Spiritual Disciplines Prayer

Acts 2

Acts 2:42–47 NET

42 They were devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.43 Reverential awe came over everyone, and many wonders and miraculous signs came about by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and held everything in common, 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to everyone, as anyone had need. 46 Every day they continued to gather together by common consent in the temple courts, breaking bread from house to house, sharing their food with glad and humble hearts,47 praising God and having the good will of all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number every day those who were being saved.

Early church are together and look what they are doing!

Reading, Studying, Praying, Fasting, Serving, Giving, Worshiping, and Resting

Otherwise known as Spiritual Disciplines

It’s also where my brain has been recently!

So we are going to pray through each of the Spiritual Disciplines!

Pray: Lord help us to seek you through these disciplines

Bible Reading

Psalm 119:105 NET

105 Your word is a lamp to walk by, and a light to illumine my path.

If you watched the YT episode you heard that me and Matthew decided that Bible Reading is better known as Bible saturation

Bible saturation or bible reading is all about getting your life oriented around the Bible so that it is truly the lamp you use to view the world

That means your music, TV, Podcasts, everything should be bringing you closer to Jesus

Pray: We would make our entire life focused on Jesus

Bible Study

Psalm 119:11 NET

11 In my heart I store up your words, so I might not sin against you.

Bible Study is different from bible reading

Bible reading is meant to get your life oriented around the Bible

Study is seeking to understand and dive deeper into God’s Word

It is meant to allow you to learn and grow deeper — so that God’s Word will be stored so you can flee sin

Pray: We would find joy in the study of God’s Word

Prayer

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NET

17 constantly pray,

Prayer is meant to be something that we are doing constantly!

Prayer is what connects us with God

We aren’t meant to just pray in the good times, or in the bad times

We are meant to pray at all times constantly!

Pray: In every situation we would go to God

Fasting

Matthew 6:16–18 NET

16 “When you fast, do not look sullen like the hypocrites, for they make their faces unattractive so that people will see them fasting. I tell you the truth, they have their reward. 17 When you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others when you are fasting, but only to your Father who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

Fasting!

We just came off Lent and feel like we got a handle on fasting!

But fasting isn’t meant to be only for Easter

Fasting is a time where we are stopping and giving God something

Pray: We would work fasting into our life and not just during Lent

Serving

1 Peter 4:10–11 NET

10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

We are meant to be servants

Jesus Himself said He came not to be served but to serve!

We are meant to be serving the Lord with every area of our life!

Pray: Ask what areas we are not serving the Lord with

Giving

2 Corinthians 9:7 NET

7 Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.

We are meant to give to God

We are meant to give our time, money, and talents

The thing though is that we are meant to give with cheerfulness — that we are doing it all for God

Pray: Ask God that He would let us be joyful in giving

Worship

Psalm 95:6 NET

6 Come! Let’s bow down and worship! Let’s kneel before the Lord, our creator!

We are called to worship God!

Worshiping is so much more than just singing a song

Worshiping is living a life that is seeking God in everything that we do!

It is being joyful in all circumstances

Pray: We would worship God in all areas of our life

Rest

Matthew 11:28 NET

28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Rest is the last one and maybe one of the more important ones

Rest however doesn’t mean that we are called to go and take a vacation — yes they are important and I am looking forward to going to the beach

But rest is going to God and allowing Him to refuel us

Pray: Lord give us rest