DiscipleShift Part 7: Disciples Follow God through Prayer

Introduction

James 4:8 ESV

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

1) Expect to Pray

The Bible clearly teaches us that we need to pray

Matthew 6:5-7, 9; Colossians 4:2-“Continue steadfastly in prayer;” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Dedicated time in prayer should be the norm, not the exception.

Billy Graham and President Eisenhower illustration

2) Learn to Pray

Luke 11:1–4 ESV

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”

P.R.A.Y.

Pray through meditating on God’s Word and praying God’s Word

Psalm 117

Psalm 74

Pray with Others one on one.

Read about Prayer

Prayer is more than just knowing what to say, its knowing with what heart we are to say it.

3) Anticipate God’s Response as You Pray

Be persistent in our prayers, knowing that God will answer.

Luke 11:5–10 ESV

And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Persistent prayer and anticipating God’s response to us helps to shape our hearts to God’s

John 14:13–14 ESV

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

CLOSING