Introduction
Last week- started a series on prayer- continue today.
Goal- encourage, inspire, ignite- our interest in prayer. Questions-
How many feel inadequate/guilty about lack of prayer?
How many would say their prayer life could be better?
How could it be better?
Arthur Pink- made- interesting point- when he said-
Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude- an attitude of dependency, dependency upon God. Arthur W Pink
It is a dependency on God that drives us to prayer.
Review The practice of prayer is at the foundation of all Biblical faith.
As Christian’s -
we do not always know what we are doing,we are not always sure how to respond to life,it is not always clear what path to travel down.
Since we do not know, we MUST practice the biblical discipline of prayer.
Getting to Know God
Today-look at- basic, foundational truths about prayer.
Next time- Unanswered Prayer
Why does God answer prayer for some people, but when I pray He does not seem to hear me?
Following week-how did Jesus taught-disciples to pray Question: Why is it that many of us do not pray more? 1. We do not know how to pray
Am I praying the right way?
I do not know what to say?
What can I pray about, what can I not pray about?
2. We get bored or distracted while trying to pray
Start praying and remember you must mow your lawn.
3. We think our requests are too small for God
Why would God be concerned about things in my life?
I am sure He has bigger concerns than my puny stuff.
4. We are not sure our prayers will make a difference
If God already knows our prayers and can do whatever He wants anyway, then why do I need to pray?
The last time I prayed He did not answer my prayers, so why should I pray this time?
Working definition of prayer Question: What is prayer?
Prayer- (dictionary)-
petition to God
spiritual communion with God
negligible hope/chance- (does not have a prayer) Prayer is two-way communication with God.
Amazing thought- we have access to God. Heb 4:16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. NASU
Confidence- without fear, boldly- syn- adventurous.
We can approach God hopefully and expectantly.
Psa 5:1-3
V1 groaning- sigh, murmur-
Have you ever been in a conversation with someone you know intimately and they- sighed, groaned?
It communicated something clearly to you.
Even our groaning/sighing means something to God.
V2 Heed the sound of my cry for help-
Psalmist is expressing himself out of that place of having a close relationship with God.
V3 You will hear my voice-
Think how life changing that can be.
We are important enough to God that He listens to our prayers and moves on our behalf.
God may -
do exactly what we have ask Him,
do something different, or
do something better.
Is Psalm 105 we see- snapshot of how David prayed-
this was his unique way-communicating w/God.
Our prayer life does not need to look like someone else
If you are a parent- noticed how different children communicate differently-
some say everything they are thinking,
others might share after they get in bed.
As adults, we connect with God in different ways.
Give yourself permission to pray in a manner that-
you are comfortable with and (stretch yourself)
allows you to connect with God.
Some may-
kneel down beside bed, fold hands and pray,
others may walk and talk (walkie-talkie),
some connect by singing,others can express their thoughts by writing,some are very emotional, others very stoic,
some see-beautiful sunrise- their hearts respond to the Creator with prayer/thanksgiving.
Even corporately we must be careful not to convey that there is one form of prayer that is right.
Bottom line- prayer is communicating with God.
Four ways to communicate with God- 1. With gut level honesty
Many people do not know how to be honest w/God.
Sometimes we put on our God voice and talk to God in a way we do not talk to anyone else.
God wants us to talk to Him with authenticity.
Authenticity- the real thing, the real you, no facade.
At times- might approach God very emotional/angry.
Ex 5:22-23
It is okay to pray honestly to God- but we should be-
respectful,approach God w/worship in our hearts, and
w/submissive attitude- in the end you are God.
Be careful not to let unbelief take root in your heart.
Jesus only criticized prayer for two reasons-
too long and not authentic.
Mtt 6:5-7
Prayer does not need to be long, perfect, or fancy.
Talk to God like you would a close friend. 2. About everything that matters to you Phil 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. NASU
What can we pray about- everything- big or small.
Whatever is important to you, talk to God about it.
If something matters to you, it matters to our Father.
Look what people in the Bible prayed about-
Zacharias- son
Solomon- wisdom
Moses- water
Daniel- help interpreting a dream
Gideon- needed a sign from God
Abraham’s servant- favor to find wife for Isaac.
David- forgiveness for sin w/Bathsheba
Paul- thorn in the flesh
What is bothering you-
need a car or car repair
headaches/other physical problems
help with school work
boss driving you crazy at work
tension in your family
1 Pet 5:7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. NASU 3. Continually 1 Thess 5:16-18 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. NASU
We must learn the art of praying continually.
Some people can pray for one or two hours at a time.
Others do not seem to be able to pray for long times-but-good at pausing to pray throughout the day.
Smith Wigglesworth- he would often pray all night.
In his later years he said this-
These days (when he was traveling long hours, staying in different homes, holding meetings all over the world) I cannot pray for half an hour on end. But there is not a half-hour of my waking life that I am not in prayer sometime.
If you do not pray for long periods of time then never go long periods of time without prayer. Develop an ongoing, consistent, conversation with God, and a constant awareness of God’s presence.
My experience: I was reading in Mark when Jesus went off to pray and the disciples kept falling asleep. Jesus challenged them
Could you not keep watch for one hour?
Let me encourage you- pray until something happens.
Lk 18:1-8 (widow, unrighteous judge)
Pray until God-
changes the circumstances or
God changes you.
4. Listen for His response
Have you ever had a one sided conversation?
If there is not two way communication it is not much of a relationship.
The same is true with God.
Do not make prayer a monologue- make it a conversation. Unknown
God speaks in many ways-
you may hear an audible voice,through His word as you seek for truth,through other people,circumstances- give us eyes to see,
voice of His Spirit- give us ears to hear.
1 Ki 19:11-13
Ask God to make you sensitive to His voice.
God sometimes speaks to me as I am driving in my biblical car- a Honda Accord. Why is it a biblical car? Because it says the disciples were all in one accord.
Some people- skeptical about confessing that something is answered prayer.
They chalk it up to-
natural processes (miraculous in themselves),
luck, coincidence.
It may be a coincidence to you, but to me it is answered prayer, the hand of God.
Psa 29:1-2 29 Ascribe to the Lord, O sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in holy array. NASU
Ascribe- give, present- to God the glory He is due.
These passages demand everyone to acknowledge the greatness of God and to give Him glory.
Everything that happens that is of significance, happens through prayer. God will hear from you, and if you listen, you will hear from God.
Conclusion
Challenge: If you are committed to improve your prayer life I want to offer you-
a challenge and a vehicle for accountability.
Home Page- Take the Challenge- chose-
2010 Prayer Commitment.
Commit to pray one-half hour a day, five days a week. Heaven is full of answers to prayer for which no one bothered to ask. Billy Graham
Offer a prayer-
God draw us to you, whatever it takes.
O God, hear our prayers, listen to our sighing.
We want to know you through prayer.
Lord help COTRM become a people of prayer.
Make all of us more aware of your presence.
Cause our frequency/time in prayer to grow.
You Word says- Your sheep hear Your voice.
Help us to recognize your voice as we-
repeatedly and habitually practice prayer.
