1. Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence

3. Why pray? Psalm 1 & 2 Prayer, like breathing, is essential to the believer. Prayer, unlike breathing, isn't automatic. So we must choose to pray.

4. Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Reasons we don’t pray The outer world is pushy and intimidating. It mocks prayer and distracts you from praying. Oh, the joys of those who don’t follow the advice of the wicked or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. (Psalm 1.1)

5. Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Reasons we don’t pray Our inner world is full of ego and anxiety and desire. It’s hard to change focus and become full of God, wonder and mystery. Many don't. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. (Ps 1.2)

6. Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Why pray? Psalms is the believer’s prayer book. The first two psalms are commercials, giving reasons to pray. Psalm 1 is quiet and contemplative. You take time to meditate and root. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. (Psalm 1.3)

7. Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Why pray? How blessed is... (Ps 1.1) How blessed are... (Ps. 2.12) First reason: you get happy! “Blessed” means does she/he ever have it made!!!

8. Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Why pray? True happiness comes from meditating, thinking in God’s/Jesus’ presence. You intake God’s Word and ways, then consider how your life fits with him.

9. Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Why pray? We all meditate. We brood over relationships, problems, choices to make, difficulties to overcome. We think about dead ends in our life, doubts and fears, ambiguities

10. Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Why pray? Meditation, contemplative prayer, happens as we take control of our thoughts. It is directed thinking, hearing God speak and mulling it over....whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4.8)

11. Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Why pray? Meditation means to chew on, to purr and growl over. It’s like a cow chewing its cud. First you consider, then you preach to yourself, then you ask God for help. “As a lion growls [lit: meditates], a great lion over its prey— (Isaiah 31.4)

12. Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Why pray? What have you chewed on this week? If happiness = hearing God’s voice and chewing, how happy are you?

13. Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Why pray? The habit of meditating roots us down in God’s soil. It anchors us from the winds of the culture around us with its distractions and hyperactivity. the wicked... are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. (Psalm 1.4) [life is like] chasing the wind. (Ecclesiastes 1.17b)

14. Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Why pray? Are you rooted down, or blowing around? Are you blooming where you’re planted?...just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2.6-7)

15. Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Why pray? Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. (Psalm 1.3b) Second reason: success. God’s success means finding why God made you (for his glory) and his Dream for your life, then passionately living it out.

16. Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence Meditation: Thinking in God’s Presence And you? Imagine if everyone in ROOTS was rooted... Are you finding the happiness that comes from thinking in God’s presence? Are you finding success by living out God’s dream?