Prayer is probably the single most practiced activity a person who desires a connection with God or help from above can do to get heaven’s attention.

How we pray determines the quality of our connection and the effectiveness of our asking.

The disciples saw how Jesus prayed and asked him to teach them to pray the way he did.

Everybody prays. But there is a discipline of prayer that strengthens the bond of our relationship with God in a healthy, vibrant, life-giving way.

The discipline of prayer means we pray regularly and honestly. We pray with humility , gratitude and love. It has little to do directly with time spent. However, the one who prays will desire to spend even more time in His Presence.

 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.  But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.  And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:5-8

Prayer must be honest without any hint of self-promotion before others. We can give the impression of being more spiritual than others or having a “special” relationship with God that others do not have. Your reward is that some people will believe that, but you can’t fool God.

Prayer begins in the secret place. You can take this literally, but the deeper value is to understand the secret room each of us have in our heart - our deepest, truest self.

You will never dazzle or impress God with your words or arguments. Come with all humility and submission.

Since God knows what you need before you ask - the purpose of prayer is not to get stuff. It’s a partnership to that changes the world.

Before any other purpose, prayer is intended to strengthen our connection with God, establish a covering under the rule of His kingdom for ourselves, our family and oue sphere of influence. And expand His covenant to people who need His deliverance, protection and redemption in the earth.

HOW SHOULD WE PRAY?  The Disciple’s question

 "In this manner, therefore , pray: " Matthew 6:9

GOD’S TEMPLATE FOR PRAYER - The Lord's Prayer is the pattern upon which we build a life of prayer. Answers to prayer are the overflow of our relationship. These are the essential elements for a meaningful connection with God based on the Lord’s Prayer. You don’t have to re-invent prayer. This is it!

Position and identity - who He is and who we are. The context of our relationship is defined by Jesus. More important than His position a Creator or Judge is His position as Father to us. This self-revelation is key to all our interactions with Him. If He is our Father then we are his sons, his children. Everyone is God’s creation. Only the ones who choose Him are called His children.

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.  He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  John 1:10-13

Belonging and family - we are made to be part of a family because we function best in relationship.

Relationship teaches us about the most important lessons of unity: love, forgiveness, acceptance, sacrifice.

When we claim God as our Father we accept the greater truth that we are now in a family. Royalty noblesse oblige - nobility obligates. It's how we see ourselves.

Relationship is the laboratory where we test the level of freedom we live in.

WHO ART IN HEAVEN 

Our relationship with him is both intimate and transcendent. (mystery). We are to grow in both.

He is holy. To be hallowed means we recognize Him as holy and revere him in a sacred (unique, singular- We worship Him alone)

Not a passive request- more like a cry for help. No one asks for help in a patient, apathetic way… it is always urgent.

God's will is to be actively partnered with, not passively awaited. Our life is a prayer. Do we live in such a way as to honor His Kingdom and His will? His kingdom is always immediately present when we choose to obey Him and partner with His plans on earth.

The goal of prayer is to establish and extend His kingdom rule on earth. We do this through obedience, mission, proclamation and prayer

He provides and cares for things that release life in us. Not manna (wilderness survival) but the Bread of Heaven (heavenly resources and infusion of life). Not bare minimum for survival but what we need to thrive.

Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near.  Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?”  But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.  John 6:4-6

Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.  Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” John 6:26-27

 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. John 6:35

This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” John 6:58

Cleanse our sin  and failures along the way

Others will let you down. There is very little chance that in a world full of sinners that someone will not offend you. Holding offense is a temptation that will lead to evil.

You don’t lead us to evil you deliver us from it.

We will need His help in an ongoing way.

We begin and end with worship. We begin with intimacy and end with transcendance. Prayer is a progression of continual revelation and increasing encounter.

These books will give you a practical knowledge of what prayer is, the Biblical foundation and purpose for prayer,  and how speak and hear God's voice.