Discovering Spiritual Maturity - Session Four

AUTHOR MERLE

The Habit of Prayer – Talking with God

“Base your happiness on your hope in Christ. When trials come, endure them patiently; steadfastly maintain The Habit of Prayer.” Rom 12:12

How to Revitalise your prayer life

1. Approach prayer with the right attitude (Matt 6:5-8)

Be Real

“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”.

Don’t try to impress others

Don’t try to impress God

Be relaxed

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matt 6:6

Be revealing

“Don’t recite the same prayers 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 before you ask him.” (Matt 7-8)

2. Use the model Jesus Gave us

Matthew 6:9-15 “This, then is how you should pray…”

Six parts of prayer, Praise, Purpose, Provision, Pardon, Protection and People

a) Praise

I begin by expressing my love to God

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be thy name….

There are two kinds of praise

“Adoration” – Praising God for who He is

“Thanksgiving” – Praising God for what he has done

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving in your heart, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful unto Him, and bless his name”. Ps 100:4

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:

e.g

God is patient – Num 14:18

God is merciful – Nub 14:18

God is forgiving – Num 14:18

God knows everything – 1 Sam 2:2

God is loving I John 4:8

KEY: Gods character is the basis for our boldness in making requests in prayer. 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 them when you pray

b) Purpose

I commit myself to God’s purpose and will for my life - “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…”

Pray for God’s will to be done….in my family…my church….my ministry……my job…..my future….my city….the nation…..the world.

“Offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer. Rom 12:2

c) Provision

I ask God to provide for my needs - “Give us today our daily bread…”

What needs can I pray for? All of them

“God will supply all your needs from His riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done for us.” Phil 4:19

“Since God did not spare even His own Son, but gave him up for us, wont’ he also surely give us everything else? Rom 8:32

“You do not have, because you do not ask James 4:2

The Key: be specific

d) Pardon

I ask God to forgive my sins - “Forgive us our debts…”

Four steps to forgiveness

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal every sin

“Examine me oh God and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts. Find out if there is any evil in me.” Ps 139:23-24

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 you mercy. Prov 28:13

Make Restitution to others when necessary

“When you remember your brother has something against you…go at once to make peace with him, then come back and offer your gift to God…” Matt 5:13-24

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.” I John 1:9

e) People

I pray for other people - "as we have also forgiven our debtors..”

“Pray much for others; please for God’s mercy upon them; Give thanks for all He is doing for them..” 1 Tim 2:1

f) Protection

I ask for Protection - “and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…” vs13

Believers face a spiritual battle every day. Satan wants to defeat you through temptation and fear. By praying for protection, you will have the confidence to face every situation during the day.

“The Spirit who is in you is more powerful than the Spirit who is in the world…” I John 4:4

We will end off with some of the names of God, which help us to identify His character.

Jehovah Shammah – “God is Present with me”. (Ezek 48:35) – You are here! I am never alone!

Jehovah Rohi – “God is my Shepherd”. (Ps 23:1) – You lead me and feed me and protect me!

Jehovah Jireh – “God is my Provider”. (Gen 22:14) – You see what I need before I even ask!

Jehovah Rophe – “God is my Healer”. (Ex 15:26) – You can heal my body, emotions and relationships!

Jehovah Tsidkenu – “God is my Righteousness.” (Jer 23:6) – You accept me and forgive me because of Jesus!

Jehovah M’Kiddish – “God is my Sanctification”. (Lev. 20:8) – You make me holy and like Jesus!

Jehovah Shalom – “God is my Peace.” (Judges 6:24) – You give me peace in spite of circumstances! Shiloh!!!!

Jehovah Nissi – “God is my Banner”. (Ex 17:15) – You are my victory in conflict and confrontation!

Amen