Importance of Mediation and Prayer

God’s Promises Regarding Prayer

By what title does the psalmist address God?

“O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come.” Psalm 65:2.

Of whom does the Bible teach that God is a rewarder?

“He rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6. 

How willing is God to hear and answer prayer?

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Matthew 7:11.  

What above all else shows God’s willingness to do this?

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32.

The First Step in Prayer

Upon what conditions are we promised needed blessing?

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7,8.

From whom do all good and perfect gifts come?

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17.

If one lacks wisdom, what is he told to do?

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” Verse 5. 

Three Conditions to Answered Prayer

How must one ask in order to receive?

“But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like the wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-mined man, unstable in all he does.” Verses 6,7.

Under what conditions does the psalmist say the Lord will not hear prayer?

“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” Psalm 66:18. (See Isaiah 59:1.2; James 4:3.)

Whose prayers does Solomon say are an abomination?

“If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.” Proverbs 28:9.

Note – Contention and discord quench the spirit of prayer. (1 Peter 3:1-7.) Many grieve the Spirit and drive Christ from their homes by giving way to impatience and passion. Angels of God flee from homes where there are unkind words, contention, and strife.

For whom did Christ teach us to pray?

“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Matthew 5:44.  

Note – We cannot hate those for whom we pray sincerely.

When praying, what must we do in order to be forgiven?

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive our sins.” Mark 11:25.

Time, Place, and Content of Prayer

What did Christ say concerning secret prayer?

“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.”

Matthew 6:6.

To what place did Jesus retire for secret devotion?

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

With what should our prayers be mingled?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6.

How often should we pray?

“And pray in the Spirit in all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep in praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18. “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17. “Everyday I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.” Psalm 145:2. 

How often did the psalmist say he would pray?

“Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.” Psalm 55:17. (See Daniel 6:10.)

In whose name did Christ teach us to pray?

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.” John 14:13.

Why did the unjust judge answer the widow’s prayer?

“But for some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming.”

Luke 18:4,5.  

Subjects of Mediation

What was one of Paul’s injunctions to Timothy?

“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.” 1 Timothy 4:15.

Note – Meditation is to the soul what digestion is to the body. It assimilates, appropriates, and makes personal and practical that which has been seen, heard, or read.

When did the psalmist say he would praise God with joyful lips?

“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.”

 Psalm 63:6.

How will such meditation be to one who loves God?

“May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.” Psalm 104:34. 

In what does the psalmist say the man who is blessed and meditates?

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

Psalm 1:2.

Temptation and Mediation

With what adversary do we constantly have to contend?

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.

When is man tempted?

“But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires, he is dragged away and enticed.”

James 1:14. 

That we may not be overcome, what are we told to do?

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matthew 26:41.

Necessity of Constant Prayer Attitude

How constantly should we pray?

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12.

Note – This does not mean that we should be constantly bowed before God in prayer, but that we should not neglect prayer, and that we should ever be in a frame of mind, even when walking by the way or engaged in the duties of life – ever ready to send up out petitions to heaven in time of need.

Preparation for Christ’s Return

That we might be prepared for His coming, what admonition did Christ give?  

“Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that come will come. It’s like a man going away. He leaves his house and puts the servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!” Mark 13:33-37. (See also Luke 21:36.)

Why are watchfulness and prayer especially imperative in the last days?

“Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” Revelation 12:12.

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