How's Your Prayer Life?
Are you praying on a regular basis? Are you meeting Him and sharing your heart? Whether you are or you aren't, we all need help when it comes to a consistent and meaningful prayer life.
Prayer is one of the most important things a Christian can do. It is a time we are communicating with God, and while there is deep theological meaning in prayer, it doesn’t have to be something that is complicated or difficult. It’s something anyone can do anywhere at any time.
Prayer Guide
- Sunday January 11th: Almighty God, it is beyond our comprehension that we are able to enter into Your Throne Room, which is indeed the Holy Place, Your very Presence, all because of the blood of Jesus. He Himself has opened for us this new and living way through the sacrifice of His body, and He is our Great High Priest! We can now draw near to You, and there is no reason at all for us to shrink away. Help us oh Lord to do this very thing – to draw near to You with the full assurance of faith, all because of Jesus, in Whose Name we pray, Amen.
- Monday, January 12th: Prayerfully read or listen to Hebrews 10:19-25. This passage begins with the word “Therefore.” This means, it is important to see what comes before it (to see why the “therefore” is there for ). Read Chapter 10:1-18 to familiarize yourself with the theme and points that the author of the letter is making (if you have time, go back even further). What subjects and ideas are highlighted in Chapter 10? What does the author want us to know? Are there any points that specifically stand out to you? How do verses 19-25 fit with what comes before?
- Tuesday, January 13th: Prayerfully read or listen to Hebrews 10:19-22. Based on what the author states in Ch. 10:1-21, what are the reasons we have for being able to “draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings?” List as many as you can.
- Wednesday, January 14th: Prayerfully read or listen to Hebrews 10:23. In this verse, we are called to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess…” The Greek word means to “hold fast; keep, hold firmly, possess.” Can you remember times either in your life when you have had to do this? What were the circumstances? Take some time in prayer as you remember those events before the Lord, and remember His faithfulness in your life.
- Thursday, January 15th: Prayerfully read or listen to Hebrews 10:24. What do you think is the key word in this verse? Hint – it’s the main verb; the main action of the sentence. Why is this so important in the Body of Christ? What happens if/when we do not do this for one another? Do you think we do this at Asbury? How could we do this better?
- Friday, January 16th: Prayerfully read or listen to Hebrews 10:24-25. How do these verses work together? While some people literally cannot physically be in church due to health reasons, why is it important to “not give up meeting together?” Why do we need to physically be in the same space together as we worship, fellowship, share in Communion, etc.? How does physically being together on a regular, ongoing basis build up the Body of Christ? How can we be more intentional about including our Homebound?
- Saturday, January 17th: Review each of these Scriptures, questions, and prayers that you have worked through this week. Which one, or which theme, resonated with you? Pray through these things again as the Spirit leads you!
- Sunday January 18th: Lord God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, You alone are the One True God, the Great I Am. There is no one like You! You are the One Who has called us by name. You have drawn us to Yourself. You have pulled us out of deep water, and led us through the desert, and into a fruitful land. Yet too often Lord, we have forgotten You, and turned away. Forgive us Lord, and bring us back to Yourself again. Help us to love You with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength, for the sake of Christ our Lord, Amen.
- Monday January 19th: Prayerfully read or listen to Deuteronomy 6:1-12. This is a foundational text for all of Judaism (similar to how we feel about the Sermon on the Mount), and it contains what is called the “Shema” (pronounced shah-MA), from the first word in v. 4, “Hear.” In Hebrew, the word “hear” doesn’t just mean hear with your ears, but literally means, “to obey, perceive, regard, understand, hear intelligently, pay attention to.” As you read through this passage, what do you think are the key points? Why do you think this is such an important passage of Scripture to the Jewish people? Do you think it should be to Christians as well? Why or why not?
- Tuesday, January 20th: Prayerfully read or listen to Deut. 6:1-6. Based on these verses, do you think it is enough to memorize the words of this passage? What is the purpose of Scripture memorization? What is the danger of Scripture memorization? What does God expect of the people, and of us (see vv. 1-3 with James 1:22-25)?
- Wednesday, January 21st: Prayerfully read or listen to Deut. 6:7. The NIV says we are to “impress” God’s words to our children. Look this verse up in several translations. What other words are used for practice? Why do you think the Lord is so insistent about it? Why is it so necessary to do this with our children (and grandchildren)? How have you done this with the children in your life? What difference did it make in their lives?
- Thursday, January 22nd: Prayerfully read or listen to Deut. 6:3. The Lord links obedience to His Word in this passage with a promise. What is the promise? See also Exodus 20:12. What similar promise does the Lord make in this passage (*note – it is the only promise given in the Ten Commandments). Why do you think the Lord makes similar promises in both passages?
- Friday, January 23rd: Prayerfully read or listen to Deut. 6:10-12. In the beginning of v. 10, it is clear that giving the people the Promised Land is a foregone conclusion, but they still hadn’t left the wilderness yet! Do you see the future God has promised to you in this way? Do you see His promises as He says in v. 3 “that it will be well with you and you will increase greatly, etc.?” And yet, vv. 10-12 are also a warning. What is the warning given in these verses, and why is it there? When have you seen this occur, either in your life or the life of the Body of Christ? What, in your opinion, are the best ways to avoid this pitfall?
- Saturday, January 24th: Review each of these Scriptures, questions, and prayers that you have worked through this week. Which one, or which theme, resonated with you? Pray through these things again as the Spirit leads you!
