Ep 104 (S6E11) Conformed to Christ - Pt 2: Conversational Prayer: Look Up

References: Learning to want what God wants can happen through the primary and urgent matter of communicating with God.1 Timothy 2:1-4 through Supplication, Prayer, Intercession, ThanksgivingPrayer - προσευχή (pros-yoo-khay') noun  & προσεύχομαι (pros-yoo'-khom-ahee) verb is the most common, generic word for prayer. Consider MSG translation of 1 Tim 2:1 “Pray every way you know how…” In some NT passages δέησις is used synonomously for prayer.Hebrews 5:7 “Jesus offered up prayers (deēsis) and supplications (hiketēria)...”In others, they are used together in the same passage.Philippians 4:6Ephesians 6:18So, let’s think of some of the generic qualities of prayer.It involves at least two, sometimes more, beings (a human and God)It should be thought of as communicationFace to faceLook up to look into the face of GodIt is ideally dialogical (consider example of Bartimaeaus again.His supplication - Lord have mercy.Jesus’ response - what do you want me to do for you?His response - I want to see.What part of communication in the form of a dialogue doesn’t fit with your NORMAL experience of prayer? Listening?What if Paul used these two words side by side, in this order, to say “Go ahead, make your prayers! Ask away. But then listen to God’s response.”Think of proseuchē as listening to God, being alert, watchful.Colossians 4:2 “Continue steadfastly in prayer (proseuchē), being watchful (γρηγορέω - grēgoreō) in it (in prayer) with thanksgiving (eucharistia - the 4th of the 4 words Paul uses in 1 Tim 2:1).Revelation 3:2-3 “Wake up (grēgoreō)... Remember, then, what you received and heard. Listening for God and listening to God are like remaining alert, awake, being watchful, attentive.How do we listen in prayer? Actively, not passively.My experience of being still and knowing that God is God. (see Ps 46:10)Listening by God’s WordTo recognize God’s voice (Jn 10:14-16)To meditate (soaking in God’s word shapes us from the inside out)To atune our ears to LISTENListening to the SpiritImpressionsThoughtsThe still small voice (1 Kings 19:12) (The Spirit speaking in my spirit).Listening to God speak through others.What are we listening for?For God’s willThy kingdom come, Thy will be doneGod’s irrefutable promisesFor God’s heartWhat God wants θέλω (thelō), though God won’t deny human will (1 Tim 2:4)What God desires, even in the face of a blind obedience or rigid adherence to the law (Mt 9:9-13)To atune our will and heart to His for the sake of being ready to make intercession for others.Wanting what God wantsLook up.