The Spirit Helps Us Pray: A Biblical Theology of Prayer
Abraham
father of the faithful, 40
friend of God, 42
intercessor for Sodom, 42
intimate with God, 42
prayers of, 40–43
Adam, Prayer of, 36
Amos, prayer of, 174
Angelic response to prayer, 349–351
follows prolonged prayer and fasting, 359
to Cornelius, 363
to Gideon, 355
to Jacob, 351
to Manoah, 355
to Paul, 365
to Peter, 364–365
to Philip, 362
to Zacharias, 361
Angels
contemporary angelic appearance, 419
detained by prince of Persia, 360
dispatched by heaven, 351
divine work of, 349
ministry, not evangelism, 364
New Testament appearances, 360
not to be worshiped, 352
strengthen Christ, 362
Answered prayer, 127, 209, 423, 428
New Testament examples, 241, 250, 254
protection, deliverance, 260, 426, 427, 430
Asa, prayer of, 131
Attire in public prayer, 273–274
Baptism in the Holy Spirit and prayer, 236
Brainerd’s intercessory prayer, 244
Brazen altar as symbol, 77
Charismatic prayer. See Praying in the Spirit.
Children and prayer, 95
Christ, prayers of, 183–185
at critical times in ministry, 185, 186, 189, 201, 202, 204, 205
high priestly prayer, 195, 197
intercession for others, 188, 190, 195, 196, 198, 200
nature and meaning, 183–185
Christ’s teaching on prayer, 207–231
effective prayer, 209, 211, 215
how to pray, 208, 213–214, 216–218, 220, 223–225, 227–229
subjects of prayer, 210, 219–222, 226
Communion in prayer, 22
Confession
acknowledgement of a fact, 22
affirmation of God’s greatness, 23
disclosure of one’s sins, 23
handling of, 337
in the prayer of David, 115–116
in the prayer of Ezra, 138
national, 171
Contemplation, 393
Cornelius, prayer of, 253
Corporate prayer, 90–91, 256, 395, 397
Daniel, prayers of, 169–172
faithful in time of crisis, 170
for divine knowledge and wisdom, 169
for divinely revealed knowledge, 169
national confession, 170
to understand what God will do, 172
David, prayers of, 101–116
right relationship to God, 101, 106–107, 109, 115
worship/thanksgiving, 103–104, 107, 110–113, 116
Deborah, prayer of, 84
Demonic confrontation and prayer, 260
Disciplines of prayer, 387–398
in the church, 395–397
in the home, 394–395
personal/private prayer, 388, 390, 393, 398
prayer meetings, 397
prayer practicum, 387
use of Scripture in prayer, 392
waiting upon God, 393
Edification through prayer, 344
Eliezer, prayer of
guidance through circumstances, 45
invokes divine guidance, 44
seeks wife for Isaac, 44
Elijah, prayers of
against the prophets of Baal, 38
effective praying, 124
intense, fervent, effective, 127
intimate relationship with God, 124
prayer of discouragement, 128
subject to human passions, 124
when God is wrongly accused, 124
Elisha, man of prayer
for spiritual understanding, 130
raising the dead, 129
Enoch walks with God, 38
Evangelism and prayer, 373
Ezekiel, prayers of, 166–169
asking God to preserve a remnant, 167
in the face of derision, 168
remorse at having to preach judgment, 167
Ezra, prayers of, 137
Faith
awareness of God’s faithfulness, 161
believing for the impossible, 132
by which the just shall live, 179
in Christ’s teaching, 213
confidence, 54
foundation for effective prayer, 46
resulting in answered prayer, 93
from reviewing God’s deeds, 163
and worry, 284
Fellowship and koinonia, 342
Fervent prayer, 256
Finding God’s will, 343
Gideon, prayers of
of bewilderment, 86
for confirmation, 86
“Show me a sign,” 86
Giving thanks. See Thanksgiving.
Guidance through circumstances, 45
Habakkuk, prayers of
a prayer of praise, 178
shouting “Why” at God, 177
Hannah, prayers of, 92–93
Harvest, prayer for, 226
Haystack Prayer Meeting, 380
Healing and prayer, 265
Hezekiah, prayers of
for deliverance from any enemy, 134
in terminal illness, 136
Hindrances of prayer, 84, 338, 340
Holy Spirit
Christ’s teaching on prayer, 210
helps overcome weaknesses, 270
how the Spirit speaks, 258
makes intercession for us, 269
Humility and brokenness, 120, 153, 167
Intercession
asking for God’s presence, 68
Brainerd’s praying, 244
brings revival, 371
confession in behalf of others, 139
falling on one’s face, 167
groanings unutterable, 271
Moses and Aaron on their faces, 73
needed in place of casual prayer, 257
through intimacy with God, 43
to entreat, 25
weeping over sin, 155
Interpretation of prayer in tongues, 275
Intimate fellowship, 22
Isaac, prayers of, 46
Isaiah, prayers of, 149–153
affirmation of God’s blessing, 151
awesome awareness of God, 150
plea for answers, 152
praise and exaltation, 150–151
Jabez, prayer for blessing, 87
Jacob, prayers of, 48–50
confesses his identity, 50
deceiver and believer, 48
a vow to God, 48
wrestling with God, 50
James—instructions on prayer, 329–338
“believe and not doubt,” 330
confess faults, ask for prayer, 336, 337
draw near to God, 332
for the sick, 334
“humble yourselves,” 333–334
let those in trouble pray, 334–335
“resist the devil,” 332
submit to God, 332
unanswered prayer, 330–331
“wash hands, purify hearts,” 332–333
Jehoshaphat, prayer of, 132–133
Jephthah’s prayer and vow, 88
Jeremiah, prayers of, 153–166
for gentle discipline, 155
for God’s just dealing, 161
for God’s salvation, 154
for God’s vindication, 161
God’s apparent injustice, 157
perplexity about God’s actions, 156
for renewal of courage, 162
of weeping, 155
Jesus. See Christ.
Job, prayers of
an overwrought man, 53
for death, 54
genuine confession, 55
tested beyond human endurance, 51
Joel, prayer in natural calamity, 172
how spiritual leaders should pray, 173
John—instructions on prayer
confidence when we pray in his will, 342
fellowship and effective prayer, 341
Jonah, prayers of
desperation when no way out, 175
obedience demanded, 174
Joshua, man of action
interruption of nature, 84
prayer provoked by failure, 83
recognition of divine presence, 82
Koinonia, 22
Laying on of hands, 248–249
Leadership and prayer
advocate for sinners and believers, 66
for followers, 126
for God’s people, 66
for kings, all in authority, 291
for spiritual leaders, 287
how spiritual leaders should pray, 79, 173
in the life of a minister, 243
neglecting prayer a sin, 97
Lifting up holy hands, 292
Manoah, prayer for wisdom, 89
for God’s help, 64–65, 68–69, 72–73, 75
for leadership needs, 58–60, 64, 71, 74–75
for the people of God, 66, 68, 74
in subsequent crises, 62, 64, 70
National prayer. See Prayer.
Nehemiah, prayers of, 139–148
for God to remember faithfulness, 143
for judgment of evil, 141
intimacy with God, 139
of national repentance, 140
sorrowful prayer over fellow Jews, 139
three “Remember me” prayers, 146
Noah, walked with God, 38
Patriarchs, men of prayer, 55
Paul—instructions on prayer
assurance in the face of unanswered prayer, 278–279
be Spirit-filled, 279–282
be watchful, 285–286
don’t worry, 284–286
for leaders, 286–287
on all occasions, 282–284
on behalf of everyone, 290–291
orderly Pentecostal prayer, 275–277
proper attire, 272–275
rejoice, give thanks, quench not, 288–289
spiritual warfare, 277–278
to spread the gospel, 289–290
Paul, prayers of
for Kingdom increase, 301
for strength and guidance, 250, 301
to know God, 298, 300, 303–304, 308, 312–313, 316
to walk worthy, 295, 305–307, 320
Pentecost, Day of, 235–236
Pentecostal prayer, 15, 275–277
Pentecostal revival, 383–384
calls for boldness and effectiveness, 241–242
evokes prayer in the Early Church, 239
Paul and Silas in prison, 261
when believers face evil times, 240
Persistence in prayer
biblical examples, 228
Christ’s teaching, 227
Christ on importunity, 229
continue in prayer, 286
enhances answer, 177
persistence in prayer, 128
tarrying for an answer, 234
Peter—instructions on prayer hindering a spouse’s prayer, 338
pride as a hindrance, 340
Petition
acknowledges dependence on God, 120
deep sorrow and pleading, 164
earnest request, 27
for forgiveness, 221
for spiritual protection, 222
for temporal needs, 220
humble and unselfish attitude, 120
in the psalms, 113–115
Posture in prayer
hands spread toward heaven, 123
heart over posture, 104
Paul: “I kneel,” 302
Power of prayer, 256
Praise, 84–85, 107–108, 150–151
Prayer
approaching God, 31, 50, 52–53, 55, 65, 73, 97, 287, 387
for blessing and success, 87, 103–105
and crises, 37, 44, 48, 51, 62, 85, 157
to be effective
admit utter weakness, 174
have faith, 46
recognize who God is, 59, 125–127
for guidance or power, 88, 157, 261, 383
for the harvest, 289–290
for healing or deliverance, 51–52, 54, 72, 83, 88, 164, 173, 262
leadership concerning, 64, 71, 75, 97
misguided, 128
place of patience and trust, 256
place of the Word, 159
for spiritual growth, 36, 52, 177, 210, 372
types of, 24–31
Prayer in the Early Church, 233
asking for God’s guidance, 249
for deliverance from demon possession, 259
for effective ministry, 257
facing persecution, 239
forgiveness of persecutors, 244
nature of petitions, 267–268
parting benediction, 262
for Peter’s deliverance, 256
prayer during deep trial, 261
for receiving the Spirit, 247
regular discipline of prayer, 237
in replacing Judas, 237
tarrying for Pentecost, 234
Prayerlessness
Abraham neglects to pray, 43
avoiding intimacy, 19
caused by busyness, 19
in Jacob’s life, 48
Joshua’s bad covenant with Gibeon, 82
Samson’s failure, 90
spirit of the age, 19
Prayer meeting, first in Early Church, 234
Prayer meetings in local church, 397–398
Praying continually, 398
Praying in the Spirit, 344–345
can include tongues, 271
charismatic prayer, 275
edification of the believer, 275
more than a biblical phrase, 15
as praying in tongues, 27
union of human spirit and God’s, 28
Presumption in prayer, 155
Priority in prayer, 267
Private prayer
a specific time and place, 238
to harmonize with God’s will, 193
Problems relating to prayer, 401–411
God’s character, 404
human reasoning, 402
laws of nature, 409
sin, 401
Public prayer
preceded by private prayer, 193
proper attire, 272
Revival and prayer, 369–370, 374–375
in 17th century, 374
in 18th century, 375–377
in 20th century, 382
of colleges and universities, 379
New Testament revivals, 372–373
Pentecostal, 369, 373, 383–384
Samson, prayer of
for final vindication, 90
too little too late, 89
Samuel, prayers of
for Saul’s failure, 97
began early in life, 94
disregarded personal disappointment, 95–96
unimpeded, 97
Satan, listening to, 36
Saul, prayer of
enigma of prayer and disobedience, 99
God-conscious but not godly, 98
Scripture and prayer, 159
Seth calls on God, 36
Solomon, prayers of
for wisdom and judgment, 120
exemplary praying, 119
prayer of dedication, 121
recorded answer for every prayer, 119
Spirit-filled praying
meditation, singing, 280
requires a current experience, 279
submission behind effective prayer, 280–281
Spirit-filled worship
in Psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, 280
Spiritual warfare
mind as a battleground, 277
prayer as a great weapon, 259
praying always, 283
Spirit vs. flesh, 277
waged through prayer, 277
Stephen, prayer of
not for physical deliverance, 245
submissive to God’s will, 245
Submission
acquiescence to God essential, 177, 319
Christ’s teaching, 220
condition for effective prayer, 28, 176
obedience to God-appointed leaders, 28
to one another for effective
prayer, 282
Supplication
earnest entreaty, 28
Greek indicates intensity, 29
“prayers,” “intercessions,” “thanksgiving,” compared, 290–291
Tabernacle, model for prayer, 76–78
brazen altar, 77
Holy of Holies, 78
Holy Place, 78
laver, 78
pattern for access to God, 76
Tarrying for the Holy Spirit, 234
Testimonies of answered prayer, 423–432
Thanksgiving
essential to all praying, 285
expression of gratitude, 29
in everything, 289
in the prayer of psalmists, including David, 116
Travail in prayer
associated with childbirth, 30
intensity of Elijah’s prayer, 127
intensity of Isaiah’s prayer, 153
toil that produces fruit, 30
Unanswered prayer
from asking wrongly, 331–332
because of sin in the camp, 84
for death, 54
as God’s discipline, 278–279
to illustrate sufficiency of God’s grace, 278–279
through personal failure, 99–100
Unity of the Body through prayer, 236
Will of God and prayer, 252
Wisdom from God, 52