Posted by Smart phones, satellite phones, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, text messages, LinkedIn, and on it goes.
We live in the most communicative era of human history. We will go to great lengths to facilitate quick, clear, on-demand communication with whomever, whenever we want. And when we lose connectivity? Look out. We want faster and clearer communication every day and we won’t tolerate down time or poor connections. The demand has created a telecommunications industry valued in the trillions of dollars worldwide.
With our insatiable appetite for communications, why is it that when we address prayer, communicating with our God, we have so much trouble? There are books, seminars, systems, and campaigns, and yet we struggle both in theory and in practice when it comes to communicating in prayer with our Lord. Maybe it is because we don’t know how it works. Of course, for most of us, the same could be said about our Smart Phones but that doesn’t stop us from using up the minutes like there’s no tomorrow.
I think it is more likely that we struggle because in our heart of hearts we are depending on ourselves and our gifts and talents to carry us through. But this is an illusion, for when we stop and recognize the truth, in light of God’s Word (Romans 12:6, Deut. 8:18), it is God who gives us those abilities in the first place. “In Him we live and breathe and have our being,” so we are in utter, constant dependency on God for everything, no matter how great or small, whether we recognize it or not. Prayer is our recognition of that dependency, an expression of our trust in Him, and a key to unlocking God’s transformative power in our daily lives through close fellowship with Him. It is how we can, “with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18) and be changed forever. God’s Word is clear. Our God is a prayer hearing, and prayer answering God. A wonder working God!
Opening our children’s hearts and minds to prayer as a normal part of the Christian life, day-today and hour-to-hour, is our goal for these next few weeks. That is our desire but it is also God’s will and so we should approach Him boldly in Jesus’ name and ask that it be so. Pray for your children.
BIG IDEA: When you belong to Jesus, God hears and answers your prayers.
MEDITATING ON THE WORD:
2 Chronicles 7:14
Matthew 6:5-15
Matthew 7:7-12
Hebrews 4:16
SECTION VERSE:
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask, and you will receive what you ask for. Then your joy will be complete. – John 16:24
LESSON VERSE:
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven…” – 2 Chronicles 7:14a
PRAYER:
Thank God that He provides a way for us to come directly to Him for everything we need. Thank Him that He always answers our prayers in the very best way possible.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What is prayer? Do you pray? Why? How? About what?
- In whose name should we pray? Why?
- Does God answer the prayers of people who don’t know Jesus?
- Share a story of answered prayer.
LIVE IT OUT!
- Make a family prayer journal.
- List out answered prayers and share them at the dinner table.
- Practice your memory verse (John 16:24).
michaeljmeyers 