Disciples Prayer Life (3)

Walking in Fellowship with God

PERSONAL 23rd Psalm

“The LORD is my Guide;

He provides what I need when the need arises;

He sustains my life with more than adequate supply;

He directs me towards His desired end in my life;

There are days that are dark and difficult, yet even in those days His hand guides;

His Word, His Spirit are always my companions.

“He sets the stage for me to experience His full blessings, His goodness, His faithful presence always surrounds me;

Even when I am most discouraged, I am assured I am His for ever.”

Progress is the goal - perfection awaits for eternity

Philippians 1:6 HCSB

I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Daniel 6:10 HCSB

When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Knowing the consequences, Daniel directly disobeyed the king.

Daniel 6:19–22 (HCSB)

At the first light of dawn the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he reached the den, he cried out in anguish to Daniel. “Daniel, servant of the living God,” the king said, “has your God whom you serve continually been able to rescue you from the lions?”

Then Daniel spoke with the king: “May the king live forever. My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths. They haven’t hurt me, for I was found innocent before Him. Also, I have not committed a crime against you my king.”

Daniel can be described as a ‘loyal follower of God.’ God for him was a faithful, Most High God whose power extends into the den of lions

Acts 10:1–2 HCSB

There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment. He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the Jewish people and always prayed to God.

Acts 10:30–33 (HCSB)

Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this hour, at three in the afternoon, I was praying in my house. Just then a man in a dazzling robe stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your acts of charity have been remembered in God’s sight.

Therefore send someone to Joppa and invite Simon here, who is also named Peter. He is lodging in Simon the tanner’s house by the sea.’ Therefore I immediately sent for you, and you did the right thing in coming. So we are all present before God, to hear everything you have been commanded by the Lord.”

We might describe Cornelius as one seeking after truth, one seeking a more intimate relationship with God.

For Cornelius, we can recognize God as Truth; and as the God who wants to be found.

Jeremiah 29:13 HCSB

You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

(Remember the context of Jer 29 - written to a people facing 70 years of exile, 70 years of being cut off from all they knew of life!)

On p. 43, TW Hunt writes,

“Have you ever thought that a disability or another disadvantage could become a means of glorifying God?”

John 9:1–3 (HCSB)

As He was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth. His disciples questioned Him: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus answered. “This came about so that God’s works might be displayed in him.”

How did this blind man experience God’s presence????

Are there disabilities/disadvantages in your life that God is waiting to use for His glory?

PRAYER GUIDE 3 (p 208) Copies will be available SUNDAY

Let’s examine two of the examples:

Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 1:4–10 (HCSB)

The word of the Lord came to me: I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations. But I protested, “Oh no, Lord, God! Look, I don’t know how to speak since I am only a youth.” Then the Lord said to me: Do not say, “I am only a youth,” for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you. Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you. This is the Lord’s declaration. Then the Lord reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and told me: I have now filled your mouth with My words. See, I have appointed you today over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and demolish, to build and plant.

Jeremiah 4:22 HCSB

“For My people are fools; they do not know Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing what is evil, but they do not know how to do what is good.”

Jeremiah 4:27–28 HCSB

For this is what the Lord says: The whole land will be a desolation, but I will not finish it off. Because of this, the earth will mourn; the skies above will grow dark. I have spoken; I have planned, and I will not relent or turn back from it.

Jeremiah 29:10–14 (HCSB)

For this is what the Lord says: “When 70 years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and will confirm My promise concerning you to restore you to this place.

For I know the plans I have for you” —this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “I will restore you to the place I deported you from.”

How did Jeremiah experience God’s presence?

How did his prayer reflect what he knew of God?

How does God’s answer (revealed in the letter Jeremiah sent) reflect His nature?

Peter

Luke 22:33 HCSB

“Lord,” he told Him, “I’m ready to go with You both to prison and to death!”

Luke 22:39–46 (HCSB)

He went out and made His way as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him. When He reached the place, He told them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Then He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me—nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.”

[Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. Being in anguish, He prayed more fervently, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.]

When He got up from prayer and came to the disciples, He found them sleeping, exhausted from their grief. “Why are you sleeping?” He asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation.”

How did Peter’s boldness translate in that circumstance?

1 Peter 5:6–10 (HCSB)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.

Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.

Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.

How does the rest of Peter’s life reflect his understanding of the nature of God?

For next week: Week Four: Using the Bible in Prayer!