The Bible Class
LESSON XLIII. Prayer
Questions to Lesson 43*
Prayer is a constant duty of the Christian. We are commanded to pray without ceasing, and in every thing to give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Jesus taught that men ought always to pray and not to faint. Luke 18:1. Continue instant in prayer. Romans 12:12. Prayer should accompany the performance of every religious duty from the very first. Saul was commanded to be baptized calling on the name of the Lord. BIC 100.1
Prayer is also our greatest privilege; for what can be a more exalted privilege than the right of petition to the King of kings and Lord of lords, with the promise that he will hear our petitions, and grant all our requests which are in accordance with our own best good? BIC 100.2
To be heard we must pray in faith. James says, Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering; [chap 1:6;] and Jesus says, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:24. Of course we cannot pray in faith for things which we know are contrary to his will; but the Word teaches us for what to pray, and it is always safe to follow its directions. BIC 100.3
The Lord’s prayer contains a general, or outline view of the things which it is proper for us to pray for. Matthew 6:9-13. We will notice some points in this prayer, in connection with other scriptures; after observing that we should approach our heavenly Father with all the reverence that can be expressed by the words, Hallowed be thy name. BIC 101.1
Thy kingdom come. Those who think that the kingdom was set up when Christ ascended to the right hand of the Father, consider this part, at least, of the Lord’s prayer as out of date. But the coming of the kingdom, when God’s will will be done on earth, as it is in heaven, is the great hope still before the Christian. The saints are joint-heirs with Christ, and the kingdom will be given to them. Daniel 7:23, 27. The greater share, by far, of the heirs of the kingdom are now in their graves, under the dominion of death, and cannot be released, till the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, and bring them up from their dusty beds. Hence the apostle John prays the same prayer in these words: Even so come Lord Jesus. Revelation 22, 20. It is no wonder that the completion of the Christian’s hope should be the first petition in his prayer. BIC 101.2
Forgive us our sins. Luke 11:4. The Christian has the privilege to ask and receive the forgiveness of his sins. BIC 102.1
Lead us not into temptation. Abandon us not, as some translate it; that is, leave us not to temptation. If God should abandon us to temptation, we should be lost. Therefore David prayed, Take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:11. We should pray for the Holy Spirit. Christ says, If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:13. BIC 102.2
Deliver us from evil. One great evil to which we are subject is sickness. Says James, Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Jas. v, 14, 15. BIC 102.3
These are a part of our high privileges, if we abide in Christ, and his words abide in us. John 15:7. BIC 102.4