CHAPTER 3

Scriptures used in chapter:
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.(Psalm 121:1-2, NKJV)

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NKJV)

...casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7, NKJV)

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1, NKJV)

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,... (Luke 18:1, NKJV)

Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. (1 Timothy 3:11, NKJV)

...the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—... (Titus 2:3, NKJV)

If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. (Matthew 5:29-30, NKJV)

And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:3, NKJV)

For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10, NKJV)

And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.' (Acts 13:22, NKJV)

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,... (Matthew 5:44, NKJV)

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11, NKJV)

Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. (Psalm 100:2, NKJV)

I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8, NKJV)

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:8, NKJV)

...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—... (Ephesians 6:18, NKJV)


Key points:
- Develop a meaningful PRAYER life.

Blessing #1: A Deeper Relationship with God
- Prayer increases faith: keep a prayer list and pay close attention to how God answers the list
- Prayer provides a place to unload burdens: give all the cares of life to God in prayer and be relieved and freed from the heavy weights and let the Master take your burdens
- Prayer teaches us that God is always near: God is present in EVERY condition
- Prayer trains us not to panic: replace your tendency to panic at the first hint of any problem with God's strength through prayer
- Prayer changes lives

Blessing #2: Greater Purity
- Becoming pure is a process of spiritual growth, and taking seriously the confession of sin during prayer time moves that process along, causing us to purge our life of practices that displease God.
- Confess sin as an offense to God each time sin is committed and real change begins.

Blessing #3: Confidence in Making Decisions
- Make no decision without prayer. If there is no time for prayer, the general answer should be "no" because you want to be certain your decisions are actually God's choices. This principle will keep you from rushing in and committing yourself before you consult God. It guards you against people-pleasing and your tendency to second-guess your commitments will end.

Blessing #4: Improved Relationships
- You cannot think about yourself and others at the same time: prayer helps you focus outward, away from self and on to others
- You cannot hate the person you are praying for: God changes our hearts when we pray for others
- You cannot neglect the person you are praying for: As you invest yourself in prayer for other people, you find yourself involved in their lives

Blessing #5: Contentment
- Place everything in God's hands, letting it be His job to meet your needs, "If He doesn't meet it, you didn't need it!"

Blessing #6: God-Confidence
- When you make choices that honor God, the Holy Spirit fills you with His power for ministry. You will find His divine life in us overflowing into the lives of others.
- As the events you've prayed about and committed to arrive, you can enjoy the settled assurance that they are God's will and can enter into them with delight, anticipation, and courage.

Blessing #7: The Ministry of Prayer
- Prayer makes a difference in history. Prayer changes the lives of others. Our prayers make a difference!

Yes, But How?
1. Start a prayer log to record requests and responses as you travel your own personal journey of prayer
2. Set aside some time each day to linger with the Lord in prayer and remember that something is better than nothing. Begin small - and watch for the mighty effects!
3. Pray always and in all places, enjoying God's presence with you wherever you go
4. Pray faithfully for others - including your enemies
5. Take seriously the powerful privilege of the ministry of prayer