Prayer Series – Week 1

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:

‘To be human is to pray’ – ESPN Illustration

Mark 1:35

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Jesus had a prayer rhythm – he loved to talk with His Father, and His Father loved to talk with him. Our Father in heaven loves to meet with us through prayer.

Acts 2:2

Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

Prison breaking, paradigm shifting – encountering God in prayer – even pray for those that tortured them

Prayer is not get away from reality but finding entrance into it – a refresh and renewal

Matthew 6:7-8

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Keep it simple, and keep it real

‘Learned The Simple Way’ – Jack Hayford

Praying with honesty … and clarity. ‘Lord, I’m sorry.’

‘Delight without discipline eventually dissipates’ – Pete Greig

Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

Be still – vacate – Latin word from which we get vacation – take a

vacation from trying to be God and let me be your Father

First thing when I come home

‘Relax’ in the Septuagint – surrender your anxiety.

Susanna Wesley prayer

‘Help me Lord, to remember that religion is not to be confined to the church or closet nor exercised only in prayer and meditation, but that everywhere I am in your presence. So may my every word and action have a moral content. May all the happenings of my life prove useful and beneficial to me. May all things instruct me and afford me an opportunity of exercising some virtue and daily learning and growing toward Your Likeness. Amen.’

Psalm 131:1-2

My heart is not proud, Lord,

my eyes are not haughty;

I do not concern myself with great matters

or things too wonderful for me.

But I have calmed and quieted myself,

I am like a weaned child with its mother;

like a weaned child I am content.

Why pause and be quiet?

‘Jesus, I’m here to be with you’ – Jack Hayford quote

Surrender your personal agenda.

Thank Jesus, or pray in the Spirit

External processors and learners (me), I contemplate in a different way. Others are more passive: both ways are good!

Eric Liddell – Olympic gold winning athlete who felt the pleasure of the Father when running. Jesus would walk miles every single day and climb mountains to pray.

Deeper place of faith, trust, and less anxiety.

Missionaries from Egypt came to parts of Europe/Britain before the Roman Church … Desert fathers (men and women) who stilled/paused themselves changed the world.