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PRAYER 101. Part 1. Seven questions: Two weeks. Why pray? What should I pray? To speak or not to speak…? Does prayer change things? Can I actually hear from God? Prayer in a busy life: fitting it in Prayer blockers – the glass ceiling. Week 1- Today. Why pray ? What should I pray ?
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PRAYER 101 Part 1
Seven questions: Two weeks • Why pray? • What should I pray? • To speak or not to speak…? • Does prayer change things? • Can I actually hear from God? • Prayer in a busy life: fitting it in • Prayer blockers – the glass ceiling
Week 1- Today • Why pray? • What should I pray? • To speak or not to speak…?
Prayer Week – This week! • 7 days to specifically pray about Ashford Vineyard • Emails sent each day to guide and encourage • Two-fold: Thank you and provision • Consider setting just 5 mins aside each day • Wednesday Church
Why pray? • Relationship – doing life together • Gets things done on the earth – asking God to get involved • Helps us set our mind on things above – a recalibration • Opens the ‘channels’ to receive from God • God loves our company • He’s not a slot machine
What should I pray? • Pray from the heart (John 4:23) • Offload and move on (Phil 4:6) • ‘Lord’s Prayer’ (Matt 6:9-13) • Your kingdom come, Your will be done • His will is found in the Bible • Pray specifically if you know • What you feel God has told you to • In tongues (1Cor 14:14-15)
To Speak or not to speak? • Enormous power in speech • Sticks and stones and cobblers! • And God said… • Power of life and death (Prov 18:21) • Believe and confess (Rom 10:9-13) • Mark 11:23 • Jesus cursed the fig tree • Meditation is still speaking! • Volunteer please
Does prayer change things? • Faith is required (Mark 11:22-24) • Yes, not always what we’re praying for! • Bible littered with examples • Our lives offer examples • Prayer taps into the power of God • Urged to pray (1 Tim 2:1)
Prayer blocks? • Lack of faith (Matt 13, Matt 14) • Unforgiveness (Matt 6) • Way we treat others (1 Pet 3:7) • Disappointment • Lacking confidence (praying ‘pathetically’!) • Fail to step back (God/Enemy/Life – how?)
How to fit it in? • God-orientated disciplines: • Praying (1 Thess 5:16-18) • Fasting • Time away • Giving • Bread and wine • Serving • Bible study/teaching • Time with honest people • Healthy living