Prayer

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Prayer

• Developing Out Relationship With God

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A Faithful Relationship is aPrayerful
Relationship

• What is Faithfulness? 1. a firm convictionfull
  acknowledgement of Gods revealed truth 2.
  personal surrender to Him 3. a conduct inspired
  by such surrender (Vines).
• Christian life not simply motions or actionsnot
  robots who march to services every Sunday.
• It is a life of conviction, of surrender and
  devotion to the Almighty God!
• What does this have to do with prayer?

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A Faithful Relationship is aPrayerful
Relationship

• Such faithfulness is what gives prayer its
  meaning and power.
• To the Faithful
• Prayer is more that a way to help us feel better.
• It is more that a way to help us think things
  through.
• Prayer is our communication with our heavenly
  Father!
• When coupled with faithfulness, prayer becomes
  the means through which we draw near to God.

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A Faithful Relationship is aPrayerful
Relationship

• True Christian life is about drawing near to God
  as our Father
• Rom 815 but you received the Spirit of
  adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father.
  (See also Gal. 46)
• John 31 Behold what manner of love the Father
  has bestowed on us, that we should be called
  children of God.
• James 48 Draw near to God and He will draw
  near to you.
• Humble obedience and heartfelt prayer are the
  means through which we draw near to our heavenly
  Father.
• For this reason Prayer has always played an
  important role in the lives of Gods people.

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Gods Faithful Have Always Been Devoted to Prayer

• Abraham Called the friend of God (Js. 223).
• His communication with God was frequent and
  personal.
• Gen. 121ff 1822
• David a man after Gods own heart (Acts
  1322).
• From the time of his youth he wrote psalms, many
  of which were prayers to God.
• He is noted for his constant devotion to God in
  times of peace and prosperity, times of turmoil,
  and in repentance (Ps. 51).
• By the same faith with which he conquered Goliath
  he constanly offered prayers to God.

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Gods Faithful Have Always Been Devoted to Prayer

• Jesus The Son of Godwho is God.
• While in heaven He had constant communication
  with the Father (Phil. 26)
• It was no different when He was on the earth, for
  He continually prayed to the Father!
• He is our example Luke 612 516 1 John 26
• He first called the Father Abba (Mk. 1436)
  through Him we too draw near as children through
  prayer we draw near with our hearts.
• Paul Acquainted with great turmoil, but filled
  with the peace of God because of prayer Phil.
  46-7 2 Tim. 13

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Are You One of Gods Faithful

• The example of Gods faithful is set for us to
  follow
• 1 Thess. 516-18 Pray without ceasing
• Phil. 46-7 In everything by prayer and
  supplication
• Rom. 1212 Continue steadfastly in prayer
• Eph. 618 Praying always
• Col. 42 Continue earnestly in prayer
• 1 Pet. 47 Watchful in your prayers.
• Such prayers were characteristic of the New
  Testament church Acts 114 242 423-30 125
• Where does prayer fit into your life?

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Conclusion

• This lesson is not for teaching us how to pray,
  but to put in us the DESIRE to learn.
• Effective fervent prayers require faith and
  conviction.
• Gods faithful continually prayed to Him, and we
  see that their prayers were heard.
• We are Gods children. It takes time to learn how
  to talk to Him, but as our Father He will listen
  if we will learn.