GROWING IN PRAYERFULNESS PART 1 THE NATURE & ELEMENTS OF PRAYER

What is Prayerfulness? It is the human inclination towards engagement in conversation with God It is the heart’s yearning for intimacy between the human spirit and God It is a way of life that reflects a posture of humility, attentiveness and responsiveness to God

What is Prayer? The Divine – Human Conversation Our response to God’s initiative Listening and speaking and listening It begins from the heart

What are the Elements of Prayer Adoration A Confession C Thanksgiving T Supplication S

Prayers of Adoration Ascribing glory to God Expressions of love for God The use of titles and adjectives that express the nature of God From Isaiah 6:3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;     the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Prayers of Adoration “This, then, is how you should pray: From Matthew 6:9 “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, …’” In teaching our children and grandchildren how to pray: “Dear God, you are … “

Prayers of Confession Expressions of repentance before God Naming our mistakes/sins of misdeeds and omissions Seeking God’s forgiveness From Isaiah 6:5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

Prayers of Confession From Matthew 6:12 “And forgive us our debts,      as we also have forgiven our debtors.” In teaching our children and grandchildren how to pray: “Dear God, I am sorry for … “

Prayers of Thanksgiving Expressions of appreciation for all that God has done Giving thanks for God’s gift of grace and salvation Acknowledging and naming God’s blessings From Isaiah 6:6-7 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

Prayers of Thanksgiving From Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” In teaching our children and grandchildren how to pray: “Dear God, thank you for … “

Prayers of Supplication Prayers for ourselves Prayers for others – also called intercessions Prayers for the coming of the Kingdom of God From Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Prayers of Supplication From Matthew 6:14 “… your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread … And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” In teaching our children and grandchildren how to pray: “Dear God, please … “

Growing in Prayerfulness Nurturing a personal and corporate way of life that reflects a posture of humility, attentiveness and responsiveness to God Understanding the principle elements of prayer that provide a framework and a flow for our conversation with God Adoration Confession Thanksgiving Supplication