Prayer For Yourself
Why?
Scripture encourages us to seek the
spiritual and material blessings of God. Jesus said: We should approach God as a child approaches a father who delights to give us good things (Matthew_7:7-11). It is important to put our requests into words and not just assume that because God knows everything we don't have to ask. To ask is humbling; it reveals our dependence on God. If we do not come to Him with our needs, the implication is that we don't need Him! Prayer is a two way relationship with God. |
A warning:
"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures". (James_4:3) |
We need to distinguish between our needs
and our wants, so that we are not praying out of a covetous
or self indulgent spirit. Before we ask things of God, we need
to check our motives and that we are in right relationship with
God. This is vital, because then we will normally be asking things
in line with His will for us.
Having done this, we should seeking to pray "in the spirit" (Ephesians_6:18). Try to avoid riders such as: 'if it be in your will' (Mark_11:22-25). Not that this can't be right, but it can be over done through lack of waiting on God or lack of confidence in God. Jesus example What are some of the things Jesus prayed for Himself?
Here are some practical hints on prayer for yourself
Discuss other examples where we can pray in line with our faith.
But our constant prayer should also be - to be made more like Jesus -'show me what needs to be changed Father.' |
Unit 5: Personal Study & Journal [Next Section]