Class 201
Session 2
Habit Two Prayer Talking with God
Base your happiness on your hope in Christ. When trials come endure them patiently, steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer. Romans 12:12
How to Revitalize Your Prayer Life
Approach Prayer with the Right Attitude Matthew 6:5–8
Be. Real.
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them.” Matthew 6:5
Don’t try to impress God
Don’t try to impress Others
Be Relaxed.
“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut
the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6
Be Revealing.
“Don’t recite the same prayer over and over as the heathen do, who think prayers are answered only by repeating them again and again. Remember, your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!” Matthew 6:7–8
Use the Model Jesus Gave Us
“This, then, is how you should pray.”Matthew 6:9
The Six Parts of Prayer
1. Praise: I begin by Expressing my love for God
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” Matthew 6:9
TWO KINDS OF PRAISE
ADORATION Praising god for who he is.
THANKSGIVING Praising god for what he has done.
How to Praise God
As you read your Bible, make a list of God’s character qualities that you discover and then review them when you pray.
Examples
God is patient. Numbers 14:18
God is merciful. Numbers 14:18
God is forgiving. Numbers 14:18
God knows everything. 2 Samuel 14:20
God is loving. 2 Samuel 14:20
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16
KEY God’s Character is the basis for our boldness in making requests in prayer. We ask with faith when we ask according to God’s character. God answers the prayers that acknowledge who he is!
Remind yourself and affirm the promises God has made that are contained in the meaning of his names.
Make a list of all that you are thankful for and review it when you pray.
Purpose: I commit myself To doing God’s Will
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10
Pray for God’s will to be done in your family, your church, your ministry, your job, your future, your city, your nation, your world.
Provision: I ask God to Meeting my daily needs
“Give us today our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11
What needs can I pray about? All of them
And it is he who will supply all your needs from his riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done for us. Philippians 4:19
KEY Be specific.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
Write down your requests, with a promise you are claiming from the Bible, and expect an answer!
Pardon: I ask God to I ask God to forgive my sins
“Forgive us our debts.” Matthew 6:12
People: I pray for Other people
“As we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matthew 6:12
Pray much for others; plead for God’s mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them. 1 Timothy 2:1
Scriptures below will help you pray for others:
Ephesians 1:15–19
Colossians 1:3-12
Thessalonians 1:2-3
Thessalonians 1:11-12
Make a prayer list of people you want to pray for. You might pray for different people over different days of the week.
Protection: I ask for Protection and Direction
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:13
Believers face a spiritual battle every day. Satan wants to defeat us through temptation and fear. By praying for protection, you will have the confidence to face every situation that comes your way.
Make a prayer list of people you want to pray for. You might pray for different people ondifferent days of the week.
FAMILY:
Four Steps to Forgiveness
Step 1: Ask the Holy Spirit to Reveal every sin.
Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts. Find out if there is any evil in me.
Psalm 139:23–24
Step 2: Confess each sin Specifically
You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you. Proverbs 28:13
Step 3: Make Restitution to others when necessary.
“[When] you remember that your brother has something against you . . . go at once and make peace with [him], and then come back and offer your gift to God.” Matthew 5:23, 24
Step 4: By faith, Accept God’s forgiveness.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
A Daily Quiet Time with God through Prayer and Bible Reading
A quiet time is a daily time I set aside to be alone with God to get to know him through the Bible and prayer.
Your time alone with God should be the top priority in your schedule for five reasons:
The Importance of a Daily Quiet Time
1. We were CREATED to have fellowship with God.
2. Jesus Died to make a relationship with God possible.
3. Personal time alone with God was Jesus' Source of strength.
4. Every person who has been effective in Service for God developed this habit.
5. You cannot be a Healthy Christian without it!
The Purpose of a Daily Quiet Time
Your time alone with God has four main purposes:
1.To give Devotion to God.
Give to the LORD the glory his name deserves. Worship the LORD in his holy splendor. Psalm 29:2
2. To get Direction from God.
Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk. Lead me; teach me. Psalm 25:4–5
3.To gain Delightin God.
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 37:4
Fact
The better I get to know Christ, the more I love Him
The objective of your quiet time is not to study about Christ, but to actually spend time with him.
4. To grow More like Christ.
How to Begin a Daily Quiet Time
Select a specific time.
The best time is when you are At your best
Whatever time you set, Be consistent
Choose a special place.
Jesus left the city and went, as he usually did, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples went with him. Luke 22:39
The Important Factor
“VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING, WHILE IT WAS STILL DARK, JESUS GOT UP, LEFT THE HOUSE AND WENT OFF TO A SOLITARY PLACE, WHERE HE PRAYED.”MARK 1:35
Begin with the right attitude. Reverence Expectancy Obedience
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
15 MINUTES WITH GOD
A PLAN TO GET YOU STARTED
1. Relax 1 minute
Be still and quiet! Slow down! Prepare your heart. Take a few deep breaths and wait on God.
2. Read 4 minutes
Begin reading where you left off the day before. Read until you feel God has told you something. Then stop and think about it.
3. Reflect 4 minutes
You may use A.P.P.L.I.C.A.T.I.O.N.S. Questions or any of the 6 methods of meditation. Think about what the passage means to your life. Write down your thoughts. Part of reflecting is memorizing verses that speak to you in a special way.
4. Record 2 minutes
Write out a personal application statement that is practical, passable, and measurable.
5. Request 4 minutes
Conclude your quiet time by talking to God about what He has shown you and making your requests from your prayer lists.
How to Overcome the Problems with Your Quiet Time
PROBLEM OF DISCIPLINE: The first problem in establishing a quiet time that you will face the moment you wake each morning is, “Am I going to get out of bed?” We call that the Battle of the Blankets.
Suggestions:
Go to bed on time.
Get up immediately.
Be aware of quiet time robbers.
Fall asleep thinking spiritual thoughts.
Problem of Distractions: Satan will try to use anything to get your mind to wander during a quiet time.
Suggestions:
Get out of bed.
Get thoroughly awake.
Read and pray aloud.
Talk during your prayer time.
Problem of Dryness: Sometimes you will feel like you’re not getting anything out of your quiet time. We call that the Battle of the Blahs.
Never judge your quiet time by your Feelings
Possible Causes of Spiritual Dryness:
Your physical condition.
Disobedience to the word of God.
Rushing your quiet time.
Getting in a rut.
Not sharing insights with others.
Problem of diligence: Your greatest problem will be your struggle to stay consistent. “I find Satan fights nothing harder than my quiet time.”
Suggestions:
Make a covenant or vow to God.
Schedule it on your daily calendar.
Be prepared for Satan’s excuses
Leave your Bible open a night to the passage for the next day.
What if I miss a day?
Don’t Get on a guilt trip
Don’t Become legalistic
Don’t Give up
It takes Three weeks for you to become familiar with a new task. Then it takes another Three weeks before it becomes a comfortable habit.
Prayer of Commitment
Father,
I realize that I was created to have fellowship with you. Thank you for making this privilege possible through Jesus’ death. I know that daily fellowship with you is to be the most important thing in my life. I now want to commit myself to spending at least some time every day with you in a quiet time of Bible reading and prayer. I’m trusting in your strength to help me be consistent.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
