Spiritual DisciplinesSample

Day 2- The Power of Prayer

Discover: In Matthew 6:9-15, Jesus continues to tell his disciples how to pray. This time, he gives a guide in which all Christians should pray in which prayer leads us in our lives. This prayer highlights how it changes our priorities and that it makes us dependent on God. The Lord’s Prayer includes praise, submission, confession, and requests to God. Because of this, Christians can confidently go to God in prayer at any time.

Learn: The Lord’s Prayer is one of the most recited passages in Scripture. Many athletes say it before games, but they sometimes miss the meaning of this prayer. This prayer encompasses different aspects of prayer and displays the nature that prayer changes our priorities and makes us dependent on God. The prayer begins with recognizing the sovereignty of God and that we should approach prayer with reverence. “Hallowed be thy name” means we understand that God is holy and above every other name. “Your will be done” emphasizes that we must surrender full control of our lives and give it over to God. Prayer also makes us depend on God as we ask for personal requests. “Give this day our daily bread” is a declaration that we must rely on God every single day. We must come to God with our daily needs, not our daily greed. “Forgive us of our debts” signifies that we are all sinners and need forgiveness from a holy and perfect God. In general, this prayer teaches us about the nature of prayer and our relationship with God. It shows that prayer involves praise, submission, dependence, repentance, and protection. From Hebrews 4:16, we learn that we have direct access to God and can find His mercy and grace at any time. God is omnipresent and available whenever you need to talk to Him.

Apply: One great way to practice the prayer guide that Jesus teaches in this passage is through the A-C-T-S prayer method. This 4-step model can help us in our prayer life as we grow closer to God. The model goes like this:

A-Adoration- Start by praising God for who He is- gracious, loving, powerful, etc.

C- Confession- Be honest about the sins in your life and ask God for forgiveness and help to improve.

T- Thanksgiving- Thank God for all that He has given you and all the blessings, big and small, in your life.

S- Supplication- These are requests to God. Ask God for what you and others need, whether it’s guidance, strength, or help in a specific situation.

As you practice this model in your prayer life, it will begin to change your perspective on prayer and encourage you that you can pray to God about anything!

· Why do you think the Lord’s Prayer is so common in our society?

· What are some ways you can incorporate praise and submission to God’s will in your daily prayers?

· How does Hebrews 4:16 encourage you in your prayer life? What does it mean to you to approach God’s throne of grace and confidence?

· How can the A-C-T-S method guide your prayers? How does it compare to the structure of the Lord’s prayer?