Training Session #4Prayer IS the work of the ministry
OBJECTIVES
- To know the scriptural foundation as to why prayer is vital.
- To value the character traits of the God you are talking to and see why those character traits would drive us to pray both in general and for our ministry.
- To try several resources that could assist in further developing a prayer life.
WORKOUT
Watch the following video and reflect on the questions. You will discuss them with your coach.
What's wonderful and hard about prayer
- How would you rate your prayer life on a scale of 1-10? What makes it easy or hard for you to pray? What changes do you need to make for prayer to be the foundation of your faith and ministry? Why do you suppose that is the case? What are some practical steps you can take to overcome these hurdles? Who might you share those steps with who can help you take them?
Scripture
- Communication is integral to having ANY relationship. Look up Psalm 18:6, Jeremiah 29:12, and Jeremiah 33:3. What do these passages have to say about our communication with God? Can you think of any other Scripture that speak about our communication with God?
- Read Mark 9:14-29 and Ephesians 6:12. Of all the ways we could fight an enemy, why do you suppose prayer is the prescribed way? What does God hope to accomplish in you and through you because of prayer? Keep reading in Ephesians 6 all the way down to verse 20. What are some other truths to be considered about prayer?
A Model Prayer
- Out of the different examples of Jesus’ praying which one can you relate to most?
- The Lord’s Prayer can be really familiar if we grew up in church or heard it a long time ago. Jesus said that God knows what we need before we ask Him- so why then do we need to be taught how to pray?
- Why do you suppose this model prayer contains all of these aspects? How can you use this prayer as a model to hit difference aspects of prayer?
- Look up the passages associated with these seven aspects of prayer. What are any key take-aways for you?
Listening Prayer
- Do you really believe that God would want to speak to you too in prayer?
- What is your comfort level and/or experience with listening in prayer?
- What about “listening prayer” is exciting to you? Uncomfortable to you? What steps could you take to incorporate it more?
Making Prayer a Rhythm in your life
- How you can make prayer more of an intentional rhythm in your life? What are you going to do about it?
REPLAY
WHY pray? - God’s character traits draw us. Prayer reminds us of what is real about who we are, who He is, and realigns us with Him. Relationships, by definition, require communication. We need God’s to fight with and for us in the Spiritual battles we face
HOW pray? - Continually. Considering the Lord’s Prayer as a model, different aspects of prayer are: praise, surrender, petition/intercession, repentance, forgiveness, and spiritual warfare. Prayer is also listening. But how do I know if the thoughts in my head are Him speaking or my thoughts? Push it through the filter of Scripture in context and seek confirmation from godly wise counsel who are familiar with and faithful to Scripture.
WHAT does it look like? - You have an audience with the God of the Universe. What is it NOT: Prayer can be so much more than a pre-meal blessing or bedtime thank you. Prayer is not something we remember to bookend our planning or ministry events with. What prayer IS: Prayer IS the WORK of the ministry! Prayer is the lifeline for guidance, wisdom and direction for ministry. Prayer begs for His work in other peoples’ lives. Prayer informs your choices. Without prayer- you might be building your own Kingdom instead of His. Practically speaking, this preeminence of prayer can be facilitated through: scheduling a prayer day, doing a prayer walk, and/or fasting.
PRACTICE
Set aside a whole or half day to actually go on a prayer walk. Use this document to guide your time.
It has been constructed with the campus and athletic department in mind. During your prayer time, write out your personal Lords Prayer.
DEBRIEF
Write a debrief of your time in two sections. In part 1, recount how the day went. What did you do? See? Experience? In part 2, recount what you learned. What did God show you about Himself, yourself, prayer, your campus, etc? Turn in below.
OVERTIME
- Website: Mike Bickle is the Founder of International House of Prayer. He has provided a library of teachings regarding prayer. His "Growing in Prayer" series is phenomenal! You can watch him speak or read any of this teaching notes. A couple notesheets for your consideration are: A Practical Plan to Grow in Prayer, The Value of Using Biblical Prayers, and How to Develop a Strong Prayer Life. He was a guest on the FCA Webinar hosted on April 28. 2020.
- App: Search for helpful apps that can aid your prayer life
- Website: Encountering Peace has guided prayer meditations that are each 15 minutes in length. You can sign up to have one emailed to you daily.
- Book: Fervent - Priscilla Shirer (book inspired by the movie War Room)
- Book: The Art of Listening Prayer - Seth Barnes. Watch a 2 min book trailer of him explaining. Simply explains the Biblical basis for listening in prayer and guides you through incorporating it.
- Booklet: Miracle Hour - Linda Schubert. Succinct and practical guide for prayer that pulls heavily from Scripture. There are 12 movement of prayer that the author explains and then provides a prewritten prayer that is almost straight Scripture. You can pray verbatim, or make them your own.
- Article: Infographic- How is your prayer life? 3 minute read. Crossway did a survey on prayer habits of Christians. In this article, find yourself and helpful food for thought regarding prayer.
- Experience: Lectio Divina or Gospel Contemplation -there are many methods of prayer that can be learned from more traditional or liturgical Christian denominations. This brief article from "Ignation Spirituality" explains two forms of prayer you may like to try.
