Prayer Bible Study

Sweet Hour of Prayer: Lesson 4

September 18, 2019September 17, 2019 Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3,

Read 2 Samuel 7

David’s Prayer Regarding Building the Temple

Questions to Consider

1. Are you familiar with what is going on in the history of Israel and in the life and reign of David at this time? If not, use this synopsis (or another Bible Book Background) to bring you up to speed.

2. Break chapter 7 down into three major parts or events and write a one-sentence synopsis of the main action taking place in each part:

Verses 1-3:

Verses 4-17:

Verses 18-29:

3. What did David want to do? (2,5) How would you characterize David’s desire to build the temple, especially in light of his prayer in 18-29? Was his desire prideful, worshipful, godly, selfish, grateful, immoral, etc.? Why did David tell Nathan his desire? (2-3) What was Nathan, as a prophet, supposed to do (4,17) before giving David God’s reply? (3-4) How was David telling Nathan this desire similar to the way we might pray for God’s guidance today? How does Nathan, as an imperfect intermediary between God and man, point to Jesus, our perfect mediator and intercessor?

4. Examine God’s answer to David’s “prayer” (to build the temple) in verses 4-17. What was God’s overall answer – yes, or no? Go through each verse, making a list of the reasons or explanations God gives David for His answer. Which of the reasons/explanations have to do with it not being part of God’s overall plan for (OT) Israel’s history as a nation? Which of the reasons/explanations have to do with God’s plan for redemptive history and the future Messiah? Which of the reasons/explanations have to do with David personally, as an individual? When God says no to your perfectly biblical prayer, have you ever considered that there might be more to it than just saying no to you personally? That maybe it has something to do with God’s larger plan for your church, community, redemptive history, etc.?

5. Examine David’s prayer (in response to God’s answer) in 18-29.

What is the position of David’s body while he is praying? (18a) Think of some of the other body positions we see in Scripture when people are praying. Is there any special significance or meaning to these various body positions? Is there one particular position that’s “holier” than the rest, or does God hear and answer our prayers without regard to body position?

How does David react to God answering his prayer “no”? What character trait does David exhibit most in this section? Which attribute of God does David focus on the most in his prayer? How does David’s recognition of God’s sovereignty impact his humility and inform the way he reacts to God saying “no”? How does this same sovereignty/humility dynamic enable David to look past his own personal desires to the good of his nation, the good of his son Solomon, the good of redemptive history, and the good of God glorifying Himself by carrying out His own plans despite David’s desires?

When we talk about praying “in Jesus’ name” we often explain that this means praying in agreement with and in submission to God’s will. Explain how David’s prayer exemplifies praying “in Jesus’ name” even as he looks ahead to the Messiah yet to come.

6. Do you notice the gospel motif in this chapter? David wants to do what for God? (2,4) And God basically says, “I don’t need your good works (5-7, i.e. for you to build me a house of filthy rags). You, and all My people, need My good work of salvation, and I’m going to give them to you by building you a ‘house’ whose foundation and cornerstone are the Messiah, whom you all so desperately need.” We may desire to do great things for God, but we desperately need Him to do far greater things in us, for us, and to us, in saving and sanctifying us. Spend some time in prayer this week asking God to do those greater things in your heart and life.

Homework

Have you ever prayed for something or wanted to do something that was completely biblical, yet God did not give it to you or allow you to do it? What was your reaction? How did your reaction compare to David’s reaction? How would more humility and a greater view of God’s sovereignty have shaped your reaction? Write out a prayer of response to God saying “no” in which you humble yourself and honor and celebrate God’s sovereignty.

Suggested Memory Verse

Prayer Bible Study

Sweet Hour of Prayer: Lesson 3

September 11, 2019September 10, 2019 Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2,

Read 1 Samuel 1:21-2:11

Hannah’s Second Prayer

Questions to Consider

1. Briefly review lesson 2 (link above) to refresh your memory on the background and context of Hannah’s second prayer. Explain the events that led up to Hannah’s second prayer.

2. Compare Hannah’s second prayer with her first prayer in chapter 1 (lesson 2). What was the purpose of each of these prayers? Does the second prayer open the same way the first one did? Does it sound like one prayer is more private and the other is more public? How can you tell? Compare the length of the two prayers. How might the circumstances that led to each of these prayers have affected the length and the eloquence of each prayer? Think about the way you tend to pray, and the kind of phraseology you use when you’re praying privately in a time of desperate need versus praying publicly in a time of worship. How are your prayers different in these situations? Why?

3. Think about the components that typically make up our prayers today: praise, confession of sin, intercession, petition, etc. Which component is most prominent in Hannah’s second prayer? Which components are missing? Do the components we include or the components Hannah’s prayer is missing mean that we are praying wrong (or right), or that she was praying wrong (or right)? Why? Do we have to pray the same way, including the same components, every single time we pray?

4. While Hannah’s first prayer was a prayer of petition (asking God to provide for a need), her second prayer is a prayer of praise/exaltation and the proclamation of God’s attributes. Read through each verse of Hannah’s second prayer and make a list of each of the attributes of God (justice, mercy, sovereignty, compassion, etc.) she highlights, and the words she uses to do so. (Ex: 2- Holiness. “There is none holy like the Lord.”) Which of God’s attributes does this prayer focus on the most? Have you ever prayed a prayer like this that simply exalts the attributes of God?

5. Notice the words “but” and “and” in verses 4-7 and how the literary form of contrast is used in these verses (“The Lord does A BUT/AND does Z.”) How does this help drive home the point Hannah is making? Which attribute(s) of God does this format focus on? What do these contrasts tell us about the relationship between God and people?

6. Carefully examine verses 9-10, and think about the various genres of Scripture: historical narrative, wisdom literature, prophecy, poetry, didactic, apocalyptic, etc. Which category do 9-10 seem to fit into best? (Hint: At the time Hannah is saying this, has the Lord “judged the ends of the earth” yet? Does Israel have a “king” yet?)

7. Compare verses 1 and 10. Which phrase/imagery is used in both verses to “bookend” Hannah’s prayer? What does “my/his horn is exalted” mean (try to figure it out using your cross-references before clicking this link)? Who is “his king” and “his anointed” in verse 10? How does Hannah’s exalted “horn” of a miraculous conception and a first born son who is wholly dedicated to the Lord as a “priest“, prophet, and judge, point ahead to Christ, whose horn will ultimately be exalted? When you pray aloud with others, do your prayers exalt Christ and point people to Him?

Homework

•Put yourself in Hannah’s shoes in 1 Samuel 1. Imagine you’re at the house of the Lord worshiping Him for all He has done for you, and dropping off your child for the rest of his life. Write out what you would pray in that situation. Compare your prayer to Hannah’s second prayer. What are the similarities and differences, and what do you think are the reasons for those similarities and differences?

•This week, take some time each day to pray, simply focusing on the attributes of God.

Suggested Memory Verse

(Every week of our study, you’ll see a suggested memory verse like the one above. You are welcome to grab the memory verse pic to use as your screensaver or wallpaper on your phone or computer, print it out and stick it somewhere you’ll see it frequently, or use it in any other way you wish to help you memorize the verse.)

Prayer Bible Study

Sweet Hour of Prayer: Lesson 2

September 4, 2019September 10, 2019 Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1

Read 1 Samuel 1

Hannah’s First Prayer

Questions to Consider

1. Are you familiar with what is going on in the history of Israel at this time? If not, use this synopsis (or another Bible Book Background) to bring you up to speed.

2. Carefully read verses 1-9. In your own words, briefly summarize the circumstances in Hannah’s life leading up to her first prayer (in 10-11).

3. Examine verses 10,15,16. What words are used to describe Hannah’s emotional and spiritual state? It has often been said that prayer shouldn’t be our last resort – that we shouldn’t wait until circumstances are desperate before we pray. Does it seem like that’s what’s going on here with Hannah, that she only turned to God as a last resort, or that this was the culmination of many prayers over the years? On what, from chapter 1, are you basing your answer? Compare 10,15,16 with 18b. How did Hannah’s emotional and spiritual state change after pouring her heart out to God? What can we learn from Hannah’s first prayer about pouring our hearts – our feelings – out to God?

4. Where did Hannah go to pray? (9-10) Why do you think it was important to her to pray at the temple? (Hint: Examine what she says about the house of the Lord and the “presence of the Lord” in 21,22,24). Could God only hear her, or would He only be willing to answer her, if she were praying in His house? True or false: God hears us better and our prayers carry more weight if we’re praying in church, or at the front of the sanctuary (at the “altar”) during a special time of the worship service, than if we’re praying at home, in the car, etc.?

5. Examine the content of Hannah’s first prayer. (11) What is Hannah praying for, and for whom? Is it OK to pray for the things our hearts long for? Why or why not?

“O Lord of hosts,” – How does Hannah start off her prayer? How does she address God? Compare this with the beginning of the Lord’s Prayer. How should this inform our own prayers?

“if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant” – What is Hannah seeking in this part of her prayer? Compare Hannah’s thoughts and request here with Hagar’s characterization of God as, “a God of seeing…I have seen him who looks after me.”

“but will give to your servant a son,” – How would you describe Hannah’s request? Is she timid and equivocating, or bold, direct, and specific? How does Hebrews 4:16 relate to this part of Hannah’s prayer?

“then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” – (Use your footnotes and cross references if you’re not familiar with what Hannah is talking about here.) Hannah includes a vow, or promise to God, with her prayer, which is not something we’re accustomed to doing. Most of us have probably heard the story of the guy on his deathbed who promises God that if He will just let him live, he’ll live a good life, go to church every week, etc. We’ve been taught that’s “bargaining with God” and that we shouldn’t do that. Is Hannah bargaining with God in that same sense? What, from today’s passage would lead you to say “yes” or “no”? Have you ever made a vow to God in prayer? Did you keep that vow? Why might it be wise or unwise to make a vow to God when requesting something in prayer? Look up the word “vow” in a concordance. Does vowing seem to be more of an Old Testament thing or a New Testament thing? Why do you think that is?

6. Examine verse 19. Did Hannah go in to worship the Lord before or after He answered her prayer? Was her worship an attempt to manipulate God into giving her what she wanted, a response to knowing for a fact that He was going to give her what she wanted, or was her worship simply part of who she was as someone who loved God, regardless of whether or not He gave her what she wanted? Do you worship God continuously, whether or not He gives you what you’ve asked for in prayer?

7. Read 19-20. Did Hannah and Elkanah sit idly by and wait for God to provide a miraculous conception? What did they do? If you need a job, do you pray for God to send you a job and then sit on the couch watching TV and waiting for someone to call and ask you to come work for them, or do you ask God to provide a job and then read the want ads, fill out applications, and go on interviews? Explain how God blesses and answers prayer through the normal, day to day means and methods He has established. Is it any less “miraculous” for God to answer prayer through normal means and methods than to answer prayer in extraordinary way? Why? How did Hannah honor and recognize God for answering her prayer? (20b) How was Samuel, for the rest of his life, just by virtue of his name, a testimony to God answering prayer?

8. Study 21-28. Did Hannah keep the vow she made to the Lord? Why is this important? What was Hannah’s testimony of God’s answer to her prayer? (26-28) How do you think this impacted Eli? How can it be an encouragement to your pastor and your brothers and sisters in Christ to share with them how God has answered your prayers or worked in your life? We often share prayer requests. We don’t often share God’s answers. How might sharing God’s answers to prayer encourage others to pray?

Homework

•Think about one of the aspects of Hannah’s prayer we studied today – pouring out your heart to God, honoring His name in your prayers, worship, God’s work through normal means, etc. – and apply this aspect to your own prayer life this week.

•How has God answered a prayer or worked in your life in some way? Encourage your pastor, and share it with him!