The Cycle of prayer

[Jesus] Ask, using my name, and you’ll receive, and you’ll have abundant joy. (John 16.24) [Jesus] Ask, using my name, and you’ll receive, and you’ll have abundant joy. (John 16.24)

Life is full of Joys and sorrows

Prayer is a conversation between two people who love each other, about something of interest to them both. Definition of Prayer

Where prayer starts Real prayer starts in the heart of God. It’s linked with his dreams for me and promises to me. Real prayer starts in the heart of God. It’s linked with his dreams for me and promises to me. [Jesus] Your Father knows what you need before you ask. (Matthew 6.8) [Jesus] Your Father knows what you need before you ask. (Matthew 6.8)

God’s intent and my circumstance need or crisis need God uses life’s circumstances to deepen his relationship with me. Listen! I‘m standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together. (Revelation 3.20) Listen! I‘m standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together. (Revelation 3.20) 1 st arc

First Test of prayer: OPENNESS need or crisis need When I face life’s troubles and struggles, will I cry out to him? Or muddle through on my own? When I face life’s troubles and struggles, will I cry out to him? Or muddle through on my own? 1 st arc

I tell Father-God my need and welcome his intervention Ask and you’ll receive, Seek and you’ll find, Knock and the door will be opened. (Matthew 7.7) 2 nd arc

I experience a crisis of faith lowestpoint God uses prayer to shape my character. He trains me to wait for him & trust him.

Third test of Prayer: PERSISTENCE lowestpoint Does God really care? Will he help me?

Claiming the Promises 3 rd arc I learn to claim God’s promises. It takes faith to depend on God before the answer comes.... it is impossible to please God without faith. (Hebrews 11.6a)

Claiming the Promises 3 rd arc Faith is reason + courage Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. (Hebrews 11.1)

Claiming the Promises 3 rd arc I must believe God is real, I must believe God is real, he’s my Father, and he is attentive to my prayer

Claiming the Promises 3 rd arc He’s my Father and he gives good gifts...if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?...how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. (Matthew )

Claiming the Promises 3 rd arc He’s listening and answering my prayer This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (1 John 5.14)

Claiming the Promises 3 rd arc His promises are meant to be claimed And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. (2 Peter 1.4)

Claiming the Promises 3 rd arc Encouragement: the persistence of a woman asking Jesus to heal her daughter Jesus told her, “First I should feed the children—my own family, the Jews. It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” (Mark 7.27)

Claiming the Promises 3 rd arc Encouragement: the persistence of a woman asking Jesus to heal her daughter “That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.” (v 28)

Claiming the Promises 3 rd arc Why this process? God wants to be appreciated as the source of all good things

Claiming the Promises 3 rd arc Why this process? God wants us to be serious about his desire to care for us

Claiming the Promises 3 rd arc Why this process? God knows we’ll value the answer if we persist in asking

Claiming the Promises 3 rd arc Why this process? God may delay the answer to give us what we ought to have prayed for.

Claiming the Promises 3 rd arc Character changes The 3 rd arc of the prayer cycle develops my character.

Claiming the Promises 3 rd arc Abraham waited for God’s promise of a son. I may need to trust and wait too. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. (Romans )

And you? Are you persisting in faith? Are you claiming God’s promises? Will you cooperate with God to change your character?

Imagine... If ROOTS prayed in faith! If ROOTS claimed the promises! If ROOTS persisted!