Believer's Life Family Church
“A Better Way”
Relational Prayer
I. Prayer is Heartfelt Meaningful Communication with God
James 5:16 (AMP)The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous person makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]
PRINCIPLE 1: Prayer is a Heartfelt Expression of Conversation with God.
A. Prayer is not Just a Religious Concept
Matthew 6:5 (NKJV)“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men…
PRINCIPLE 2: Prayer is Not a Religious Concept.
B. The Old Testament Concept of Prayer
Old Testament Mediators, such as Moses, David and Abraham stood between God and Man to Pray for the People.
DEFINE: Mediator - a Go-Between or Arbitrator
Genesis 18:23–24 (NKJV)23 Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it?
PRINCIPLE 3: Many of the Models People use Today for Prayer are based on Old Testament Concepts where a Mediator stood and Begged and Pleaded for Mercy between an Angry God and People who Sinned against Him!
C. The New Testament Concept of Prayer
1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV) For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus
PRINCIPLE 4: The New Testament Provides a New and Better Way to Pray to the Father where Jesus is the Only Mediator between Us and God.
Hebrews 7:22 (MSG) This makes Jesus the guarantee of a far better way between us and God - one that really works! A new covenant.
II. Relational/Conversational Prayer
New TestamentPrayer should be Centered around Your Life-Giving Relationship with God
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)…for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
PRINCIPLE 5: Prayer Builds Our Relationship with God based on Faith, established by Jesus’ Death, Burial and Resurrection.
DEFINE: Relational/Conversational Prayer - Prayer Centered Around Cultivating a Relationship with God by Expressing Love, Worship and Thanksgiving to Him!
1. Focused on God
Colossians 3:2 (NKJV)Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
PRINCIPLE 6: We would not have as many Problems in Life if Our Thoughts were Focused on Him and not everything Else!
2. Focused on God’s Presence
Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) …In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
3. Focused on God’s Love
Psalm 118:29 (NLT) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
4. Focused on God’s Goodness
DEFINE: Good - Pleasant and Satisfying
Psalm 34:8 (NKJV) Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
5. Focused on God’s Faithfulness
DEFINE: Faithfulness - Honest, Truthful and Reliable,
Psalm 92:1 (NKJV)1It is good to …declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night,
6. Focused on Giving God Thanks
Psalm 92:2 (NKJV) It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High
7. Prayer Focused on God’s Mercy
DEFINE: Mercy - God’s Unchanging Compassion and Forgiveness
1 Chronicles 16:34 (NKJV)Oh, give thanks to the Lord… For His mercy endures forever.
D. Benefits of Relational / Conversational Prayer
Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
PRINCIPLE 7: Relational / Conversational Prayer Creates God’s Presence and Keeps Our Mind in Peace!