Building a Transformative Culture of Prayer
Summary
Building a culture of prayer is akin to constructing a house, brick by brick, or in this case, prayer by prayer. This journey is not just about the act of praying but about cultivating a life deeply rooted in communication with God. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this process, guiding us in our prayers and revealing the deep things of God. As we embark on this journey, we must remember that prayer is a conversation with God, one that requires both speaking and listening. It's essential to approach God in our natural voice, without unnecessary fillers, and to be open to His responses.
My personal journey in developing a culture of prayer began in 1977, with a significant turning point in 1983 during a crusade in Tobago. The powerful prayers I witnessed there ignited a desire in me to pray with the same fervor and scriptural foundation. Over the years, I learned that prayer meetings are the engine room of the church, and attending them regularly is vital for experiencing God's power. Prayer is not just about speaking; it's about listening and allowing God to speak to us.
Throughout my journey, I discovered that associating with people who pray strengthens one's prayer life. Iron sharpens iron, and being in the company of prayerful individuals encourages growth. Prayer meetings should focus on prayer, not preaching, and should be a time of genuine communication with God. It's important to remember that prayer is not based on feelings but is a discipline that, when developed, becomes a delight.
Prayer changes us as we submit to God, teaching us humility, obedience, and how to walk in His ways. It's crucial to guard against pride and the spirit of the Pharisee, ensuring that our prayers are genuine and not for show. Praying with others creates bonds and fosters unity, as it's impossible to harbor ill feelings towards those you pray with regularly.
In developing a culture of prayer, we must seize every opportunity to pray, read good literature on prayer, and understand that prayer invites God to work in our lives. It's not about informing Him but about ascending to His presence. Different types of prayer, such as adoration, thanksgiving, intercession, and supplication, enrich our prayer life. Lastly, we must be aware of prayer busters like prayerlessness, unresolved relational conflicts, and inadequate faith, which can hinder our prayers.
Key Takeaways:
- Prayer as a Conversation: Prayer is a two-way conversation with God, requiring both speaking and listening. It's essential to approach God in our natural voice, without unnecessary fillers, and to be open to His responses. This genuine communication allows us to hear from God and grow in our relationship with Him. [50:53]
- Community and Prayer: Associating with people who pray strengthens one's prayer life. Iron sharpens iron, and being in the company of prayerful individuals encourages growth. Prayer meetings should focus on prayer, not preaching, and should be a time of genuine communication with God. [59:29]
- Prayer Changes Us: Prayer changes us as we submit to God, teaching us humility, obedience, and how to walk in His ways. It's crucial to guard against pride and the spirit of the Pharisee, ensuring that our prayers are genuine and not for show. [01:09:41]
- Types of Prayer: Different types of prayer, such as adoration, thanksgiving, intercession, and supplication, enrich our prayer life. Each type serves a unique purpose and helps us connect with God in various ways, allowing us to experience His presence and power. [01:24:20]
- Overcoming Prayer Busters: Be aware of prayer busters like prayerlessness, unresolved relational conflicts, and inadequate faith, which can hinder our prayers. Addressing these issues is crucial for developing a strong culture of prayer and experiencing God's transformative power. [01:31:49]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction and Acknowledgments
- [02:15] - The Importance of Prayer
- [04:45] - Personal Journey in Prayer
- [10:30] - Building a Culture of Prayer
- [15:00] - Prayer as a Conversation
- [20:00] - Community and Prayer
- [25:00] - Prayer Changes Us
- [30:00] - Types of Prayer
- [35:00] - Overcoming Prayer Busters
- [40:00] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [45:00] - Prayer and Spiritual Warfare
- [50:00] - Prayer and Relationships
- [55:00] - Conclusion and Encouragement
- [01:00:00] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Building a Culture of Prayer
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 8:26-27 - "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God."
2. Luke 11:1-2 - "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.' He said to them, 'When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come."'"
3. 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 - "David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, 'Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 8:26-27, how does the Holy Spirit assist us in our prayers? What role does the Spirit play in our communication with God?
2. In Luke 11:1-2, what request do the disciples make of Jesus, and how does He respond? What does this suggest about the nature of prayer?
3. Reflecting on 1 Chronicles 29:10-13, how does David express adoration in his prayer? What attributes of God does he highlight in his praise?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of prayer as a conversation with God, involving both speaking and listening, challenge or affirm your current understanding of prayer? [50:53]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community in strengthening one's prayer life. How might associating with prayerful individuals impact a person's spiritual growth? [59:29]
3. The sermon discusses different types of prayer, such as adoration and thanksgiving. How do these forms of prayer enrich one's relationship with God and enhance spiritual understanding? [01:24:20]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current prayer habits. How can you incorporate more listening into your prayer time to make it a genuine conversation with God? [50:53]
2. Think about the people you associate with regularly. How can you intentionally seek out and spend time with individuals who have a strong prayer life to encourage your own growth? [59:29]
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with pride or the spirit of the Pharisee. What steps can you take to ensure your prayers remain genuine and humble? [01:09:41]
4. Consider the different types of prayer mentioned in the sermon. Which type do you feel most drawn to, and how can you incorporate it more into your daily routine? [01:24:20]
5. Are there any unresolved relational conflicts in your life that might be hindering your prayers? What practical steps can you take this week to address and resolve these issues? [01:31:49]
6. Reflect on the concept of prayer busters like prayerlessness and inadequate faith. What specific actions can you take to overcome these obstacles and strengthen your prayer life? [01:31:49]
7. How can you use prayer to invite God into your daily circumstances and challenges, rather than simply informing Him of your needs? What changes might this perspective bring to your prayer life? [01:24:20]
Devotional
Day 1: Prayer as a Genuine Conversation
Prayer is a two-way conversation with God, requiring both speaking and listening. It's essential to approach God in our natural voice, without unnecessary fillers, and to be open to His responses. This genuine communication allows us to hear from God and grow in our relationship with Him. In this process, the Holy Spirit guides us, revealing the deep things of God and helping us to align our hearts with His will. By engaging in this authentic dialogue, we cultivate a life deeply rooted in communication with God, where prayer becomes a natural and integral part of our daily lives. [50:53]
"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." (Jeremiah 33:3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create a quiet space today to listen for God's voice in your prayer time, without rushing or filling the silence with your own words?
Day 2: Strength in Community Prayer
Associating with people who pray strengthens one's prayer life. Iron sharpens iron, and being in the company of prayerful individuals encourages growth. Prayer meetings should focus on prayer, not preaching, and should be a time of genuine communication with God. When believers gather to pray, they create an environment where faith is strengthened, and spiritual growth is fostered. This communal aspect of prayer not only enhances individual prayer lives but also builds unity within the church, as shared prayers and experiences draw people closer together. [59:29]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community can you invite to join you in prayer this week, and how can you encourage each other in your spiritual journeys?
Day 3: Transformation Through Prayer
Prayer changes us as we submit to God, teaching us humility, obedience, and how to walk in His ways. It's crucial to guard against pride and the spirit of the Pharisee, ensuring that our prayers are genuine and not for show. As we engage in prayer, we open ourselves to God's transformative power, allowing Him to mold us into His likeness. This process of transformation requires a heart willing to be changed and a spirit ready to obey God's leading, resulting in a life that reflects His love and grace. [01:09:41]
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to ask God for transformation, and how can you actively submit to His will in those areas today?
Day 4: Enriching Prayer Through Variety
Different types of prayer, such as adoration, thanksgiving, intercession, and supplication, enrich our prayer life. Each type serves a unique purpose and helps us connect with God in various ways, allowing us to experience His presence and power. By incorporating these diverse forms of prayer, we can deepen our relationship with God and gain a fuller understanding of His character and desires for our lives. This variety in prayer not only keeps our prayer life vibrant but also ensures that we are addressing all aspects of our spiritual needs and the needs of others. [01:24:20]
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6, ESV)
Reflection: Which type of prayer do you find yourself neglecting, and how can you incorporate it into your prayer routine this week to enrich your spiritual life?
Day 5: Overcoming Obstacles to Prayer
Be aware of prayer busters like prayerlessness, unresolved relational conflicts, and inadequate faith, which can hinder our prayers. Addressing these issues is crucial for developing a strong culture of prayer and experiencing God's transformative power. By identifying and overcoming these obstacles, we can ensure that our prayers are effective and that we remain open to God's work in our lives. This requires intentionality and a willingness to confront the barriers that prevent us from fully engaging in prayer, leading to a more vibrant and impactful prayer life. [01:31:49]
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: What unresolved conflicts or doubts are hindering your prayer life, and what steps can you take today to address these issues and strengthen your connection with God?
Quotes
So when the pastor asked me to share this word, I immediately, and it was amazing. I think it was something that the Lord wanted to do for me in my own heart and in my own life because he said to me, share your journey, your journey of developing a culture of prayer. All right. And so I want to say this morning, building a culture of prayer is just as building a house, just as a house is built brick by brick, or if it's a board house, board by board or stone by stone. In the same way, in the same way, a life of prayer or culture of prayer is built. Prayer by prayer. You cannot build a culture of prayer without, without prayer or praying. You just have to pray. Pray is just a part of it. [00:46:41] (63 seconds)
And it is something that I pray all the time. I say, Lord, teach me to pray. Amen? Teach me to pray. And the other one is in Corinthians that says that the Spirit of God, He it is who knows the mind of God, and He it is the one who reveals the deep things of God to us. So, I will begin by sharing with you some of my own personal journey in developing this culture of prayer. [00:48:50] (35 seconds)
created in me a desire to begin to pray powerfully and what they did they used a lot of the scripture they prayed using the scripture so that is where my kind of praying using the scripture was born because i realized that the word of god is powerful and that began my prayer journey then i am in church pastor tutor arnold is my pastor and he as a pastor is a man of prayer and so we and one of the other things i don't know if you remember that song that says um the older ones i want to be more than a sunday go to meeting christian i want a religion that thrills me all the time say amen when the preaching is right live all week and let my light shine so i developed the habit of going to prayer meetings and to bible studies that became my life because i always felt that the most powerful meeting of the church is the prayer meeting that is the engine room and if as a church we don't pray we are not gonna see and experience the power of god amen [00:50:54] (89 seconds)
Because God begins to develop you. People begin to recognize. And there would come, many believers who were longer in Christ than me, but they would wait for me, right, to start. And this is another thing that I want to tell us about prayer. Prayer meeting is prayer meeting. Prayer meeting is not another opportunity to preach. You might have a short, and I say a short, a short exhortation, right? You might have worship, because, you know, worship primes our heart to seek God and to worship. But when we come to pray, we what? [00:57:46] (42 seconds)
And what did I learn from that? I learned that there are different spirits that govern different communities. It was amazing. As we drove through communities, you come to a place, and it lights. And then you go to another place, and it, so you realize, and that's the kind of thing I learned about principalities, and powers, and spirits that govern in certain areas. Right? Over the years, we have done prayer on the high places. So, we have gone up to Lady Young, and we have prayed. We have gone up to San Fernando Hill. We have gone to, there's a place right down in, where the dump is there, up on a hill, there's a church. It says one of the oldest churches. [01:01:01] (47 seconds)
And what does the Word of God say? Wherever he is my head, and I have to submit to my head. So, even though I am having all these issues and so on, but what I want to say is, the prayer sustained me. So, what I am saying, in difficult seasons, if you have a group of people who pray with you, it will sustain you. And that prayer must be an honest kind of prayer. There is a place. It is not in a big group. It was a small group. But it was the place that was necessary for me to pray through and get the help that I needed. [01:05:20] (48 seconds)
And so, then during the years, because God was just continuing this prayer in me, what happened is that I began to lead prayer. So, I would call all -night prayer. I would call half -night prayer, whatever. And so, the prayer just continued in the local church, and I continued with prayer in the ministry of Aglow. And I want to say that what I learned is that God answers prayer. God, not in your time. Not on your time, clock babies, but on his time. When it says he makes all things beautiful in his time, he does. And I want to say that we say prayer changes things. I want to say, no, God changes things as we pray, and God changes me as I pray. [01:06:48] (70 seconds)
And you have to develop that discipline. And you just have to? You just have to? Pray. It doesn't matter. So it's not about a feeling. It's about a discipline. And when you push through and you learn that discipline, prayer becomes a delight. So you just, it's just so good to talk to daddy. It's just so good to talk to him about everything and anything. And then that whole idea of praying without ceasing becomes a reality. You know why? Because everything that you are doing and everywhere that you are, you begin to lift your heart up before the Lord. And soon there are no, no entry areas in your life. [01:10:46] (49 seconds)
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