Spiritual Disciplines: Prayer
When’s the last time you thought deeply about your prayer life? In this post, we explore what a meaningful prayer life looks like and how to encourage those in your influence to seek that for themselves.
But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Psalm 69:13
This post is part of a series on Spiritual Disciplines. Read the previous posts below.
If you polled most Christians, they would place prayer at the top of the list of Spiritual Disciplines. There are numerous scriptures on it, Jesus did it a lot, and it’s one of the first things we were taught to do as children or new Christians. But what do we have to gain from deepening our prayer life? How can we encourage others around us to either start or enrich their prayer life?
There are (literally) volumes upon volumes of books dedicated to prayer. Our focus will be to look at why we pray and how we should pray.
Well Versed
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35
Jesus is the greatest example we have to learn from. We see him continually entering into communion with God by way of prayer. This is the first lesson we can learn from him. Prayer brings us into a closer relationship with God. As we spend time talking to and listening for the Father, our own hearts begin to shift and come closer to the example Christ gave us all.
Becoming more like Jesus is an overarching goal, but how does it transform our prayer life? 1 John 5:14-15 says “This is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him.”
The more we become like Jesus, the better we are at knowing and earnestly seeking his will. Just as Jesus prayed the night before he went to the cross, “not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26-39) we can put the priorities of God above our own. When we pray to become closer to God, our will is transformed into a better likeness of His will for us.
Keep it simple
We pray to grow closer to God. The closer we walk with God, the more transformed we become in order to pray according to His will.
Tithe.ly apps are made by pastors for pastors. We understand how difficult it is to juggle all the spiritual disciplines and church responsibilities on a day-to-day basis, which is why we developed digital solutions for every occasion. Start using everything Tithe.ly has to offer with All Access. It’s the special plan that lets you backstage to use every app we have; the quickest way to polish your digital systems so you can lead your church more effectively.
Prayers of Faith
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
God isn’t the Genie from Aladdin. He doesn’t grant us our every wish; he desires a deep connection with us. Prayer is not a simple text message notifying God of some request we have. It’s part of a greater conversation, ongoing in nature, and progressive in unity and effect. One reason why we pray is to ask God to intervene in a situation or to change a current reality.
This begs the question, does prayer affect the way God works in our lives? In James 4:2 we are told that we have not because we ask not. And there is also the dialogue between Abraham and God pertaining to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18:16-33 – a back and forth dialogue, where Abraham’s plea to God renders a call and response intercession. God responds when we petition him. Our earnest prayers can make a difference.
Living on a Prayer
We hope that you have a renewed understanding of and passion for prayer. Prayer is a way for the creation to communicate with the Creator and grow closer to him each and every day. Next time you want to encourage someone who is struggling with their prayer life, remind them why we pray and help them discover how we pray. To learn more about the power and importance of prayer, look at our resource library below.
If you want to find out how Tithe.ly All Access can resource your church or non-profit to continue the work you are called to, we would love to get to know you and hear how we can help! Get started today.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Resource Library
Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster
Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
Additional Blogs on Prayer
100+ Bible Verses About Prayer
How to Pray for the Sick: 3 Powerful Prayer Principles
Prayer Meeting Hacks: Grow Attendance & Beat Boredom in 7 Steps
12 Powerful Prayers For Your Church | Tithe.ly
Sign Up for Product Updates
But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Psalm 69:13
This post is part of a series on Spiritual Disciplines. Read the previous posts below.
If you polled most Christians, they would place prayer at the top of the list of Spiritual Disciplines. There are numerous scriptures on it, Jesus did it a lot, and it’s one of the first things we were taught to do as children or new Christians. But what do we have to gain from deepening our prayer life? How can we encourage others around us to either start or enrich their prayer life?
There are (literally) volumes upon volumes of books dedicated to prayer. Our focus will be to look at why we pray and how we should pray.
Well Versed
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35
Jesus is the greatest example we have to learn from. We see him continually entering into communion with God by way of prayer. This is the first lesson we can learn from him. Prayer brings us into a closer relationship with God. As we spend time talking to and listening for the Father, our own hearts begin to shift and come closer to the example Christ gave us all.
Becoming more like Jesus is an overarching goal, but how does it transform our prayer life? 1 John 5:14-15 says “This is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him.”
The more we become like Jesus, the better we are at knowing and earnestly seeking his will. Just as Jesus prayed the night before he went to the cross, “not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26-39) we can put the priorities of God above our own. When we pray to become closer to God, our will is transformed into a better likeness of His will for us.
Keep it simple
We pray to grow closer to God. The closer we walk with God, the more transformed we become in order to pray according to His will.
Tithe.ly apps are made by pastors for pastors. We understand how difficult it is to juggle all the spiritual disciplines and church responsibilities on a day-to-day basis, which is why we developed digital solutions for every occasion. Start using everything Tithe.ly has to offer with All Access. It’s the special plan that lets you backstage to use every app we have; the quickest way to polish your digital systems so you can lead your church more effectively.
Prayers of Faith
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
God isn’t the Genie from Aladdin. He doesn’t grant us our every wish; he desires a deep connection with us. Prayer is not a simple text message notifying God of some request we have. It’s part of a greater conversation, ongoing in nature, and progressive in unity and effect. One reason why we pray is to ask God to intervene in a situation or to change a current reality.
This begs the question, does prayer affect the way God works in our lives? In James 4:2 we are told that we have not because we ask not. And there is also the dialogue between Abraham and God pertaining to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18:16-33 – a back and forth dialogue, where Abraham’s plea to God renders a call and response intercession. God responds when we petition him. Our earnest prayers can make a difference.
Living on a Prayer
We hope that you have a renewed understanding of and passion for prayer. Prayer is a way for the creation to communicate with the Creator and grow closer to him each and every day. Next time you want to encourage someone who is struggling with their prayer life, remind them why we pray and help them discover how we pray. To learn more about the power and importance of prayer, look at our resource library below.
If you want to find out how Tithe.ly All Access can resource your church or non-profit to continue the work you are called to, we would love to get to know you and hear how we can help! Get started today.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Resource Library
Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster
Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
Additional Blogs on Prayer
100+ Bible Verses About Prayer
How to Pray for the Sick: 3 Powerful Prayer Principles
Prayer Meeting Hacks: Grow Attendance & Beat Boredom in 7 Steps
12 Powerful Prayers For Your Church | Tithe.ly
podcast transcript
But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Psalm 69:13
This post is part of a series on Spiritual Disciplines. Read the previous posts below.
If you polled most Christians, they would place prayer at the top of the list of Spiritual Disciplines. There are numerous scriptures on it, Jesus did it a lot, and it’s one of the first things we were taught to do as children or new Christians. But what do we have to gain from deepening our prayer life? How can we encourage others around us to either start or enrich their prayer life?
There are (literally) volumes upon volumes of books dedicated to prayer. Our focus will be to look at why we pray and how we should pray.
Well Versed
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35
Jesus is the greatest example we have to learn from. We see him continually entering into communion with God by way of prayer. This is the first lesson we can learn from him. Prayer brings us into a closer relationship with God. As we spend time talking to and listening for the Father, our own hearts begin to shift and come closer to the example Christ gave us all.
Becoming more like Jesus is an overarching goal, but how does it transform our prayer life? 1 John 5:14-15 says “This is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him.”
The more we become like Jesus, the better we are at knowing and earnestly seeking his will. Just as Jesus prayed the night before he went to the cross, “not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26-39) we can put the priorities of God above our own. When we pray to become closer to God, our will is transformed into a better likeness of His will for us.
Keep it simple
We pray to grow closer to God. The closer we walk with God, the more transformed we become in order to pray according to His will.
Tithe.ly apps are made by pastors for pastors. We understand how difficult it is to juggle all the spiritual disciplines and church responsibilities on a day-to-day basis, which is why we developed digital solutions for every occasion. Start using everything Tithe.ly has to offer with All Access. It’s the special plan that lets you backstage to use every app we have; the quickest way to polish your digital systems so you can lead your church more effectively.
Prayers of Faith
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
God isn’t the Genie from Aladdin. He doesn’t grant us our every wish; he desires a deep connection with us. Prayer is not a simple text message notifying God of some request we have. It’s part of a greater conversation, ongoing in nature, and progressive in unity and effect. One reason why we pray is to ask God to intervene in a situation or to change a current reality.
This begs the question, does prayer affect the way God works in our lives? In James 4:2 we are told that we have not because we ask not. And there is also the dialogue between Abraham and God pertaining to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18:16-33 – a back and forth dialogue, where Abraham’s plea to God renders a call and response intercession. God responds when we petition him. Our earnest prayers can make a difference.
Living on a Prayer
We hope that you have a renewed understanding of and passion for prayer. Prayer is a way for the creation to communicate with the Creator and grow closer to him each and every day. Next time you want to encourage someone who is struggling with their prayer life, remind them why we pray and help them discover how we pray. To learn more about the power and importance of prayer, look at our resource library below.
If you want to find out how Tithe.ly All Access can resource your church or non-profit to continue the work you are called to, we would love to get to know you and hear how we can help! Get started today.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Resource Library
Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster
Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
Additional Blogs on Prayer
100+ Bible Verses About Prayer
How to Pray for the Sick: 3 Powerful Prayer Principles
Prayer Meeting Hacks: Grow Attendance & Beat Boredom in 7 Steps
12 Powerful Prayers For Your Church | Tithe.ly
VIDEO transcript
But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Psalm 69:13
This post is part of a series on Spiritual Disciplines. Read the previous posts below.
If you polled most Christians, they would place prayer at the top of the list of Spiritual Disciplines. There are numerous scriptures on it, Jesus did it a lot, and it’s one of the first things we were taught to do as children or new Christians. But what do we have to gain from deepening our prayer life? How can we encourage others around us to either start or enrich their prayer life?
There are (literally) volumes upon volumes of books dedicated to prayer. Our focus will be to look at why we pray and how we should pray.
Well Versed
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35
Jesus is the greatest example we have to learn from. We see him continually entering into communion with God by way of prayer. This is the first lesson we can learn from him. Prayer brings us into a closer relationship with God. As we spend time talking to and listening for the Father, our own hearts begin to shift and come closer to the example Christ gave us all.
Becoming more like Jesus is an overarching goal, but how does it transform our prayer life? 1 John 5:14-15 says “This is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him.”
The more we become like Jesus, the better we are at knowing and earnestly seeking his will. Just as Jesus prayed the night before he went to the cross, “not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26-39) we can put the priorities of God above our own. When we pray to become closer to God, our will is transformed into a better likeness of His will for us.
Keep it simple
We pray to grow closer to God. The closer we walk with God, the more transformed we become in order to pray according to His will.
Tithe.ly apps are made by pastors for pastors. We understand how difficult it is to juggle all the spiritual disciplines and church responsibilities on a day-to-day basis, which is why we developed digital solutions for every occasion. Start using everything Tithe.ly has to offer with All Access. It’s the special plan that lets you backstage to use every app we have; the quickest way to polish your digital systems so you can lead your church more effectively.
Prayers of Faith
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
God isn’t the Genie from Aladdin. He doesn’t grant us our every wish; he desires a deep connection with us. Prayer is not a simple text message notifying God of some request we have. It’s part of a greater conversation, ongoing in nature, and progressive in unity and effect. One reason why we pray is to ask God to intervene in a situation or to change a current reality.
This begs the question, does prayer affect the way God works in our lives? In James 4:2 we are told that we have not because we ask not. And there is also the dialogue between Abraham and God pertaining to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18:16-33 – a back and forth dialogue, where Abraham’s plea to God renders a call and response intercession. God responds when we petition him. Our earnest prayers can make a difference.
Living on a Prayer
We hope that you have a renewed understanding of and passion for prayer. Prayer is a way for the creation to communicate with the Creator and grow closer to him each and every day. Next time you want to encourage someone who is struggling with their prayer life, remind them why we pray and help them discover how we pray. To learn more about the power and importance of prayer, look at our resource library below.
If you want to find out how Tithe.ly All Access can resource your church or non-profit to continue the work you are called to, we would love to get to know you and hear how we can help! Get started today.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Resource Library
Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster
Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
Additional Blogs on Prayer
100+ Bible Verses About Prayer
How to Pray for the Sick: 3 Powerful Prayer Principles
Prayer Meeting Hacks: Grow Attendance & Beat Boredom in 7 Steps
12 Powerful Prayers For Your Church | Tithe.ly
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