Becoming like Jesus requires us to practice the life of Jesus. Prayer is primarily about aligning our hearts with God’s. The Practice of Prayer Luke 11:1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” The Pattern of Prayer Luke 11:2-4 And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread, 4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” Matthew 6:9–15 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. James 4:2–3 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. The Power of Prayer Luke 11:9–10 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Philippians 4:6–7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Psalm 34:17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. Ephesians 6:17–18 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, “Until we believe that life is war, we will not know what prayer is for.” -John Piper * Why do you pray? * Have you made prayer more about yourself than God? * What could be different because of your prayers? Focus on God How does the Bible describe Him? What do you love about God? Pray for God’s Kingdom to come and work in and through your life. Ask God to reveal himself to you. Focus on Physical Needs (Ours & Others) Where do you need God’s provision in your life? What are you lacking that you need God to supply. Who in your life is in need? Ask God for contentment for today. Focus on Spiritual Needs (Ours & Others) Confess any sins to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas in your life that aren’t honoring God. What spiritual needs do you have, bring those to God. What spiritual needs do those around you and in your life have? Focus on Your Way of Life What direction is your life moving in? Who is leading you? Are there people in your life leading you into temptation? Ask the Lord for protection from our spiritual enemy. Ask the Lord to reveal & remove temptations in your life. New to Lifepoint? Attend Starting Point July 13th https://lp.life/LPPCstartingpoint