He that prays and does not faint will come to recognise that to talk with God is more than to have all your prayers granted - that is the end of all prayer. George MacDonald

Prayer: Series Overview Acknowledge - no other name = hallowed be thy name Listen - learning to hear the voice of God = the kingdom come Speak - conversations with God = thy will be done Live - learning to let go = on earth as in heaven

Greek Definition: The most common Greek word translated “prayer” in the New Testament is the word proseuche. (pros-yoo-hay) The word proseuche is a compound of the words pros and euche.

Pros: (pros) The word pros is a preposition that means toward, and it can denote a sense of closeness. For example, one scholar says the word pros is used to portray the intimate relationship that exists between the members of the Godhead.

Euche: (yoo - hay) The word euche is an old Greek word that describes a wish, desire, prayer, or vow.

Proeuche: (pro - yoo - hay) The word proseuche tells us that prayer should bring us face to face and into close contact with God. Prayer is more than a mechanical act or a formula to follow; it is a vehicle to bring us to a place whereby we may enjoy a close, intimate relationship with God.

John Eldredge - Walking with God “It is our deepest need, as human beings, to learn to live intimately with God. It is what we were made for.”

I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. John 14:15 - Message

“I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you “I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. John 14:25-26 - Message

If you knew you had the opportunity to develop a conversational intimacy with he wisest, kindest, most generous and seasoned person in the world, would it make sense to spend your time with that person as opposed to say, slogging your way through on your own? Walking with God - John Eldredge

Matthew 6:5-15 - NIV The first three address God and are about his character: hallowed by thy name thy kingdom come they will be done The next four are about man, his physical needs, relational needs and mental and spiritual needs. give us this day our daily bread forgive us, as we forgive lead us not into temptation deliver us from evil

Conversation: A talk, especially an informal one between two or more people in which news, ideas are exchanged. It is derived from Middle English (in the sense 'living among, familiarity, intimacy')

Psalm 139 Message

The Lord is with you when you are with him The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you. 2 Chronicles 15:2 - NIV

I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. Jeremiah 24:7 - NIV

This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 1:3 - NIV

Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8 - NIV

…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings… Hebrews 10:22 - NIV

Walking with God - John Eldredge ‘God created us for intimate fellowship with himself, and in doing so he established the goal of our existence—to know him, love him, and live our lives in an intimate relationship with him.’ Walking with God - John Eldredge

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3 - NIV

And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent. John 17:3 - AMP

You are my friends when you do the things I command you You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father. John 15:15 - MSG

Discovery - Fallacy Two - Ken Chant God has spoken in the past, he still speaks today and he will surely continue to speak tomorrow. So remain alert every day for the voice of the Lord! Be ready for the intervening hand of the God! Welcome with joy any interruption from heaven.

Names of God: • El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty) • El Elyon (The Most High God) • Adonai (Lord, Master) • Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah) • Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner) • Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd) • Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals) • Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There) • Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness) • Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You) • El Olam (The Everlasting God) • Elohim (God) • Qanna (Jealous) • Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide) • Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace) • Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)

‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, Matthew 6:11 - NIV

Kingdom: Kingdom is the Greek word: basileia (bas - i - la - ah) It means: 1. royal power, kingship, dominion, rule a not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom b of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah c of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah's kingdom 2. a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king 3. used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah

Kingdom is the Greek word: basileia (bas - i - la - ah) Comes from the root word: Basis (ba - cis) 1. a stepping, walking 2. that with which one steps, the foot

It occurs to me, thinking about prayer, that most of the time I get the direction wrong. I start downstream with my own concerns and bring them to God. I inform God, as if God did not already know. i plead with God, as if hoping to change God’s mind and overcome divine reluctance. Instead, I could start upstream where the flow begins. Prayer - Philip Yancey

Be still, and know that I am God! Psalms 46:10 - NLT

Pray is about co-operating with God, not manipulating God. Prayer is digging up the next thing that God has for us all along. If he knows what we want or need before we ask, it is just about us find out what that is. That requires more listening and less asking. Just a thought!!!

• Settle Down - be still, quiet yourself Listening: • Settle Down - be still, quiet yourself • Ask Simple Questions - start simple • Don’t fill in blanks - don’t speak for God • Give it Time - be prepared to wait • God can speak anyway He likes - allow for creativity • Get Confirmation - the Word, friends, family, etc

Glory to you, O Lord our God, Your love call us to be your people. By sharing our many and diverse gifts we share in your mission. We ask you, Lord, to shape us into a community of faith. Help us to throw off and stop anything that hinders us becoming more like you. Nourish us by your word that we may grow into the image of Jesus. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, heal us that we, in turn, may heal the wounded. Form us to be instruments of love, justice, and peace in our land, and send us to creatively proclaim your saving work. Renew us, Lord, that we may in turn renew the face of the earth.