Foundations of Faith // Prayer

1. Am I focused on the REWARD... Or the RELATIONSHIP? 

Matthew 6:5 NIV 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. Matthew 6:6 NIV 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 

2. Am I focused on the LIST... Or the LISTENING? 

Matthew 6:7-8 NIV 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 

Biblical Examples of Logos: 

In the beginning was the Word [logos], and the Word [logos] was with God, and the Word [logos] was God” (John 1:1 NIV). Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word [logos] of truth. (II Timothy 2:15 NIV). 

Biblical Examples of Rhema: 

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word [rhema] about Christ. (Romans 10:17 NIV) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word [rhema]..(Ephesians 5:25-26 NIV) If you remain in me and my words [rhema] remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15:7 NIV) 

Matthew 6:9-15 NIV 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘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 today 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 the evil one.’”14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. 

3. Am I focused on WHAT THEY DID or WHAT HE HAS DONE?

Mark 11:24-26 NASB 24 Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. 25 Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.” 

Questions: 

1) Have you ever felt disconnected or unfocused when you pray? What are the steps you take to resolve that? 

2) Do you tend to approach God in prayer out of a genuine heart for relationship, or does it seem more often out of religious obligation? Describe your experiences. 

3) Describe your experiences or your thoughts on forgiveness as it pertains to your life. Have you grown in this area or is it something that you find yourself struggling with even now?