- Pastor Don Bartemus, Pastor of Compassion

Transcription

1 This seven-day devotional is intended to help you kick-off your year with an upward focus on Jesus. The devotions in this prayer guide were selected based on their fit with the prayer focus for each day. We invite you to read each devotional and pray as you are led by the Lord. Enjoy! - Pastor Don Bartemus, Pastor of Compassion

2 DAY 1 THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER First, think about what prayer is not. Prayer is not to get what we want. It may seem like it but that is not true. Prayer is not to inform God of things so that He sees things our way. Prayer is not so that we can have a smooth and easy life. Prayer is not an exercise in making demands. Prayer is: Our link to God Himself, The breath of holy life for a believer, Connection with the Divine nature, An act of submission, A recognition that we are in desperate need Prayer is communing with the Lover of our soul! Write a three sentence prayer seeking the face of our loving God and telling Him how much you love Him.

3 PRAY ABOUT HOW YOU PRAY DAY 2 Christians have been asking how to pray ever since the disciples asked Jesus, Lord, teach us to pray. (Luke 11:1) When we ask how to pray we want to know what to say in prayer and we want to learn the best prayer methods to use. We are longing to find practical ways to form a closer prayer connection with God. Since prayer covers all subjects of our physical and spiritual lives, what to say in prayer and the prayer methods we use vary according to our needs, our spiritual missions and our current life circumstances. 1. View learning how to pray as an active process based on our relationship with Christ. 2. Develop your God-given prayer resources: Self discipline // time // mentors // opportunities // knowledge of the Scriptures // listening // the natural ways we best communicate // honesty and openness // desire // encouragement and support from others // determination to overcome prayer obstacles // a willingness to ask for help when we need it // vision // resources // God s help 3. Look for ways of praying that work in your world today. Write a three sentence prayer about prayer ask God to teach you to pray and then spend the day praying every time He brings prayer to your mind.

4 DAY 3 PRAY THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES Worship-based prayer is centered on the Scriptures. There is a depth to our prayer relationship which can only be achieved through praying the Words of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Scriptures that you can read in a spirit of prayer. This connection with God our Father is our only hope for sanctified Christian life. Write out three scripture references as you pray them to God. For example, Psalm 23.

5 PRAY TO YOUR FATHER DAY 4 One area in which we tend to struggle is celebrating our relationship with God. We talk with Him, He responds, we move on. Spend today in celebration mode! Look for God in the little things and the big things. Look for His hand in each daily activity. Remember, prayer is not trying to get what we want but rather to see God in every facet of our life. Please indulge me in a brief grandfather moment. The other day Jeremiah came to church with his mom and came down the hall toward my office. I came out just at that moment. Our eyes met, our faces lit up, we smiled and laughed, and then we ran toward each other (I ran, he toddled). The joy was in the meeting! I still can t understand a word the little 16 month old says but I love him, being with him, holding him, and talking with him. Celebrate God this way. Write out a three sentence prayer celebrating God, looking for His answers and just being thrilled to be His child.

6 DAY 5 PRAY FOR THOSE AROUND YOU We should seek the face of God but we should also seek His hand. He is willing to give us every perfect gift. He has promised that His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. This day we will ask of the Father. Remember that the most important things we can pray about are people. Use this day to list five of your family members and five of your friends. Pray one request for each person. Record that request next to their name. Check back with this list from time to time to see how God is working in you and in them. Extra Credit: List five unsaved people whom you know and plead with God to regenerate their souls and lead them to salvation. Commit to pray for these five for all of 2015 and obstinately plead to the Father on their behalf. Let me know when they come to Christ (donbartemus@yourchurch.com) so that I can celebrate with you!

7 EXTRA CREDIT - LIST SCRIPTURES YOU RE PRAYING THROUGH DAY 6

8 DAY 7 OPPORTUNITIES TO PRAY TOGETHER Wednesday noon prayer Gathering First Wednesday of each month, worship-based praying in the Prayer Room First friday missions prayer time Pray for our missionaries at the Ministry Center desperate prayer time* Come with special requests at 5 p.m. on the Fresh Encounter Sundays in the Prayer Room fresh encounter prayer service* Pray as a church body monthly on a Sunday evening Prayer wall on yourchurch.com Submit requests, get daily s, and pray over other s requests prayer card ministry Sign up on the Serving Hub under Compassion Ministries at yourchurch.com Throne of grace Prayer meeting every Sunday >>> 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room praying over the services and the church BARNABAS Prayer Groups Monthly prayer for our missionary families * Check the events calendar on yourchurch.com