Talking to God
More from Knowing God
Teaching Notes
How do you really get to know God?
Prayer is the pathway to INTIMACY with God.
WHAT PRAYER IS NOT:
- Prayer is not a PERFORMANCE.
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:5-6
- Prayer is not a SECRET FORMULA.
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.
Matthew 6:7-8
“The same way a small child cannot draw a bad picture so a child of God cannot offer a bad prayer.”
- Richard Foster
Prayer is simply keeping COMPANY with God.
HOW TO PRAY
This, then, is how you should pray:
WORSHIP: Recognizing & responding appropriately to the greatness of God.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
Practice: Talk to God about God. Spend time simply thanking Him. Enjoy His creation. Put on worship music in your home or car.
SURRENDER: Giving God complete control of every area of your life.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Practice: Invite the King to take his rightful place in your heart and life. You may want to physically kneel or raise your hands.
REQUEST: Asking God to give you what you need to make it through that day.
Give us today our daily bread.
Practice: Bring to God the needs and concerns of today: spiritually, emotionally, physically, relationally, vocationally, financially.
CONFESSION: “To own up to a condition of the soul” - Dallas Willard
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Practice: Ask the Spirit of God to show any areas of unconfessed sin. Then respond by specifically owning what He reveals & asking for forgiveness.
PROTECTION: Asking God to guard you from temptation and evil.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Practice: Ask God to guard your heart and mind, expose the enemy’s lies, and give you strength to stand firm when tempted.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.