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

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

the joys & sorrow of life

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

Where prayer starts 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)

God’s intent and my circumstance arc need or crisis

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

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

Knock and the door will be opened. I begin to Ask-seek-knock 2nd arc Prayer is a choice. I choose to ask for help, seek answers, get direction Ask and you’ll receive, Seek and you’ll find, Knock and the door will be opened. (Matthew 7.7)

God encourages us to ask by giving many promises relating to prayer I begin to Ask-seek-knock 2nd arc God encourages us to ask by giving many promises relating to prayer Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And the door will be opened for everyone who knocks. (Matthew 7.8)

Second test of prayer: FAITH arc We wonder, does God really listen and help? Yes, I believe he does. Or No, I doubt it. It’s impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (Hebrews 11.6)

Timing in Prayer 2nd arc Prayer can be short and the answer immediate. When Peter saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid and started sinking. "Save me, Lord!" he shouted. (Matthew 14.30)

Prayer can take time and energy, delaying the answer. Timing in Prayer 2nd arc Prayer can take time and energy, delaying the answer. The angel said, “Daniel, don't be afraid! God has listened to your prayers since the first day you humbly asked for understanding, and he has sent me here.” (Daniel 10.12)

Timing in Prayer 2nd arc Reasons for delay: We’re in a hurry, God isn’t God is preparing the best for us God is changing us to receive it God isn’t going to answer this prayer

Timing in Prayer 2nd arc Jesus experienced unanswered prayer [Jesus to Jerusalem] How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it’s too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. (Luke 19.42)

I experience a crisis of faith lowest point

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

Praying without an answer from God may reveal my motives Third test of Prayer: PERSISTENCE lowest point Praying without an answer from God may reveal my motives You don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. (James 4.2b-3)

God may use delays in prayer to reveal and transform my character. Third test of Prayer: PERSISTENCE lowest point God may use delays in prayer to reveal and transform my character. God promised Abraham a lot of descendants. And when it all seemed hopeless, Abraham still had faith in God and became the ancestor of many nations. (Romans 4.18)

Third test of Prayer: PERSISTENCE lowest point Crisis times can be dark nights of the soul. They’re daunting because God is making me like Jesus. ...the person said to Jacob, “Let me go now, for the dawn is near.” But Jacob said, I’ll not let you go till you’ve given me your blessing. (Genesis 32.36)

Third test of Prayer: PERSISTENCE lowest point Jesus was tested severely the night before he died. He prayed through the crisis. I may experience tests I must pray through too. Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt down on the ground and prayed, "Father, if it is possible, don't let this happen to me! (Mark 14.35)

Third test of Prayer: PERSISTENCE lowest point Jesus was tested severely the night before he died. He prayed through the crisis. I may experience tests I must pray through too. Father, you can do anything. Don't make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want." (Mark 14.36)

Claiming the Promises 3rd arc

Faith is reason + courage Claiming the Promises 3rd arc Faith is reason + courage

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

Claiming the Promises 3rd 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 7.9-11)

and answering my prayer Claiming the Promises 3rd 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. (1 John 5.14)

Claiming the Promises 3rd 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)

the persistence of a woman asking Jesus to heal her daughter Claiming the Promises 3rd 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)

the persistence of a woman asking Jesus to heal her daughter Claiming the Promises 3rd 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)

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

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

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

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

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

Claiming the Promises 3rd 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 4.20-21)

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

God is the happiest Being Jesus was the happiest person God answers our prayer God is the happiest Being in the universe. Jesus was the happiest person who ever lived. God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your companions. (Hebrews 1.9)

God answers our prayer He answers our prayers so that we’re filled with his joy. [Jesus] Ask, using my name, and you’ll receive, and you’ll have abundant joy. (John 16.24)

Ten men call out to Jesus. God answers our prayer Ten men call out to Jesus. He gives a challenge. They exercise faith. When Jesus saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were going, they were cleansed. (Luke 17.14)

One returned to give thanks. Only one The proper response: thanks One returned to give thanks. Only one One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. (Luke 17.15-16)

Five ways to say thanks 1. By the way you speak. Exercise: less grumbling, more thanksgiving Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. (Eph 5.4 NLT) Do everything without complaining and arguing... (Phil. 2.14 NLT)

Five ways to say thanks Thank God for the people in your life. And thank them personally. Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. (Phil. 1.3 NLT) I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly... (Eph. 1.16 NLT)

Five ways to say thanks 2. By the way you sing Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name. (Psalm 30.4)

Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. Five ways to say thanks Sing with others Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. (Col. 3.16b NLT)

Five ways to say thanks Get happy when you sing The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving! (Ps. 28.7)

Five ways to say thanks 3. By the gifts you give Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. (2 Cor. 9.11 NLT)

Five ways to say thanks 3. By the gifts you give So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. (2 Cor. 9.12 NLT)

Five ways to say thanks 3. By the gifts you give So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. (2 Cor. 9.12 NLT)

Listen to God’s promptings not to others’ pressures Five ways to say thanks 3. By the gifts you give Listen to God’s promptings not to others’ pressures Give more than you can

4. When you feel like it and when you don’t Five ways to say thanks 4. When you feel like it and when you don’t Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thess. 5.18 NLT)

Five ways to say thanks Give thanks in the bad times and for the good times Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. (1 Tim. 4.4 NLT)

Give thanks whenever you can Five ways to say thanks Give thanks whenever you can I rise at midnight to thank you for your just regulations. (Ps. 119.62 NLT)

5. Give thanks by the way you pray. Five ways to say thanks 5. Give thanks by the way you pray. For everyone. I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. (1 Tim 2.1-2 NLT)

5. Give thanks by the way you pray. Five ways to say thanks 5. Give thanks by the way you pray. For everything. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he’s done. (Phil. 4.6 NLT)

And you? Are you thankful or grumbling? How’s your song playlist? Are you a giver? Is thankfulness your default?

If ROOTS was marked by thanks! cultivated the attitude of gratitude! Imagine... If ROOTS was marked by thanks! Imagine if ROOTS cultivated the attitude of gratitude! Who’d notice?...