Prayer Guide

This week we're reflecting on this question from last week's sermon: How Do I Know if it is God or Satan Talking to Me?

Monday August 17: Prayerfully read or listen to Matthew 4:3-10 with Genesis 3:1. How does the tempter in the Matthew passage echo the serpent in Genesis 3:1? What was the tempter/serpent/enemy/Satan trying to accomplish? How and when has this same principle occurred in your life?

Tuesday, August 18: Prayerfully read or listen to Hebrews 11:1,6, in as many translations as possible. What do these two verses tell us not only about faith, but about who God Himself really is – about His personal characteristics? Read as much of Hebrews 11 as you can. Why would these people do the things they did? What did they believe about God and what God told them? How do you think they knew it was God Himself who spoke to them?

Wednesday, August 19: Prayerfully read or listen to 1 Samuel 3:1-18. What does this passage teach us about hearing the voice of God? The message Samuel heard was scary. It wasn’t uplifting or encouraging, but it did reveal God’s character. How does this help you understand the difference between hearing from the Lord and hearing from the enemy?

Thursday, August 20: Prayerfully read or listen to John 10:1-10. What things do you learn in this passage about the differences between Jesus and the enemy? How have you seen the characteristics of Christ actively at work in your life, and when have you seen the characteristics of the enemy at work in your life? Pray through this passage, and ask the Lord to give you eyes to see Him at work in your life on a daily basis, as well as to be aware of those times when it is the enemy (who masquerades as an “angel of light” 2 Cor. 11:14 – Satan tries to confuse us by pretending to be doing something good; but the disguise never lasts very long).

Friday, August 21: Prayerfully read or listen to Acts 4:34-5:10. How did Peter know what Ananias and Sapphira did? The text seems pretty clear that nobody gave him information ahead of time, so how was Peter made aware of what was going on (see Acts 2:1-4, 38)? Based on this, what is the most important need for us in order that we can more clearly discern the difference between the voice of God in our lives and that of the enemy? Have you asked for this? Take time to pray to the Lord for this important gift in your life!

Saturday, August 22: 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!