The Power of Prayer in Developing Intimacy with God

1. Mt 6:9-13 Mt 6:9-13

2. 

3.   Prayer develops relationship. Intimate prayer helps to develop intimate relationship.  Prayer develops relationship. Intimate prayer helps to develop intimate relationship.  Believing in prayer is not the same as praying.  Believing in prayer is not the same as praying.  Believing God can answer prayer is not the same as believing He will (or already has)  Believing God can answer prayer is not the same as believing He will (or already has) Why pray? Why pray?

4.   "Prayer is not learned in a class- room but in the closet. Talking to men for God is a great thing; talking to God for men is greater still." E.M. Bounds  "Prayer is not learned in a class- room but in the closet. Talking to men for God is a great thing; talking to God for men is greater still." E.M. Bounds  “ We must begin to believe that God, in the mystery of prayer, has entrusted us with a force that can move the Heavenly world, and can bring its power down to earth." Andrew Murray  “ We must begin to believe that God, in the mystery of prayer, has entrusted us with a force that can move the Heavenly world, and can bring its power down to earth." Andrew Murray "Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work." Oswald Chambers "Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work." Oswald Chambers

5.   Jesus gave us the perfect pattern for prayer: the focus is on attitude and relationship. “pray like this”  Jesus gave us the perfect pattern for prayer: the focus is on attitude and relationship. “pray like this”  With tenderness & reverence  With tenderness & reverence  With respect & devotion  With respect & devotion  With humility & thankfulness  With humility & thankfulness  With forgiveness & awareness  With forgiveness & awareness  With submission & genuine awe  With submission & genuine awe Jesus taught us to pray Jesus taught us to pray

6.   A  A doration: He is worthy  C  C onfession: We humbly confess our sin/failures & repent  T  T hanksgiving: We come with gratitude for Who He is/what He’s done  S  S upplication: We make our requests known to our All Powerful God Personal prayer ACTS Personal prayer ACTS

7.   The Scripture indicates there are ways in which to pray:  The Scripture indicates there are ways in which to pray:  1.Pray in faith  1.Pray in faith  2.Pray with confidence  2.Pray with confidence  3.Confess any sin in our lives  3.Confess any sin in our lives  4.Pray the will of God  4.Pray the will of God  5.Pray with right motives  5.Pray with right motives How shall we pray? How shall we pray?

8.   Heb 11:6 “Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He is…rewards those who seek Him.”  Heb 11:6 “Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He is…rewards those who seek Him.”  Jas 1:6-8 “Let him ask in faith with no doubting…or a man will not receive anything from the Lord…that man is unstable/double minded…”  Jas 1:6-8 “Let him ask in faith with no doubting…or a man will not receive anything from the Lord…that man is unstable/double minded…” Praying in faith… Praying in faith…

9.   Confidence: trust, reliance, assurance  Confidence: trust, reliance, assurance  Heb 4:16 “Draw near with confidence to the throne of grace…”  Heb 4:16 “Draw near with confidence to the throne of grace…”  1 Jn 4:16 “And we have come to know & have believed the love which God has for us…”  1 Jn 4:16 “And we have come to know & have believed the love which God has for us…” Praying with confidence Praying with confidence

10.   Ps 66:18 “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”  Ps 66:18 “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”  Ps 25:21 “Let integrity & uprightness preserve me, for I wait upon Thee…”  Ps 25:21 “Let integrity & uprightness preserve me, for I wait upon Thee…”  1 Jn 1:9 “If we confess our sin, He is faithful & righteous to forgive us…and to cleanse us…”  1 Jn 1:9 “If we confess our sin, He is faithful & righteous to forgive us…and to cleanse us…” Sin can hinder… Sin can hinder…

11.   Pray according to the Scriptures, the expressed will of God.  Pray according to the Scriptures, the expressed will of God.  1 Jn 5:14 “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”  1 Jn 5:14 “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”  Mt 6: 10 “…Thy will be done on earth as it’s (already being) done in heaven.”  Mt 6: 10 “…Thy will be done on earth as it’s (already being) done in heaven.” Pray God’s will Pray God’s will

12.   Jas 4:3 “You do not receive because you ask with wrong motives.”  Jas 4:3 “You do not receive because you ask with wrong motives.”  A motive is the “why” behind the “what.”  A motive is the “why” behind the “what.”  Ps 51:10; 139:23 “Create in me a clean heart, o God, let me be like You in all my ways… Search me..try me, know my thoughts, O God…”  Ps 51:10; 139:23 “Create in me a clean heart, o God, let me be like You in all my ways… Search me..try me, know my thoughts, O God…” Check your motives… Check your motives…

13.   What keeps you from having meaningful and intimate dialogue with your Father in Heaven?  What keeps you from having meaningful and intimate dialogue with your Father in Heaven?  When’s the last time you were “silent” long enough to hear what He had to say to you?  When’s the last time you were “silent” long enough to hear what He had to say to you? The challenge… The challenge…

14.   Ps. 91:15 “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer.”  Ps. 91:15 “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer.”  Jas 1:5 “But if any of you lacks wisdom (Gr: the broad picture) let him ask of God who gives to all men generously and without reproach (disgrace) and it will be given to him.”  Jas 1:5 “But if any of you lacks wisdom (Gr: the broad picture) let him ask of God who gives to all men generously and without reproach (disgrace) and it will be given to him.” Be blessed! Be blessed!