Step 6

1
Step 6

• Prayer

2
Communication

• If we were going to cultivate a relationship
  with another person, we would spend time talking
  with them.
• We will have to spend time talking to and
  listening to God as well.
• This is prayer.

3
Prayer

• We see in Scriptures that Jesus prayed.
• Anyone who wants a closer relationship with God
  must also pray.
• Scripture also tells us that the prayer of a
  righteous man can accomplish much (James 516).

4
Your Purpose

• God has a purpose for each persons life, and
  through prayer we can learn what this purpose is.
  
• For I know the plans I have for you, declares
  the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm
  you, plans to give you a hope and a future
  (Jeremiah 2911) NIV

5
When You Pray

• When you pray and talk to God, there is no danger
  of being misunderstood.
• God knows your heart before you say one word to
  Him.
• Nothing will surprise God.
• You do not have to sound a certain way or use
  certain words when you talk to God.
• You do not have to be good enough to talk to
  God.

6
Its About the Relationship

• God wants to meet all of your needs, but be
  careful that all of your prayers are not just
  wish lists of what you want or complaints about
  what you want changed.
• Prayer is more than you talking to God you must
  also listen to Him.
• This is about a relationship.

7
What Do You Pray?

• Think back to the last few times you have spent
  time with God in prayer.
• What are your prayers filled with? Are you just
  asking God for things? Do you simply recite words
  that dont have any personal meaning for you?

8
Prayers

• Your prayer time with God can be a fulfilling and
  energizing time. Use this time to confess any
  sin repent of the sin praise God, and thank Him
  for all of the wonderful things He has done
  spend time praying for others who need it.

9
God Already Knows

• God knows what you need before you pray.
• He wants to meet every need you have.
• Dont worry about situations pray and give the
  situation to God.
• Once you give the situation to God, let Him have
  it and stop worrying about it.

10
Too Tired to Pray?

• When we feel too busy to pray, that is when we
  need it the most.
• Be sure to quiet yourself, if even for a moment,
  on those days when life is busy.
• We will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the
  ministry of the word (Acts 64).

11
Relationships Take Time

• Cultivating a relationship with God will take a
  lifetime.
• Spend time talking with God, and listening to
  Him.
• There are many prayers in the Scriptures that you
  can use read them meditate on them pray them
  back to God.

12
Gods Answers to Prayer

• God can answer your prayer through the Scripture,
  through another person, or through some kind of
  provision in your life.
• It might be that you hear a still, small voice
  in your head. If you are truly seeking Gods will
  and wanting Him to answer you, that voice you
  hear will most likely be Him speaking to you.

13
Gods Answers to Prayer

• Many times God will say No or Wait when we
  ask Him for something.
• There will be other times when we dont see any
  results of our prayers.
• We must understand that God is not dictated by
  our timing His timing is always perfect.

14
Our Prayers

• If your prayers are in union with Gods will,
  they will be answered
• What if you see no results and get no answers to
  your prayers?
• It might be that we are just getting impatient,
  but we must also make sure there is no sin in our
  life.
• If there is sin in your life, it will hinder your
  prayers.

15
Pray Daily

• First, take some time to examine your life. Is
  there anything in your life God would call sin?
  If there is, your prayers will not be effective.
• Begin praying daily.
• We are told to pray without ceasing.

16
The Next Step

• The next step we will examine is Gods Holiness.
  He is the Mystery of Mysteries.
• Our goal should be to live a quiet and peaceful
  life serving God and loving others while
  maintaining a relationship with Him.