Prayer 101: a study
Prayer 101
Prayer is not a simple discipline. Prayer takes much effort - and even sweat and tears - in order for it to become a vibrant part of our lives and God's Plan.
In fact, we cannot live without prayer in our lives. Prayer must be an integral part of the Christian's daily routine as he or she (you or I) is not only saved but then continually sanctified by the Word of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
We can further say that prayer is so important to the believer's life, that we cannot live without it. Even Jesus proved that to be true. Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus making and taking time to be alone in prayer, communing with His Heavenly Father. Whether the task was mundane or critical, Jesus set aside time to pray before continuing with whatever the task was.
And so we must have that same attitude and follow the model of our Lord and Savior. Anything less would rob us of a vibrant Christian life. We would also rob ourselves of being an integral part of God's Plan that He so desires us to be.
Why does it seem that the more "mature" (you can also read that as "older" and not necessarily mature) we become in our Christian walk, the quicker we lose our "child-like" faith and attitude that God so loves?
God loves us! God wants to commune with us individually and corporately. He is a personal God. He created us to be in a personal relationship with Him.
That's awesome!
So let's learn how and why we should be praying. Let's be like King David who prayed:
"May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting of my hands be like the evening sacrifice." Psalm 141:2
Let's allow God to restore us from the inside out so that our very lives are a living prayer to God; being in continual communion with our Father and Creator.
Over the next 13 weeks, we'll look at several models of prayer, while using Daniel's prayer of chapter 9 verses 3 through 19 for our general text and guide.
There are 8 hows and whys to a vibrant prayer life. Allow prayer to become a significant part of your life through this study. In time you will learn the lessons of so many of God's saints - God's men and women - throughout the ages who purposefully made time to pray and commune with God. These people were mightily used of and by God for His Plan.
Through prayer, God offered them a glimpse of His Majesty and eternal Beauty. Prayer - "being" with God not just talking at or to Him - brings us into the beautiful for His glory.
Special thanks to: Pastor Brian Borgman of Grace Community Church, Minden, NV, and his excellent sermon series on the Book of Daniel (via sermonaudio.com) which formed the foundation for this study. Pastor Dave Miles, as he led our congregation on a renewed path of healing and vision for our congregation during a time of transition. The impact of being emotionally healthy is essential to a rich, right, and vibrant prayer life and Christian walk.
CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO BE LINKED TO EACH LESSON.
Prayer 101 Study lessons
Defining Prayer
The Depths of Prayer
Defining Prayer
Let's take some time to define prayer. After all, how can we discuss something if we aren't entirely clear as to what we are discussing?
Introduction
The Depths of Prayer
Defining Prayer
Understand where we are headed. Let's begin to define Prayer. Prayer is vital to the believer and to be an active participant in God's Plan.
The Depths of Prayer
The Depths of Prayer
Step 1: Understanding God & His Word
We need to further define prayer by examining the depths of prayer. This means moving from "talking at God" to "being with God".
Step 1: Understanding God & His Word
Step 1: Understanding God & His Word
Step 1: Understanding God & His Word
We can't know God well without being in His Word. God's Word, the Bible, is the Creator speaking directly to us, His creation.
Step 2: Prayer Must be God-centered
Step 1: Understanding God & His Word
Step 2: Prayer Must be God-centered
Prayer is about God, not you or me. As we speak with and commune with Him daily, we better understand WHO God is and HOW he operates.
Step 3: Prayer is Motivated & Directed by Scripture
Step 3: Prayer is Motivated & Directed by Scripture
Step 3: Prayer is Motivated & Directed by Scripture
A question I ask myself as I read my Bible is, "am I being motivated to pray?"
Demanding an Answer
Step 3: Prayer is Motivated & Directed by Scripture
Step 3: Prayer is Motivated & Directed by Scripture
This is where the rubber meets the road. God does answer prayer. And oftentimes in ways that we don't want or expect. Some thoughts for personal meditation. The Book of Job.
Step 4: Honesty in Prayer
Step 3: Prayer is Motivated & Directed by Scripture
Step 4: Honesty in Prayer
Do I blame God for my current circumstances or condition? Or does God provide the words when we need rescue and relief?
Step 5: Confession
Step 5: Confession
Step 4: Honesty in Prayer
We have to admit who we are and what we've done and come to God with not only a clean heart and mind but clean motives for prayer.
Repentance
Step 5: Confession
Divine Obedience
Confession is not complete without repentance. Confessing is good, but how good is it if we keep sinning? We need to turn from our sinning - repent. We need to go in a new direction: towards God.
Divine Obedience
Step 5: Confession
Divine Obedience
Obedience is the "fruit" of not only confession and repentance, but it is the way in which we love and honor God.
Prayer 101 Study lessons
Step 6: Grandeur & Simplicity
Step 6: Grandeur & Simplicity
Step 6: Grandeur & Simplicity
Grand, sweeping prayers are perfectly good and at times appropriate, but God wants us to get down to the nitty-gritty.
Contemplative Prayer
Step 6: Grandeur & Simplicity
Step 6: Grandeur & Simplicity
Step 7: Do We Trust God?
Step 6: Grandeur & Simplicity
Step 8: Prayer & the Plan of God
Daniel trusted God because God had a "track record" with him. Over the decades in exile, Daniel watched, both through the Scriptures and through his natural eyes, that God is active in the affairs of His creation. Trust, faith, hope.
Step 8: Prayer & the Plan of God
Conclusion: Making Prayer a Priority
Step 8: Prayer & the Plan of God
Daniel understood that he was a part of God's Plan. Do you and I understand that as well?
Conclusion: Making Prayer a Priority
Conclusion: Making Prayer a Priority
Conclusion: Making Prayer a Priority
As we wrap up this study, are we able to grasp the understanding that God wants us to be active with Him?