Deepening Our Prayer Life: A Journey with God
Summary
In today's gathering, we embarked on a journey to deepen our understanding and practice of prayer, inspired by the teachings of Jesus. We began by acknowledging the common struggle many of us face in maintaining a vibrant prayer life amidst the distractions and busyness of modern life. Yet, we are reminded that we are not alone in this struggle, and that even the disciples, who were devout in their prayer practices, sought Jesus' guidance on how to pray more effectively.
We explored the Lord's Prayer as a foundational model, not just as a set of words to recite, but as a guide to structuring our prayers. This prayer, which has been a cornerstone for Christians for over two millennia, teaches us to start with adoration, align our will with God's, seek provision, ask for forgiveness, and request protection from temptation. It is a liturgical prayer that serves as both a template and a spiritual exercise, helping us to focus our hearts and minds on God.
We also discussed the value of pre-made prayers, such as those found in the Psalms, modern worship songs, and other liturgical resources. These can be particularly helpful when we find ourselves in seasons of exhaustion, distraction, or spiritual dryness. By engaging with these prayers, we join a chorus of believers across time and space, tapping into a rich tradition of faith and devotion.
The ultimate goal of prayer is not to master a spiritual discipline, but to cultivate a deeper relationship with God. It is about opening our hearts to Him, allowing His presence to transform us, and partnering with Him in His work in the world. As we continue this journey over the coming weeks, we will explore different layers of prayer, learning to talk to God, listen to Him, and simply be with Him.
Key Takeaways:
- The Struggle with Prayer: Many of us find prayer challenging due to distractions and busyness. It's comforting to know that this struggle is common, even among the disciples. The key is to persist and seek guidance from Jesus, who modeled a life of prayer. [21:51]
- The Lord's Prayer as a Model: The Lord's Prayer is more than a recitation; it's a guide for structuring our prayers. It teaches us to start with adoration, align our will with God's, seek provision, ask for forgiveness, and request protection from temptation. [24:13]
- Value of Pre-Made Prayers: Pre-made prayers, like those in the Psalms or modern worship songs, can be powerful tools, especially in times of spiritual dryness or distraction. They connect us with a tradition of faith and help focus our hearts on God. [32:21]
- Prayer as Relationship: The ultimate aim of prayer is to deepen our relationship with God. It's about opening our hearts to Him, allowing His presence to transform us, and partnering with Him in His work in the world. [37:22]
- Creating a Prayer Rhythm: Establishing a daily prayer rhythm can help make prayer a joyful part of our lives. Whether through pre-made prayers or personal conversation with God, the key is to find a method that resonates with us and stick with it. [46:17]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:49] - Opening Prayer
[13:47] - Community Acknowledgments
[15:44] - Introduction of Servant Leaders
[20:21] - The Struggle with Prayer
[22:39] - Learning from Jesus
[24:13] - The Lord's Prayer
[26:02] - Disciples' Curiosity
[27:09] - Unpacking the Lord's Prayer
[29:12] - The Universality of the Lord's Prayer
[32:21] - Pre-Made Prayers
[35:04] - Practical Prayer Tools
[37:22] - The Purpose of Prayer
[42:37] - Creating a Prayer Rhythm
[46:17] - Exercises for Prayer
[57:29] - Closing Prayer and Fellowship Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 6:9-13
- Luke 11:1
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the key components of the Lord's Prayer as outlined in Matthew 6:9-13?
2. According to the sermon, why did the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray, despite being devout in their prayer practices? [26:02]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of pre-made prayers, such as those found in the Psalms or modern worship songs? [32:21]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to start prayer with adoration and align our will with God's, as taught in the Lord's Prayer? [24:13]
2. How can pre-made prayers help individuals during times of spiritual dryness or distraction, according to the sermon? [37:22]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that prayer is more about relationship than mastering a spiritual discipline? [37:22]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current prayer life. Do you find it more of a duty or a joy? What steps can you take to make it more joyful? [20:21]
2. The sermon mentions the struggle with distractions during prayer. Identify one major distraction in your life and discuss a strategy to minimize it during your prayer time. [21:51]
3. How can you incorporate the structure of the Lord's Prayer into your daily prayer routine? What changes might you need to make? [24:13]
4. Have you ever used pre-made prayers in your spiritual practice? If not, consider trying one this week. Which type of pre-made prayer might you start with, and why? [32:21]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of creating a daily prayer rhythm. What time and place can you dedicate to prayer each day, and how can you make this time special? [46:17]
6. Think of a time when you felt spiritually dry. How might pre-made prayers or the Lord's Prayer have helped you during that period? [37:22]
7. Discuss how you can open your heart more to God in prayer, allowing His presence to transform you. What specific areas of your life do you feel need transformation? [37:22]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Embracing the Struggle of Prayer
Many people find prayer challenging due to the distractions and busyness of modern life. It's comforting to know that this struggle is common, even among the disciples of Jesus. They, too, sought guidance on how to pray more effectively. The key is to persist and seek guidance from Jesus, who modeled a life of prayer. By acknowledging this struggle, we can approach prayer with humility and a willingness to learn and grow. Remember, prayer is not about perfection but about connection and persistence. [21:51]
"Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." (Romans 8:26, ESV)
Reflection: What specific distractions or busyness in your life hinder your prayer time? How can you create a plan to address these distractions this week?
Day 2: The Lord's Prayer as a Blueprint
The Lord's Prayer is more than a set of words to recite; it is a guide for structuring our prayers. This prayer teaches us to start with adoration, align our will with God's, seek provision, ask for forgiveness, and request protection from temptation. By using this prayer as a model, we can ensure that our prayers are comprehensive and focused on aligning our hearts with God's will. It serves as both a template and a spiritual exercise, helping us to focus our hearts and minds on God. [24:13]
"Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.'" (Matthew 6:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate the structure of the Lord's Prayer into your daily prayer routine? What specific areas of your life need alignment with God's will today?
Day 3: The Power of Pre-Made Prayers
Pre-made prayers, such as those found in the Psalms, modern worship songs, and other liturgical resources, can be powerful tools, especially in times of spiritual dryness or distraction. These prayers connect us with a tradition of faith and help focus our hearts on God. By engaging with these prayers, we join a chorus of believers across time and space, tapping into a rich tradition of faith and devotion. They can provide words when we struggle to find our own and remind us of the communal aspect of prayer. [32:21]
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: Is there a particular pre-made prayer or worship song that resonates with you? How can you incorporate it into your prayer life this week to help focus your heart on God?
Day 4: Prayer as a Deepening Relationship
The ultimate aim of prayer is to deepen our relationship with God. It is about opening our hearts to Him, allowing His presence to transform us, and partnering with Him in His work in the world. Prayer is not just a spiritual discipline to master but a means of cultivating a deeper connection with God. As we open our hearts to Him, we invite His transformative presence into our lives, allowing us to grow in faith and love. [37:22]
"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you open your heart more fully to God in prayer? How can you invite His transformative presence into your daily life?
Day 5: Establishing a Prayer Rhythm
Creating a daily prayer rhythm can help make prayer a joyful and consistent part of our lives. Whether through pre-made prayers or personal conversation with God, the key is to find a method that resonates with us and stick with it. Establishing a rhythm helps us prioritize prayer amidst the busyness of life and ensures that we are regularly connecting with God. It can be a source of strength and joy, grounding us in our faith and relationship with Him. [46:17]
"But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress." (Psalm 59:16, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take to establish a consistent prayer rhythm in your life? How can you make prayer a joyful and integral part of your daily routine?
Quotes
1. "Have you ever seen someone in prayer and realised they were experiencing something when they pray that you don't? That they seem to really enjoy praying far more than you do? Perhaps your prayer life is more like a duty than a joy. You pray because you know that's the good Christian thing to do. Do you find yourself so busy that you find it hard to find the time to pray? Is prayer boring and you find it hard to focus?" ([00:20:14] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "I've got some good news for you. If that's you, you're not alone. It's actually more normal than you think and particularly in the times in which we live in which are some of the most difficult in all of human history to actually pray. Why? Because there are so many distractions. More things wanting our attention and yes, we are much busier than past generations. But here's the key point. You're not the only one who struggles to pray." ([00:21:52] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "Thankfully, once again, whether you are someone with a strong prayer life or you find yourself struggling or you don't even know where to start, we can learn from Jesus who we've already learnt, prayed often and often for long periods of time. And that's what we're going to do over the next four weeks as we look at four layers to prayer. Talking to God, talking with God, listening to God, and being with God." ([00:22:56] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "And my hope in bringing this to you isn't just that we get to understand what prayer is, or that we experiment maybe with new types of prayer that you may not have heard of, but that you will walk closer to God through prayer. That you will learn to know how to pray through your daily life, and through your daily life." ([00:23:22] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "at matthew and the lord's prayer that as matthew records it as we do we recognize that this actually is a liturgy a pre -made prayer that jesus teaches us to not only pray as it is but he also teaches uses it to teach us what to pray and how to pray so let's unpack it briefly matthew 6 9 our father in heaven hallowed be your name we begin by praising god by revering who he is by admiring him by worshiping him by looking up" ([00:27:34] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "And in all that time, the only differences have been in the languages in which it's spoken, from Aramaic and Greek and Hebrew to hundreds, thousands of dialects around the world. And in some of the terminology, the words we use. You know, I grew up with the Lord's Prayer that said, Thy will be done. Still, when we say the Lord's Prayer in church sometimes, I still hear that, I still say it. But we tend to say yours, don't we? So the things have changed a bit, but the basic essence, everything has not changed." ([00:31:14] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "Prayer or life with God is the end. The practice of prayer is learning to set aside dedicated time to intentionally be with God in order to become like him and to partner with him to do what he's called us to do in the world. And as a result, to be set free." ([00:42:32] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "The point of prayer is to open our heart to God, to offer deeper and deeper parts of our life and our world to him, offering them to him to heal and save and so move further down the path of being with Jesus, being like Jesus and doing as he did." ([00:42:57] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "Create some routines or rituals to make your time of prayer something you look forward to all day long. You might light a candle or put on some worship music. Maybe make a cup of tea or coffee and sit in a favorite chair. Some might find it helpful to go for a walk or do something else as you pray. Work with who you are and your personality, not against it." ([00:45:58] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "For our discussion time today, we're going to do things a bit differently. We're not going to discuss some questions, though I will make them available for you during the week to work through yourselves. Instead, wherever you are, either here in the church or online watching, I invite you to practice what we've learned today and what Stephanie and Neil just talked about as we lead you through the Lord's Prayer." ([00:47:23] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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