Doctrine and Practice of Prayer
I am a firm believer that prayer is one of the most essential things that the man or woman of God can do. However, I also believe that it is one of the easiest spiritual disciplines to neglect. The Good Lord, knows that I have been guilty of this myself.
In my reading of the scriptures, I noticed the major emphasis that was put on prayer. Prayer is our main source of power, because it connects us to the sole source of power.
I am of the mindset, that in the time that it takes to complain about something; you can do something about it, and get it done. This is a great quality to poesess as an individual; that is except of course when it comes to prayer. Prayer reminds us of our true powerlessness. That is why I need it so much in my life. If I rely on myself to much, it is not long before I put myself into a hurt locker. Therefore, that is why I took this class. I wanted to be more of a man of prayer than I was. There was a time upon my conversion, when prayer was how the majority of my time and day was spent. Then I graduated Teen Challenge and went home. Upon returning home it was everything that I could do to catch up to the rest of the world that seemed to be moving at break-neck speeds. It was at this point that the majority of my time went from praying to doing.
This assignment is from the end of the semester. It is my reflection paper. I learned a lot of good things in this class, and I am currently applying those things in my day to day life. In this paper, I share some of those things.
In my reading of the scriptures, I noticed the major emphasis that was put on prayer. Prayer is our main source of power, because it connects us to the sole source of power.
I am of the mindset, that in the time that it takes to complain about something; you can do something about it, and get it done. This is a great quality to poesess as an individual; that is except of course when it comes to prayer. Prayer reminds us of our true powerlessness. That is why I need it so much in my life. If I rely on myself to much, it is not long before I put myself into a hurt locker. Therefore, that is why I took this class. I wanted to be more of a man of prayer than I was. There was a time upon my conversion, when prayer was how the majority of my time and day was spent. Then I graduated Teen Challenge and went home. Upon returning home it was everything that I could do to catch up to the rest of the world that seemed to be moving at break-neck speeds. It was at this point that the majority of my time went from praying to doing.
This assignment is from the end of the semester. It is my reflection paper. I learned a lot of good things in this class, and I am currently applying those things in my day to day life. In this paper, I share some of those things.
Reflection Paper Doctrine & Practice of Prayer (Spring 2012)
Part 1: Value Objectives – As a result of taking this course you should…
A. Experience personal spiritual growth and a maturing relationship with Jesus Christ through the consistent maintenance of a daily, personal prayer life.
I feel comfortable to say that I have experienced growth in this area. I signed up for this class because my prayer life had hit a real rough patch. I had made some compromises early on in my walk with the Lord; quite some years back. Upon reflection of my failures I realized that it all started before my failure; due to slacking on prayer. I have learned that disobedience can leave some permanent scars on your heart. In order to not make the same mistakes or worse ones in the remainder of my walk with the Lord, I realized that I needed to learn everything I can about the power of prayer. This class has helped me accomplish this. I am not back to where I was years ago however, I am better off than when I started this class, like I said disobedience can leave some permanent scars on your heart.
B. Realize the value of being part of a “prayer cell group.”
I realize that strength lies in numbers and this is what a prayer cell group does. Jesus said “when two or more are gathered together in my name” (Matthew 18:20). The heart of revival is found in prayer and also in numbers.
C. Realize the correlation between a consistent practice of prayer and spiritual victory in the life of the Christian.
This objective makes me think of Daniel, when he prayed for twenty one days with no answer. The Lord always answers prayers although; it is not always the answer we expect. In addition, He does not always answer as quickly as we would like. This is why we need to pray consistently. It is a good thing that victory is not dependent upon us, if it were we would be in big trouble. When we pray we are able to tap into a spring of overflowing power. It is just like the little boy from the Gospels who had the loaves of bread and the few fish. The Lord took the little bit that the boy had and then He gave the boy and everyone else what He had. It’s almost as if the Lord says in prayer “you give me what little bit you have and I give you what I have… Well go partners” When the Lord goes in as a partner in prayer we are able to share in his power. Since we have such a resource as this, we would be foolish not to practice it consistently. When we do, is when we obtain our spiritual victory.
D. Sense the Holy Spirit’s presence and assistance in your times of prayer.
This is the easy one for me. I often feel a need to just hit my knees and pray, not knowing why. Once I do get alone, the words start to pour out of me. I find myself praying for things that I never anticipated to. This seems to be an ordinary occurrence.
Part 1: Value Objectives – As a result of taking this course you should…
A. Experience personal spiritual growth and a maturing relationship with Jesus Christ through the consistent maintenance of a daily, personal prayer life.
I feel comfortable to say that I have experienced growth in this area. I signed up for this class because my prayer life had hit a real rough patch. I had made some compromises early on in my walk with the Lord; quite some years back. Upon reflection of my failures I realized that it all started before my failure; due to slacking on prayer. I have learned that disobedience can leave some permanent scars on your heart. In order to not make the same mistakes or worse ones in the remainder of my walk with the Lord, I realized that I needed to learn everything I can about the power of prayer. This class has helped me accomplish this. I am not back to where I was years ago however, I am better off than when I started this class, like I said disobedience can leave some permanent scars on your heart.
B. Realize the value of being part of a “prayer cell group.”
I realize that strength lies in numbers and this is what a prayer cell group does. Jesus said “when two or more are gathered together in my name” (Matthew 18:20). The heart of revival is found in prayer and also in numbers.
C. Realize the correlation between a consistent practice of prayer and spiritual victory in the life of the Christian.
This objective makes me think of Daniel, when he prayed for twenty one days with no answer. The Lord always answers prayers although; it is not always the answer we expect. In addition, He does not always answer as quickly as we would like. This is why we need to pray consistently. It is a good thing that victory is not dependent upon us, if it were we would be in big trouble. When we pray we are able to tap into a spring of overflowing power. It is just like the little boy from the Gospels who had the loaves of bread and the few fish. The Lord took the little bit that the boy had and then He gave the boy and everyone else what He had. It’s almost as if the Lord says in prayer “you give me what little bit you have and I give you what I have… Well go partners” When the Lord goes in as a partner in prayer we are able to share in his power. Since we have such a resource as this, we would be foolish not to practice it consistently. When we do, is when we obtain our spiritual victory.
D. Sense the Holy Spirit’s presence and assistance in your times of prayer.
This is the easy one for me. I often feel a need to just hit my knees and pray, not knowing why. Once I do get alone, the words start to pour out of me. I find myself praying for things that I never anticipated to. This seems to be an ordinary occurrence.
Part 2: Skills Objectives – At the end of this course you should…
A. Be able to apply what you have learned in order to maintain an ongoing, meaningful prayer life.
I plan to stick to spending five minutes a day, in each of the categories of Dick Eastman's Hour that changes the world prayer circle; chart that was provided to me through this class. In addition I plan to keep writing in my prayer journal. I have learned a lot of good stuff in this class. I keep extensive notes through out each class that I take in addition; I will be reviewing these notes for many years to come. This notebook that I have created will help me through the passing years. Sometimes in life the well seems to get a little dry, it is during these times that I go back and reflect on years of journals, notes, sermons, letters and now; my notes and prayers from this class. They say that “after thirty days it anything can become a habit.” I truly hope that this is true. I believe I have formed habits with the things that I have learned in this class.
A. Be able to apply what you have learned in order to maintain an ongoing, meaningful prayer life.
I plan to stick to spending five minutes a day, in each of the categories of Dick Eastman's Hour that changes the world prayer circle; chart that was provided to me through this class. In addition I plan to keep writing in my prayer journal. I have learned a lot of good stuff in this class. I keep extensive notes through out each class that I take in addition; I will be reviewing these notes for many years to come. This notebook that I have created will help me through the passing years. Sometimes in life the well seems to get a little dry, it is during these times that I go back and reflect on years of journals, notes, sermons, letters and now; my notes and prayers from this class. They say that “after thirty days it anything can become a habit.” I truly hope that this is true. I believe I have formed habits with the things that I have learned in this class.
B. Be better able to lead, organize and participate in a prayer cell group.
I do not foresee this being a problem; I will form a prayer group. The only question will be which of the many wonderful prayers we start with.
C. Be better able to help a new convert establish a prayer life.
This has always come natural to me, it seems. Most of the people that the Lord brings into my life are either inmates or coming off decades of drug and alcohol abuse. I get them started by asking “have you ever had to really apologize to the Mr. or Mrs.?” They always say “yes.” I then go onto explain that it is the same thing with the Lord. We need to apologize for doing Him wrong and ask Him to forgive us. I then go onto explain that you talk to the Lord just like you would a friend or a father. We usually finish up by discussing how after you spend a certain amount of time in prayer that you will begin to be able to hear Him much more clearly. I often check up on my new converts. In addition, I am always questioning them as to what the Lord is speaking to them about. If they are unable to give me a solid answer, then we spend some time learning all the different ways that God speaks to His children; be it prayer, bible reading, pastor’s, God-wince-a-dense, and fellow believers.
Part 3: Goals
Martin Luther once said “I have so much to do today, that if I do not spend the first three hours in prayer, I will get nothing done.” My goal is right along these lines. Since the Lord has called me to service I have been known as a man of great speech. It is my goal for that to change. I will now strive to be known as a man of constant, consistent, fervent prayer.
Goal 1: I will strive with everything I have to spend my first hour in prayer each morning.
Goal 2: I always put Jesus at the forefront of my preaching; I now realize that all that He did started with prayer. Therefore the importance of prayer will also be at the forefront of the messages that the Lord lays on my Heart to share.
I do not foresee this being a problem; I will form a prayer group. The only question will be which of the many wonderful prayers we start with.
C. Be better able to help a new convert establish a prayer life.
This has always come natural to me, it seems. Most of the people that the Lord brings into my life are either inmates or coming off decades of drug and alcohol abuse. I get them started by asking “have you ever had to really apologize to the Mr. or Mrs.?” They always say “yes.” I then go onto explain that it is the same thing with the Lord. We need to apologize for doing Him wrong and ask Him to forgive us. I then go onto explain that you talk to the Lord just like you would a friend or a father. We usually finish up by discussing how after you spend a certain amount of time in prayer that you will begin to be able to hear Him much more clearly. I often check up on my new converts. In addition, I am always questioning them as to what the Lord is speaking to them about. If they are unable to give me a solid answer, then we spend some time learning all the different ways that God speaks to His children; be it prayer, bible reading, pastor’s, God-wince-a-dense, and fellow believers.
Part 3: Goals
Martin Luther once said “I have so much to do today, that if I do not spend the first three hours in prayer, I will get nothing done.” My goal is right along these lines. Since the Lord has called me to service I have been known as a man of great speech. It is my goal for that to change. I will now strive to be known as a man of constant, consistent, fervent prayer.
Goal 1: I will strive with everything I have to spend my first hour in prayer each morning.
Goal 2: I always put Jesus at the forefront of my preaching; I now realize that all that He did started with prayer. Therefore the importance of prayer will also be at the forefront of the messages that the Lord lays on my Heart to share.