a 6-week bible study series of The St. Paul Community BC
Rev. David K. Brawley, Lead Pastor
www.spcbc.com
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Session Three: PRAYER
“It is necessary for us to recognize that there is an
intelligent mysticism in the life of faith...of living
union and communion with the exalted and everpresent Redeemer…. He communes with His people
and his people commune with him in conscious
reciprocal love…. The life of true faith cannot be that
of cold metallic assent. It must have the passion and
warmth of love and communion because
communion with God is the crown and apex of true
religion. ”
–John Murray, Scottish theologian The Lord’s Prayer: Matthew 6:9-13
Elements of Prayer….
Pray with A.C.T.S.
Adoration (Ps 68:35)
Thanksgiving (Ps 69:30)
Confession (1 John 1:9)
Supplication (Philippians
4:6)
Prayer… What It IS?
Work: Prayer is a duty and a
discipline
Word: Prayer is conversing with God
Balance: Prayer is adoration,
confession, thanks and supplication
Grace Prayer is “In Jesus name,” based on the gospel
Fear
Prayer is the heart engaged in loving awe
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Helplessness
Prayer is accepting one’s weakness & dependence
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What it gives?
Perspective
Strength
Spiritual Reality
Prayer… Where It Takes Us?
Self-Knowledge: Prayer requires &
creates honesty and self-knowledge
Trust: Prayer requires & creates both
restful trust and confident hope
Surrender: Prayer requires & creates
surrender of the whole life in love to God
“Prayer has been regularly adjusted in
the modern world: either prayer has
become anemic, psychological or
simply a group process of sharing.”
–Walter Brueggermann
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“What sense is there in praying if I don’t even believe in God.”
She asked
“Sometimes you don’t pray because you believe, you pray in
order to believe.” I answered.
“That sounds backwards to me.” She responded.
“Sometimes you can’t wait for your mind to catch up. Your heart
has to take the initiative.” I answered back.
–Dr. Renita Weems. Listening for God
“The long silence between intimacies,
the interminable pause between words,
the immeasurable seconds between
pulses, the quiet between epiphanies,
the hush after ecstasy, the listening for
God- this is the spiritual journey. Many of
us have learned how to talk to God but
few of us have learned how to listen for
God”
–Dr. Renita Weems. Listening for God
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Do you struggle with prayer?
How can we deepen our contemplative prayer?
What things require our prayer in the world?
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