Confessions of a Christian Part 1

"CONFESSIONS OF A CHRISTIAN - 1"

 

• “I don’t always feel like praying.”

 

Why people don’t feel like praying:

• You're not sure God will answer your prayers.
• You're not sure you really know how to pray.
• You get bored praying.
• You think your requests are too small to bother God.

 

Redefine Prayer
Prayer - communicating with God.  It’s not talking to God or about God but with God.

1) Jeremiah: Pray honestly.

Jeremiah 20:7 O LORD, you deceived me, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me.

Two Prayer Don'ts:

·  Don't pray to be seen.

Matthew 6:5 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray… to be seen by men.

·  Don't pray long, empty prayers.
Mark 12:40 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."

 

2) David:  Pray creatively.

Psalm 5:1-2 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

 

Psalm 33:3
Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.

 

Creative Communication

·      Try writing your prayers.

·      Try praying during routine tasks.

·      Try praying in different places.

·      Try praying in different positions.

·      Try praying by listening to God.

 

3) Nehemiah: Pray about everything.

Nehemiah 2:4-5 The king said to me, 'What is it you want?' Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king…

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

 

4) Hannah: Pray continually.

1 Samuel 1:12-13 As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.