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The principle of prayer is a progression, it moves along until it becomes complete. Prayer has various stages before it reaches it ultimate. Desire Discipline Devotion Delight The Desire to pray Every Christian should have the desire to pray. “Thou then art not a Christian that are not a praying person” (John Bunyan 1628 - 88) “Prayer is as much the instinct of my nature as a Christians, as it is a duty enjoined by the command of God. It is my language of worship, as a man; of dependence, as a creature; of submissions a subject; of confession, as a sinner; of thankfulness, as the recipient of mercies, of supplication, as a needy being” (Tyron Edwards 1804 - 94) Prayer/Communion is part of God’s desire - In Eden. Genesis 3:8-9
- In Egypt. Exodus 3:1-12;17; Ps132:13-14
- In Salvation. 1 John 1:1-4
- He wants us to partake of his nature. 2 Peter 1:4
- The Spirit of God living in us creates this desire. Ez 36:24-27; Ecc 3:11; 1 Chron 29:18; James 4:5.
- He arranges life’s steps so that we might seek/find him. Romans 8:28-30; Acts 17:26-27
** Note: Luke 22:41-44 the anguish Jesus felt at the thought of losing this communion. The Discipline of Prayer Disciple = ‘Instruction, training, exercise or practice of the mental, moral and physical powers to promote order, regularity and efficient obedience. Prayer Requires Disciple A daily time with God does not just happen. It must be build into your schedule. It must become a habit. Daniel 6:10, Ps 5:1-3. The time you allocate will come under attack from all kinds of potential intruders but discipline will help drive them off. Genesis 15:11. Desire will never come to birth unless discipline is used. James 1:14-15 Negative scenario! Why is Discipline Needed? Refer Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38 The flesh of man versus the spirit of man. Flesh = Gr. ‘Sarx’, has a wide range of meanings. A few examples: i) The substance of the body. 1Corinthians 15:39 ii) The weaker element in human nature. Romans 6:19 iii) The unregenerate state of men. Romans 7:5 iv) The lower and temporary element in a Christian. Galatians 3:3, 6:8 “The flesh is weak” without strength to comply, to carry or support your desire. “The spirit is willing” Ready The spirit of man is the part of him that God communicates with. - All desire for God comes through his Spirit to our spirit. James 4:5
- We are born again in our spirit. John 3:3
- Man worships God with his spirit. John 4:23-24
- The words Jesus speaks, he speaks to our spirit. John 6:63, 1 Corinthians 2:13-14
- We serve God with our spirits. Romans 1:9 (AV); 12:11
Discipline is needed to overcome the flesh 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 The disciples went to sleep because they did not discipline the body and fight off the desire to sleep. The Discipline of Jesus (The busiest man who ever walked the earth was also the most disciplined) i) Jesus set time aside: Stayed up all night. Matthew 14:22-33 Got up early. Luke 4:42 To be alone. Luke 5:16; Matthew 6:6 ii) Set a place aside: Judas knew where Jesus would be. John 18:2 Moses. Exodus 33:7-11 Daniel. Daniel 6:10 Practical Suggestions Don’t try to pray in bed. Wash your face Stay away from cosy chairs and warm fires Make a drink Walk as you pray Devotion to Prayer Devotion = steadfast perseverance, continuing setting apart, to do with reverence and awe. Compare Joshua 6:17-18; 7:1 with Acts 2:42, Col 4:2 Devoted/devout people are always in right place at right time in God’s plan. Luke 2:25-32, 36-38. The Delight of Prayer This is the ultimate moving from discipline to delight. Wanting to not having to. This helps us to enjoy prayer. God wants us to delight ourselves in him. Psalm 37:4. When you delighting something the joy it brings motivates you into action. i) Delighted people do things without wasting time. Genesis 34:19 ii) Jesus delighted to do his Father’s will. Ps 40:8 iii) “For the joy set before him”. Hebrews 12:2 iv) “God loves a cheerful giver” 2 Corinthians 9:7 · Delight helps me get out of bed! · Delight helps me to set a time each day! · Delight helps me to be enthusiastic about praying! · Delight helps me enjoy and not endure prayer! Where are you at? Desire – Part of God’s nature in us Discipline – I know it must be done, its food for me, remove intruders. Devotion – Sacred commitment. Delight – Enthusiastic “Sow an action and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny. If you devote but one hour a day to an engrossing project, you will give it 365 hours a year, or the equivalent of more than 45 full working days of 8 hours each. This is like adding one and a half months of productive living to every year of your life.” (Dicke Eastman – No Easy Road) |