Teach Us to Pray, Part 2

According to the writers of the New Testament, prayer is to be practiced constantly, without ceasing. To most of us this sounds idealistic or even unreasonable. Can we really stay connected with our Heavenly Father continually? And if so, how?

Raise a Hallelujah
Bethel Music

Worthy of Your Name
Passion

Touch of Heaven
Hillsong Worship

Make Room
Community Music

Mark #2
A disciple is one who pursues the lifestyle of Jesus.

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Last Week’s Action Steps
1.Create the conditions (time and space) to give your undivided attention to the God the Father.
2. Approach your Father knowing you have His undivided attention.
3. Pray in the pattern Jesus taught.

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Tim Keller
“Prayer is simply the key to everything we need to do and be in life.”

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Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

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Philippians 4:6
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.

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Ephesians 6:18
Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.

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Colossians 4:2
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

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Hebrews 13:15
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

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Pray Without Ceasing
To pray uninterruptedly and incessantly, without omission or intermission.

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Romans 8:31-34
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

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Titus 3:4-7
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

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How Do We Pray Without Ceasing?
1. Adopt reminders that point you to your Heavenly Father.

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How Do We Pray Without Ceasing?
2. Adopt a “pocket prayer” to help your spiral up instead of down.

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Sample “Pocket Prayer”
Father,
You are good,
I need help,
They need help,
Thank you,
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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How Do We Pray Without Ceasing?
3. Adopt a spirit of dependence and release control.

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Psalm 8:3,4
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

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How Do We Pray Without Ceasing?
4. Adopt the everyday stuff of life to trigger your prayers for others.

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How Do We Pray Without Ceasing?
5. Adopt the attitude and commitment that I will never stop praying.

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From ‘Holy Moments’
In your presence I can offer my questions, knowing you are never threatened by my uncertainties, they do not change your truth. My doubts cannot unseat your promises. You are a rock, O Christ, and your truth is a bulwark that I might dash myself against, until my strength is spent and I collapse at last in despair, only then to feel the tenderness of your embrace as you stoop to gather me to yourself, drawing me to your breast and cradling me there, where I find I am held again by a love that even my doubts cannot undo.