Hearing From God
1. Today we begin our study in I Thessalonians 5:17, "pray continually," That is one of the shortest verses in the Bible. Please now read the I Thessalonians 5 in it's entirety and then please write down how it is possible that a person is able to pray continually. What do you think the message is?
2. The following verses will teach us how we can make prayer most important in our lives. You'll notice that some of the verses are from the previous lessons. Please read them again and then write out a reminder of the truth you see in each scripture.
Psalm 5:3
New International Version (NIV)
3 In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
17 Evening, morning and noon
I cry out in distress,
and he hears my voice.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous laws.
3. You may think it's very difficult to pray daily in the morning. Maybe you're not a morning person like me! What are the benefits of praying without ceasing in the morning hours in relationship to the rest of your day?
4. Paul prayed continually for his friends in Thessalonica. Please read 2 Thessalonians 1. What did Paul believe would result from praying continually for his friends?
5. Did you know that God wants to bring out every good purpose in your life? By praying continually you will begin to realize and achieve God's purpose in your life. At this point in your life with Christ, what do you believe God's purpose is for you?
RESPONDING TO GOD: "Yes, but how?"
6. When we speak about continual prayer, we're not saying that you'll be praying meaningless repetitions, and you won't be praying without a break. Praying continually means praying in any circumstance. Anytime during the day, you can pray to the Lord... just talk aloud to Him (or silently) as you are driving, or through showing your thanks to God in a hymn or a song of praise. You can even make up the tune! I come up with all kinds of tunes as I'm walking with my husband and dog on the beach every morning for 2 miles. Most of the time I sing to myself! Please list issues that are of deep concern to you and then list some blessings you have received from God.
a. My deepest concerns
b. My blessings and praises
7. You probably don't need the list to pray to God. Please try to go throughout your day and we do let's pray to God about the concerns. Give them over to Him. Don't hold onto them any longer! And then please thank Him and praise Him for the blessings in your life.
8. Whatever the result may be, please don't be discouraged. I often receive the answer as a no from God. And often I receive the answer as a yes from God. It takes time to establish a new habit. You'll go through the ups and downs, the breakthroughs and setbacks. See a goal, and we will give ourselves totally to the Lord, and He will help us find and keep our daily prayer time with Him.
16 But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.
17 You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
you, God, are my fortress,
my God on whom I can rely.
WORSHIP SONG (with lyrics!) What the Lord has done in me
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
Psalm 55:17
New International Version (NIV)
17 Evening, morning and noon
I cry out in distress,
and he hears my voice.
Psalm 119:164
New International Version (NIV)
164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous laws.
Mark 1:35
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.3. You may think it's very difficult to pray daily in the morning. Maybe you're not a morning person like me! What are the benefits of praying without ceasing in the morning hours in relationship to the rest of your day?
4. Paul prayed continually for his friends in Thessalonica. Please read 2 Thessalonians 1. What did Paul believe would result from praying continually for his friends?
5. Did you know that God wants to bring out every good purpose in your life? By praying continually you will begin to realize and achieve God's purpose in your life. At this point in your life with Christ, what do you believe God's purpose is for you?
6. When we speak about continual prayer, we're not saying that you'll be praying meaningless repetitions, and you won't be praying without a break. Praying continually means praying in any circumstance. Anytime during the day, you can pray to the Lord... just talk aloud to Him (or silently) as you are driving, or through showing your thanks to God in a hymn or a song of praise. You can even make up the tune! I come up with all kinds of tunes as I'm walking with my husband and dog on the beach every morning for 2 miles. Most of the time I sing to myself! Please list issues that are of deep concern to you and then list some blessings you have received from God.
a. My deepest concerns
b. My blessings and praises
7. You probably don't need the list to pray to God. Please try to go throughout your day and we do let's pray to God about the concerns. Give them over to Him. Don't hold onto them any longer! And then please thank Him and praise Him for the blessings in your life.
8. Whatever the result may be, please don't be discouraged. I often receive the answer as a no from God. And often I receive the answer as a yes from God. It takes time to establish a new habit. You'll go through the ups and downs, the breakthroughs and setbacks. See a goal, and we will give ourselves totally to the Lord, and He will help us find and keep our daily prayer time with Him.
Psalm 59:16-17
New International Version (NIV)
16 But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.
17 You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
you, God, are my fortress,
my God on whom I can rely.
WORSHIP SONG (with lyrics!) What the Lord has done in me
We learn that God's Word challenges us to pray without ceasing, pray continually.. We are able to pray in any circumstance of our lives throughout the day. A day of prayer means that you have a heart for God and believe that He hears us when we pray.
CHALLENGE: Let's spend tomorrow in prayer throughout our day! You and me! Tomorrow is not Bible Study, but rather prayers that we may pray and songs of worship to God. Sounds exciting! Thank you for being here today and let's meet together again tomorrow, Lord willing.
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