TALK 7

FIREPROOF IN PRAYER

Teaching series…Teaching series…A Battle of your Heart & Mind

The Temptation TrapFireproof your Choices

A vision for a Fireproof MarriageThe Money Dare

Fireproof during Conflict & CrisisFireproof in Prayer

Leading with your Heart

A Battle of your Heart & MindThe Temptation Trap

Fireproof your ChoicesA vision for a Fireproof Marriage

The Money DareFireproof during Conflict & Crisis

Fireproof in PrayerLeading with your Heart

2010 is being declared 2010 is being declared by the SOP as being the by the SOP as being the ‘YEAR FOR PERSONAL ‘YEAR FOR PERSONAL

PRAYERPRAYER

Danger! Non-praying Christian

How I prayed as a young boy1) In Chinese primary school

2) In English primary school

3) In the home

My early understanding of My early understanding of prayerprayer

1) Prayers are meant to be said

2) God is passive in my prayer

That was the way we That was the way we were taught to praywere taught to pray

The prayer of

an old Saintly priest

PRAYER IN MY TEENAGE

1) NOVENA

2) ALL SOULS’ DAY

3) GOD IS LIKE A VENDING MACHINE

IN THE RENEWAL

The finite Trying to control the

Infinite

1) Spontaneous prayer, tongues and reading scriptures2) Listen Lord, your servant is speaking3) Questioning, doubting and searching the scriptures

Prayer Is All About Being Connected“I am the true vine, and

my Father is the vine grower. …Remain in me, as I remain in you…Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,because without me you can do nothing. …If you remain in me and my words remain in you,ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you…”John 15:1-8

Being connected with the Lord means:1) Intimate relationship between Jesus and us

2) We have divine life within us

3) More fulfilling relationships with everyone around us

Being connected means

1) Being strong and vital and bearing abundant fruit

2) To keep on abiding in Christ

3) Being able to say no to temptation

Jesus’ personal prayer life“I tell you the truth, the son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. … By myself I can do nothing…” (Jn 5: 19 & 30a)

What is Jesus’ purpose of praying?

1) Jesus prayed to order to maintain an intimate relationship with his Father2) Jesus prayed to determine the will of God3) Jesus prayed before all major events

OUR FATHER IN HEAVENMt 7:7-12  ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. …If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give

good things to those who ask him!

We are three, you are three

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND SHARING

1) What is the story of your attempt to learn to pray? What supports you most in your desire to pray?

2) How do you hear God speaking in your life? Who are the people you have known who seem to be most centered on their inner voices, on God’s Presence?

THE END