Getting To Know God Through Prayer

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GETTING TO KNOW GOD THROUGH PRAYER

 

1. Why People Don’t Pray More

·     Not sure you know how to pray.

·     Get bored or distracted while trying to pray.

·     Think your requests are too small for God.

·     Not sure your prayers will make a difference.

 

2. What Is Prayer?

·     Pray is not talking to God or about God but with God.

·     Prayer is not giving God a list.

·   Prayer is communicating with God.

 

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. In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:1-3

 

3. When Should I Pray?

·     Make prayer a daily thing.

·     Try to pray at the same time everyday.

·     Create a place where you prayer.

·     If you want God’s presence in your life, create habits that invite God to show up.

 

4. How Do I Pray?

 

·     With gut-level honesty.

Moses returned to the LORD and said, "O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all."

Exodus 5:22-23

 

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men… And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Matthew 6:5, 7

 

·     About everything that matters to you.

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

 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

 

·     Continually.

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

 

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 Samuel 1:12-13

 

·     And listen for His response.

And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. 1 Kings 19:12b-13

 

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

 

 

5. Why Should I Pray?

 

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

 

·     Prayer Works.

 

…The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

 

…The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. James 5:16 The Message

 

·     Prayer acknowledges your dependence on God.

 

“Prayerless people cut themselves off from God's peace and from his prevailing power, and a common result is that they feel overwhelmed, overrun, beaten down, pushed around, and defeated by a world operating with a take-no-prisoners approach.”

―Bill Hybels

 

·     Prayer brings peace.

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7