FINAL THOUGHTS ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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Beatrice Lynch
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2 FINAL THOUGHTS The adventure of prayer does not end here. It is just the beginning of a lifetime of conversation with your Heavenly Father. Here are some great resources to inspire and instruct you on the journey. But remember, don t just read about how great and powerful prayer is dive in! ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence Does it Pay to Pray: The Work of Missions is Prayer by John DeVries Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God by Tim Keller Prayer: Does it Make Any Difference by Phillip Yancey Too Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels The Great House of God by Max Lucado

3 INTRODUCTION TO PRAYER PRAYER JOURNAL What is prayer? Prayer is dialogue with the God of the Universe! We believe that in prayer we are moving the living God who asks to be moved and thus we are moving world history at its central junctures. -F.D. Bruner Why do we pray? Without prayer, our lives will be In spiritual free fall. -Tim Keller We pray because we love God. We pray to worship God for who He is. We pray to say thanks to our Father. We pray to God to praise Him. We pray to petition God. We pray to confess our sins. We pray to intercede for others. We pray against the enemies of God. We pray to listen to God. We pray to resist temptation. We pray because He directs us to pray. How do I pray? Matthew 6:9 13 (ESV) "Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have Forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen "We must lay before him what is in us; not what ought to be in us." -C.S. Lewis

4 PRAYER JOURNAL Dear Sunlight, I want to invite you to embark on an adventure of prayer! I know we don t always think of prayer as being adventurous, but maybe that s why Jesus said that our faith could move mountains. He wanted to give us a picture of the incredible power of prayer. This month we will be teaching on prayer, and should you choose to accept the challenge, praying! In this booklet are message notes, a prayer calendar, a prayer journal, and prayer resources. I hope part of your adventure will be using this booklet for the month of March. One of the most important parts of this adventure is the prayer journal. You don t have to write a lot, but write something. Keep track of what you ask God for and watch how He responds. I can t wait to see what God does when we unite our hearts for one month of prayer and fasting! He encourages us to ask Him and He promises that He will answer. We have much to accomplish for His Kingdom in this community. Let s ask, and keep asking Him to work mightily through us! Listen to each message on prayer. Use the prayer calendar and journal. Pick a day this month or even a day each week to fast even for 1 meal. Anticipate His answers to prayer! " I have now concentrated all my prayers into one, and that one prayer is this, that I may die to myself, and live wholly for him. C.H. Spurgeon Pastor Kris

5 INTRODUCTION TO FASTING PRAYER JOURNAL Why Should I Fast? Fasting and Prayer combined can bring about a transformational revival- in you, the nation, the world.. it can be a very powerful tool in seeking God. The ultimate purpose of the fast is not you and what you seek, but God. Fasting is a true way to sacrifice for God and humble oneself to Him (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21). Fasting is an act of worship and honoring. What is a fast? A fast is a period of abstaining from something; denying self from a desire. There are multiple types of fasts, which we will address. How Should We Prepare for a Fast? Spiritual Preparation Pray before you fast. Ensure that you communicate with God and seek His guidance regarding your fast. Ask God to help you to examine your heart, detect and repent any unconfessed sins. Physical Preparation Consult a doctor before fasting, in order to ensure that all of your vitals are stable. If you have severe medical maladies you should definitely have professional supervision while fasting. Decrease the amount of food that you eat a couple of days prior to the fast starting in order to prepare your mind, stomach, and appetite for less food. " When I pray for another person, I am praying for God to open my eyes so I can see that person as God does. -Phillip Yancey

6 PRAYER JOURNAL THE MODEL PRAYER Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name The prayer principles of adoration (praise for who God is) and thanksgiving (praise for what He has done). Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven The principle of affirmation, that is, agreeing with God s will and submitting to it. Give us this day our daily bread The principle of supplication, in which we make requests both for ourselves (petition) and for others (intercession). And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors The principle of confession in view of our need for forgiveness of sins. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil The necessity of renewal as we face the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever A closing prayer that honors the Lord and completes our thoughts. Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire? -Corrie Ten Boom

7 PRAYER JOURNAL Types of Fasts The best way to choose the appropriate fast is to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. Pray purposefully in identifying God s purpose and direction in your fast. His direction is the only thing that will make the fast meaningful and significant. INTRODUCTION TO FASTING Partial Fast abstain from food for a set time; eat a simple meal of bread & water; sacrifice a certain food. Daniel Fast - abstains from delicacies, meats, and wines and focuses on fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables No Food Fast - abstains from all food, including milk (protein) and only drinks liquids and water Water Only Fast - abstains from everything except water Absolute/Supernatural Fast - This fast involves abstaining from any food or liquids, including water (the fast of Moses and Jesus) It is important to focus on God, rather than food. The spiritual focus and growth will replace the normal presence of food during the fast. Prayer is not overcoming God s reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness. -Martin Luther

8 SERMON NOTES: OUR FATHER PRAYER JOURNAL My main take away this week is... " Prayer is an open admission that without Christ we can do nothing.. - John Piper

9 PRAYER JOURNAL SERMON NOTES: HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME My main take away this week is... "Conversation with God leads to an encounter with God. Prayer turns theology into experience." -Tim Keller

10 SERMON NOTES: KINGDOM COME PRAYER JOURNAL My main take away this week is... "Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work." - Oswald Chambers

11 PRAYER CALENDER

12 PRAYER JOURNAL SERMON NOTES: GIVE US, FORGIVE US, LEAD US If we pray, we will believe, if we believe we love, if we love, we will serve. - My main take away this week is... Mother Theresa

30 DAYS OF PRAYER AND FASTING SCHEDULE

30 DAYS OF PRAYER AND FASTING SCHEDULE Most of us initiate our prayers with OUR goals in mind. What do WE want out of this? When we start off in such a way, we have already blocked out possibly 90% of