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“Ways to Pray”

“Ways to Pray”. Weekend of July 19 th & 20th. Introduction. Are you satisfied with your prayer life? Or are you struggling? Much of our problem with prayer is finding a method that works for us. Many of us get discouraged in our prayer life:

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“Ways to Pray”

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  1. “Ways to Pray” Weekend of July 19th & 20th

  2. Introduction • Are you satisfied with your prayer life? Or are you struggling? • Much of our problem with prayer is finding a method that works for us. • Many of us get discouraged in our prayer life: • It is not always easy to find the time for prayer; • Sometimes we may feel like we are wasting our time; • We may wonder if we are just talking to ourselves; • We say, we believe in the power of prayer, but just how comfortable are you with prayer?

  3. Introduction • Prayer has been defined as “keeping company with God.” • It’s more than reading a list of concerns, that we’re pretty sure God already knows; • Prayer is certainly not trying to change God’s mind or to get Him to do things differently; • Today, I want to suggest ways you can pray, kind of “priming the pump.” of Prayer

  4. How to Start Your Prayer Time • Don’t just jump right into prayer, recalling your list of prayer requests. • I need to get in the proper frame of mind, before I can spend quality time in prayer. • To get into a “Prayer Mode,” start with a familiar prayer, like the Lord’s Prayer, or Luther’s morning or evening prayer.

  5. How to Start Your Prayer Time • Another way to get into the “Prayer Mode” is to read a passage of Scripture or the “Portals of Prayer” for that day. • Pray a Psalm, like my text today – Psalm 138:1-3 Thank You! Everything in me says "Thank You!" Angels listen as I sing my thanks.2 I kneel in worship… say it again: Thank You for Your love, thank You for Your faithfulness; Most holy is Your Name, most holy is Your Word.3 The moment I called out, You stepped in; You made my life large with strength. (Message Translation)

  6. Other Ways to Help You Pray • If you have trouble finding just the “right prayer” for some occasion, write your own prayer. • Take Psalm 138:1-3 and paraphrase it in your own words; • “Thank You, thank You, thank You Lord. How amazed the angels are as they hear me praise You. Your love and faithfulness to me are wonderful and spectacular. And the moment I open my mouth in prayer, O God, You were at the ready to help me.” • How about singing a Psalm?

  7. Other Ways to Help You Pray • Find a good “Prayer Place” so that you can minimize distractions. • I cannot pray in my office – there are just too many other things to do there; • Some people have prepared a special prayer room, where they can “get away” to pray; • One Church called their prayer room, “the War Room:” • Because they were engaging God against the forces of evil; • Use a cross on the wall, a candle in the room, or even some peaceful background music to get you to that “Prayer Place.” My Bathroom

  8. Other Ways to Help You Pray • Keep a “Note Pad” handy so that you can jot down insights or distractions that come to mind. • At times, you will get thoughts totally unrelated to your prayer. That’s okay! It’s human. • Just jot them down on your pad of paper, and you can easily return to prayer without getting totally distracted. • Set your “Prayer Time” and discipline yourself to keep that appointment. • Most phones have an alarm feature, you can set; • Use your hand as a guide for prayer; This is a handful of Prayer!

  9. Other Ways to Help You Pray • Experiment with coming to God in prayer “With a Quite Spirit.” • We sometimes think that prayer is telling God all our needs, all our concerns and problems; • Real prayer is often very contemplative or a waiting on the Lord; • Psalm 27:14 - Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. • Psalm 37:7 - Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him. • The words “wait for the Lord” are used several dozen times.

  10. Other Ways to Help You Pray • Say your prayer “Out Loud” to the Lord. • This helps keep my mind from wondering; • Saying our prayers out loud also keeps us focused and concentrating on what we’re praying; • Don’t be afraid of “Spontaneous Prayer.” • There are times, i.e. giving thanks or when a tragedy happens, when we just blurt out our prayers; • Whenever I hear an ambulance siren, I stop and pray; • My prayer spurts are not eloquent, but they are just as important as any planned prayers;

  11. Other Ways to Help You Pray • Find a “Prayer Partner” who can help hold you accountable to praying. • Throughout the Bible, prayer was often connect with “Fasting and Prayer.” • Esther 4:15-16 - Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me… I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." • Before you start a fast, please check with your doctor.

  12. Other Ways to Help You Pray • In our Worship services, we have printed out prayers, what I call, “Guided Prayer.” • Here, we deal with the fact that we are sinners, who are entering the presence of a Holy God; • We recognize that we can only do so in the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ; • We ask for opportunities to share God’s love; • We bring before God those facing major transitions in life; • We remember those who need encouragement and hope;

  13. Other Ways to Help You Pray • We pray for our neighbors, the sick and the weary; • We offer a time for special prayer requests, that I may not be aware of and add them before God; • We make available those same special requests in our bulletin, so that we can continue to pray over those same needs and thanksgivings; • How often we are troubled by world events, so here is a new suggestion: “Pray the Newspaper.” • Don’t just say, “Ain’t it awful that such and such…” • Offer it up to God in prayer.

  14. Other Ways to Help You Pray • Don’t forget meal prayers. Remember “Grace Prayers” before and after our meals. • It reminds us to be thankful for all of God’s gifts; • In public, it can become a witness to our faith; • I especially like to involve the waiter or waitress: • Our meal is brought to us at a restaurant; • Before the waitress leaves, I say, “we are going to have a prayer before we eat, and if there is anything you would like us to pray for you and your family, we would be happy to include that in our prayers.” • “So, what can we pray for you?”

  15. Other Ways to Help You Pray • My favorite prayer is called the “Serenity Prayer.” • There are things in this world I can do nothing about, but accept them; • There are other things in this world that I can change, so God, grant me courage; • Knowing the difference is especially important, so God, grant me wisdom;

  16. Comments? -or- Questions?

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