Becoming a People of Prayer

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Becoming a People of Prayer
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Thoughts on Prayer

• Prayer is the key to the morning and the bolt of
  the evening.
• A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to come
  unraveled.
• (Anonymous)
• Morgan, R. J. (2000). Nelson's complete book of
  stories, illustrations, and quotes (electronic
  ed.) (622). Nashville Thomas Nelson Publishers.

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What is Prayer?

• Communication with God or other beings.
• Spoken or unspoken communication
• An earnest request
• Earnest intensely serious and sincere
• Something wished for
• Something wanted or hoped for very much
• Encarta Dictionary English (North America)

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What Do People Pray For?

• Name your top three prayer priorities
• __________________________
• __________________________
• __________________________

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What Do People Pray For?

• According to a Yankelovich Poll in USA Today
• 9 out of 10 adults in America say they pray.
• 98Our own families
• 81Worlds Children
• 77World Peace
• 69Co-workers
• Morgan, R. J. (2000). Nelson's complete book of
  stories, illustrations, and quotes (electronic
  ed.) (623). Nashville Thomas Nelson Publishers.

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Becoming a People of Prayer
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Prayer Connects with God

• Name your top three prayer priorities
• __________________________
• __________________________
• __________________________

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Prayer Connects with God

• Senario 1
• When you pray you ask God for something.
• Why do you ask?
• You cannot attain it by yourself.
• You need help from someone else
• ? Your prayer to God acknowledges you are
  dependant on God

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Prayer Connects with God

• Senario 2
• When you pray you thank God for something.
• Why do you thank God?
• God has provided you with something you did not
  ask for.
• You were granted something you asked for.
• ? Your appreciation to God acknowledges you are
  dependant on God

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Connecting With God

• How do I connect with God?
• Meditate on his word. (Psalm 1)
• Make His word a priority. (Psalm 119.105)
• Talk with him daily.
• Share your problems. (1 Peter 5.7)
• Share your thanks. (2 Thessalonians 1.3)
• Share with him your sins. (Acts 8.22)

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Becoming a Prayerful People

• How can you become a prayerful people?
• Connect with God
• Dare to be a Daniel (Daniel 6.10)
• Daniel would rather spend a night with the lions
  than miss a day of prayer. (Anonymous)
• Pray like Paul
• He prayed because of thankfulness. (Colossians
  1.3)
• He prayed in prison. (Acts 16.25)
• He encouraged other to pray. (1 Thessalonians
  5.17)