Prayer Life & Repentance

Introduction

Today’s message begins a short series on spiritual foundations. Call them principles, rhythms, etc.

These represent the DNA of a disciple

This will become the DNA of Hope Church

Grounded in God’s Word, the 7 Rhythms of a disciple are the foundation of the Rooted experience. Each of these rhythms was practiced by the early church in Acts 2. When we commit to practicing the 7 Rhythms in community like the early church, we see growth and transformation in both our personal lives and in our communities.

A rhythm is “a strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound.” It is both detectible and reliable. Discipleship has 7 of these rhythms that are necessary if we are to be faithful servants of Christ.

-Rooted Network

Acts 2:41–47 “41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Prayer Life

What is prayer?

At it’s core, prayer is communication with God

the exchanging of information; dialogue

2 Dynamics

Speaking

Jeremiah 33:3 “3 Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

Listening

1 Sam 3 1-11 - Samuel learns to hear God’s voice

P.R.A.Y.S.

Praise

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

To praise is to proclaim worth or value. To praise God is to glorify or magnify God for his being, his nature, and his works

Repentance

Matthew 6:12–13 “and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Feeling of regret and remorse coupled with a change of mind and direction

Our forgiveness is tied to our willingness to forgive others

Appreciation

Psalm 100:4 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”

Thankfulness, gratitude

Yielding

Matthew 6:10 “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Surrendering and submitting, giving up one’s will;

pausing to allow God to speak

Supplication

Matthew 6:11 “Give us this day our daily bread,”

Humble and sincere petitions and requests

Keys

Pray sacredly

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

Pray sincerely

Matthew 6:5 “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.”

Matthew 6:7–8 ““And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Pray secretly

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.”

Pray steadfastly

Luke 18:1 “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “pray without ceasing,”

Repentance

Remorse and repentance are not the same

A person can feel truly sorrowful for their sin and yet never turn away from it

Forgiveness and repentance are not the same

A person can ask God for forgiveness for their and receive it, yet never turn away from it

“Repentance is the act whereby one turns from his or her sin, idolatry, and creaturely rebellion and turns to God in faith.”

Conclusion