Part 1 - The Practice of Prayer: Three Keys
Voices from the Past:
“There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God. Those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it.”
—Brother Lawrence
17th Century Monk
“Solitude is a means of spiritual education. Seek it; ordain it; cherish it; value it not for its own sake, but for faith’s sake, and Christ’s sake…”
—Bishop Huntington
19th Century Bible Scholar
Three Keys to a Practical Prayer Encounter
Key One: The ________________ of Prayer
Key Two: The ________________ of Prayer
Key Three: The ____________ of Prayer
Key One:
The _________________ of Prayer
Scripture:
You of this generation, consider the word of the LORD…Does a maiden forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number.
Jeremiah 2:31a-32 (NIV)
…We will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.
Acts 6:4 (NKJV)
Voices from the Past:
“The real victory in all… service is won… beforehand, by prayer… Service is [merely] gathering up the results.”
—S. D. Gordon
Early 20th Century Bible Teacher
The Threefold Value of Making Prayer a Priority
1. Prayer contributes to our spiritual ___________.
The ________________ Value!
Scripture:
Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God.
1 Peter 2:2-3 (MSG)
2. Prayer contributes to our spiritual _______________.
The ______________ Value!
Scripture:
But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
3. Prayer contributes to our spiritual ________________.
The _______________ Value!
Scripture:
There was a man named Cornelius who lived in Caesarea, captain of the Italian Guard stationed there. He was a thoroughly good man. He had led everyone in his house to live worshipfully before God, was always helping people in need, and had the habit of prayer.
Acts 10:1-2 (MSG)
Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit.
Luke 18:1 (MSG)
AFTERTHOUGHTS… PONDER AND PRAY
Ponder Points:
Ponder why you think it is that so few Christians make prayer a daily priority. In what ways do you think daily prayer contributes to our spiritual growth and maturity? Journal your thoughts in the space that follows.
Prayer Points:
Ask God to show you what obstacles or circumstances hinder you from making prayer a daily priority. Declare, in prayer, your desire to keep a daily appointment with Jesus to sustain a consistent devotional habit.
Part 2 - The Practice of Prayer: Three Keys (Continued)
Key Two:
The ______________ of Prayer
Scripture:
Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit.
Luke 18:1 (MSG)
Two Qualities of Consistent Prayer
1. Consistent prayer is ________________.
“Systematic” defined:
“Methodical; _______________; well-ordered”
Scripture:
Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.
Psalm 5:2-3 (NKJV)
“Direct” is from the Hebrew __________.
(ARAK means “to set in order.”)
Literal translation: ________________
2. Consistent prayer is ______________.
“Complete” defined:
“Having all necessary ________, elements or
________”
Scripture:
…Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests…
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
Pray at all times… with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty.
Ephesians 6:18 (AMP)
Cultivating a Complete Prayer Program
“My Most Important Appointment Today is with Jesus!”
Scripture:
Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:40-41 (NKJV)
Cultivating a One-Hour, 12-Step Prayer Plan
from The Hour That Changes the World by Dick Eastman (Chosen Books)
Step One: __________
A Time of ____________________
Scripture:
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, “Let God be exalted!”
Psalm 70:4 (NIV)
Step Two: ____________
A Time of _________________
Scripture:
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning…
Psalm 130:5-6 (NIV)
Step Three: ________________
A Time of _____________________
Scripture:
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.”
Psalm 32:5 (NIV)
Step Four: _______________ ____________
A Time of _____________________
Scripture:
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
Step Five: ______________
A Time of ___________________
Scripture:
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4:2 (NIV)
Step Six: ____________________
A Time of ______________________
Scripture: I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives…
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)
Step Seven: ________________
A Time of _____________________
Scripture:
Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7 (NLT)
Step Eight: ____________________
A Time of ______________________
Scripture:
…In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)
Step Nine: ________________
A Time of ____________________
Scripture:
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:19b-20 (NIV)
Step Ten: ____________________
A Time of _______________________
Scripture:
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua 1:8 (NIV)
Step Eleven: ________________
A Time of ______________________
Scripture:
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)
Step Twelve: ____________
A Time of __________________
Scripture:
Revel in his holy Name, God-seekers, be jubilant!
1 Chronicles 16:10 (MSG)
AFTERTHOUGHTS… PONDER AND PRAY
Ponder Points:
Ponder the value of having a specific plan or program for prayer. How does having a plan of prayer contribute to helping us be more faithful and consistent in daily prayer? Journal your thoughts in the space that follows.
Prayer Points:
Take time to practice two of the 12 steps: watching and interceding. Be silent for a few moments and observe in your heart a circumstance or individual needing intercessory prayer. Then, verbally intercede for that need.
Part 3 - The Practice of Prayer: Three Keys (Continued)
Key Three:
The __________ of Prayer
Scripture:
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Matthew 6:6 (NKJV)
Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place… 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.
Matthew 6:6 (MSG)
Definitions:
“Room” (NKJV), “Closet” (KJV), and “Secluded place” (MSG) are from the Greek TAMEION.
TAMEION defined:
1. “Storage room for foodstuffs” (nourishment)
2. “Bed chamber” (intimacy)
Biblical Examples of a Place for Prayer
1. Abraham
Scripture:
Early the next morning Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the LORD.
Genesis 19:27 (NIV)
Abraham’s Place: _________
2. Daniel
Scripture:
But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room… He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done…
Daniel 6:10 (NLT)
Daniel’s Place: ______________
3. Jesus
Scripture:
Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
Mark 1:35 (NKJV)
Jesus’ Place: ________________ (Gethsemane)
The Gap Concept:
Establishing a Personal Place of Prayer
Scripture:
I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.
Ezekiel 22:30 (NIV)
Note: “…stand before me on behalf of…”
The Value of a Personal “Gap!”
A. It’s a place of __________________.
Peter’s rooftop encounter
Scripture:
…Peter went up on the housetop to pray… and saw heaven opened…
Acts 10:9b, 11a (NKJV)
B. It’s a place of __________________.
David’s “still waters” revelation
Scripture:
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Psalm 23:1-3 (NKJV)
C. It’s a place of _________________.
Paul’s anti-anxiety prescription
Scripture:
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything… Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:6a, 8b (NLT)
AFTERTHOUGHTS… PONDER AND PRAY
Ponder Points:
Ponder how having a special place for prayer could strengthen your intimacy and consistency in daily prayer. How would having such a secret place help you be more faithful and focused in daily prayer? Journal your thoughts in the space that follows.
Prayer Points:
Ask God to help you keep a daily appointment by having a special meeting place for daily prayer (whether it’s an unused room, an actual closet, or even an easy chair in your living room or bedroom). Declare, in prayer, your desire to keep a daily appointment with Jesus for devotional prayer.
