A Guide for Our Prayer Life

A Guide for Our Prayer Life 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 NIV16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Matthew 6:5-8 NLT5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Matthew 6:9-13 NASB9 Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:9a NASB9 Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who is in heaven, Step 1) Connect with God Relationally Romans 8:14-15 NASB14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” Matthew 6:9b NASB9b Hallowed be Your name. Step 2) Recognize & Worship Who He is Abba FatherAlpha & OmegaThe Ancient of DaysThe Anointed OneThe God Who Gave You BirthGod of All KnowledgeThe God Most HighThe Everlasting OneThe God Who SeesGod AlmightyThe CreatorThe Self-Existent OneThe Lord My BannerThe Lord My ShepherdThe Lord That HealsThe Lord My RockThe Lord of PeaceThe Lord That Is With MeThe Lord My FortressThe Lord of HostsThe Lord Our RighteousnessThe Lord Our DelivererThe Lord Our Provider Exodus 3:14 NIV14 God said to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I Am has sent me to you.’” John 8:58 NIV58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” Matthew 6:10 NASB10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Step 3) Pray God’s Agenda and His Desires First. Matthew 5:44-45  Pray for those who persecute youMatthew 9:36-38 Pray that laborers would be sentJames 5:13-16  Pray for the sickPsalm 122:6          Pray for the peace of Jerusalem Matthew 6:33 NASBBut seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:11 NASB11 Give us this day our daily bread.  Step 4) Ask Him for what you need today and trust Him to supply it. Matthew 6:12 NASB12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Step 5) Get your heart right with God and people Matthew 6:14-15 NASB14 For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. 1 John 1:9 NASBIf we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Matthew 6:13a NASB13a And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Step 6) Acknowledge spiritual warfare and pray for specific protection. Ephesians 6:12 NASB12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Matthew 6:13b NASB13b For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Step 7) Express faith in God’s willingness and ability. 1 John 5:14-15 NIV14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. Questions: Title: A Guide for Our Prayer Life 1. What does it mean to connect with God relationally? What is the nature of the current relationship you have with the Lord? Why do you think that is? What would you like to be different? How will you make it different in those ways? 2. Try this model out during a few of your prayer times. Be sure to include moments to listen to the Lord at each step (Remember He wants a relationship with you and conversations should never always be one sided). Does this approach change your prayer life at all? If so, how?