Accompanying Video Lesson: https://youtu.be/2OlE59OK9No
Filled with love of God, we ask of God the life-giving answers only He can give – not only for ourselves, but especially for all those He is calling us to love.
Lesson 2: Praying for Yourself
So, ASK!
Passionately, patiently, respectfully, persistently, regularly…
“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10 NLT
ASK!
A – asking from the heart
S – seeking His will
K – knocking at whatever door presents itself
The greatest motivation to pray on any given day is deep concern for a loved one, but if we are looking at motivation for a lifetime or a lifestyle saturated with prayer, then our deep concern for our own lives becomes paramount. Psalm 51; 139; 1 Kings 19:1-18
Three ways to pray for yourself – as God intends…
#1 – Prepare the “Peace Offering” – on the altar of the heart
(Leviticus 7:11-18; 19:5; Psalm 50:14-15; Psalm 107)
To walk in peace with God…
- Lay out the “sacrifice of praise” with thanksgiving (Psalm 51:17; Hebrews 13:15)
- Come (approach) “in Jesus’ name” (John 14:13-15)
- Wait (at the altar) in repentance & trust, quietness & trust (Isaiah 30:15)
- Offer with confidence (1 John 5:13-15)
#2 – Take a relationally wise approach to prayer
Psalm 42:1-4; 51:10-13; 73:1-3,16-17,21-26; Jonah 2
- The best prayer always starts and ends with God. [1]
- My response to Him is always first in relation to my own soul and the need I have for mercy and grace at the center of my life.
- Filled with His compassion, forgiveness, and willingness to serve I begin to pray for others.
- Praying for others humbled before God, taught by His Spirit and adjusting my prayer to His responses, [2] I bring those I am praying for to God – Christ Himself interceding for them through me. [3]
#3 – Pray as your own best friend, not best critic.
God loves us as we are, not as we should be, and when He forgives us in Christ, and accepts us as His children, He does so unconditionally and eternally.
Why can’t we do the same? We do not have to justify our existence to Him, so why do we need to justify our existence to ourselves?
Key Questions to Answer
- How can you pray for yourself like you pray for others – with fervency of love and confidence that you are heard?
- How can you be free from condemnation or shame that robs a person of joy, hope and faith in their prayer life?
You have freedom and confidence before God in prayer for yourself when…
- RESTING in the love of God for you, even though He knows all about you (Romans 8:31-39; Ephesians 3:14-19; 1 John 4:16-18).
- KNOWING that God knows your heart is yearning to love Him and obey Him even when stumbling or fumbling your way along (1 John 3:19-22)
- ASKING “according to His will,” i.e., bowing to His desires, design, and plan for you to be like Jesus as you live out your life. (1 John 4:16-18; 5:13-15; cf. Leviticus 19:5)
Suggested Response to Teaching
- Read the blog posted for this lesson and complete at least one of any activities listed there.
- Answer these thought questions
- Is there a principle or two from this lesson you might incorporate into your life going forward? What would those principles be?
- How have your prayers for things grown stronger or been encouraged through learning to know and love God?
- Do you have any suggestions for improving the format of the lesson (videos, study guides, blog postings, etc.)?
- Share your thoughts and experiences. Please let the David and Julia Ewert know when you have completed an activity (davidandjulia.ewert@gmail.com), and what you found meaningful in the exercise. When inspired to do so, compose a prayer to share with the school that we can publish online with the blog. It can be in any form you choose (prose, poetry, music, picture, psalm, etc.).
[1] See “Six Relational Disciplines” by Ken Sande (rw360.org)
[2] See “Three Qualities That Improve Every Relationship,” by Ken Sande.
[3] Romans 8:27, “…because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Cf. John 17:9-10, 20-26; Hebrews 2:17-18, 4:14-16, 7:22-28
breathingbygraceblog 