Keys to Prayer: encountering god & unlocking his Power in Our World

Keys to Prayer Series March 5: Session 1 – Understanding Prayer March 12: Session 2 – How and What Do I Pray? March 19: Session 3 – Pray Like This March 26: Session 4 – Praying by the Book April 2: Session 5 – Taking Prayer to the Streets Saturday, April 8 – Prayer Walking Walnut Ridge

“ May God open our eyes to see what the holy ministry of intercession is, to which, as His royal priesthood, we have been set apart. May He give us a large and strong heart to believe what mighty influence our prayers can exert. And may all fear as to our being able to fulfill our vocation vanish as we see Jesus, living ever to pray, living in us to pray, and standing surety for our prayer life.” - Andrew Murray

Q. What is prayer and how can a disciple pray effectively? A: Prayer is transparent dialogue. It is a conversation with God in which we address him and in quiet are addressed by him. There are types of prayer, which are summarized by the acronym ACTS: Adoration: appreciating God for who he is apart from what he has done for us. Confession: acknowledging to God our specific sin and seeking his pardon. Thanksgiving: appreciating God for his benefit to us. Supplication: interceding for ourselves or others according to God’s will. --Greg Ogden, Discipleship Essentials

How Do We Pray? We pray in faith, believing God. Humbly and boldly. (See the paradox?) R.C. Sproul: “Although we are to come before the Lord in an attitude of intimacy, there is still an element of separation.” We pray in the Spirit. Jude 20-21 Andrew Murray: “It must be because I live too little in the Spirit that my prayer is too little in the Spirit.”

We tell God what He already knows. (See this paradox?) How Do We Pray? We tell God what He already knows. (See this paradox?) We pray to the Father in the name of Jesus by the power of the Spirit.

How Do We Pray? For God’s will, that is for the things we know that God wants to do. Spread of the gospel Awakening for cities, regions, countries, continents Revivals for the church Salvation for individuals To know God’s will To reveal sin so we can confess it To see God work justice for those who suffer injustice To see what God sees For others: Pray God’s greatest good on an individual. Instead of asking God to fix symptoms, we ask God to bring His greatest benefit upon others.

How Do We Pray? Andrew Murray: “Scripture calls us to pray for many things: for all saints; for all men; for kings and all rulers; for all who are in adversity; for the sending forth of laborers; for those who labor in the gospel; for all converts; for believers who have fallen into sin; for one another in our immediate circles.”

Pray prayers that will out live us. How Do We Pray? Pray prayers that will out live us. (Learn more about how to pray prayers that out live us at www.WalterNorvell.com.)

Prayer Strategies Secret Prayer: the workhorse of prayer: Matthew 6:6 O, let the place of secret prayer become to me the most beloved spot on earth. – Andrew Murray Centering Prayer: a form of contemplative prayer that quiets scattered thoughts & desires in the still center of Christ’s presence. Eliminate wandering thoughts as you pray. Psalm 37:7; 46:10

Continual Prayer. 1 Thess. 5:17 Appointed Hour Prayer. Daniel 6:10 Prayer Strategies Continual Prayer. 1 Thess. 5:17 Appointed Hour Prayer. Daniel 6:10 Without set times of prayer, the spirit of prayer will be dull and feeble. Without the continual prayerfulness, the set times will not avail. –Andrew Murray

Prayer Group: praying in a small group. Matthew 18:20 Prayer Strategies Prayer Partner: a friend of the same gender with whom you pray and with whom you pray together. Matthew. 18:19 Prayer Group: praying in a small group. Matthew 18:20 Corporate Prayer: Praying in unity in a large group such as the congregation. Acts 4:23-31 Prayer Walking: Praying on site with insight. (Session 5)

Prayer and Fasting. Matthew 6:5-18 Prayer Strategies Prayer and Fasting. Matthew 6:5-18 Andrew Murray: “Prayer needs fasting for its full and perfect development” Praying Scripture (Session 4) Acts 4:23- 31 Andrew Murray: “Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.”

Aids to Prayer Reminder Objects Appointments Regular Prayer Time Prayer Lists: Journal/Notebook Index Cards Digital Prayer Lists Immediate Prayer. Nehemiah 2:4

An A.C.T.S. Prayer A – Adoration praises God for Who He is. Name things we adore in God (Psalms 29:2 and 96:9; example: Ephesians 1:3-14) R. C. Sproul: “To omit adoration is to cut the heart out of prayer.” Prayer Prompt: God, I adore You Because You are ______________________.

An A.C.T.S. Prayer C – Confess sins; ask God to reveal sin ONLY if we are ready to confess and repent and make any necessary restitution (Nehemiah 9:1-3; Psalm 32:5) Andrew Murray: “Our lives must be as holy as our prayers.” Prayer Prompt: God, forgive me because I sinned when I ________________________.

An A.C.T.S. Prayer T – Thank God for what He has done. Thankgiving: naming God’s blessings to us and others Thanksgiving rehearses God’s history in our lives (Col. 4:2 Ps. 26:6-7) In the OT, thanksgiving was a sacrifice (Ps. 50:23; 107:22) Prayer Prompt: God, thank you for ______________________.

An A.C.T.S. Prayer S – Supplication: Two Forms Intercession: may be our most important prayer work (1 Timothy 2:1-4; 1 Samuel 12:23; example: Gal 1:3-11) When we intercede we stand between God and people or needs and ask for God’s help for the ones we are praying for. Intercession is part of our royal priesthood. Prayer Prompt: God, Please help _____________ by _________________.

An A.C.T.S. Prayer Petition (Daniel 6:11; Psalm 5:2) I bring my needs to God and ask for His help. Prayer Prompt: God, Please help me with ________________ because __________________________.

Keys to Prayer Series March 5: Session 1 – Understanding Prayer March 12: Session 2 – How and What Do I Pray? March 19: Session 3 – Pray Like This March 26: Session 4 – Praying by the Book April 2: Session 5 – Taking Prayer to the Streets Saturday, April 8 – Prayer Walking Walnut Ridge