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Q3. In what way does Daniel's situation compare to Esther's? Because they are both in positions that only God could have chosen for them. Why does God place his people in strategic positions today in the community, in the military, in government? Although one would think that being placed in a government position was and inane idea, we have to realize that God is in control. He places His people where He needs them to be. And we may not look like we are doing anything in those positions, but, in His time, in His plan, the reasons that we are placed in those places will come to be known. What responsibilities do we have to God that can cause danger to our positions and our lives? Our responsibility to God is obedience. And to obey Him could mean that we are put in peril in the world that we live in. Has this ever happened to you? No. How do you pray in situtions like this? I can only hope that I, as did Daniel and Nehemiah, would put my faith in our heavenly God, and petition for an answer to trouble that only He can privide. You pray that God's will be done.

Q2. What is the basis of Nehemiah's appeal? The unfaithfulness of the Israelites and the promise that God would scatter them for it. Also the promise that God would gather them together again when they repented. How does he argue his case before God? He used the words that God spoke to Moses. And that now, the Israelites are repenting for their disobedience. What do we learn from this about intercession? That we must know what God's promises are. That we must be prepared to humble ourselves before God. That we must indeed acknowledge what we know to be our sins. And we must be prepared to beseech God for His favor and His unchanging love for His people.

Q1. Why does Nehemiah pray day and night for four months? Because he has much disobedience by the Israelites to confess to God. He prays for forgiveness, for strength, for courage to face the king. Why does he fast and weep? Because if he is to ask God for these things, after they have been unfaithful, then he must let God know that he is truly repentant. That the Israelites are truly repentant. To make sure that God knows the extent of his heart prayers. Isn't that excessive? No. God wants us to be repentant for our sins. He wants us to come to Him with a heart that is ready to obey and be forgiven.

Q4. What was Daniel's essential prayer? To save the people of Israel, to save the nation of Israel. What are the various grounds of Daniel's appeal? That they are God's people. That God Himself is righteous and merciful. For God's own sake, to show His power to the heathen. How did God answer the prayer? God sent the angel Gabriel to instruct Daniel in what they must do to receive God's mercy.

Q3. Since Daniel is such a righteous man in his generation, why does he identify himself with the sins of his peope? Daniel realizes that he must pray on behalf of the nation of Israel, not just a personal prayer, but as an intercessor for all the people, for every sin committed, a baring of the soul of Israel. He didn't commit them. How does this compare to how Jesus sought forgiveness for His people? The comparison is much the same. Daniel sought forgiveness for the nation of Israel. A people who were called God's chosen ones. Jesus, on the other hand, sought forgiveness for the soul of every individual person on the earth. To given them a chance to obtain Salvation. Jesus sought forgiveness for all of us - - to the death.

Q2 What is Daniel's demeanor as he prays? Deliberate and abject (of the lowest degree) humility. How does he prepare? He covers himself with sackcloth (rough goat hair, a symbol of penitence) and ashes, and with fasting. Why is this so important in this case? He wants God to know for certain that his only cause is for the people of Israel. It is not a personal petition. In what ways might you and I prepare for intercession? Finding a serene place, away from other people and distractions. Going through a quiet time ourselves to prepare our bodies and heart for deep and heartfelt prayer.

What encourages Daniel to seek God for the forgiveness and restoration of Israel to its homeland? He realized while studying the Scriptures that the 70 years of exile for the Israelites is almost finished, and that the prophecy of destruction of Babylon is near at hand. What trait on Daniel's part brings this encouragement to pass? Daniel was a prayer "warrior". He prayed to God three times a day, and he was not afraid to stand his ground for his beliefs. He believed the Scriptures and God's promises.

Q4 Why is this prayer of surrender to God so difficult to pray? It is difficult because we are human and afraid to allow someone else control of our life. And we continue to realize that there will always be an area in our hearts for God to seek out and cleanse. When was the first time you prayed this kind of prayer to God? Right after I became one of His children. What was the result? He has continued to show me areas for change. Thank God that in His strength, we can change. Can a person be a genuine disciple without praying this kind of prayer? We are a genuine disciple as soon as we accept what Jesus did for us and pray the prayer of repentence.

Q3 How does an awareness of God's involvement in your parental developement meant to encourage you? That God has known me forever. He has formed and nurtured me. He knew when I would be born. He knows the day I will be with Him. What might this mean to a young woman carrying a child? That she could trust God to influence her in good ways and prepare her for motherhood. A young father-to-be? That his responsibility will be much easier knowing that God cares more for this child than he does. Why is such knowledge overwhelming to us? Because it is easier for us to forget about God and carry on our own way.

Q2 How does God's hand touch the psalmist" It goes before him and behind him, a hedge of protection. It leads him and holds him in the right way. Have you ever felt God's hand on you in a special way? Yes. Was it for your good? Yes. What was it like? A knowledge that I would need not succomb to overbearing sorrow.

Q1 Why do people sometimes want to flee from God? Sometimes we may wish that God couldn't see what we are doing, or hear what we are saying, because we know within ourselves, by the Holy Spirit, that we are not listening to God's ways. Why do people imagine that God doesn't know what they do? I think that sometimes we believe that God is too busy to pay attention to every soul on earth, and maybe we can sneak something by Him. Have you ever felt this way? Before I was reborn, I cared not whether He could see me or not. Now I know He does, and yet my humanness still tries to flee from Him.

Q3. What is the basis on which Hezekiah asks for healing? That he had lived in truth and with a loyal heart. That he had done what was right in God's eyes. Why is personal righteousness and holiness important in getting your prayers answered? God will hear your prayers and He will look at your heart. If you are not praying selfishly, and praying in His Will, God will honor your prayers. How can unrighteousness prevent answered prayer if all gifts from God are by grace anyway? Yes, God's gifts are by grace, but unrighteousness will be a factor in whether God answers your prayers or not.

Q3. Why is Hezekiah's healing important for his nation? It is important because there was no one trained and ready to take on the task of leadership. With him gone, they would fall to the Assyrians. How did it relate to God's promises to David? David prayed for his son Solomon, and Hezekiah prayed for his own life that the nation might be saved, and a new king could be found. In Solomon, a king was ready to take on the responsibility.

Q2. How do the first two sentences of Hezekiah's prayer correspond to the first sentence of the Lord's Prayer? He is confirming that his belief is in One God. One God over heaven and earth. How are they important to faith? We have to believe in one God, one Creator, one Heaven and Earth, or our faith is idle and unimportant to God. How are they important to God answering the prayer? If our faith is not strong enough to believe that God can do all things, then why would we expect God to answer our prayer?

Q1. What is the significance of Hezekiah spreading out the enemy's message before the Lord? He is saying to God, "I have done all that I can do in the strength that You have given to me. Now, Lord, if we are to survive, You will have to use Your hand to strike down this enemy." What is the underlying principle illustrated here? Never try to work in your own strength. Take it to the Lord and leave it there. How can we apply this principle to our own lives? When we have problems that frustrate us, we must go to the Lord for direction. What happens when we don't apply this principle? We will lose the battle because we have shut God out.

Q4. Why is a person's attitude with regard to giving related to that person's attitude towards praise? If we don't feel like giving our tithe, then it's for sure that we don't believe it came from Him and our praises will be short-changed in that area. Why does an attitude of possessiveness with regards to giving get in the way of worship? Possessiveness is making an "idol" of what you own. God said, "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." An idol is a god that we worship in the flesh. In what sense do all your possessions belong to God? Because He created me. He provides for me and has, even when I was an unbeliever. He has given me everything, so all that I own is a gift from Him. What then should be your relationship to your possessions? It is okay to have them so long as you keep your priorities in the right order. You should also use them to help someone in need. How will these truths re-energize your giving? Your praise? If we are giving in a right manner, then we will be praising in a right manner. All for Him who gives us our all.

Q3. How might you begin to mention God's greatness in your own prayers? He is awesome, He is unchanging, He is faithful, His truth is everlasting. We can never over praise Him. We do not know enough words to praise Him properly. But we will, when He takes us home! Where is this kind of praise found by example in the Lord's Prayer? He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Your Rod and Your Staff, they comfort me. What are your favorite songs that point to God's greatness? Amazing Grace, What A Friend We Have In Jesus, It Is Well With My Soul.

Q2. In what way does praise exalt God? Our voices, our words, our heart feelings, are lifted up to Him, to express how we feel that He is our God, our Father, our Rock, our Redeemer. Why should we exalt God? Because everything that we are, everything that we have, everything that we hope for, comes from God, our Provider. What does this exaltation do in us? It brings us closer to God in our relationship with Him. It strengthens our faith, it helps us to grow spiritually. What does it say about us? It says that we are not just there for a false front to the world, but that He truly is our Life, our Being, our Eternal Glory.

Q1. In what way do our prayers of praise "bless" God? We are callin Him Father, and telling Him of the many ways that we recognize His goodness to us. What do we mere humans have that God desires in a blessing? We have thankful hearts. We have a joy in singing praises to Him. We have the knowledge that everything we have comes from Him. And He wants to hear us tell Him. What are prayers like, that don't include blessing God? Selfish prayers that only speak of the things that we want, for ourselves and for family and friends.

Q4. What does it mean to have a broken heart and spirit? sincere awareness and acknowledgement that we have sinned before God. Why is this essential in the prayer for pardon? unless we are sincere in our prayer for pardon, God cannot and will not give forgiveness for that sin. In what sense is this a "sacrifice"? the sacrifice here is knowing your sin, confessing it to God and asking forgiveness, and then to not repeat the same sin again. Why do we tend to resist a "broken and contrite heart" in ourselves? because we are human, our very nature is sinful. We fail to realize the full extent of our separation from God. Our faith is still not at the place where we have gone beyond and "area of unbelief".

Q3 Is it possible to have a pure heart? Only by allowing God full access to your heart. Don't think you can hide part of yourself from Him. Everything earthly must be put in the background and God is to have Priority. How does God bring about a pure heart? God searches your heart and mind, to see who you really are, and what your intentions are. If He is satisfied that you are indeed what you say that you are, you will be forgiven. Hence, a clean, pure, heart. What is our part in this? Truthfulness, faith in Jesus Christ, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us.

Q2 In his prayers does David seek to minimize his sins? No To maximize them? No. Why does and authentic prayer for pardon require clear, unvarnished acknowledgement of sin to be effective? Because unless we name the sin, subconsciously we could be covering it up with another sin and hoping that God won't notice the first one. We know that God knows, but still as humans, we try to cover it up. Oh that today I might have the faith that is apparent in the characters of the Old Testament. I believe that we have it so easy today, with all of our modern conveniences, that we feel superior to Abraham, Moses, David and the rest. When in reality, they are far superior in the area of prayer. Very seldom, even in a church prayer meeting, do you hear anyone pray like these guys did. When this prayer study chain is ended, I hope that I have progressed enough that I will be more than comfortable to pray in a public forum in the same manner that they did in private, and in company of others.

Q1. In what way does a prayer for pardon require faith? If we didn't believe that God could, and would, pardon us, then there would be no sense in prayer at all. What is that faith based on? That God created us, that He loves us, that we can come to Him for forgiveness when He shows us that we have sinned. That we can come to Him as soon as we realize ourselves that we have committed, or are committing a sin. Knowing that He loves us unconditionally. How does a person gain the faith to pray this prayer in confidence? By accepting what Jesus did for us on the Cross. By believing that He gave His life for us. By living in the Holy Spirit. By being in His word. By starting out in little prayers and growing into bigger prayers, and into confidence prayers. It is totally the work of God, our Father.

Q4 In what way does Abraham show persistence? By lowering the number of righteous people who might be found in Sodom. Why is persistence necessary in prayer? Because without persistence, how will God know that we are really serious, or if we are just speaking words to try to please Him? Have you ever experienced "praying through"? No, I have returned to the same prayer many times. Perhaps this is what is meant by "persistent". To me persistent means without letting up. Continuous. OR "pray without ceasing" What was it like? No answer.

Q3. Do you think Abraham's boldness pleased God? Of course it did. He wants us to be bold. He didn't ask us to be sissies, but to honor Him. Why or why not? Because Abraham was living up to what God saw in him in the first place, and that Abraham cared enough for the righteous to plead for them. What might cause God to take delight in your prayers to Him? Concern for other believers. Concern for those who do not believe. Knowing that I love Him. Knowing that I am thankful for all that He has done for me.