Growing in Grace Through Spiritual Disciplines Spiritual Disciplines are the habits you develop to cause you to grow closer to God and Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (swfronismov sophronismos, discipline, i.e. self-control: -sound mind) “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (NIV) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (swfronismov sophronismos, discipline, i.e. self-control: -sound mind) “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (NIV)

Prayer What Is It? Communication (expressions of praise, petition, supplication) to God. Our way of talking to Him) What Is It? Communication (expressions of praise, petition, supplication) to God. Our way of talking to Him)

Prayer What Is It? Communication (expressions of praise, petition, supplication) to God. Our way of talking to Him) Two Parables about Prayer Luke 18:1-8 (pray and not lose heart) Luke 18:9-14 (approach God in prayer with humility as sinners) What Is It? Communication (expressions of praise, petition, supplication) to God. Our way of talking to Him) Two Parables about Prayer Luke 18:1-8 (pray and not lose heart) Luke 18:9-14 (approach God in prayer with humility as sinners)

Matthew 6:5-6 And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 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 6:7-8 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

A Formula for Prayer… A – C – T - S A – Adoration (praise to God) Psalm 93:1-5 A – Adoration (praise to God) Psalm 93:1-5

The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength. Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved. 2 Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting. 3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD, The floods have lifted up their voice; The floods lift up their waves. 4 The LORD on high is mightier Than the noise of many waters, Than the mighty waves of the sea. 5 Your testimonies are very sure; Holiness adorns Your house, O LORD, forever.

A Formula for Prayer… A – C – T - S A – Adoration (praise to God) Psalm 93:1-5 C – Confession/Repentance Ezra 10:9-12 A – Adoration (praise to God) Psalm 93:1-5 C – Confession/Repentance Ezra 10:9-12

So all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered at Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth of the month; and all the people sat in the open square of the house of God, trembling because of this matter and because of heavy rain. 10 Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have transgressed and have taken pagan wives, adding to the guilt of Israel. 11 Now therefore, make confession to the LORD God of your fathers, and do His will; separate yourselves from the peoples of the land, and from the pagan wives.” 12 Then all the assembly answered and said with a loud voice, “Yes! As you have said, so we must do.”

A Formula for Prayer… A – C – T - S A – Adoration (praise to God) Psalm 93:1-5 C – Confession/Repentance Ezra 10:9-12 T – Thanksgiving 1 Thessalonians 5:18 A – Adoration (praise to God) Psalm 93:1-5 C – Confession/Repentance Ezra 10:9-12 T – Thanksgiving 1 Thessalonians 5:18

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

A Formula for Prayer… A – C – T - S A – Adoration (praise to God) Psalm 93:1-5 C – Confession/Repentance Ezra 10:9-12 T – Thanksgiving 1 Thessalonians 5:18 S – Supplications (Petitions) 3 John 2; Mathew 6:11-13 A – Adoration (praise to God) Psalm 93:1-5 C – Confession/Repentance Ezra 10:9-12 T – Thanksgiving 1 Thessalonians 5:18 S – Supplications (Petitions) 3 John 2; Mathew 6:11-13

3 John 2; Matthew 6:11-13 (3 John 2), Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. (Matthew 6:11-13), Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (3 John 2), Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. (Matthew 6:11-13), Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Keep a Journal… Reminders of needed petitions on behalf of others Writing down your petitions and needs in diary form Records of answered prayer. Reminders of needed petitions on behalf of others Writing down your petitions and needs in diary form Records of answered prayer. Many of the Psalms are written prayers of David Review gives cause for thanksgiving.

Memorize Scripture “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! Psalm 119:11 Enables you to give an answer… (cf. Matthew 4, Temptation of Jesus), “It is written…” 1 Peter 3:15 “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! Psalm 119:11 Enables you to give an answer… (cf. Matthew 4, Temptation of Jesus), “It is written…” 1 Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. (Note: Memorization is easier and more profitable if it is not by rote… You need to understand the passage you are attempting to remember). But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. (Note: Memorization is easier and more profitable if it is not by rote… You need to understand the passage you are attempting to remember).

What Is Your Focus? Walk as children of Light Ephesians 5:8-10 “goodness, righteousness, and truth” Walk as children of Light Ephesians 5:8-10 “goodness, righteousness, and truth”

Ephesians 5:8-10 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

What Is Your Focus? Walk as children of Light Ephesians 5:8-10 “goodness, righteousness, and truth” Do all to God’s glory 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 Walk as children of Light Ephesians 5:8-10 “goodness, righteousness, and truth” Do all to God’s glory 1 Corinthians 10:31-33

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

What Is Your Focus? Walk as children of Light Ephesians 5:8-10 “goodness, righteousness, and truth” Do all to God’s glory 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 Live for Christ 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 Walk as children of Light Ephesians 5:8-10 “goodness, righteousness, and truth” Do all to God’s glory 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 Live for Christ 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Conclusion Discipline Yourself! Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10