5th Feb 2020 - ”Prayer” - Big Night In #4

We are very sorry, but due to a technical difficulty, we are unable to publish a Podcast for Big Night In #3.

We do hope that you will be uplifted by studying this podcast for Big Night In #4. If you are able to join us for Big Night In #5, which will be on Wednesday evening 12th Feb 2020, you will be very welcome. 

Big Night In #4

Training for Godliness: Prayer (Part 2)

     A. Definitions of prayer

“The chief exercise of faith” – John Calvin

“Calling on God to come through on his promise” – Gary Millar

• The first prayers in the Bible: “people began to call upon the name of the Lord” - Genesis 4:26
•  The last prayer in the Bible (Revelation 22:20-21):
  “20 He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’
  Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
  21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.”
  
  
• Calling on God’s promise changes me before it changes my circumstances

 

Psalm 13

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

 1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me for ever?
    How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
    How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
    Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’
    and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
    my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
    for he has been good to me.

 

   B. The Model Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)

“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.”

 Notice:

Jesus is more concerned with what to ask for than how to ask.

Priority is the PRESENCE of God (9-10) before seeking the PROVISION of God (11-13)

 

This prayer is a SHARED discipline:

“OUR Father…”

Verses 9-10 UNITE Christians in what they seek above all

Verses 11-13 makes us mindful of the needs of others

 

 C. In your groups

1. Was there anything in tonight’s talk you found surprising/helpful/challenging? 

2. Spend some time together in prayer.

  Have the text of the Lord’s prayer open (Matthew 6:9-13

  a. Bearing in mind what we’ve already thought about pray in your group through verses 9-10 – use this as a model of prayer, and feel free to use your own words. Remember, simple and to the point is something God loves to hear from his children

     1. Worship God!

     2. Pray for God’s kingdom to advance

     3. Pray for God’s will to be done, in your life; in the life of BCFC

  b. Take some time to share needs that you would like prayer for, or for someone you know.

  c. Now use vv11-13 and the points from (b) as a basis for prayer for each other – don’t be afraid to pray by name.