Beloved Kinney,
Here’s the working definition of prayer I’ve provided: Prayer is our word-response to God’s
initiating word that expresses our faith-filled dependence on him, as his redeemed children.
We’ve explored what it means that God initiates his word to us. Then we talked about how
prayer is our word response to God. Next, we considered the idea that prayer “expresses our faith-filled dependence on him.” And last week, what it means to pray as redeemed children of God.
This week let’s focus our attention on some practical ways to cultivate a personal prayer life. Next week, we’ll talk about the implications of corporate prayer with God’s people.
Let me just offer a few take-aways for our personal relationship with God through prayer based on what we’ve learned so far.
First, pray the Bible. Sometimes we don’t know what to pray and sometimes our prayers can be route and mechanical. One practice to consider is to pray God’s Word back to him. Read a passage of Scripture and say it back to God. For example, if you just read Psalm 23, you can pray something like, “Lord, you are my shepherd. You guide and teach me. You comfort me and protect me. Help me to believe this today as I go into work or take that exam or teach my kids…” It’s simple! Try it!
Second, pray in faith. Pray in such a way that you believe God hears his children and loves to give good gifts to them. Boldly approach his throne of grace. Do not approach him timidly. You don’t have to because of Christ!
Third, pray from the heart. Jesus warned against dull, mechanical, showy prayers. Strive to pray sincerely from a heart of gratitude and love for God. If your heart feels dull towards God, pray about it! Confess it to God and ask him to give you a heart of praise.
Fourth, pray about everything. Don’t reduce your praying to one time during the day. Pray all the time. You’re in a constant conversation with yourself, whether you realize it or not. Why not include God in that conversation? Pray about the little things and the big things. Talk to God. He loves to hear the voices of his children.
Love,
Pastor Josh
Here’s the working definition of prayer I’ve provided: Prayer is our word-response to God’s
initiating word that expresses our faith-filled dependence on him, as his redeemed children.
We’ve explored what it means that God initiates his word to us. Then we talked about how
prayer is our word response to God. Next, we considered the idea that prayer “expresses our faith-filled dependence on him.” And last week, what it means to pray as redeemed children of God.
This week let’s focus our attention on some practical ways to cultivate a personal prayer life. Next week, we’ll talk about the implications of corporate prayer with God’s people.
Let me just offer a few take-aways for our personal relationship with God through prayer based on what we’ve learned so far.
First, pray the Bible. Sometimes we don’t know what to pray and sometimes our prayers can be route and mechanical. One practice to consider is to pray God’s Word back to him. Read a passage of Scripture and say it back to God. For example, if you just read Psalm 23, you can pray something like, “Lord, you are my shepherd. You guide and teach me. You comfort me and protect me. Help me to believe this today as I go into work or take that exam or teach my kids…” It’s simple! Try it!
Second, pray in faith. Pray in such a way that you believe God hears his children and loves to give good gifts to them. Boldly approach his throne of grace. Do not approach him timidly. You don’t have to because of Christ!
Third, pray from the heart. Jesus warned against dull, mechanical, showy prayers. Strive to pray sincerely from a heart of gratitude and love for God. If your heart feels dull towards God, pray about it! Confess it to God and ask him to give you a heart of praise.
Fourth, pray about everything. Don’t reduce your praying to one time during the day. Pray all the time. You’re in a constant conversation with yourself, whether you realize it or not. Why not include God in that conversation? Pray about the little things and the big things. Talk to God. He loves to hear the voices of his children.
Love,
Pastor Josh
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