But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise (train) yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 1 Timothy 4:7-8
The Discipline of Prayer
THE BEST WAY TO LEARN ABOUT PRAYER IS BY PRAYING
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15
THE BEST PLACE TO PRAY FROM IS FROM GRATITUDE, NOT ANXIETY
-Anxiety can drive many of our prayers - but the best place to pray from is not fear but gratitude.
-Supplication is asking because of our need.
-Need can make us feel like we don’t have enough - It might feel unjust. We might want to blame God or others. Gratitude protects our heart from resentment.
-Peace is the fruit of prayer with thanksgiving and it protects our heart. It also helps us recognize things that are out of order in ourselves.
HEARTS AND MINDS MATTER
What you think about and what you feel matters. Prayer brings your attention to the concerns of your heart and consciously entrusts them to the care of heaven.
-Pray is a way we cleanse the burdens, fears, doubts that lodge in our mind and heart and replace all that with the peace of GOD.
"IN EVERYTHING”
Everything is eligible to be the subject of our prayers. Talk to God about everything and listen to what He says. It's a conversation, nothing a list.
-The discipline of prayer is our conscious, mindful cooperation with the leadership and ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our life.
-Develops honest vulnerability before God in prayer and try to maintain a constant connection..
-Check-in regularly and often
The Goal of Prayer - Ask, Seek, Knock
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him. Matthew 7:7-11
THERE IS ALWAYS A RESULT TO PRAYER. Sometimes we recognize it and sometimes we don't.
Answered and unanswered prayer are both important to building a relationship with god. We learn about his faithfulness and at the same time we also learn about our own heart.
Ask for what we need.
Seek for that which we need to know.
Knock on doors of new and life-changing discoveries. The promise is that we will receive.
Seek for that which we need to know.
Knock on doors of new and life-changing discoveries. The promise is that we will receive.
All prayer is based on the truth that God is a Good Father
Types of Prayer
INTERCESSORY PRAYER - entering His heart and burden for the world. Individuals, regions, nations, territories and divine purpose in the world.
ABIDING PRAYER - communion, nurture, life, transformation and affection. Saturated in the love of God.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7
PROPHETIC PRAYER - Making requests based on revelation we have received.
WORSHIP PRAYER - Expressions of praise and worship that cultivate our awareness of His presence.
THANKSGIVING PRAYER - Always be grateful.
SPIRIT PRAYER - Our prayer language and groaning too deep for words.
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27
TRAVAILING PRAYER - A deeper intercession beyond all words
But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. 1 Samuel 1:15
Prayers as Incense
Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Revelation 5:8
Our prayers precede us into eternity and have heavenly weight and impact.
-Prayers are precious to the Lord
-Prayers are supernatural and exist in eternity
-Prayers are kept at the seat of all authority
-Prayers are supernatural and exist in eternity
-Prayers are kept at the seat of all authority
Sermon
Recommended Reading
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.
Higher with God in Prayer
A.W. Tozer
Prayer
A.W. Tozer