CHURCH PERSONAL EVANGELISM TRAINING

Importance of Personal Relationship: PRAYER

CLASS ACTIVITY

NOTES TO THE FACILITATOR:

 
1. Since the discussion is long, you don't need to ask each member of your team to answer the questions. You just
have to pick one or two, then give the right answer if not mentioned then proceed.
2. Give summaries and connect points. :D
 
1. In the following quotes below, determine the reason/s why we must pray.
 
For Soul-winning
 
Personal effort for others should be preceded by much secret prayer; for it requires great wisdom to understand the science of
saving souls. Before communicating with men, commune with Christ. At the throne of heavenly grace obtain a preparation for
ministering to the people.—(Christ’s Object Lessons, 149.) {Pr 186.2}
 
 What precedes personal effort? What does precede mean?
 Why is it necessary to precede personal effort with secret prayer?
 What do we do before communicating with men?
 Where can we obtain preparation for ministering to the people?
 
 
Let us also pray earnestly in behalf of those whom we expect to visit, by living faith bringing them, one by one, into the
presence of God.—(Christian Service, 169.) {Pr 45.2}
 
 Who do we pray for in this quote?
 How do we bring them to the presence of God?
 What does that teach you as a soul-winner?
 
In order to lead souls to Jesus there must be a knowledge of human nature and a study of the human mind. Much careful
thought and fervent prayer are required to know how to approach men and women upon the great subject of truth.—
(Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, 67.) {Pr 44.1}

 Why is prayer important for a soul-winner based on the quote above?

 
 
Church
 
Solicit prayer for the souls for whom you labor; present them before the church as objects for the supplication. It will be just
what the church needs, to have their minds called from their little, petty difficulties, to feel a great burden, a personal interest,
for a soul that is ready to perish.—(Medical Ministry, 244, 245.) {Pr 42.4}
 
 Say for example you are already laboring for souls today, what should you do based on the quote
above?
 Why is it important to open them before the church?
 How do we apply the quote in our church?
 
ADDITIONAL
 
 Based on the quotes above, give a Bible passage/s telling the importance of prayer.
 How important is prayer for you? Based on the quotes above, what have you learned and what is your commitment to
GOD?
 
2. When and Where do we pray?
 
Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, “Take me, O Lord, as
wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in
Thee.” This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be
carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of
God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ.—(Steps to Christ, 70.) {Pr 23.1}
 
 Based on the quote above, when should we pray?
 What should the content of our prayer be?
 How often should we do this in a week?
 
When you rise in the morning, kneel at your bedside, and ask God to give you strength to fulfil the duties of the day, and
to meet its temptations. Ask Him to help you to bring into your work Christ’s sweetness of character. Ask Him to help you
to speak words that will inspire those around you with hope and courage, and draw you nearer to the Saviour.—(Sons
and Daughters of God, 199.) {Pr 9.4}
 
 Based on the quote above, when should we pray?
 What should we do when we wake up?
 What should the content of our prayer be? (Facis you can let them elaborate each if
you want)
 Do we need to pray for such things? Why?
 
 
Every morning take time to begin your work with prayer. Do not think this wasted time; it is time that will live through
eternal ages. By this means success and spiritual victory will be brought in. The machinery will respond to the touch of
the Master’s hand. God’s blessing is certainly worth asking for, and the work cannot be done aright unless the beginning
is right.—(Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, 194.)
 
 
 Based on the quote above, when should we pray?
 Why do we think that prayer is a wasted time, and why should we not think of it?
  
There is no time or place in which it is inappropriate to offer up a petition to God. There is nothing that can prevent us
from lifting up our hearts in the spirit of earnest prayer. In the crowds of the street, in the midst of a business
engagement, we may send up a petition to God and plead for divine guidance, as did Nehemiah when he made his
request before King Artaxerxes. A closet of communion may be found wherever we are. We should have the door of the
heart open continually and our invitation going up that Jesus may come and abide as a heavenly guest in the soul.—
(Steps to Christ, 98, 99). {Pr 214.3}
 
 Based on the quote above, when should we pray?
 Where can we pray?
 What does"a closet of communion may be found wherever we are" mean?
 
You must be men of prayer. Your petitions must be not faint, occasional, and fitful, but earnest, persevering, and
constant. It is not necessary to be alone, or to bow upon your knees, to pray; but in the midst of your labor your souls
may be often uplifted to God, taking hold upon His strength; then you will be men of high and holy purpose, of noble
integrity, who will not for any consideration be swayed from truth, right, and justice.—(Testimonies for the Church, 542,
543.) {Pr 214.5}
 
 Based on the quote above, when should we pray?
 In what character should our prayers be?
 What is the result of this kind of prayer life?
  
Day by day, morning and evening, the humble heart needs to offer up prayers to which will be returned answers of grace
and peace and joy. (SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, 1078.) {Pr 155.2}
 
  Based on the quote above, when should we pray?
 
 
Your knees are to bow three times a day in heartfelt prayer.”Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 298
 
 Based on the quote above, when should we pray?
 
 
“It was in hours of solitary prayer that Jesus in His earth life received wisdom and power. Let the youth follow His
example in finding at dawn and twilight a quiet season for communion with their Father in heaven…. Education, p. 259
 
 Based on the quote above, when should we pray?
 
 
Pray when you are faint-hearted. When you are desponding, close the lips firmly to men; keep all the darkness within,
lest you shadow the path of another; but tell it to Jesus. {GW92 428.3}
 
 Based on the quote above, when should we pray?
 Give example situations that you have encountered in your own life.
 
“In every difficulty we are to see a call to prayer.”
 
 Based on the quote above, when should we pray?
 Give example situations that you have encountered in your own life.
 
Pray in your closet, and as you go about your daily labor let your heart be often uplifted to God. {Pr 214.1}
 
 Based on the quote above, when and where should we pray?
 What does pray in your closet means? Where is your closet?
 
 
“Have a place for secret prayer. Jesus had select places for communion with God, and so should we. ..We need often to
retire to some spot, however humble, where we can be alone with God.”Mount of Blessing, p. 84
 
 Based on the quote above, what should we have? Why should we have it?
 
“I would go away alone in the woods, where no eye or ear but God’s could see or hear, and pray to Him…”Early Writings,
p. 21
 
 The quote above is a personal experience of Ellen White. Do we also need to go to the
woods? What principle about the place of prayer can we find here?
 
 
ADDITIONAL
 
Give a bible verse telling us where and when Jesus spent His personal prayer time.
Give a bible verse telling us where and when a biblical character spent His personal prayer time.
How do you apply this to our own personal prayer time and prayer life?
 
3. What is to be the content of our prayers?
 
Shall all our devotional exercises consist in asking and receiving? Shall we be always thinking of our wants and never of
the benefits we receive? Shall we be recipients of His mercies and never express our gratitude to God, never praise Him
for what He has done for us? We do not pray any too much, but we are too sparing of giving thanks. If the loving-
kindness of God called forth more thanksgiving and praise, we would have far more power in prayer. {Pr 104.1}
 
  From the quote above, what should we include in our prayers?
 What is the problem if our prayers does not include thanksgiving and praise?
 What is the result of more thanksgiving and praise in our prayers? Why?
 
When we pray for earthly blessings, the answer to our prayer may be delayed, or God may give us something other than
we ask, but not so when we ask for deliverance from sin. It is His will to cleanse us from sin, to make us His children, and
to enable us to live a holy life... “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.—(The Desire of Ages, 266.) {Pr 114.4}
 
 From the quote above, what should we include in our prayers?
 What is something that we can ask that God does not delay in answering?
 What promise can you take from that?
 
 
“Every promise in the word of God furnishes us with subject matter for prayer…” Mount of Blessing, p. 133
 
 From the quote above, what should we include in our prayers?
 Why is it important to claim promises during our prayers?
 What promises can you claim in your own prayers? (personal)
 
Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot
weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. “The Lord is very
pitiful, and of tender mercy.” James 5:11. His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of
them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He
rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. . . .
{CSA 27.8}
 
 From the quote above, what should we include in our prayers?
 What is in God that we can freely take all our cares to Him?
 What are examples of things that can perplex our mind?
 What are examples of things that are small but concerns our peace?
 
 
 
“The mother of Augustine prayed for her son’s conversion. She saw no evidence that the Spirit of God was impressing
his heart, but she was not discouraged. She laid her finger upon the texts, presenting before God His own words, and
pleaded as only a mother can. “Her deep humiliation, her earnest importunities, her unwavering faith, prevailed, and the
Lord gave her the desire of her heart. Today He is just as ready to listen to the petitions of His people.” Testimonies, Vol.
5, p. 322
 
 From the quote above, what did the mother of Augustine prayed for?
 What did she do when she cannot see by her eyes evidence of answered prayer?
 What did she do while praying?
 Do you have any family member or friend to pray for? What does this tell you? What
lesson do you find in this?
 
Begin to pray for souls; come near to Christ, close to His bleeding side. Let a meek and quiet spirit adorn your lives, and
let your earnest, broken, humble petitions ascend to Him for wisdom that you may have success in saving not only your
own soul, but the souls of others. .—(Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 513.) {Pr 45.1}
 
 From the quote above, what should we include in our prayers?
 How does praying for others save your own souls as well?

 
 “My brethren and sisters, plead for the Holy Spirit, God stands back of every promise He has made. With your Bibles in
your hands, say: “I have done as Thou hast said, I present Thy promise, ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall
find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.’”
 
 
 From the quote above, what should we include in our prayers?
 As a soul-winner, why is it necessary to pray for the Holy Spirit?
 How do we ask for the Holy Spirit during our prayers? (from the quote)
  
ADDITIONAL
 
Give a bible verse telling what we should include in our prayers (other than the mentioned).
From the things we discussed, what content is most lacking in your prayer life? How can you improve that?
Think of people you want to pray for starting today. Write their names on your paper and what you want to pray for
them.
 
4. What should be our attitude in prayer?
 
 
True reverence for God is inspired by a sense of His infinite greatness and a realization of His presence. With this sense
of the Unseen, every heart should be deeply impressed. The hour and place of prayer are sacred, because God is there;
and as reverence is manifested in attitude and demeanor, the feeling that inspires it will be deepened. “Holy and
reverend is His name,” the psalmist declares. Angels, when they speak that name, veil their faces. With what reverence,
then, should we, who are fallen and sinful, take it upon our lips! {Pr 209.4}
 
 Based on the quote, what should be our attitude when we approach God in prayer?
 How can we be give true reverence for God- by having a sense of what?
 How can we express reverence in attitude and demeanor?
 What things can we do in prayer that would express irreverence?
 
 
 
We should accustom ourselves to often lift the thoughts to God in prayer. If the mind wanders, we must bring it back; by
persevering effort, habit will finally make it easy.—(The Sanctified Life, 93.) {Pr 216.1}
 
 
 Based on the quote, what should be our attitude when we approach God in prayer?
 What could be the reasons why our mind wanders during our prayers?
 What should we do that happens?
 Why is it important to stay focused during our prayers?
 
Our petitions must not take the form of a command, but of intercession for Him to do the things we desire of Him.—
(Counsels on Health, 379.) {Pr 216.3}
 
 
 Based on the quote, what should be our attitude when we approach God in prayer?
 What is the difference between command and intercession?
 What are examples of statements that command God of something? What shall we
say instead?
 
 
Pray in faith. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, 274.) {Pr 216.4}
 
Many prayers are offered without faith. A set form of words is used, but there is no real importunity. These prayers are
doubtful, hesitating; they bring no relief to those who offer them, and no comfort or hope to others. GW, 426
  
 
 Based on the quote, what should be our attitude when we approach God in prayer?
 Why is it necessary to offer prayer in faith?
 What is the consequence of not mingling faith in our prayers?
 
“Many, even in their seasons of devotion, fail of receiving the blessing of real communion with God. They are in too
great haste. “With hurried steps they press through the circle of Christ’s loving presence, pausing perhaps a moment
within the sacred precincts, but not waiting for counsel. They have no time to remain with the divine Teacher. With
their burdens they return to their work.“These workers can never attain the highest success until they learn the secret
of strength. They must give themselves time to think, to pray, to wait upon God for a renewal of physical, mental, and
spiritual power.” Education, p. 260, 261
 
 
 Based on the quote, what should be our attitude when we approach God in prayer?
 What could be the reason why we hurry in our prayer time?
 What should we wait for when we pray?
 What is the consequence ofhurrying during prayer times?
 What is the secret of strength?
 
Learn to pray aloud where only God can hear you.GW, 426
 
 What does praying aloud where only God can hear you mean?
 
Let us learn to pray intelligently, expressing our requests with clearness and precision. Let us put away the listless,
sluggish habit into which we have fallen, and pray as though we meant it. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous
man availeth much.” [James 5:16.]GW, 426
 
 Based on the quote, what should be our attitude when we approach God in prayer?
 Why is it important to do that?
 
ADDITIONAL
 
What are the things that you do in your prayer time that you now know is/are wrong? What can you do to reform?
What is your commitment after this?