Growing In knowledge – 2 Pet. 3:18In knowledge – 2 Pet. 3:18 In character – 2 Pet. 1:5In character – 2 Pet. 1:5 TRAINING in godliness 1 Tim. 4:7TRAINING in godliness 1 Tim. 4:7

3 Aspects to Remember A correct concept of the Character of God –A correct concept of the Character of God – A pervasive sense of the presence of GodA pervasive sense of the presence of God A constant Awareness of our obligation to GodA constant Awareness of our obligation to God

Growing Thru Prayer Matt. 21:13Matt. 21:13 – House of God – a house of Prayer – House of God = CHURCH (1Tim 3:15) Church is US – PEOPLE – Church is US – PEOPLE – We then a people of prayer … We then a people of prayer … Yet – often neglected among us

Definitions ? Prayer is the desire of the opportunity for the privilege of talking to God.Prayer is the desire of the opportunity for the privilege of talking to God. Prayer is the voice of faith.Prayer is the voice of faith.

Definitions ? Prayer in its simplest definition is a wish turned heaven-ward.Prayer in its simplest definition is a wish turned heaven-ward. Prayer is asking things of God.Prayer is asking things of God.

Verbal Pictures Psalm 25:1 – “lift up my soul”Psalm 25:1 – “lift up my soul” Psalm 143:8 – teach me – FOR unto thee I lift up my soul’Psalm 143:8 – teach me – FOR unto thee I lift up my soul’ Psalm 62:8 – pour out your heart before Him …Psalm 62:8 – pour out your heart before Him … 1 Pet. 5: cast all your cares upon Him for He careth for you..1 Pet. 5: cast all your cares upon Him for He careth for you..

John 17 Jesus PRAYEDJesus PRAYED He talked to GodHe talked to God He talked about what was happeningHe talked about what was happening He talked about his friends and what they would doHe talked about his friends and what they would do He talked about God’s peopleHe talked about God’s people He talked about God’s glory --He talked about God’s glory --

Knowing God John 17:3 – This is eternal life, that they know thee, the true and living God.John 17:3 – This is eternal life, that they know thee, the true and living God. KNOW ? – intimate conversationKNOW ? – intimate conversation Such is prayer -…Such is prayer -…

Elements of Prayer A – Adoration and PraiseA – Adoration and Praise C – ConfessionC – Confession T – ThanksgivingT – Thanksgiving S – Supplication, request, intercessionS – Supplication, request, intercession

Praise & Adoration Heb. 11:27Heb. 11:27 –By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.

First Thing Contemplate WHO God is…Contemplate WHO God is… Picture Him – His character –Picture Him – His character – – Holy – Righteous – Powerful – Mercy and goodness – Wrath against evil …

Isaiah 6 Serephaim with 6 wings..Serephaim with 6 wings.. –2 with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!"

Rev. 4:8-9 Four living creatures: they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!"Four living creatures: they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!"THEN…

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created." 11 "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."

Hebrews 12:28 Heb 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.Heb 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

Reverend Ps 111:9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.Ps 111:9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. To Revere: To regard with AWE, deference, and devotion

Reverend b. Synonyms: revere, 1worship, venerate, adore, idolize These verbs mean to regard with the deepest respect, deference, and esteem. Revere suggests awe coupled with profound honor:b. Synonyms: revere, 1worship, venerate, adore, idolize These verbs mean to regard with the deepest respect, deference, and esteem. Revere suggests awe coupled with profound honor:

Psalm 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him. God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him.

Ps 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Coming Before God Picture YOU – and God …Picture YOU – and God … Picture the Throne – Rev. 4:2ffPicture the Throne – Rev. 4:2ff Picture YOU before such Throne !Picture YOU before such Throne ! Picture JESUS with YOU …Picture JESUS with YOU …

Heb. 4:14 –– He is our high priest – let us draw near with boldness unto the throne of God that we may find mercy and grace to help in a time of need.

Know The Psalms Study them …Study them … Begin prayer by reading – and making it your own..Begin prayer by reading – and making it your own..

Psalm 63 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. [2] So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. [3] Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

[4] So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. [5] My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, [6] when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; [7] for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. [8] My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Use Song Book Psalm 148 – #21 – Praise the Lord..Psalm 148 – #21 – Praise the Lord.. Psalm 23 – #364 –Psalm 23 – #364 – Be With Me Lord … #72Be With Me Lord … #72 Holy, Holy, Holy,…. #1Holy, Holy, Holy,…. #1 Worthy art thou … #34Worthy art thou … #34 We Praise The, Oh God …. #37We Praise The, Oh God …. #37 How great thou art - #5How great thou art - #5

Prayer Pray without ceasing.Pray without ceasing. Instant in PrayerInstant in Prayer A – Adoration & PraiseA – Adoration & Praise C – ConfessionC – Confession T – ThanksgivingT – Thanksgiving S – Supplication / intercessionS – Supplication / intercession