Lesson Four: [ Prayer and Spiritual Disciplines ] · PDF fileLesson Four: [ Prayer and Spiritual Disciplines ] ... we receive His guidance, blessings and ... the curtain into the Most

Course Name: [ Christianity 101 ]Lesson Four: [ Prayer and Spiritual Disciplines ]

Getting together with loving family members or great friends is refreshing. Hanging out with people we are closely connected to renews us, comforts us and recharges our spiritual and emotional batteries. Power is imparted through positive relationships.

While these human relationships are wonderful and empowering, there is something greater—a relationship with God. There is nothing like being in His presence and getting to know Him intimately.

The call to fellowship with God is a central theme of Scripture. All of God’s plans for us and actions on our behalf, including the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus, are designed to bring us into fellowship and friendship with Him.

It is exciting to think that the God of the universe wants to connect and commune with us! He created us to function best in this kind of intimate relationship with Him. He longs for us to freely choose His presence over other priorities.

Through fellowship with God, we receive His guidance, blessings and supernatural strength to do His will. We connect to His power for our lives! Let’s look at what the Bible tells us about this vital aspect of our walk with the Lord.

1. God took the initiative to connect and communicate with us.

Adam and Eve were created by God and enjoyed regular connection and communion with Him in the Garden of Eden. As long as they followed His instructions, they were privileged to participate in uninterrupted, beautiful fellowship with the One who gave them life and purpose.

This communion was open and natural, without the slightest hint of fear or mistrust.

Genesis 2:15-20 (NLT) The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. 16 But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.

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Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” 19 So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. 20 He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him.

Genesis 3:8-10 (NLT) When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

The disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden disrupted their fellowship with God—and their sin had long-term, catastrophic consequences for us. It corrupted the human heart and cut off our connection with God.

The Bible teaches us that, by nature, we no longer love God or seek out a relationship with Him. Sin disconnected us from the power source.

Genesis 3:11-13 (NLT) “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” 13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”

Romans 8:5-8 (NLT) Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

2. God invites us to connect and communicate with Him.

God lovingly took the initiative to open the communication and restore the connection with us. Jesus’ death and resurrection paid the price for our sin and opened the way for us. Through repentance from sin and faith in Jesus, we are invited back into a place of restored relationship with God.

Romans 5:6-11 (NLT) When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s

Pastor Dale O’Shields // Prayer and Spiritual Disciplines // Page 2

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condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

Hebrews 10:19-22 (NLT) And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

God not only longs for fellowship with us; He repeatedly invites us to connect and communicate with Him. The Bible paints a picture of the loving Heavenly Father calling His children to meet with Him and share life together.

There are tremendous benefits and blessings for those who respond to His call. As we communicate our hearts to the Lord, we can be sure that He hears us and will respond to our petitions.

Psalm 18:3,6 (NLT) I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies. … 6 But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.

Psalm 61:1-2 (NLT) O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! 2 From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety.

Jeremiah 33:3 (NLT) Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT) This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Revelation 3:20 (NLT) Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friend.


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If we seek fellowship with God, He has promised to reveal Himself to us and we come to know Him better.

Exodus 33:15-19 (NLT) Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. 16 How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.” 17 The Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.” 18 Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.” 19 The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.”

Proverbs 8:17 (NLT) I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.

Jeremiah 29:12-14 (NLT) “In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

We can expect blessings as God imparts His life to us when we consistently pursue fellowship with Him.

Matthew 6:33 (NLT) Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (NLT) But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

3. We stay plugged into God’s power by responding to His invitation.

We cannot expect to experience God’s power in our daily lives unless we accept His invitation and choose to make regular fellowship with Him a personal priority. This requires discipline—a lifestyle structured to include consistent times with God.


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We must learn how to seek the Lord by developing the proper spiritual habits, like studying God’s Word, prayer, personal worship, praise and fasting. Listen to the promises given to those who make this process part of their daily lives:

Proverbs 8:34-35 (NLT) Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! 35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.

1 Timothy 4:8 (Msg) Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever.

4. The Bible is God’s “power book.”

God primary method of communication with us is through His Word. The Word of God is our source of strength and nourishment.

Deuteronomy 8:3 (NLT) Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

We should feed on the Bible as we read it—receiving God’s Word as a personal letter of instruction, encouragement and love from our Heavenly Father. This is how we can understand what He has to say about all of life.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

Psalm 119:105,130 (NLT) Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. ... 130 The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.

Proverbs 2:1-7 (NLT) My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. 3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. 4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. 5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.

The Holy Spirit enables us to understand God’s Word. He is the author of Scripture and gives us insight and revelation about its content and application for our lives.


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1 Corinthians 2:10-14 (NLT) But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. 11 No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. 12 And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. 13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. 14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.

John 16:13-15 (NLT) When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, “The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.”

With the Holy Spirit’s help we should meditate on Scripture, believe it and obey what God says. This keeps us from yielding to sin and brings fruitfulness, joy and health to our lives.

Joshua 1:8 (NLT) Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT) Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

Psalm 119:9-11,133 (NLT) How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. 10 I have tried hard to find you—don’t let me wander from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. ... 133 Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.

Proverbs 4:20-23 (NLT) My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. 21 Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, 22 for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Jeremiah 15:16 (NLT) When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.


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2 Peter 1:4 (NLT) And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

5. Prayer is God’s power-releasing process.

Prayer is another vital component of our fellowship with God, but developing the habit of prayer can be challenging and intimidating to believers. We must remember that prayer is simply talking with God. It is the way we communicate our needs and requests to our Heavenly Father.

We can pray with confidence because Jesus’ blood cleanses us from sin and removes every weight of condemnation from us. Based on the merits of what Christ has done for us, we approach God’s throne of grace guilt-free—boldly!

Prayer not only involves our communication with God but His communion with us as well. As we enter into His presence, we can expect Him to speak to our hearts and reveal His thoughts to us by the Holy Spirit. (These thoughts are then to be judged and confirmed or rejected by the authority of God’s Word.)

Many people struggle with prayer simply because they lack a pattern to consistently follow. Jesus gave us a model prayer for this purpose—to reveal His priorities for our prayers.

Matthew 6:9-13 (NLT) Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. 10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today the food we need, 12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

Luke 11:2-4 (NLT) Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: ‘Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. 3 Give us each day the food we need, 4 and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.’”

The Bible repeatedly assures us that God hears us when pray in line with His will—and that He will answer us!

Luke 11:9-10 (NLT) And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

John 15:7 (NLT) But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted.


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1 John 3:20-22 (NLT) Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. 22 And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.

1 John 5:14-15 (NLT) And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.

There are certain actions and attitudes that have the potential to undermine the effectiveness of our personal prayer life. These hindrances include:

• Unconfessed sin.

Psalm 66:18 (NLT) If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

• Lack of faith.

Matthew 14:31 (NLT) Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

• Unforgiveness.

Mark 11:25 (NLT) But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.

• Failure to persevere.

Luke 18:1 (NLT) One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.

• Failure to pray according to God’s will.

James 4:3 (NLT) And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

1 John 5:14-15 (NLT) And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.

The Holy Spirit is our helper in prayer. Through His assistance, we are enabled to pray in accordance with God’s will.


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Romans 8:26-27 (NLT) And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

Jude 20 (NLT) But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit ... .

Ephesians 6:18 (NLT) Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

In summary, effective prayer is fervent, sensitive, loving, faith-filled, persistent, grateful as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

6. Praise and worship are two of God’s power principles.

A significant aspect of our personal fellowship with God also involves times of genuine praise and worship. These are not just for corporate gatherings; God is blessed when we adore and exalt Him in personal worship.

Psalm 34:1 (NLT) I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.

Acts 16:25-26 (NLT) Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off.

Ephesians 5:18-20 (NLT) Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT) Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

7. Fasting and prayer are powerful spiritual weapons.

Fasting is voluntarily setting aside food or activities for the sake of seeking God and sensitizing ourselves to His will. When we fast as God instructs us, we tap into a great source of spiritual power and an effective weapon in spiritual warfare.


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Daniel 9:3,21-23a (NLT) So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes. ... 21 As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. 23 The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God.”

Mark 9:29 (NKJV) So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (NLT) We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

To stay connected to God’s power, we need seasons of biblical fasting that are:

• Personal.

• Systematic.

• Holy Spirit prompted.

• Partial or more complete (except for drinking water).

• Short or longer.

• Corporate.

• For the purpose of prayer, repentance and fellowship with God.

Living successfully and victoriously as believers in Christ requires power. This kind of spiritual power flows though a personal relationship with God nurtured by the consistent practice of key spiritual habits. Doing the disciplines dispenses His power in our daily lives!


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Small Group Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Psalm 37:4 (NIV) says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” What does it mean to “delight yourself in the Lord”? Why do you think this is important when we ask Him for the “desires of our heart”?

Talking It Over

How do the following verses speak to you about God’s invitation to connect and communicate with Him? Jeremiah 29:12-14; 33:3; Hebrews 4:15-16; Revelation 3:20.

How much of a priority in your life is fellowship with God? How does the actual time and effort you invest consistently in spiritual disciplines (like personal prayer, Bible reading, worship and fasting) relate to your answer?

Look again at the hindrances to effective prayer described in this lesson. What are some obstacles you face that try to keep you from connecting with God? What steps can you take to overcome these?

What differences are you expecting to see in your life as you deepen and strengthen your fellowship with the Lord?

Putting the Word to Work

Spend time this week praying through the verses listed above (Psalm 37:4; Jeremiah 29:12-14; 33:3; Hebrews 4:15-16; Revelation 3:20). Say them out loud. Let them stir up faith in your heart that you can draw closer to the Lord, that He wants you to know and love Him more. Focus on developing this deeper fellowship with Him!

Memorizing the Word

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT) This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.


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Documents

Lesson Four: [ Prayer and Spiritual Disciplines ] · PDF fileLesson Four: [ Prayer and Spiritual Disciplines ] ... we receive His guidance, blessings and ... the curtain into the Most