Wednesday, February 20, 2019

The Difference in Prayer

(Luke 11:1) One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 


WHAT’S MISSING?


 I feel ashamed. 
 I feel obligated. 
 I don’t know what to say. 
 I don’t think He is listening.  I don’t want to bother Him. 
 I don’t trust Him. 
 I don’t get an answer. 


THE DIFFERENCE 

Real prayer is driven by relationship not need or crisis.

 1. Start with worship. 


(Matthew 6:9) Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.



(John 4:23) Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind worshipers the Father seeks. 



2. Fully surrender. 


(Matthew 26:39) Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." 


(Luke 23:46) “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” 



3. Pray with confidence. 


(Hebrews 4:15-16) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet he did not sin. 


Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.



 (James 5:16 NLT) “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” 



4. Make it personal not formal. 


(Matthew 6:7-8) And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 



What is the Holy Spirit saying to me?  


Layne Schranz, Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/the-difference

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/files/groups/guides/08-05-12.pdf

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