February 13 , 2005
"The Life That Prays"
"The Greatest Adventure"—Part 6
Jeremiah 29:12-14
Review:
Three keys for the person who would pray:
- Dependency—The person who prays recognizes their need.
- Humility—Only the humble can pray.
- Fellowship—You were created to know and love God.
Three evidences of true prayer:
1. True prayer produces holiness of heart.
When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am." "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground."
—Exodus 3:4-5
It is impossible to hold on to a holy God in one hand and the world with the other!
The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.
—Exodus 33:11a
Too few people are known as friends of God. Many are known as great communicators and ministers, great musicians and workers. But a great need exists for friends of God.
2. True prayer seeks God.
"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD...
—Jeremiah 29:12-14
Three aspects of seeking God with your whole heart:
- Intellect
- Emotion
- Will
3. True prayer pursues the will of God.
Effective prayer will always be rooted in the truth of God's Word.
..."My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
—Matthew 26:39
Lifework
True prayer is submission to the will of God. You cannot effectively enter into prayer with strings attached to your own will.
Putting Prayer into Practice—Week 6
Personal and Small Group Study
Getting Started
- On Monday mornings, what is business as usual for you? When something interrupts your business as usual (smell, hear or see something strange), what do you do about it?
- What activities do you fit in during a commercial break?
Digging Deeper: Read Exodus 3:1-22
- Did Moses have any concern about the Hebrew people in Egypt? How do you know that from earlier in the Book of Exodus?
- Why do you think God used a burning bush to get Moses' attention? What if He had simply begun speaking instead?
- What is the net effect on Moses? What relationship with Moses has God initiated here?
- Read Exodus 33:7-11. Why did Moses set up a tent outside the camp?
- Why would Moses seek God's face at a time like this? What were the people expecting as they watched Moses enter the tent of meeting?
Applying It To My Life
- Can you recall an event in your life when you felt like you were standing on holy ground? What was sacred about that moment? How did God use that moment to establish a right relationship between Him and you?
- What would God have to do to get your attention and commitment to take on a new life mission?
- Where do you meet with God? What does meeting God as a "friend" mean for Moses? What does meeting with God as a "friend" mean for you?
- What do friendships give you that you would like from God? How can you become a better friend of God?