1. The Cycle of prayer

2. Life’s ups and Downs

3. Reality: Life is full joys and sorrows, “crosses and losses”. Job said, man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward. (Job 5.7) Jesus warned: In this world you’ll have many troubles John 16.33 Reality: Life is full joys and sorrows, “crosses and losses”. Job said, man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward. (Job 5.7) Jesus warned: In this world you’ll have many troubles John 16.33

4. A simplistic view of prayer: I tell God my need. He shows interest, ponders what to do and responds. I get his answer later. A simplistic view of prayer: I tell God my need. He shows interest, ponders what to do and responds. I get his answer later. Simplistic view of Prayer

5. This is vending machine praying. But prayer isn’t my requests in, God’s answer out. This is vending machine praying. But prayer isn’t my requests in, God’s answer out. Simplistic view of Prayer

6. Prayer is a conversation between two people who love each other, about something of interest to them both. Definition of Prayer

7. ...a conversation with Father-God who created me, knows and loves me, and is remaking me in Jesus’ image....a conversation with Father-God who created me, knows and loves me, and is remaking me in Jesus’ image. Definition of Prayer

8. God uses life circumstances and my prayers to show his love, change me and glorify himself. God uses life circumstances and my prayers to show his love, change me and glorify himself. Definition of Prayer

9. Where prayer starts Real prayer starts in the heart of God. It’s linked with his dreams for me and promises to me. Real prayer starts in the heart of God. It’s linked with his dreams for me and promises to me. [Jesus] Your Father knows what you need before you ask. (Matthew 6.8) [Jesus] Your Father knows what you need before you ask. (Matthew 6.8)

10. Where prayer starts Father-God knows my troubles and cares about their impact on me. Father-God knows my troubles and cares about their impact on me. When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matt. 9.36)

11. Where prayer starts …your will be done… (Matthew 6.10) Jesus taught in the Lord’s Prayer to seek the plans God already prepared for us.

12. Where prayer starts All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. (Ephesians 1.3) All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. (Ephesians 1.3) Before I start to pray, God already has chosen his answer. He’s a generous father, preparing good gifts for this child of his.

13. Where prayer starts the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that can’t be expressed in words. (Romans 8.26) God’s Spirit is already praying before I begin to pray, seeking God’s best for my life. God’s Spirit is already praying before I begin to pray, seeking God’s best for my life.

14. Where prayer starts “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.” John 9.3 Example: when the disciples asked about a blind man, Jesus said that before he was born, God planned to heal him.

15. Where prayer starts Example: Joseph had another dream... ‘The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!’” (Genesis 37.9) Example: Joseph had another dream... ‘The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!’” (Genesis 37.9) Before I pray, God already has gifts and blessings for me. Before I pray, God already has gifts and blessings for me.

16. Where prayer starts …we’re God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2.10) …we’re God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2.10) When I become a Christian, I step into God’s unfolding plan for my life.

17. God’s intent and my circumstance need or crisis need God uses life’s circumstances to deepen his relationship with me. Listen! I‘m standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together. (Revelation 3.20) Listen! I‘m standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together. (Revelation 3.20)

18. God’s intent and my circumstance need or crisis need Pray to me in time of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me. (Psalm 50.15) Prayer occurs as I turn to Father-God for help, direction and wisdom. God uses my needs to show his love and bring glory to himself.

19. God’s intent and my circumstance need or crisis need First test of prayer: OPENNESS. When I face troubles and struggles, will I open my life to God, crying out to him? Or will I muddle through life on my own? First test of prayer: OPENNESS. When I face troubles and struggles, will I open my life to God, crying out to him? Or will I muddle through life on my own?

20. God’s intent and my circumstance need or crisis need Up to now you have made no request in my name: do so, and it will be answered, so that your hearts may be full of joy. (John 16.24) Up to now you have made no request in my name: do so, and it will be answered, so that your hearts may be full of joy. (John 16.24) One indicator of a real Christian: Prayer

21. God’s intent and my circumstance need or crisis need Get up and go to the house of Judas on Straight Street. When you get there, you will find a man named Saul from the city of Tarsus. Saul is praying (Acts 9.13) One indicator of a real Christian: Prayer

22. God’s intent and my circumstance need or crisis need Troubles come Do I have fear or faith? Troubles come Do I have fear or faith?

23. God’s intent and my circumstance need or crisis need Troubles come God cares Do I rely on him as my Father? Troubles come God cares Do I rely on him as my Father?

24. God’s intent and my circumstance need or crisis need Troubles come God cares I can pray Is prayer my first or last step? Troubles come God cares I can pray Is prayer my first or last step?

25. God’s intent and my circumstance need or crisis need Troubles come God cares I can pray God listens and responds Do I confidently depend on him? Troubles come God cares I can pray God listens and responds Do I confidently depend on him?

27. We begin to Ask-seek-knock Ask... Seek... Knock (Matt. 7.7)

28. The Crisis of Faith Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping... (Rom. 4.18) Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping... (Rom. 4.18)

29. Claiming the Promise...we’re confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him....we also know that he’ll give us what we ask for. (1 John 5.14-15)...we’re confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him....we also know that he’ll give us what we ask for. (1 John 5.14-15)

30. Praising God for the Answer For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. (Romans 11.36) For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. (Romans 11.36)

32. The cycle of prayer

33. The Cycle of Prayer Hebrews 4.15 Jude 20 One’s point of ________ God __________ The S________’s Work Rom. 8.26 Rev. 3.20 Matt. 6.8 Ps. 50.15 A________ Luke 11.9ff James 4.3 John 16.24 The Crisis of _______ Rom. 4.18 Cl__________ 1 Jn. 5.14-15 Heb. 11.1 The J____ of Receiving John 16.24 P_____________ Rom. 11.36

34. The Cycle of Prayer Hebrews 4.15 Jude 20 One’s point of need God Glorified The Spirit’s Work Rom. 8.26 Rev. 3.20 Matt. 6.8 Ps. 50.15 Asking Luke 11.9ff James 4.3 John 16.24 The Crisis of Faith Rom. 4.18 Claiming 1 Jn. 5.14-15 Heb. 11.1 The Joy of Receiving John 16.24 Praise Rom. 11.36