DEVELOPING A PRAYER LIFE

DEVELOPING A PRAYER LIFE I. IF PRAYER CHANGES THINGS AND THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER, WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF WE SPENT MORE TIME IN PRAYER? A. PRAYER IS SOMETHING WE ALL DO, BUT MOST ARE NOT COMFORTABLE PRAYING IN PUBLIC. B. IMAGINE BEING IN A PRAYER MEETING WITH JESUS, HE JUST FINISHED AND NOW IT’S YOUR TURN. C. LUKE 11:1 II. WHO TAUGHT YOU TO PRAY? A. HOW MANY CLASSES HAVE YOU TAKEN IN DEVELOPING YOUR PRAYER LIFE? B. JOHN THE BAPTIST AND JESUS TAUGHT THEIR DISCIPLES TO PRAY. C. MATTHEW 6:9-13 III. THERE ARE 5 ELEMENTS OF PRAYER: A. ADORATION/PRAISE 2. SUBMISSION/SURRENDER 3. PETITION/REQUEST 4 CONFESSION 5. GUIDANCE B. DEVELOPING YOUR PRAYER LIFE IS ENHANCED BY ATTENDING PRAYER MEETINGS AND LISTENING TO THE SAINTS PRAY. IV. WHEN YOUNG, THE BULK OF OUR PRAYER LIFE IS FOCUSED ON “PETITION.” A. AS WE DEVELOP OUR PRAYER LIFE WE MOVE TO PRAYING FOR NEEDS OF OTHERS. B. JOHN 14:14 MATTHEW 21:22 EPHESIANS 1:16-21 V. PAUL’S PRAYER BEGINS WITH GRATITUDE; BEING GRATEFUL AND GIVING THANKS IS AN INDICATION OUR PRAYER LIFE IS BECOMING SPIRITUALLY MATURE. A. PSALM 100:4 B. FOR CHRISTIANS TO THRIVE WE NEED THE “SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION.” C. JAMES 1:5 JAMES 3:17-18 VI. WISE CHRISTIANS ARE “PEACE-LOVING.”. A. PROVERBS 17:9 MARK 10:27 LUKE 1:37 B. DOUBT AND FEAR TRY TO DEFEAT OUR FAITH: PRAY, HOLDING EACH OTHER UP!