Prayer

Reasons to Pray

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6

• Deepens your relationship with Christ
• Enables the Holy Spirit to work through you
  Follows Jesus' example
• Deepens compassion for others
• Helps us receive peace
• Is a response to God's calling and God's love
• Brings God's healing
• Is our weapon in spiritual warfare

How to Pray

"When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret will reward you." Matthew 6:5-7

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20

• In essence it matters "that" we pray, not "how" we pray
• Pray verses of scripture
• On your knees
• Hands lifted or folded
• In your mind
• Conversational - anytime
• Formal or informal
• Journal to record prayers and answers
• Follow a format
  
  
  • Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-15)
  • A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication)
  • P.R.A.Y. (Praise, Repentance, Ask for others, Yourself)

When to Pray

"Pray without ceasing." I Thessalonians 5:17

• Anytime you want, need to, or feel led by God.
• When God brings someone to mind - pray for them. The Holy Spirit knows the need even if you don't.

Opportunities for Prayer Include:

• Prayer room
• With a prayer minister at the Tuesday night prayer service
• With others at Tuesday night Prayer Group for the Pastors meeting
• During communion - alone
• During communion - with a prayer minister
• During worship
• Prayer chain
  Call the church office (952-758-3513). This includes a phone chain or weekly prayer booklet.
• Pray at home
• In the car
• On the way to work
• On break at work
• When washing dishes
• When folding laundry
• Before getting up out of bed in the morning
• Before going to bed in the evening
• Anytime!
• All the time!

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