Spiritual Disciplines (02) - Prayer

Spiritual Disciplines (02) - Prayer

Memory Verses
John 15:7 - “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
Philippians 4:6–7 - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Introduction - This series during Lent will address basic (positive) Christian spiritual disciplines: Scripture Memory (3/9/14), Prayer, Fellowship (3/30), and Evangelism (4/6/14). Today’s word will address the discipline of prayer, first noting the context of our Memory Verses (John 15:7; Phil. 4:6-7).

Three Truths about Prayer - Disciples of Jesus must grow in the Word (e.g., Scripture Memory and Study), but also in prayer. Knowing the Word precedes effective prayer and effective prayer calls us more and more into the Word.  Much could be said about growth in prayer, but for our time, three truths are essential:
1) Prayer is communication with the Triune God (Rom. 8:26; 1Th. 5:17; Eph. 6:18).
2) Prayer is the central act of worship (John 4:22-24; Prov. 15:8; Ps 17:0, 90:0, 72:20).
3) Prayer according to God’s revealed will is effective (James 5:17-18; Deut. 11:11, 17; John 15:7).

Five Steps for Morning Prayer (PCPLP) - Many times our prayer is merely making requests of God. However, supplication is not the problem most people have. Our problem is putting on the full armor of God in preparation to make our requests effective.  Below are five steps to preparation, recommended as a morning prayer routine: PCPLP.

1) P - Collect for Purity - Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
2) C - Confession of Sin - See earlier in the bulletin.
3) P - Pater Noster (Lord’s Prayer) - See later in the bulletin.
4) L - Lorica - St. Patrick’s Breastplate - “I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity, By invocation of the same, the Three in One and One in Three…”
5) P - Praise - Sing a Psalm, Hymn, or Praise Song.