God longs for us to have a deep relationship with Him. The key to any friendship is communication and the way that we communicate with God is through prayer. This is a privilege of every child of God.

Through prayer we can ask God for help in time of need, for forgiveness when we sin, for guidance through life, or for any other thing that may be in our minds. Any concern of ours is also God's concern. We can also worship God in our prayers by praising Him for who He is and thanking Him for all that He has done for us.

1. Prayer enables us to [APPROACH] and [DRAW] near to God.

2. Prayer enables us to receive [MERCY] and [GRACE] from God.

Hebrews 4:15,16 - " For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. "

3. Jesus [ASK] us to pray.

Matthew 7:7,8 - " Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "

1. We address [GOD] as " Father " in our prayer.

Matthew 6:9 - " This, then, is how you should pray: ' Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name...' "

2. We pray in [JESUS'] name.

John 16:24 - " Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."

3. The [HOLY SPIRIT] will help us in our praying.

Romans 8:26,27 - "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."

1. We can commit to God our [THANKSGIVING], [REQUEST], and [PETITION].

Philippians 4:6,7 - " Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. "

2. The wrong reaction to have towards difficult circumstances is by being [ANXIOUS].

3. The result of a correct response is [PEACE] of [HEART] and [MIND].

1. The psalmist in the Old Testament cries out to the Lord [DAY] and [NIGHT].

Psalm 55:17 - "Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice."

Psalm 88:1 - "O LORD, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you."

2. Jesus got up [EARLY] in the morning to spend time talking with His Father.

Mark 1:35 - " Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."

3. We can pray to God [ANYTIME] of the day and night.

Paul encourages us to " pray continually " - 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

1. [WRONG] Motives.

James 4:3 - " When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. "

2. [SIN] in our Hearts.

Psalm 66:18 - " If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. "

To have our prayers answered we need to [REMAIN IN CHRIST].

John 15:7 - " If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. "

A – ADORATION

Reflecting on God Himself. Praise Him for His love, power and majesty, and His wonderful gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
(Read Isaiah 9:6)

C – CONFESSION

Admitting our sins to God. Be honest and humble. God knows us and loves us in spite of who we are.
(Read 1 John 1:9)

T – THANKSGIVING

Telling God how grateful we are for everything He has given, even the unpleasant things. Our thankfulness will help us see His purpose for our lives.

S – SUPPLICATION

Making specific requests, both for others and ourselves.

The first letters of these four words form the word "ACTS". Use this as a mental guide for a balanced prayer life.

1. Memorize Philippians 4:6,7.

2. Set aside at least 10 minutes each day for your private devotion with God. If possible, let it be the first thing in the morning.

3. List four specific items you can pray about today.
Pause right now and talk to God about them.

ADORATION : __________________________________________________

CONFESSION : _________________________________________________

THANKSGIVING : _______________________________________________

SUPPLICATION : ________________________________________________

So, spend some time each day praying to God. You don't have to use long or special words - God will always hear you when you pray from your heart!

 

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