16 Nov Series Ten
Hello family! By now you should know that
Prayer builds intimacy with God. As we approach Him with our deepest needs and concerns He is faithful to listen and manifest He has heard us by answering our prayer. It is our submission to His will that spurs Him to show us His own faithfulness.
If anyone knew how to pray it was Jesus! So we took a look at how He prayed. When He taught the disciples to prayer He basically told them to focus on the
Revelation of who God is, and who we are to Him, then to submit our flesh to the fulfillment of His will)- notice the first part of the prayer is all about the Father. We must get over ourselves in order to really get Gods’ attention. Then we can ask for provision, forgiveness and sanctification, as well as protection. The entire prayer was focused on God and God alone. No air-time was given to the devil. No binding, loosing etc. it was all about who God was and our position in Him. Submitting our needs and being thankful. Simply and humbly.
The Message Bible says this- “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?
6 “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.
7-13 “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. This was the most profound statement of all to me. “In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.
Then we looked at Jesus’ prayer for us, the church in John 17. We noted the fact that Jesus followed his own instructions on how to pray when He prayed for us. He wanted to be glorified so that His Father could be glorified. He was completely surrendered and humble before God.
He acknowledge his responsibility.
(We must work on God’s terms in order to get what we want from God.)
Then he prayed for us so that we will bring Him glory.)
Then Jesus makes intercession for us. First to be kept safe from the enemy. Then for our sanctification. Jesus prayed for our unity and that we see would see His glory. He wants us to join Him in eternity and see Him as he is now!
All of this lead us to the conclusion that prayer is where the reality of our relationship with God is established and the opportunity for fellowship flourishes.
Rev. 3:20 says “Look! I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me. (and dine with him and he with me)
God has already anticipated our needs and solved the problem. Therefore submitting our requests is more for us than it is for Him. It is more for us to be mindful and aware of how He answers.
Is. 40:13 tells us “Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?
14 Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice? Does he need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach him what is right or show him the path of justice? 15 No, for all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket.
They are nothing more than dust on the scales.
Finally, prayer places us in the position to line up with God so that our prayers may be answered.
James 4:8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
In the midst of all this we have a special promise from God found in Philippians 4:6 “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
How comforting is this? That Jesus taught us how to pray. But He also prays for us. We are covered family!
Ask yourself this:
What is your agenda when you pray? Is it more about you or the things that matter to God’s heart?
How do you need God to glorify Himself in your life?
How do you need to align yourself with God in order to clear the way for blessing?
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