Prayer

“There is no formula to prayer” Calvin wrote more theologically, drawing out the implications of the doctrines of God, of sin, of Christ, and of the Gospel for the pursuit of prayer. Luther’s teaching on prayer is highly practical, because he was writing to a simple man who was asking for a concrete way to pray. Augustine came at prayer from the most existential perspective, focusing most on the motives of the heart. This means that the principles of each thinker intersect one another. Also, we must remember Calvin’s own rule against iron clad rules. I fear that many contemporary books on prayer try to give readers a key or some kind of experience of “Aha! So that’s the secret of prayer! ” Such a thing simply does not exist. Timothy Keller

What are key components to Prayer? Dependence Adoration Time in His presence Listening Supplication Worship Perspective Relationship Meditating Confession Allowing Him to Move in us

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Why is it sometimes hard to pray?

“There's’ no worse screen to block out the Spirit than confidence in our own intelligence.” John Calvin

“Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16

Lead them. “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Tozer

Practical Steps Start small Be consistent Set spiritual goals as a family Choose a topic or a person to pray for each day of the week Confidentiality and trust

Practical Steps Have the kids lead: Choose the topic or come with a prepared study Journal & rehearse His faithfulness and answered prayer Read stories/books about prayer Take your kids with you to times of corporate prayer

We are His Delight! “We might be wise to follow the insight of the enraptured heart, rather than the most cautious reasoning of the theological mind.” Tozer

“Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden.” Corrie Tenboom “Work as if you were to live a hundred years. Pray as if you were to die tomorrow.” Benjamin Franklin “100 religious persons nit into a unity by careful organization do not constitute a church anymore than 11 a dead men constitute a football team.” Tozer