Growing in God 3. Communion with God

Lesson Outline 1.Paradigm 2.Principles 3.Pattern 4.Pointers

Paradigm

ParadigmFather SpiritSon Prayer is intimate communion with God: 1) Talking to him 2) Listening to him Prayer is not a ritual, but a relationship. Christian

Principles

Principles 1.Prayer should be steady 2.Prayer should be solitary 3.Prayer should be simple 4.Prayer should be steadfast 5.Prayer should be surrendered

STEADY PRAYER Principle 1

Steady Prayer Examples from Scripture 1.Daniel prayed three times a day. 2.Jesus often withdrew to pray. 3.Paul mentions his unceasing prayer. 4.We should be faithful in prayer. 5.We should pray without ceasing.

Steady Prayer Implications for us 1.We must devote quantity time to prayer. 2.We must devote quality time to prayer.

SOLITARY PRAYER Principle 2

Matthew 6:5-6 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Solitary Prayer Is it a sin to pray in public? No, not at all! The great saints prayed publicly, including Jesus himself.

Solitary Prayer Is it a sin to pray in public? No, not at all! The great saints prayed publicly, including Jesus himself. What sin was Jesus condemning? Hypocrisy! Public pretence without private devotion! Praying to look spiritual.

Solitary Prayer Is it a sin to pray in public? No, not at all! The great saints prayed publicly, including Jesus himself. What sin was Jesus condemning? Hypocrisy! Public pretence without private devotion! Praying to look spiritual. Any public display without private devotion is pure deception.

SIMPLE PRAYER Principle 3

Matthew 6:7-8 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Simple Prayer Prayer is a matter of the heart. God responds to a sincere heart, not to smooth words. KKeep IIt SSimple and SSincere

STEADFAST PRAYER Principle 4

Steadfast Prayer True or False? “If you ask in faith, you only need to ask once. Then you just believe God for your answer. To ask repeatedly for the same thing shows a lack of faith.”

Steadfast Prayer True or False? ‘If you ask in faith, you only need to ask once. Then you just believe God for your answer. To ask repeatedly for the same thing shows a lack of faith.’ False!!! Jesus taught that true faith holds on to God aggressively in prayer until it receives an answer.

Steadfast Prayer 1)Persevering in prayer shows great faith.

Steadfast Prayer Luke 11:5-13 Jesus’s parable of a friend asking for bread illustrates that persistence is rewarded. Jesus’s parable of a friend asking for bread illustrates that persistence is rewarded. Jesus teaches that we should keep on asking, seeking and knocking. Jesus teaches that we should keep on asking, seeking and knocking. Luke 18:1-8 The parable of the unjust judge illustrates Jesus’ teaching that God rewards persistent prayer. The parable of the unjust judge illustrates Jesus’ teaching that God rewards persistent prayer. The point is made by way of contrast, not comparison. The point is made by way of contrast, not comparison.

Steadfast Prayer Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Steadfast Prayer 1)Persevering in prayer shows great faith. 2)Persevering prayer often goes through three phases: Petition Peace Praise

Surrendered Prayer 2)Accept His answer ‘Thank you.’ ‘You know best.’ ‘Prepare me.’ 2)He has three answers Yes No Wait 1)Pray every prayer in your heart 1)God answers each and every prayer ResponseTruth

Bill Hybels If the request is wrong God says, No If the timing is wrong God says, Slow If you are wrong God says, Grow But if the request is right the timing is right and you are right God says, Go

Pattern

The Method We like the four step method of prayer represented by the acronym ACTS. AdorationConfessionThanksgiving Petition

Pointers

Pointers 1.Worship in song 2.Write in a journal 3.Walk and talk 4.Wander through scripture

Conclusion

Summary 1.Paradigm: communion with God 2.Principles: steady, solitary, simple, steadfast, surrendered 3.Pattern: A-C-T-S 4.Pointers: worship, write, walk, wander