Growing in Prayer

featuring Bill Kynes at the C.S. Lewis Institute

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Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 48

The Lord’s Prayer

123. Question: What is the second petition?

Answer: Thy kingdom come. That is: So rule us by Thy Word and Spirit that more and more we submit to Thee.[1] Preserve and increase Thy church.[2] Destroy the works of the devil, every power that raises itself against Thee, and every conspiracy against Thy holy Word.[3] Do all this until the fullness of Thy kingdom comes, wherein Thou shalt be all in all.[4]

[1] Ps. 119:5, 105; 143:10; Matt. 6:33. [2] Ps. 51:18; 122:6-9; Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:42-47. [3] Rom. 16:20; I John 3:8. [4] Rom. 8:22, 23; I Cor. 15:28; Rev. 22: 17, 20.

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Learning to Pray

If I had a dime for every book on prayer that’s out there, I could retire tomorrow. Responding to this deluge of materials on prayer, Donald Whitney wrote that the surest way to learn how to pray is simply… (are you ready)… to pray.

There’s a great deal of truth in that counsel. Very often we spend so much time learning how to do something or reading all about it that we fail to ever get started doing it.

And yet, I have found it helpful to listen to those wise spiritual directors who have not only thought long and hard about a topic (in this case, “prayer”), but who have also maintained a life of faithfully practicing what they preach. I have found Ken Boa to be such a person.

A few years ago I purchased his “Handbook to Prayer” ( you can click here to order it) and have found it very profitable in my own prayer life. Ken is always quick to say that such a book is meant to be a tool… or better a servant to help you in your prayer life. Never let it become your master. It’s important to protect yourself from self-imposed legalism. That’s good advice that I have attempted to pass along as well.

If purchasing another book that you’re not sure you will ever look at is the last thing you want to do, you can subscribe to Ken’s daily email which includes selections from his various prayer guides. Below is part (only part) of what will come to your email box each day if you choose to sign up for it. It’s a less expensive way to help you in your prayer life as well as a very convenient one.

However, I highly recommend getting the book. I have given it to a few people and have heard many positive things about how it has aided them in their prayer lives. As always, if I can ever help you in your spiritual journey, don’t hesitate to let me know.

Blessings,
Dale

Adoration

O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below; You keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their heart. (1 Kings 8:23; 2 Chronicles 6:14)

I know that You alone, whose name is the Lord, Are the Most High over all the earth. (Psalm 83:18)

Pause to express your thoughts of praise and worship.

Confession

A person’s wickedness will punish him; His backsliding will reprove him. I know therefore and see that it is evil and bitter To forsake the Lord my God And have no fear of Him. (Jeremiah 2:19)

Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.

Renewal

May I be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, may I let my requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

May I prepare my mind for action and be self-controlled, setting my hope fully on the grace to be brought to me at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13)

Pause to add your own prayers for personal renewal.

Petition

May I not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, but join with others in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God. (2 Timothy 1:8)

• Relationships with Others
• Greater love and compassion for others
• Loved ones
• Those who do not know Christ
• Those in need
• My activities for this day
• Special concerns

Intercession

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

• Evangelism
• Friends
• Relatives
• Neighbors
• Coworkers
• Special opportunities

 

Affirmation

 

Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a Man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then the end will come, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. (1 Corinthians 15:20-26)

The first man is of the dust of the earth; the second Man is from heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the Man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly Man. (1 Corinthians 15:47-49)

Pause to reflect upon these biblical affirmations.
Thanksgiving

 

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)

Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28)

Pause to offer your own expressions of thanksgiving.
Closing Prayer

 

I will arise and bless the Lord, my God, Who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be Your glorious name, Which is exalted above all blessing and praise! (Nehemiah 9:5)

As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; When I awake, I will be satisfied with Your likeness. (Psalm 17:15)

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Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 47 (Lord’s Prayer)

The Lord’s Prayer

122. Question: What is the first petition?

Answer: Hallowed be Thy Name. That is: Grant us first of all that we may rightly know Thee,[1] and sanctify, glorify, and praise Thee in all Thy works, in which shine forth Thy almighty power, wisdom, goodness, righteousness, mercy, and truth.[2] Grant us also that we may so direct our whole life– our thoughts, words, and actions– that Thy Name is not blasphemed because of us but always honoured and praised.[3]

[1] Jer. 9:23, 24; 31: 33, 34; Matt. 16:17; John 17:3. [2] Ex. 34:5-8; Ps. 145; Jer. 32:16-20; Luke 1:46-55, 68-75; Rom. 11: 33-36. [3] Ps. 115:1; Matt. 5:16.

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Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 46 (The Lord’s Prayer)

The Lord’s Prayer

120. Question: Why has Christ commanded us to address God as Our Father?

Answer: To awaken in us at the very beginning of our prayer that childlike reverence and trust toward God which should be basic to our prayer: God has become our Father through Christ and will much less deny us what we ask of Him in faith than our fathers would refuse us earthly things.[1]

[1] Matt. 7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13.

121. Question: Why the words “in heaven”?

Answer: These words teach us not to think of God’s heavenly majesty as something earthly, [1] and to expect everything for body and soul from his almighty power.[2]

[1] Jer. 23:23-24; Acts 17:24-25 [2] Matt. 6:25-34; Rom. 8:31-32

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True Prayer

from The Apostleship of Prayer (2 minutes long)

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Prayer Causes Things to Happen

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