PRAYER SERIES (SESSION 1)

I. WHAT IS PRAYER? IS IT USEFUL?AND FOR

WHAT?
IT IS To worship
COMING To ask for
INTO THE forgiveness
PRESENC
E OF To give thanks
GOD
To seek help
I. WHAT IS PRAYER? IS IT USEFUL?AND FOR WHAT ?

It is where It is to
we step to strengthe
reach out It is a n and
to God, conversatio further
and he n, a one-on- develop
stoops one chat our
down to with God. relationshi
embrace p with
us. God.
What Is Prayer?

Prayer is a communication between

God and ourselves.
Prayer is where we step up to reach
out to God, and he stoops down to
embrace us.
Prayer is the primary means for
establishing and maintaining a deep
and loving personal relationship b/w
ourselves and the lord.
 Categories of Prayer

1.Prayer as Gods Gift

2. Prayer as covenant-
3.Prayer as a
communion
Do we really need to pray?

Crim
AIDS
e

wars Revolution
s

immorali Cance Fear

ty r
GOD CREATED A PERFECT WORLD

By mans We need to
disobedien
ce the pray for
world is Gods
now in
turmoil. forgiveness
and help.
 NEED TO CHANGE OURSELVES AND
OVERCOME OUR ENVIRONMENT

1. Established God as the center and

purpose of our lives.
2.Accomplish this by the following:
Renew and revitalize our relationship with
God by the way we live our Christian life.
Regular prayer time, the source of the
power that comes from God.
Regular use of the sacraments.
 Reasons Why we Pray
1.To give the praise and glory He
deserves.
2.Scripture tell us to ask God to care of
the needs of others.
3.To bring our personal petitions before
the Lord.
4.To receive from God both our spiritual
and material needs.
 DIFFERENT WAYS OF
PRAYER
1.PRIVATE- in the realm of private
prayers, there are obviously many
other ways to pray. Today, we will
only take up praying with the
scriptures.
2. Public- there are varied public
prayers, but we will limit our talk
to the Mass, the most perfect
prayer and most pleasing to God.
 Different Ways of Prayer

1. Private Prayer-
a.Meditation
b.Contemplative
c.Prayer with scriptures
2. Public or Vocal Prayers
 Conditions or Postures for
Effective Prayers
1.Faith- with commitment and
expectance
2. Poverty in Spirit- total
dependence upon God.
3.In tune with Gods Will- deep
desire to do his will, even if it leads
us through the valley of sufferings.
4.In Jesus Name-
 Essential Preparations for Private
Prayers
1.Decide how important prayer is to your
life.
2. Schedule an appropriate time that you
can adhere to.
3.Make a practical decision and form a habit
of praying daily.
4. Choose a quiet, comfortable place where
you can pray undisturbed.
5.Plan your private prayer schedule.
6. Scriptures are mediums for private
prayers.
 Essential Preparations for Private
Prayers
Let prayer be the key of the
morning, and the bolt of the
evening. Matthew Henry
Pray at all time in the spirit, with all
prayers and supplication.Ephesians 6:18 (St.
Paul)

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give

thanks in all circumstances: for this is
the will of God in Christ Jesus,for you. 1
Thessolonians 5:16
 Scripture as a Medium for
PrivatePrayers
1. The bible is Gods personal love letter
addressed to each of us.
2. The O.T. is the history of creation and
Gods involvement in our lives. (Gen 1:26)
3. The O.T. is where God promised the
Redeemer. (Gen. 3:14-16)
4. The O.T. prepares man for the coming of
the Messiah. (Is. 11:1-9)
5. The O.T. also introduces the Holy Spirit
(Prov. 1:23)
6. The N.T. is the fulfillment of Gods promise
of the Redeemer.
7. The N.T. provides us with Christs
teachings of love and a new way of life.
8. The N.T. tells of Christs love by dying on
the cross for us.
9. The N.T. also provides us with the early
history of the Church.
10. The church maintains and continues to
venerate scriptures, together with sacred
traditions, as the supreme rule of faith.
 How Do We Pray with the Scriptures
1. Start by praying to the holy spirit to
guide us.
2.The best part of the bible to start with,
is the new testament of which most
Christians have a basic knowledge.
3.Read one chapter at a time, probably
going slowly over it to best retain and
assimilate it.
4. Try to reflect in the passages of the
text and how to put it in practice.
 How Do We Pray with the
Scriptures
5.The bible will give you insight,
how good is to teach us.
6. Avoid interpreting the passages
yourself. Unless you are strong in
faith and well founded in
scriptures.it is best to have
someone qualified to interpret it.
Choose only those of the same faith
as yours, to avoid confusion.
 HOW DO WE PRAY AT
MASS?
1. The Eucharist is the perfect prayer, where we
meet a live Christ. The mass is actually divided
into two parts. First, is the reading of the scriptural
passages taken from the Old and New Testaments.
2. The second part is the Consecration where the
priest, by the authority of Jesus, changes the bread
and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus.
3. By the action of the priest when repeating the
same words Jesus uttered during the Last Supper,
the fullness of Jesus is made present-his body, soul
and divinity-during consecration.
 4. The Mass provides us with the privilege of receiving
the actual physical Body of Christ, the vey same one
who died 2,000 years ago on the cross.
5. Through the gift of the Eucharist, Jesus allows us to
come in direct contact with him.

The lack of daily time for prayer reflects our

faithfulness to God, who became man to save.
Without realizing it, we are digging a deep chasm,
separating us from God. Without God we are nothing.
On the other hand, as we develop our prayer time,
and grow in love for God, we become more like Christ.
 Question Starters
1. Is prayer an important part of your
life? Why?
2.Has the Word of God in the Bible made
a difference in your life? How?
3. What can you do to make the Bible,
Gods Word, more alive in your life? In the
life of your family? In your workplace?
4. What steps will you take to improve
your prayer life?
 The Perfect Prayer
It is the only prayer Jesus
taught and it is the only
prayer that is universally
prayed by all Christians
,Catholics, Protestants,
Evangelicals and Orthodox
Christians. No other prayer
has the power that this one
has. This prayer is used both
in public and in private by the
 PRAYING THE LORDS PRAYER
TOGETHER WITH GOD

OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN.

Yes?
Dont interrupt me, Im praying.
But you called ME!
Called you? No, I didnt call you. Im praying. OUR FATHER
WHO ART IN HEAVEN.
There you did it again!
Did what?
Called ME. You said, Our Father who art in Heaven. Well,
here I am Whats on your mind?
But I didnt mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying
my prayers for the day. I always say the Lords Prayer. It
makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty.
Well, all right. Go on.
 Okay, HALLOWED BE THY NAME.
Hold it right there. What do you mean by
that?
By what?
By Hallowed be thy name?
It means, it means good grief, I dont
know what it means. How in the world
should I know? Its just a part of the
prayer. By the way, what does it mean?
It means honored, holy, wonderful.
Hey, that makes sense. I never thought
about what hallowed meant before.
Thanks.
 THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT
IS IN HEAVEN.
Do you really mean that?
Sure, why not?
What are you doing about it?
Doing? Why, nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat
if you got control of everything down here like you have up there.
Were kinda in a mess down here, you know.
Yes, I know; but have I got control of you?
Well, I go to church.
That isnt what I asked you. What about your bad temper? Youve
really got a problem there, you know. And then theres the way
you spend your money all on yourself. And what about the kind
of books you read?
Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me! Im just as good
as some of the rest of those People at church!
Excuse ME! I thought you were praying for my will to be done. If
that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are
praying for it. Like you for example.
Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you
mention it, I could probably name some others.
 Look, Lord, if you dont mind, I need to finish up
here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD.
You need to cut out the bread youre overweight
as it is.
Hey, wait a minute! What is this? Here I was doing
my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in
and remind me of all my hang-ups.
Praying is a dangerous thing. You just might get
what you ask for. Remember, you called ME and
here I am. Its too late to stop now. Keep praying.
(pause) Well, go on.
Im scared to.
Scared? Of what?
I know what youll say.
Try ME.
 FORGIVE US OUR SINS, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE
WHO SIN AGAINST US.
What about Ann?
See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why, Lord,
shes told lies about me, spread stories. She never paid
back the money she owes me. Ive sworn to get even
with her!
But your prayer what about your prayer?
I didnt mean it.
Well, at least youre honest. But, its quite a load carrying
around all that bitterness and resentment isnt it?
Yes, but Ill feel better as soon as I get even with her. Boy,
have I got some plans for her. Shell wish she had never
been born.
No, you wont feel any better. Youll feel worse. Revenge
isnt sweet. You know how unhappy you are well, I can
change that.
 You can? How?
Forgive Ann. Then, Ill forgive you; and the hate
and the sin will be Anns problem not yours. You
will have settled the problem as far as you are
concerned.
Oh, you know, youre right. You always are. And
more than I want revenge, I want to be right with
you (sigh). All right, all right I forgive her.
There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?
Hmmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all! You
know, I dont think Ill go to bed uptight tonight. I
havent been getting much rest, you know.
Yeah, I know. But, youre not through with your
prayer, are you? Go on.
 Yeah, I know. But, youre not through with your prayer, are
you? Go on.
Oh, all right. AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION BUT
DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
Good! Good! Ill do that. Just dont put yourself in a place
where you can be tempted.
What do you mean by that?
You know what I mean?
Yeah, I know.
Okay, go ahead. Finish your prayer.
FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE
GLORY FOREVER. AMEN.
Do you know what would bring me glory? What would really
make me happy?
No, but Id like to know. I want to please you now. Ive really
made a mess of things. I want to truly follow you. I can see
now how great that would be. So, tell me How do I make you
happy?
YOU just did!
 questions
1.When tempted ,what do you do to overcome
temptation?
2.