created by Gina M Poirier

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2 Teach Me To Pray A SIMPLE GUIDE 2018 by Gina Poirier, ginampoirier.com. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or redistributed in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, or otherwise) without my prior written permission, except for the use of brief quotations in a review. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. Introduction Lord, teach us to pray... The practice of prayer has spanned many cultures and religions over centuries; it may be one of the most natural human tendencies to reach out to something greater than ourselves. And yet, perhaps because our world is growing increasingly secular, many of us don t know where to start when it comes time to speak to the invisible God. Or maybe we have some preconceived notion about what it should look like that just doesn t feel natural; or maybe whenever we try to pray, we can t focus on what we re saying because life is just too distracting we re too tired, overwhelmed and uninspired. Perhaps it s a little surprising that Jesus s disciples, the ones who literally walked with him daily, felt the same way. But they didn t let shame or fear stop them from knowing their Father in heaven in a more intimate way than they had ever seen. One of them, after listening intently to one of the many prayers Jesus said, asked, Can you teach us to do that? (Luke 11:1). While prayer is natural, it is still a practice that needs to be learned on an ongoing basis. This guide starts right where the disciples did: at the feet of Jesus. Perhaps you ve heard of the parables about mustard seeds (Matthew 13:30 31, 17:20). This seed is barely a speck, but it steadily grows into a spectacular tree. It may be helpful to look at your prayer efforts in this way. You might start small, but if you faithfully pray day after day, year after year, you may be astounded by the mountains some of those prayers help move. It starts with just a few minutes a day, one day at a time. Try to find a quiet moment and space each day, but even if you can t, do something (many children know God better by overhearing their parents). Just remember, with faith, nothing will be impossible. After seven days with Jesus, you may be thirsty for more. Access the full 4-week journal here: ginampoirier.com/teach-me-to-pray/

3 Week 1 7 Days with Jesus I want to know Christ... Philippians 3:10a When it comes to talking with the God of all Creation, it s only natural to feel a little intimidated, even speechless. What exactly does he expect us to say when he already knows our thoughts (Psalm 139:2)? Perhaps Jesus disciples wondered this as well, which is why he offered them many lessons on prayer. No one has ever known God better than his Son in the flesh, and no one has known how to pray more powerfully than he. This week is a time for you to reflect deeply on Christ s teachings on prayer that he presented in the Gospels. Put them into practice by either saying some of your prayers out loud or writing them down on the spaces provided. Day 1 The Lord s Prayer This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today 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 the evil one. Matthew 6:9 13 (also see Luke 11:1 4) Jesus offered these rich and powerful verses as a springboard for prayer. If you ever don t know where to start, remember this passage. Today, find your quiet place and focus carefully on each phrase. For example, why do we call God our Father? Why does it matter that he is in heaven? Why are these prayers for us instead of just me? If you re not sure how to proceed, ask God for guidance. After you ve finished, write down how you re feeling and any additional prayers.

4 Day 2 Forgiveness And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:12 15 For many people this is one of the most challenging passages in the whole Bible. Forgiveness given and received is hard, especially when it s undeserved. Review the passage from the Lord s Prayer and spend some time considering your own debts. Praying aloud, start your sentences with, Forgive me for... and talk about your shortcomings, recent or long past. Then spend some time saying, I forgive... Even if you don t feel like it, say it anyway (it takes practice!). That includes forgiveness of yourself. _ Day 3 Love Your Enemy You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:43 45a Enemy is a strong word, yet you may have more than you think. Start praying about bigpicture enemies like terrorists and oppressive rulers. Work your way down through anyone who scares you, intimi- dates you or causes you suffering in any way. Start sentences with I forgive again and consider what your enemies really need love, compassion and the guidance to do what is right. Write down the people you want to pray for most and any additional thoughts. _

5 Day 4 Ask, Seek, Knock Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:7 11 Do you pray safe prayers because you re afraid God will say no? Jesus says we can be confident that God knows what s best for us and he wants to give it to us (see also Luke 11:5 12). Spend time today thinking about what you REALLY want, for yourself and others. You can ask for basic needs, but think of your big dreams, short- and long-term. Write them down here and see what God does. Day 5 Faith Have faith in God, Jesus answered. Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, Go, throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. Mark 11:22 25 Look back at yesterday s list. Do you really believe that God will say yes? To the impossible prayers? The trivial ones? He might not answer on your timing or with your method, but he has the power and authority to do anything. And he loves YOU. Pray in faith today, like you know he will answer. Repeat your requests persistently and add new ones. Ask God to increase your faith. Remember: continue to forgive as needed every day so your prayers won t be hindered.

6 Day 6 Fasting When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:16 18 Many people are unfamiliar with fasting, but you can look at it as a very personal, physical extension of your prayers. It s a way to humble yourself before God, usually as part of a petition or an expression of grief. Today, consider how you can fast: whether wholly or partially from food, drink, or something else. Write down your commitment here, whether you start it today or another time. For other examples of fasting see Esther 4:16, Mark 2:18 20, Joel 1:13 14, Daniel 10:2 and 2 Samuel 12: Day 7 Persistence And the Lord said, Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:6 8 This passage is about a widow who asked over and over again for justice until she got it (see full passage Luke 18:1 8). Do you really believe that God will provide justice quickly? Review this whole week today, starting with the Lord s Prayer. How is God moving your heart and stretching your faith? Reflect and write on this and remember these foundational teachings on prayer as you move forward (repeat this week if desired)!

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