PRAYER 101Part 1

Seven questions: Two weeks Why pray? What should I pray? To speak or not to speak…?

Does prayer change things? Can I actually hear from God? Prayer in a busy life: fitting it in Prayer blockers – the glass ceiling

Week 1- Today Why pray?

What should I pray?

To speak or not to speak…?

Prayer Week – This week! 7 days to specifically pray about Ashford

Vineyard Emails sent each day to guide and

encourage Two-fold: Thank you and provision Consider setting just 5 mins aside each

day Wednesday Church

Why pray? Relationship – doing life together Gets things done on the earth – asking

God to get involved Helps us set our mind on things above – a

recalibration Opens the ‘channels’ to receive from God God loves our company He’s not a slot machine

What should I pray? Pray from the heart (John 4:23) Offload and move on (Phil 4:6) ‘Lord’s Prayer’ (Matt 6:9-13) Your kingdom come, Your will be done His will is found in the Bible Pray specifically if you know What you feel God has told you to In tongues (1Cor 14:14-15)

To Speak or not to speak? Enormous power in speech Sticks and stones and cobblers! And God said… Power of life and death (Prov 18:21) Believe and confess (Rom 10:9-13) Mark 11:23 Jesus cursed the fig tree Meditation is still speaking! Volunteer please

Does prayer change things? Faith is required (Mark 11:22-24) Yes, not always what we’re praying for! Bible littered with examples Our lives offer examples Prayer taps into the power of God Urged to pray (1 Tim 2:1)

Prayer blocks? Lack of faith (Matt 13, Matt 14) Unforgiveness (Matt 6) Way we treat others (1 Pet 3:7) Disappointment Lacking confidence (praying

‘pathetically’!) Fail to step back (God/Enemy/Life –

how?)

How to fit it in? God-orientated disciplines:

Praying (1 Thess 5:16-18) Fasting Time away Giving Bread and wine Serving Bible study/teaching Time with honest people Healthy living