AUDIO

Let’s answer the questions about prayer: Why, Where, When, How and What. Yeshua puts Prayer (a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to G-d) in the same category as Tzedakah (meaning justice or righteousness but commonly used to signify charity), and Fasting (a willing abstinence or reduction from certain or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time). When the Talmidim asked Yeshua “Teach   lords_prayer_tissot448x480us to pray” this is what He taught:

[Read Luke 11:1-13 & Matt. 6:1-24]
  1. Why do we pray? Or why not?
    • Yeshua said that we pray to be seen, heard and rewarded by the Father. (Matt 6:6)
    • Yeshua also said that we should not pray to be seen by men (Matt. 6:5)
    • Our prayers are a memorial offering to the L-rd and they accrue/build up over time (Acts 10:4-8 & Rev. 8:3-5)
    • Our prayers help others and work with Yeshua and the Ruach HaKodesh (2 Cor. 1:10-11, Phil. 1:18-19)
  2. Where do we pray?
    • Yeshua said that we should go to the inner room. (Matt. 6:6)
    • The Talmidim also continued to pray together with other believers (Acts 4:23-31)
  3. When do we pray?
    • It seems that the Talmidim prayed 3 times a day as was traditional. (Early Morning, Afternoon and Nightfall) (Acts 3:1)
    • Shaul (Paul) prayed every time he remembered someone. (Phil. 1:3-5, 1 Thes. 1:2-3)
  4. What do we pray for?
    • Yeshua mentions, Praising and Extoling the Father, Asking the Father for His will to be done, Asking for our daily needs to be met, Humbly asking for forgiveness and that we would not be tested. (Matt 6:9-13)Praying_Hands
    • Yeshua mentions that some demons only come out by prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29)
    • Yeshua says that we should only ask for what is already the will of the Father. (John 5:19-23, John 14:12-14)
    • Shaul prayed that the Father would give believers spiritual wisdom and revelation in knowing Him, and that their eyes would be enlightened to the hope of their calling. He also prayed that their love for each other would increase continually. (Eph. 1:15-19, 2 Thes. 1:11-12)
    • Shaul told the believers to pray for him, that he would have opportunities to proclaim the Good News. (Rom. 1:10, Col. 4:2-4, 2 Thes. 3:1-3)
    • Shaul also told the believers to pray for their governmental leaders so that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life. (1 Tim. 2:1-4)
  5. How should be pray? What should our attitude be?
    • Yeshua said we should be direct. We should not babble and use many words because the Father already know what we need. Also we have an advocate/defense attorney who understands where we are coming from. (Matt. 6:7-8, Heb. 4:14-16)
    • We should asks humbly like the Syrophoenician woman. (Mark 7:24-30)
    • We need to be abiding in Yeshua when we ask. (John 15:5-11 & 1 John 5:13-15)
    • We need to ask in faith/trust in Yeshua. (Heb. 11:6, Luke 17:6 & James 1:5-8, 5:15)
    • Shaul says that we should pray in the spirit and with understanding. When we are praying together, there always should be interpretation of tongues; otherwise it is not beneficial to anyone else. (1 Cor. 14:12-19)
    • Shaul says that we should pray without anger or argument. (1 Tim. 2:8)
    • When Yeshua prayed with loud crying and tears, and reverence, He was heard by the Father. (Heb. 5:7, Luke 22:39-46)Jesus_at_Prayer