The Cycle of prayer Next week: Christian meditation if not yoga, what? Next week: Christian meditation if not yoga, what?

The Cycle of prayer Not a prayer list or a prayer time or a prayer life, but a praying life Not a prayer list or a prayer time or a prayer life, but a praying life

the joys & sorrow of life

Prayer... a conversation between two people who love each other, about something of interest to them both. DefinitionDefinition Prayer... partnering with God

Where prayer starts Real prayer starts in the heart of God.

God’s intent and my circumstance need or crisis need 1 st arc

I tell Father-God my need and welcome his intervention 2 nd arc

I experience a crisis of faith lowestpoint

I claim his Promises 3 rd arc Faith is reason + courage

God answers our prayer 4 th test of prayer: how will I respond?

Five ways to say thanks 1.By the way you speak.

Five ways to say thanks 2. By the way you sing

Five ways to say thanks 3. By the gifts you give

Five ways to say thanks 4. When you feel like it and when you don’t

Five ways to say thanks 5. Give thanks by the way you pray. For everyone and in everything.

Praise and thanks to God I thank God for his kindness and praise him for his goodness An example: WeChat msg 4 th arc

Praise and thanks to God Thanks, Paul! Yes, all praises to Him. Everything spoken by God is possible! Thanks that He gave me an obedient heart to Him.

Praise and thanks to God “Praise is an act of war” (JI Packer) You’re taking your stand against the world, the flesh and the devil

Praise and thanks to God Praise is an exertion The deepest level of worship is praising God in spite of pain, trusting Him during a trial, surrendering while suffering, and loving Him when He seems distant. (Rick Warren)

Praise and thanks to God Three kinds of prayer upward (in thanks & worship)

Praise and thanks to God Three kinds of prayer upward (in thanks & worship) inward (in confession and self-examination)

Praise and thanks to God Three kinds of prayer upward (in thanks & worship) inward (in confession and self-examination) outward (for needs of self & others)

Praise and thanks to God Praise is most important and energizes the other two.

Praise and thanks to God In worship we give glory to God. Glory means heavy, can also mean wealth and wonderful.

Praise and thanks to God To glorify someone is to praise, enjoy and delight in them. Tim Keller

Praise and thanks to God Our Father in heaven [literally: the heavens] hallowed be your name. Matthew 6.13 Hallow means to treat as sacred and ultimate, the supreme beauty the most significant

Why We Give God Praise CS Lewis’ dilemma: Why does God invite (and command) us to praise him? Is he just fishing for compliments?

Why We Give God Praise

Why does God command us to praise him? “a work of art demands appreciation” CS Lewis I hope you’ll read it! Oh, you must see it! Here, taste it, it’s soooo good! It’s wonderful. Don’t miss it!

Why We Give God Praise Why does God command us to praise him? We consummate our enjoyment when we praise God

Why Give God Praise 1. Because he deserves it He is worthy. Worship is “worth-ship” You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased. Revelation 4.11

Why We Give God Praise 2. Because it gives us perspective God is God and I’m not. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100.3

Why We Give God Praise 2. Because it gives us perspective We step into real reality There is a God in the heavens He made me for himself He’s directing history & my history He’ll win God is not obvious but he's inevitable Dallas Willard Dallas Willard

Why We Give God Praise 3. Because it makes us healthy Just like exercise gets you physically in shape, praise gets you in shape spiritually

Why We Give God Praise 3. Because it makes us healthy Angels are made to worship God. We are too. So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians NLT

Why We Give God Praise 3. Because it makes us healthy the cranks, misfits and malcontents praise least; the humble, balanced, unworried praise the most CS Lewis

Why We Give God Praise 4. Because it makes us happy Who praises most? ________

Why We Give God Praise 4. Because it makes us happy Who praises most? Lovers Why? They surrender themselves to each other...give yourselves completely to God... use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Romans 6.13b NLT

Why We Give God Praise 4. Because it makes us happy Praise amplifies our happiness.

Practical tips for praising God 1. Praise first not last Our Father... hallowed be your name

Practical tips for praising God 2. Turn every pleasure into a praise a mountain/sunset scene a good meal a great book/video beautiful music a meaningful friendship What kind of God, to give me this!

Practical tips for praising God 3. Pay attention to God’s personality Meditate on his attributes We do this with people (a good listener; warm-hearted; clear thinker; problem-solver; loyal; hardworking) do it with God too

Practical tips for praising God 4. Find reasons to say Wow!!! or Whoa!!! I will praise you seven times a day because all your regulations are just. (Psalm NLT)

Practical tips for praising God 5. Praise together Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. (Psalm 34.3 NLT)

Practical tips for praising God 5. Praise together Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. (Psalm 34.3 NLT) “The Church is where we live in sustained, mutual love, submitting to each other and revering God, and singing praises" (JI Packer)

Practical tips for praising God 6. Tune up the instruments Look ahead to heaven, where praise is "spontaneous, wholehearted, unqualified and indefagitable” (JI Packer) lost in wonder, love and praise. (fr Love Divine, All Loves Excelling)

And you? Are you finding time and ways to praise? Have you surrendered all to God? Are you spiritually healthy and happy?

Imagine... If ROOTS was marked by praise! Imagine us being happy and healthy! Imagine God’s glory infecting us,shining out from us!