This August and September (2013) we will be discovering together the depths and art of prayer, as we learn to paint new realities through our conversations with a Sovereign God.
Prayer is something that has been vastly written about by a variety of theologians, authors, munks, spiritual mystics, revivalists and reformers. But we will use Jesus teaching’s on prayer as our guide through this series with a variety of quotes, teachings and stories from others who have traveled down the path of prayer before us and sent us back stories that will build and inspire our faith.
Throughout this series we will be looking at the Art of Prayer taught to us by Jesus through the 4 details of prayer outlined in the Lords prayer in Matthew 6:5-13 where Jesus says:
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
These are the four details of prayer that we will be looking at together:
1- Praise in Prayer-
We will explore how we are to approach God not just with requests but also with honor and reverence. Our Father in heaven, Holy is your name.
2- Power in Prayer-
We will explore how our prayers can cause God’s kingdom and will to come and invade earth. Your Kingdom Come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
3- Petition in prayer-
We will look at how we are to ask God for what we need want and desire, because he is not only able but willing to give generously. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
4- Protection in prayer-
We will talk about how we are in a spiritual battle and we need God’s spiritual protection. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.
I hope you will be able to join us at one of our upcoming Sunday worship gatherings. We gather every Sunday at 10:30am at 800 R Street, Sacramento CA 95811. We will have some special opportunities for prayer throughout the series so stay connected online at www.facebook.com/societychurch.