Pre-Servants Class: Spiritual Theology September 4, 2009

Prayer  What is it exactly?  Quotes on Prayer  Why we pray.  How one ought to pray

Prayer : What?  Conversation with the Lord  Opportunity to enjoy the communication with God  Adhering to God in all circumstances (life ultimately should be a prayer)  Source of all virtues  Ladder  Man gets a hold of God by prayer  God gets a hold of man by prayer (God answers knee mail)  Described as: Water: Without it = dry & fruitless With it = fruitful and grows With it = fruitful and grows Breath: stop breathing = death (natural) stop praying = spiritual death (effort & will) stop praying = spiritual death (effort & will)

Prayer : Quotes Jonathan Edwards said, “Prayer is as natural an expression of faith as breathing is of life.” Prayer is or should be a normal part of daily living for the Christian just like breathing is. Corrie Ten Boom wrote: "Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?" In other words, why do you pray? Do you pray for the Lord to direct you in life or just to help you whenever you get into trouble?

Prayer : Quotes How wonderful it is to know That God is always near, That even just a whispered thought He will most surely hear. No matter what you’re doing Nor what the time of day, He never is too busy To listen as you pray

Prayer : Quotes Humble yourself before the Lord to help you in your struggle against sin and He will answer. When we ask things of the Lord and strive for holiness we can have faith in answered prayers. (St. John Chrysostom)

Prayer : Why? 1) Source of all virtues: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God. (Js 1:5) 2) Seek God Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for me with all your heart. (Jer 29:12-13) 3) See God’s Power Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know. (Jer 33:3) 4) To Obey God In this manner, therefore, pray “ Our Father …” Mt 6:9

Prayer : How? Quietness : Be still, and know that I am God. (Ps 46:10). 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 (Mt 6:6). (Reverence) Bible : Ex 1) Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord (Mt. 25:21) Ex 2) And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. (Lk 6:31) Liturgy: Ex 1) Holy, Holy, Holy Ex 2) O God the Great and Eternal Fasting : However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. (Mt 17:21)

Prayer : How? Persistence: 5 Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' 7 "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 7 "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Lk 11: 5-10) 9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Lk 11: 5-10)

Prayer : How? Prayer Meetings : 19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Mt 18:19-20) Story #1: Moqattam Mountain Story #2: Ninevites (Jonah 3) Story #3: So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him (Acts 12:5) Agpeya, Songs, Sermons, Nature … Map of how to pray.

Prayer : How? Elements of Prayer a) Glorifying or Praising God b) Thanking God c) Confession of sin d) Pray for others e) Our needs; spiritually, psychologically & physically f) Intercessions J O Y

Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon His name while He is near. (Is 55:6)