Prayer is not a simple discipline. Prayer takes much effort - and even sweat and tears - in order for it to become a vibrant part of our lives and God's Plan.
In fact, we cannot live without prayer in our lives. Prayer must be an integral part of the Christian's daily routine as he or she (you or I) are not only saved, but then continually sanctified by the Word of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
We can further say that prayer is so important to the believers life, that we cannot live without it. Even Jesus proved that to be true. Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus making and taking time to be alone in prayer, communing with His Heavenly Father. Whether the task was mundane or critical, Jesus set aside to pray before continuing with that task.
And so we must have that same attitude and follow the model of our Lord and Savior. Anything less would rob us of a vibrant Christian life. We would also rob ourselves of being the integral part of God's Plan that He so desires us to be.
Why does it seem that the more "mature" (you can also read that as "older" and not necessarily mature) we become in our Christian walk, the quicker we loose our "child like" faith and attitude that God so loves?
That's awesome!
So let's learn how and why we should be praying.
Over the next 12 weeks, we'll look at several models of prayer, while using Daniel's prayer of chapter 9 verses 3 through 19 for our general text and guide. There are 8 hows and whys to a vibrant prayer life. Join us from January through March of 2012 as we go through this study.
Before we start, we should take some time to define prayer. After all, how can we discuss something if we aren't entirely clear as to what we are discussing. What is Prayer?
Week 1 - Introduction. An understanding of where we are headed. Let's begin to define Prayer. Prayer is vital to the believer. Not only for our sakes, but to be an active participant in God's Plan. Discussion notes and blog. Download Week 1 - Introduction.
Week 2 - The Depths of Prayer. We need to further define prayer by examining the levels or the depths of prayer. A vibrant prayer life (a vibrant life in general) means moving from "talking at God" to "being with God". Discussusion notes and blog. Download Week 2 - Depth of Prayer.
Week 3 - 1. Understanding God and His Word. We can't know God well without being in His Word. God's Word, the Bible, the Holy Scriptures, is the Creator speaking directly to the creature. Discussion notes and blog. Download Week 3 - Understanding God.
Week 4 - 2. Prayer must be God centered. Prayer is about God, not you or me. As we speak with and commune with God daily, we better understand WHO God is and HOW he operates. Discussion notes and blog. Download Week 4 - God Centered.
Week 5 -Silence and Solitude. Before going on, understanding God, Who He is, and Where He is to be centered, we need to pause and reflect on our position. To fully experience God in our prayer life - and life in general - we have to put ourselves in such a position that we can actually listen to Him. Discussion notes and blog Part ONE. Discussion and blog Part TWO. Download Week 5 - Silence & Solitude.
Week 6 - 3. Prayer is motivated and directed by Scripture itself. A question I ask myself as I read my Bible is, "am I being motivated to pray?" Discussion notes and blog. Download Week 6 - Motivation.
An Aside - Demanding an Answer. Here is where the rubber meets the road. God does answer prayer. And often times in ways that we don't want or expect. Just some thoughts for personal meditation. The Book of Job. Click here.
Week 7 - 4. Prayer must be honest before God. Do I blame God for my current circumstances or condition? Discussion notes and blog. Download week 7.
Week 8 - 5. Confession and repentance. We have to admit who we are and what we've done and come to God with not only a clean heart and mind, but clean motives for prayer. Discussion notes and blog. Download week 8.
Week 9 - 6. Grandeur versus simplicity. Grand, sweeping prayers are perfectly good and at times appropriate, but God wants us to get down to the nitty-gritty. Discussion notes and blog. Download week 9.
Week 10 - 7. Do we Trust God? Daniel trusted God because God had a "track record" with him. Over the decades in exile, Daniel watched, both through the Scriptures and through his natural eyes, that God is active in the affairs of His creation. Trust, faith, hope. Discussion notes and blog. Download week 10.
Week 11 - 8. Prayer and the Plan of God. Daniel understood that he was a part of God's Plan. Do you and I understand that as well? Discussion notes and blog. Download week 11.
Week 12 - Making Prayer a Priority. As we wrap up this study, are we beginning to grasp the understanding that God wants us to be active with Him? Discussion notes and blog. Download week 12.
Special thanks to: Pastor Brian Borgman of Grace Community Church, Minden, NV and his excellent sermon series on the Book of Daniel (via sermonaudio.com) which formed the foundation for this study. Pastor Dave Miles, my pastor, as he leads our congregation on a renewed path of healing and vision for our congregation. Pastor Peter Scazerro, author of the book "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality " and how the impact of being emotionally healthy is essential to a rich and right and vibrant prayer life and Christian walk.
Music Videos for the Prayer 101 study series:
What is Prayer - Chris Tomlin, "I Lift My Hands"
Week 1 - Brandon Heath, "Leaving Eden"
Week 2 - Christy Nockel, "Waiting Here for You"
Week 3 - Chris Tomlin, "How Great is Our God" (world edition)
Week 4 - Chris Rice, "Untitled Hymn"
Week 5 - Matt Hammitt, "All of Me", Jeremy Riddle, "Sweetly Broken"
Week 6 - Kristian Stanfill, "Always"
Week 7 - Amy Grant, "Better Than a Hallelujah"
An Aside - Kristian Stanfill, "Always"
Week 8 - MikesChair, "Someone Worth Dying For"
Week 9 - Mercy Me, "I Can Only Imagine" (symphonic version)
Week 10 - Jeremy Camp, "Walk by Faith"
Week 11 - The City Harmonic, "I Have a Dream"
Week 12 - Tenth Ave North, "Strong Enough to Save"
