February 3, 2001 – February 9, 2001
MEMORY VERSE: “And hearken Thou to the supplication of Thy servant, and of Thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear Thou in heaven Thy dwelling place: and when Thou hearest, forgive.” 1 Kings 8:30.
STUDY HELP: Gospel Workers, pages 175–179.
Introduction
“The Pharisees had stated hours for prayer; and when, as often came to pass, they were abroad at the appointed time, they would pause wherever they might be,—perhaps in the street or in the marketplace, amid the hurrying throng of men,—and there in a loud voice rehearse their formal prayers. Such worship, offered merely for self-glorification, called forth unsparing rebuke from Jesus. Yet he did not discountenance public prayer; for He Himself prayed with His disciples and with the multitude. But He impressed upon His disciples the thought that their public prayers should be short.” Gospel Workers, 175.
“Reverence My Sanctuary”
1 How did Jacob regard the place where he encountered God? Genesis 28:16, 17.
NOTE: “Parents, elevate the standard of Christianity in the minds of your children; help them to weave Jesus into their experience; teach them to have the highest reverence for the house of God and to understand that when they enter the Lord’s house, it should be with hearts that are softened and subdued by such thoughts as these: ‘God is here; this is His house. I must have pure thoughts and the holiest motives. I must have no pride, envy, jealousy, evil surmising, hatred, or deception in my heart; for I am coming into the presence of the holy God. This is the place where God meets with and blesses His people. The high and holy One who inhabiteth eternity looks upon me, searches my heart, and reads the most secret thoughts and acts of my life.’” Child Guidance, 541.
2 What command did the Lord give His people regarding His sanctuary? Leviticus 26:2.
NOTE: “There should be an intelligent knowledge of how to come to God in reverence and Godly fear with devotional love. There is a growing lack of reverence for our Maker, a growing disregard of His greatness and His majesty.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 315. (See also Prophets and Kings, 48, 49.)
“Holy and Reverend is His Name”
3 What attitude is appropriate when we come before the Lord in prayer? Psalm 95:6. (Compare 1 Kings 8:54; Daniel 6:10 and Luke 22:41.)
NOTE: “Both in public and in private worship, it is our privilege to bow on our knees before the Lord when we offer our petitions to Him. Jesus, our example, ‘kneeled down, and prayed.’ [Luke 22:41.] Of His disciples it is recorded that they, too, ‘kneeled down, and prayed.’ [Acts 9:40; 20:36, 21:5.] Paul declared, ‘I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ [Ephesians 3:14.] In confessing before God the sins of Israel, Ezra knelt. [See Ezra 9:5.] Daniel ‘kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God.’ [Daniel 6:10.]” Gospel Workers, 178.
4 In what spirit should we address God in prayer? Psalm 99:3; Isaiah 29:23; Isaiah 57:15.
NOTE: “Some think it a mark of humility to pray to God in a common manner, as if talking with a human being. They profane His name by needlessly and irreverently mingling with their prayers the words, ‘God Almighty,’—awful, sacred words, which should never pass the lips except in subdued tones and with a feeling of awe.” Gospel Workers, 176.
“Reverence should be shown also for the name of God. Never should that name be spoken lightly or thoughtlessly. Even in prayer its frequent or needless repetition should be avoided. ‘Holy and reverend is His name.’ Psalm 111:9. Angels, as they speak it, veil their faces. With what reverence should we, who are fallen and sinful, take it upon our lips!” Child Guidance, 538.
See also Desire of Ages, 613.
“They Think that They Shall be Heard for Their Much Speaking”
5 What practices in public prayer did Christ condemn? Matthew 6:7.
NOTE: “Many tedious prayers are offered, which are more like giving the Lord a lecture than presenting to Him a request. It would be better if those offering such prayers would confine themselves to the one that Christ taught His disciples to offer. Long prayers are tiring to those who hear, and do not prepare the people to listen to the instruction that is to follow. It is often because secret prayer is neglected that long, tedious prayers are offered in public.” Gospel Workers, 175, 176.
6 What example of vain repetitions is recorded for us? 1 Kings 18:26.
NOTE: “When engaged with our brethren in public worship, we could add to the interest of the meeting; for we should bring with us some of the atmosphere of heaven, and our worship would be a reality, and not a mere form. Those about us can soon tell whether we are in the habit of praying or not. If the soul is not drawn out in prayer in the closet, and while engaged in the business of the day, the lack will be manifest in the prayer–meeting. The public prayers will be dry and formal, consisting of repetitions and customary phrases, and they will bring darkness rather than light into the meeting.” Gospel Workers (1892 ed.), 425. (See also My Life Today, 19.)
“After This Manner Pray Ye”
7 What should be an important element in our public prayers? Psalm 100. (Compare Acts 16:25.)
NOTE: “In our devotional meetings, our voices should express by prayer and praise our adoration of the heavenly Father, that all may know that we worship God in simplicity and truth, and in the beauty of holiness. Precious indeed in this world of sin and ignorance is the gift of speech, the melody of the human voice, when devoted to the praise of Him who hath loved us and given Himself for us.” Counsels to Teachers, Parents and Students, 245.
8 For what other purpose should we make public prayer and what should always accompany such prayers? Philippians 4:6.
NOTE: “Our prayers in public should be short, and express only the real wants of the soul, asking in simplicity and simple trusting faith for the very things we need. Prayer from the humble, contrite heart is the vital breath of the soul hungering for righteousness.” Signs of the Times, December 3, 1896.
“Human help is feeble. But we may unite in seeking help and favor from Him who has said, ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.’ Divine power is infallible. Then let us come to God, pleading for the guidance of His Holy Spirit. Let our united prayers ascend to the throne of grace. Let our requests be mingled with praise and thanksgiving.” Testimonies to Ministers, 485. (See also Steps to Christ, 103.)
9 Are some things better left to private prayer? Matthew 6:6.
NOTE: “We should not come to the house of God to pray for our families unless deep feeling shall lead us while the Spirit of God is convicting them. Generally, the proper place to pray for our families is at the family altar. When the subjects of our prayers are at a distance, the closet is the proper place to plead with God for them. When in the house of God, we should pray for a present blessing and should expect God to hear and answer our prayers.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 145.
“When They had Prayed”
10 What example are we given of the power of communal prayer? Acts 4:31.
NOTE: ‘”’Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain.’ Do not rest satisfied that in the ordinary course of the season, rain will fall. Ask for it. The growth and perfection of the seed rests not with the husbandman. God alone can ripen the harvest. But man’s co-operation is required. God’s work for us demands the action of our mind, the exercise of our faith. We must seek His favours with the whole heart if the showers of grace are to come to us. We should improve every opportunity of placing ourselves in the channel of blessing. Christ has said, ‘Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst.’ The convocations of the church, as in camp meetings, the assemblies of the home church, and all occasions where there is personal labor for souls, are God’s appointed opportunities for giving the early and the latter rain.” Testimonies to Ministers, 508.
11 What specific communal prayer was wonderfully answered? Acts 12:1–16.
NOTE: “The angel of the Lord opened the prison doors for Peter, for ‘prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.’ There is your work. Pray as you have never prayed before; and if you spend nights in prayer, and learn to trust God, you will have an intelligent experience. It was by praying without ceasing that Peter gained the victory, and when the angel went to bring him out, Peter was bound with two chains, and, behold, the angel of the Lord came forth, and smote Peter on the side, and said, ‘Rise up quickly.’ All the ruler’s expectations failed because the same mighty agent that Joshua summoned when he was to bring down the walls of Jericho, was with the men who were bound with chains. When Peter returned to his brethren, a free man, he found them praying, and this is the key to his deliverance,—they were praying. He knocked at the gate, but the maid who came to open it, ran back to the house in great astonishment without letting him in. They did not think that Peter was to be released from the prison. They had expected a deliverance of a different order, but God worked in His own way and after His own counsel, and brought him to the very door of those who were praying for him.” Review and Herald, April 29, 1890. (Emphasis supplied)
“Hear Thou Their Prayer and Their Supplication”
12 What specific requests were included in Solomon’s public prayer? 1 Kings 8:23, 26, 29–30, 35–36, 44–45, 51–53.
NOTE: “The prayer offered by Solomon during the dedication of the temple, was not made while he stood upon his feet. The king knelt in the humble position of a petitioner. Herein is a lesson for God’s people today. Our spiritual strength and our influence are not increased by conformity to a worldly attitude during prayer…. Let man come on bended knee, as a subject of grace, a suppliant at the footstool of mercy. Thus he is to testify that the whole soul, body, and spirit are in subjection to his Creator.” Review and Herald, November 30, 1905.
13 Of what may we be assured when we come before the throne of God in prayer? Psalm 65:2. (Read the whole Psalm.)
NOTE: “Jesus sees His true church on the earth, whose greatest ambition is to co-operate with Him in the grand work of saving souls. He hears their prayers, presented in contrition and power, and Omnipotence cannot resist their plea for the salvation of any tried, tempted member of Christ’s body…. Jesus ever liveth to make intercession for us. Through our Redeemer what blessings may not the true believer receive? The church, soon to enter upon her most severe conflict, will be the object most dear to God upon earth.” In Heavenly Places, 284.