2. Effectual prayer is offered in faith. The Bible says, 'Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them' (Mark 11:24).
3. Dynamic prayer emanates from an obedient heart. The Bible says whatever we ask, we receive of him.
4. We are to pray in Christ's name. Jesus said, 'And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son' (John 14:13). We are not worthy to approach the holy throne of God except through our advocate, Jesus Christ.
5. We must desire the will of God. Even our Lord, contrary to His own wish at the moment, said, 'O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done' (Matthew 26:42).
6. Our prayer must be for God's glory. The model prayer which Jesus has given to us concludes with, 'Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory' (Matthew 6:13). If we are to have our prayers answered, we must give God the glory."
Scripture Encouragement to Pray:
"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. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (Matthew 6:6–8, NIV).
"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" (Ephesians 6:18, NIV).
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). Prayer Promises:
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" (Luke 11:9–10).
"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it" (John 14:13–14, NIV).
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7).
"In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence" (Ephesians 3:12, NIV). How to Pray:
"This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one'" (Matthew 6:9–13, NIV).
"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing" (1 Timothy 2:8, NIV).
PROPHECY
Background
Prophecy, the prediction of future events, plays a key role in the Bible. Its pages record both the giving of prophecies and their fulfillment. Many prophecies given in Old Testament times were fulfilled in New Testament times in the life and work of Christ. As someone has said, "The New is in the Old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed."
Bible prophets often accurately predicted events decades or even centuries before they occurred. Much of the prophecy in the Bible has already been fulfilled. Other prophecies are being fulfilled even in our day.
Peter declares the Bible's prophets to be divinely inspired: "We also have the prophetic word made more sure, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:19–21).
Prophets foretell future events. The Bible also describes as prophets those who "forth tell" or boldly declare God's will to His people. Nathan the prophet confronted David about his sin (2 Samuel 12). Prophets, along with evangelists and pastors, have a role of edification in the church (Ephesians 4:11). Prophecy Fulfilled
The most convincing evidence of fulfilled prophecy concerns the person and work of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the four gospels. Lack of space precludes the listing of all such prophecies. The following, however, constitute powerful evidence:
• Christ would be descended from King David's family (Psalm 89:3–4; Isaiah 9:6–7; 11:1; see Mark 12:36; John 7:42).
• He would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; see Matthew 1:23).
• He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; see John 7:42).
• He would make a triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Zechariah 9:9; see Matthew 21:5).
• The soldiers would cast lots for His garments (Psalm 22:18; see Matthew 27:35).