simple steps

prayer

PRAYER IS SIMPLY TALKING WITH GOD

​SIMPLE INSIGHT: Prayer is simply talking with God.  He wants to hear from us & we want to listen to Him.  The Bible is full of prayers from men to God that we can follow.  Some are short, some are long. Check out Ephesians 3:14-21 & Nehemiah 9 sometime.

SIMPLE PRACTICE: Try taking 5 minutes each day this week to talk to God about the good and bad things going on in your life.

“Dear Lord, you know everything about me.  Help me to trust you and follow you today.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen”

PRAYER IS A WONDERFUL THING TO DO FOR OTHERS

SIMPLE INSIGHT: Prayer is a wonderful thing to do for others.  God works through our prayers.  And when He does it reminds us how much He loves us and those we pray for.  Check out Romans 1:9-10

SIMPLE PRACTICE: Try taking 5 minutes each day this week to pray for your family members or friends.  Or if you are a parent, pray with your kids before you say goodnight.
Once you make prayer a daily habit in your life, try extending the time a bit longer and pray for more areas (church, work, school, issues, etc.)

 “Dear Lord, thank You for loving me and saving me from my sin.  Please work in ________ life.  Help them to know You and follow You closely. Let them sense Your peace in the things they face.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen

PRAYER INVOLVES NOT ONLY TALKING TO GOD, BUT LISTENING TO HIM

SIMPLE INSIGHT: Prayer involves not only talking to God, but also listening to Him.  He loves to hear us, but He also wants to speak to us.  What does He say?  Sometimes as we are listening, God will bring to our mind His promises for us, or His plans with us, or even His direction for what we are facing.  Sometimes He will even point out a sin that we need to repent of.   Praying is part of growing up in Jesus.  Check out 1 Samuel 3:4

SIMPLE PRACTICE: Try taking a few minutes of quiet in your day and listen to God.  Start with a promise of God in His Word and thank Him for that.  Consider what plans God’s Word says are in the future.  Ask Him to point out to you anything that may be off in your life and ask His forgiveness.  

 “Dear Lord, Thank You for hearing my prayer.  Help me to listen to You Show me if there is any sin I’m not confessing & owning up to.  Show me which way to go to that I may please you with my life.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen."

PRAYER IS NOT GETTING WHAT I WANT, BUT GETTING WHAT GOD WANTS

SIMPLE INSIGHT: Prayer is not getting what I want, but getting what God wants.  God sees things way better than we do and so part of prayer is us surrendering to His will.  Trusting His hand in our lives reminds us that we have a good God who loves and cares for us.  We are safe in His hands, but He will work in our lives what will bring Him glory in the end.  Check out Jesus in Matthew 26:39 and Romans 8:28

SIMPLE PRACTICE: In your prayers this week, include the phrase “I surrender” or “Do what You want, Lord”.  It’s a good reminder in prayer that it’s not about us, but all about Him.

 “Dear Lord, thank You that You are in control.  Lord I surrender my heart into Your hands.  Do what you want in and through my life today.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen"