Sue Bohlin November 5, 2002

…With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Eph 6:18-20

Girdle of truth: belt Breastplate of righteousness: bulletproof vest Helmet of Salvation: helmet Shoes of peace: cleated boots Shield of faith: riot shield Sword of the Spirit: gun Prayer: walkie-talkie

The Wemmicks My own unsticky label The goal: intimacy with God

Prayer is not bending the will of a reluctant God so that He gives in and says, "Oh, all right. You can have it." It's the invitation of a loving Father who says, "Come up close and tell Me what's on your heart."

Prayer is two people who love each other, talking to each other. Prayer is two people who love each other, listening to each other. Prayer is two people who love each other, enjoying each other's company. Prayer is two people who love each other, saying how much they appreciate each other.

Prayer is two people who love each other, sharing their delight in each other. Prayer is two people who love each other, being honest when one messes up. Prayer is two people who love each other, asking for what they want. Prayer is two people who love each other, loving and supporting another.

In C. S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters, Screwtape counsels Wormwood on ways to keep Christians from praying to God: “The simplest is to turn their gaze away from Him towards themselves. Keep them watching their own minds and trying to produce feelings there by the action of their own wills.

“When they meant to ask Him for charity, let them, instead, start trying to manufacture charitable feelings for themselves and not notice that this is what they are doing. When they meant to pray for courage, let them really be trying to feel brave. When they say they are praying for forgiveness, let them be trying to feel forgiven. Teach them to estimate the value of each prayer by their success in producing the desired feeling.”

Prayers you pray only once: Prayer of salvation Prayer of confession and receiving forgiveness

Prayers you pray persistently: “God, show me where I’m being deceived.” Prayer for protection of ourselves and others Prayers that God hasn’t answered yet –Luke 18:1 “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart”