By Mark Abernathy
(1 Chr 4:10 KJV) And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!
And God granted him that which he requested.
Purpose of Prayer
Communion with God
Communication with God
Benefits include increased resistance to temptation (Mat 26:41; Mark 13:33), freedom from fear (Psalm 118:5,6), strength of soul (Psalm 138:3), guidance and satisfaction (Isaiah 58:9-11), wisdom and understanding (Daniel 9:20-27), deliverance from harm (Joel 2:32), reward (Matthew 6:6), good gifts (Luke 11:13), fullness of joy (John 16:23,24), peace (Philippians 4:6-8), and freedom from anxiety (I Peter 5:7).
Expedients to prayer
Relationship with God
Right Purpose (Mat 6:5-13; Acts 10:29-33)
Ask according to His will (I John 5:14,15)
Right Attitude (Mat 6:5; Lu 18:13; Act 10:29-33)
Contrition (1 Chr. 7:14; Is. 58:9)
Whole-Heartedness (Jer. 29:13)
Fervent (Mat 6:5; Jas 5:16)
Holy Ghost Helps (Rom 8:26; Eph 6:8)
Right Living
Righteousness (Jas 5:16)
Obedience (1 John 3:22; 1 John 5:7,14)
Fasting – “When Ye fast” (Acts 10:29-33; Dan 9:3; 10:12) Belief (Mark 11:24; Jas 1:6; Luke 11:9-13)
Relationship with Men
Forgiving (Mat 6:14; Mark 11:25, 26)
Charity (Acts 10:4,14; Isa 58:9,10)
Obedient to Authority, ministry (1 Thes 5:12; 1 John 3:22)
At Peace with others (Mat 5:23-24; 1 Thes 5:13)
Form of Delivery
Ask in Jesus’ name (John 14:13,14)
Right Method (Mat 6:5; Luk 11:1-4)
Persistence (Luke 11:5-8; 18:1-8; 1Thes 5:17; Dan 10:12)
Impediments to prayer
Relationship with God
Wrong Purpose (Mat 6:5)
Consume it upon [their] lusts” (James 4:3)
Wrong Attitude (Luke 18:9-14)
Pride (Luke 18:10-14; 1 Pet 5:5)
Indifference (Prov 1:28)
Instability (Jas 1:6,7)
Stubbornness (Zec 7:13)
Ask Amiss (James 4:3)
Wrong Living
Iniquity (Isa 59:2; Micah 3:4) Disobedience (De 1:45; 1Sam 14:37; 28:6)
Self Indulgence (Jas 4:3)
Secret Sin (Psa 66:18)
Blood Guiltiness (Isa 1:15)
Unbelief (Jas 1:7)
Relationship with Men
Unforgiveness (Mat 6:14; Mark 11:25;)
Neglect of Mercy (Prov 21:13)
Dispising the Law (Prov 28:9)
Conflict with Others
Authority (1 Thes 5:12)
Spousal conflict (1 Peter 3:7)
Conflict with others (Mat 5:23-24)
Form of Delivery
Any name (or title) other than Jesus
Wrong Method (Mat 6:6-8) Quit too easy
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him” (I John 5:14)
Could You Not Tarry One Hour**
1. Our Father Which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name
1. Picture Calvary and thank God you can call Him “Father” by virtue of the Blood of Jesus.
2. Hallow the names of God corresponding with the five benefits in the New Covenant, and make your faith declarations.
Benefit Name Meaning
=========================================================================
Sin = Jehovah-tisdkenu = Jehovah our righteousness
Jehovah-m’kaddesh = Jehovah who sanctifies
Spirit = Jehovah-shalom = Jehovah is peace
Jehovah-shamma = Jehovah is there
Soundness = Jehovah-rophe = Jehovah heals
Success = Jehovah-jireh = Jehovah’s provision shall be seen
Security = Jehovah-nissi = Jehovah my banner
Jehovah-rohi = Jehovah my shepherd
2. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
1. Yourself.
2. Your Family (Spouse, Children, Other Family Members).
3. Your Church (Pastor, Leadership, Faithfulness of People, Harvest).
4. Nation (City, State, National Political and Spiritual Leaders, Harvest).
3. Give us this day our daily bread.
1. Be in the Will of God (Prayer Life, Church, Work Habits, Obedience in Giving).
2. Believe it is God’s Will to Prosper You.
3. Be Specific.
4. Be Tenacious.
4. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
1. Ask God to forgive you.
2. Forgive and release others.
3. Set your will to forgive those who sin against you.
5. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
1. Put on the Whole Armor of God (put on Jesus Christ).
1. Loins girt about with TRUTH.
2. Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS.
3. Feet shod with PREPARATION (readiness) of the gospel of PEACE.
4. Shield of FAITH.
5. Helmet of SALVATION.
6. Sword of the Spirit which is the WORD OF GOD.
2. Pray a hedge of Protection (You are my Refuge, my Fortress, my God).
1. Because thou hast made the Lord thy habitation.
2. Because He hath set His Love upon me.
3. Because He hath known my name.
6. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.
1. Make your faith declarations.
2. Return to Praise.
Our thanks to Pastor Mark Abernathy of the United Pentecostal Church International of Muncie, Indiana for making this guide available. Pastor Abernathy did not create this guide: it was in general circulation in the UPCI and he shared it with us. I have also found an excellent prayer guide available from Word Aflame Press for a very nominal price. It includes a section similar to this page and much other. Ask for Spiritual Warefare Prayer by Derold and Judy Doughty, 9th Street Publications. First Apostolic Church, 1313 S. 9th Street, Mattoon, IL 61938. Phone (217)234-4130 or Fax (217)258-8024. I highly recommend this prayer guide. The phone number for Word Aflame Press is (314) 837-7300. Their URL for a book listing is http://www.upci.org/pph/. The cost on April 20, 2000, was $5.00 for this book.
