Basic Disciplines, Part 4

A Spiritual Discipline is an intentional habit cultivated in our lives that is designed to lead us into greater Christlikeness in our thoughts, affections, and behavior.

Fervent Prayer

We engage in regular, fervent prayer because it is commanded, effective, loving, and edifying. Luke 18:1; Phil 4:6; Col 4:2; 1 Thess 5:17; 1 Tim 2:1, 8; Heb 4:16; James 4:3, 5:16; 1 Peter 3:12

Commanded

Luke 18:1–8 “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a certain judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. “Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice from my opponent.’ “And for a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice, lest by continually coming she wears me out.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. “Now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find that faith on the earth?””

Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving;”

Effective/loving

James 5:14–16 “Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

KJV “availeth much”

Ever wonder “If God is Sovreign, why pray?”

because God is sovreign, we pray!

Lord of both the ends and the means.

a. The fact that God is sovereign does not just mean that he ordains the ends, but he also ordains the means. What does that mean? It means that God is not just sovereign over the results, he’s sovereign over the process that brings about the results. God has chosen to use the prayers of his people to accomplish his purposes. God has chosen to use the prayers of his people to accomplish his purposes.

Edifying

How many of you have experienced this: you didn’t really want to go to the prayer meeting, but when you left, you felt so encouraged?

I know I have.

i. It displaces fear/anxiety: Phil 4:6

1. Ought to pray and not lose heart…Luke 18:1

ii. It increases faith as we see God working.

1. Keep a prayer journal. Track the requests. Note the answers. Be amazed at your God.

iii. It encourages one another when done with others.

1. Wednesday evening prayer meeting

2. Pastors prayer huddle

Are there reasons why God might not answer your prayers? Yes. Several. God does not honor the prayer that is asked with the wrong motive (James 4:3); if we remain in known, unrepentant sin (Ps 66:18), if husbands fail to love their wives biblically (1 Pet 3:7), if it is asked not in accordance with God’s will (1 John 5:14) etc. We could spend our entire time talking about those.

The Lord’s Prayer

Matthew 6:5–8 ““And when you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore, do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”

Matthew 6:9–13 ““Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. ‘Give us this day our daily bread. ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]”

Reverence

Response

Requests

Readiness

ACTS

Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication

Practical Tips

Regular time, location, duration

Limit distractions (phone on silent, etc)

Keep a list/journal

Pray out loud

A Spiritual Discipline is an intentional habit cultivated in our lives that is designed to lead us into greater Christlikeness in our thoughts, affections, and behavior.