Rhythms: Prayer

(1 John 5:14) This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

✓ Prayer us to God

(Matthew 6:7-8) And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

✓ Prayer our Thoughts

(Philippians 4:6 NLT) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 

(Philippians 4:7 NLT) Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

✓ Prayer our Focus 

(Psalm 141:5-8) But I pray constantly against the wicked and their deeds … But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge

✓ Prayer our Purpose 

(Matthew 6:33) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Developing A Rhythm of Prayer

1. Pray

Prayer is our first response, not our last resort. 

✓  Make it a priority 

(Daniel 6:10) Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before

2. Pray .

(1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 NLT) Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

(Luke 18:1 NLT) One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.

I don’t often spend more than half an hour in prayer at one time, but I never go more than half an hour without praying.
— Smith Wigglesworth

(John 15:4-5 NLT) Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

3. Pray .

(Hebrews 4:15-16) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

4. Pray .

(Matthew 6:9-12) “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11  Give us today our daily bread. 12  And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.