble.

      Psalms 50:15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."

      Psalms 81:7 In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.

      Psalms 77:1-2 [1] I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. [2] When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.

      Psalms 86:7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.

   Compare the following; here two different Hebrew words are used, but both are from the same root as the words used in passages given above.

      Psalms 18:6 In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.

      Psalms 120:1 I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me.

      Psalms 118:5 In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.

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POINT 70:   We should pray to God when the number of our enemies increases and many rise up against us.

      Psalms 3:1-2 [1] O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! [2] Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him."

   When enemies increase we should not despair but cry to God. Then we can lie down without fear to sleep. We need not fear though ten thousands of people set themselves against us round about.

      Compare Psalms 3:5-6 [5] I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. [6] I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.

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POINT 80:   We should pray to God in the day of battle.

      1 Chronicles 5:20 They were helped in fighting them, and God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him.

   Victory is of the Lord, therefore, in every battle we should cry to Him.

      Proverbs 21:31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.

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POINT 90:   We should pray to God when out-numbered by enemies and when we have no defense against them, and do not know what to do.

      2 Chronicles 14:8-9, 11 [8] Asa had an army of three hundred thousand men from Judah, equipped with large shields and with spears, and two hundred and eighty thousand from Benjamin, armed with small shields and with bows. All these were brave fighting men. [9] Zerah the Cushite marched out against them with a vast army and three hundred chariots, and came as far as Mareshah. [11] Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you."

      2 Chronicles 20:1-4, 12 [1] After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat. [2] Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). [3] Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. [4] The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. [12] O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.

   When there is nothing else left to do, there is one thing that always remains -- pray to God.

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POINT 100:   We should pray to God when in great extremities.

      2 Chronicles 13:13-16 [13] Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah the ambush was behind them. [14] Judah turned and saw that they were being attacked at both front and rear. Then they cried out to the LORD. The priests blew their trumpets [15] and the men of Judah raised the battle cry. At the sound of their battle cry, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. [16] The Israelites fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hands.

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POINT 110:   We should pray to God when all human help fails.

      Psalms 60:11 Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.

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POINT 120:   We should pray to God when our soul fails within us.

      Jonah 2:7 When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.

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POINT 130:   We should pray to God when our heart is overwhelmed.

      Psalms 61:2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

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POINT 140:   We should pray to God when in the depths.

      Psalms 130:1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;

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POINT 150:   We should pray to God in the day when we are being chastened for sin, when we are in a far country and desiring to come back to God.

      Deuteronomy 4:25-29 [25] After you have had children and grandchildren and have lived in the land a long time -- if you then become corrupt and make any kind of idol, doing evil in the eyes of the LORD your God and provoking him to anger, [26] I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live there long but will certainly be destroyed. [27] The LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the LORD will drive you. [28] There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. [29] But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.

   The chastisements of God are a call to prayer.

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POINT 160:   We should call upon God while He is near and may be found.

      Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

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POINT 170:   We should pray to God as long as we live.

      Psalms 116:1-2 [1] I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. [2] Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

   The last utterances of Christ were prayers. The last words of the Bible are prayers.

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POINT 180:   We should pray always and not faint; at all seasons, without ceasing.

      Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

      Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

      1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray continually;

   A Christian should breathe an atmosphere of prayer. Faith in God always has an upward look. True trust in God is constantly crystallizing into definite prayer to God.

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Topic 50:   Where to Pray

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POINT 10:   We should pray in secret, in a private place.

      Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

   Shut in alone with God, the world shut out. There is a temptation when prayer is offered in presence of others to think of what observers are thinking of us. True prayer is taken up with God, not with men. The especial form of this danger which Christ is guarding against in this passage is that of ostentatious piety, hypocrisy, praying to be seen by men. The Heavenly Father is "your Father who is in secret," "Your Father who sees in secret." Every one should have a secret place to meet God, a place in which he is absolutely alone with God.

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POINT 20:   Jesus often went into the mountains to be alone to pray.

      Matthew 14:23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

      Luke 6:12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

      Luke 9:28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.

   The primary purpose of His seeking this place to pray seems to have been that He might be alone with God. The mountains were His "secret" place. Further than this the mountains, in their majesty, seem to bring God wonderfully near to us and us wonderfully near to God.

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POINT 30:   Jesus went into a solitary place to pray.

      Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

   The purpose of this is essentially the same as in Points 10 and 20.

430.050.040       Torrey: p429, T:V, P:4
POINT 40:   The prisoner should pray in prison.

      Acts 16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

   Doubtless some of the most acceptable and effective prayers that God has ever heard have ascended to Him from prison cells. Prayer transforms a prison cell into a portal of heaven.

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POINT 50:   We may pray to God in the very jaws of death.

      Jonah 2:2 He said: "In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.

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POINT 60:   We should pray to God in the assembly of believers.

      John 17:1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you."

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POINT 70:   We should pray to God in the presence of the unsaved.

      Acts 27:35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.

   In doing so we must ever be on guard against praying to be seen and heard of men. By far the greater part of our praying should be in secret. But there should be public acknowledgement of our sense of dependence upon God.

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POINT 80:   We should pray in every place.

      1 Timothy 2:8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.


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