It’s a Privilege to Pray

God sits on His throne in His temple. Jesus sits beside Him, vigorously pleading for those He loves. For us. The Holy Spirit is there too. On our behalf He utters groans that words cannot express. And then there’s us. Sitting here, yet welcomed into the presence of this Almighty God (Psalm 11:4, Psalm 18:6, Jeremiah 50:34, Hebrews 7:24-25, Romans 8:26-27).


–He invites us to come with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).


–He tells us our prayers are powerful and effective (James 5:16).


–He says pray about anything and everything. When we do He gives us His peace (Philippians 4:5-6).


–He tells us that faith the size of a mustard seed can say to a mountain, –“Move!” and it will move (Matthew 17:20).


–God says He loves us more than we can know and that He is able and willing to do more than we ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:18-20)


It’s a privilege to pray.

What I learned about Prayer from Tessa Afshar’s The Way Home – 3

“Do you ever grow fretful and anxious as you think about the future? Invite Jesus to take over your situation. Avoid telling him:

• What the outcome should look like.
• How He should resolve the situation.
• When He should solve the problem.”*

*adapted from Tessa Afshar, The Way Home, p.92.

Best Ways to Grow in Prayer – 6

If you want to grow in prayer, take 1 Thessalonians 5:17 literally and seriously.

Pray without ceasing.

Best Ways to Grow in Prayer – 5

The best way to build a habit of regular communication is to begin with a Guide.

A Guide can be . . .

• A person who prays and says, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).

• The Lord’s Prayer. https://ablogonprayer.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/prayingthelordsprayer1.pdf                                                         

Best Ways to Grow in Prayer – 4

The best way to grow in prayer is to understand that the best relationships are two-sided.

• It’s about what matters to you . . .
• It’s about what matters to Him . . .

• Q: What types of things matter to you? Can you think of Scripture that relates?
• Q: What types of things matter to God? Can you think of Scripture that relates?

Best Ways to Grow in Prayer – 3

The best way to grow in prayer is to understand what it is. It’s the conversation of relationship.

Are you at odds with God? Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? (Amos 3:3)

The decision to get right is yours, not God’s.

• The Publican said, “O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner (Luke 18:13).
• The thief on the cross said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom (Luke 23:42).”

God has already done and still does his part in our relationship.

• While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
• If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous (1 John 2:1).

Best Ways to Grow in Prayer -2

The best way to grow in prayer is to understand what it is. It’s talking with someone who knows you very well.

Every one of us can pray this: O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head (Psalm 139:1-5).

Best Ways to Grow in Prayer – 1

The best way to grow in prayer is to understand what it is. It’s talking with someone. That someone is God, who is a person.

• He has a will and he wants us to understand what it is (Ephesians 5:17).
• He has emotions. He gets angry, rejoices, grieves and laughs (Psalm 18:7, Zephaniah 3:17. Genesis 6:6, Psalm 2:4).
• He has opinions. I want you to show mercy, not sacrifice. . . Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them. (Matthew 12:8; Mark 10:14).
• He has a personality. He is humble and gentle at heart (Matthew 11:29).
• He has interests. He wants to bring God glory (John 12:28).
• He has abilities. Nothing is too hard for him to do (Jeremiah 32:17).
• He has relationships. Abraham was his friend (Exodus 32:27).

Q: What’s the Best Way to see Answers to Prayer?

A: To pray.

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked way, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Pray for Our Cities

Dr. John Fuder wrote, “It is also our hope that this Chicago Neighborhood Prayer Guide could rally a similar prayer focus across other cities in our nation and around the world. May God give us tears for our cities.”*

Click on this link to see how people are praying for Chicago. https://www.prayercast.com/chicago77.html

*John Fuder with Elizabeth Koenig, Chicago Neighborhood Prayer Guide, p.2.

Summertime in Chicago

As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night (Genesis 8:22).

Even in Chicago.