What is prayer really? Is it just a bunch of words that we say before we eat or go to sleep? Are they just empty phrases we shout into the sky, hoping someone is listening but not really expecting anything in return?
Not at all! Prayer is communication -- it is talking with God. He is interested in hearing what you have to say. He longs to listen to your concerns and thoughts. He wants you to trust him and share the things that are really in your heart. You can even offer up praise and worship to God through prayer!
Prayer changes things. It postures us in a place where we can be receptive to what God wants to reveal to us, and prayer also causes things to happen in heaven that affect what happens Earth. Prayer is powerful.
It is a conversation, and "conversation" implies a two-way communication. As such, in prayer, we not only speak what's on our mind to God, but we anxiously wait for him to respond to the things you are saying. He wants to talk to you! When we learn how to listen and hear the voice of God in our prayers, that is when a truly intimate relationship can begin and we can know what it really means to follow him. The Scriptures say to "pray without ceasing." That's kind of scary to think about doing if you think of prayer as a formal task you must accomplish, but it's a whole lot less intimidating when you think of it as a conversation with your Creator.
It's so much more than saying "thank you" for your school lunch.
Scripture to read:
1 Thessalonians 5:17 - 5:17&version=NLT" target="_blank" title="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5:17&version=NLT" rel="nofollow" dir="ltr" class="yt-uix-redirect-link">http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5:17&version=NLT
Matthew 6:5-9 (MSG) "And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? "Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply."
Matthew 6:7-13 (NLT) - http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:7-13&version=NLT
Questions to consider:
1. Do you pray?
2. What are your prayers like? Are they more about giving God a wishlist of things you want or is it more like a conversation with him?
3. Do you believe that God can and wants to speak back to you in prayer?
4. Do you know what his voice sounds like?
5. What is your morning routine like?
6. What could you do start the day off spending more of it with God?
7. How much of your daily conversations are with God? Do you spend any of it with Him?
8. What can you do, starting today, to have more intimate conversation with God?
Think about these questions for a few moments. Write down your thoughts and answers. Read over them. What is God speaking to you?
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03.06 | Wordsby bridgeyouth58 views
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