PRAYER

Discipline – n – a branch of knowledge, typically one studied in higher education; to train or develop by instruction and exercise especially in self-control

It is this second definition that we will focus on – discipline as a noun.

We talked about what meditation is and is not, why we should meditate, how to prepare and then examples of meditation – experiencing biblical stories, focused concentration on Scripture or creation.

Today we look at the Discipline of Prayer. And unlike meditation – while prayer can be done in isolation, it is a counterpart of many of the other disciplines like meditation, solitude and study.

Oxford defines prayer as a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God

Merriam-Webster defines it as an address to God or a god in word or thought

But dictionary.com I think defined it best – a spiritual communication with God or an object of worship as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration or confession.

What is communication – communication requires more than 1 party involved and one of the key words in all the definitions of communication is the exchange of information or knowledge. A monologue is not so much communication as it is information being dispersed – communication is information exchanged – between two or more entities.

LET US PRAY!

As we start, I would like to quote Richard Foster – “Prayer catapults us onto the frontier of the spiritual life. Of all the Spiritual Disciplines prayer is the most central because it ushers us

into perpetual communion with the Father. Meditation introduces us to the inner life, fasting is an accompanying means, study transforms our minds, but it is the Discipline of prayer that brings us into the deepest and highest work of the human spirit. Real prayer is life creating and life changing.”

I. Why Prayer? Prayer changes us – God utilizes prayer to transform us

The closer we get to the heart of God – the more we see the need to be conformed to Him likeness –

Jeremiah 29:12 – Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.

Psalm 145:18 – The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Romans 12:2 – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Why we should –

1. Jesus showed us – Mark 1:35 – And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Luke 5:16 – But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

Mark 6:45-46 – Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.

John 6:15 – Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

2. Jesus told us to – Luke 18:1 – And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Matthew 26:41 – Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

3. Jesus taught us how – Matthew 6:5-6 – “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Matthew 6:9 - Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Paul reminds us

Colossians 4:2 – Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Romans 12:12 – Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

II. What is Prayer?

It is not merely asking God for things –

It is not a monologue

It is continuous, constant, perpetual communication –

We must listen to the Lord in our prayer time as well

Søren Kierkegaard once observed: "A man prayed, and at first he thought that prayer was

talking. But he became more and more quiet until in the end he realized that prayer is listening."

1 Kings 19:12-13 – And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

God’s Compassion – 9 times in the Gospel Jesus is moved to action and /or prayer because of His compassion for people –

III. How to Pray?

James 4:3 – You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

To ask rightly involves transforming our passions, desires, thoughts – to be the passions of God, thoughts of God, God’s desires

Remember to Romans 12:2 transform our mind is to transform our prayers

The closer we get to the heart of God – the more our prayers change – our transformed

John 15:7 – If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Real prayer begins when we set on mind on the things of God – His Word, His Will, His Way, His Desires, What He Loves, Who He Loves, How He Loves

We must hear, know, and obey the will of God before we pray it into the lives of others. The prayer of guidance constantly precedes and surrounds the prayer of faith.

Matthew 6:6 – But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

ACTS and PRAY can be acronyms to help us formulate prayers

Adoration acknowledge God for who He is/His attributes

Confess sins to Him

Thanksgiving - give thanks for blessings, His Presence, Answered prayers, etc. Supplication - Prayer Requests

Praise - God for who He is,

Repent - confess your sins

Ask - Prayer requests

Yield - surrender to God's Will

Adoration and Praise

Acknowledge Him in creation

Acknowledge Him in Pain

Acknowledge His Attributes – grace, mercy, love, wisdom, forgiveness, holiness, omni’s, eternalness, unchangingness, faithfulness, immanence (He cares about / in the small details), compassion, power, infiniteness, immutableness,

Thanksgiving/Yield –

Thank Him for answered Prayers

Thank Him for unanswered Prayers

Thank Him for His attributes

Thank Him for Him forgiving you

Yield to His Will

Yield to His Presence

Yield to His Word

Supplication or Asks

Pray for others - that you know and don't know - pray for God to touch their heart

Pray for the ability to forgive others

Pray for pastors, worship leaders, youth and kids leaders, deacons, trustees, leaders of men and women’s ministries

Pray for marriages – to be whole, permanent and healthy

Pray for your children – current ones as well as future one

Pray against evil –

Pray against addictions

Pray for the youth and for kids

Pray for teachers and all employees at school

James 4:7-8 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Don’t wait until you feel like praying

Pray immediately – never wait – never delay – it is a tool that we should utilize everyday

Remember that it’s not the least you can do – it’s the best you can do for someone and then act on those prayers as well

Neither Jesus, the Prophets nor the disciples ended prayers in “if it is Your Will” – the closer we are to the heart of God – the more our heart aligns with the heart of God and aligns with His Will

It is said, "To pray is to change"? Have you ever experienced that in your own life?

How are you going to implement the discipline of prayer in your faith differently after today’s message?