Heart of Membership
Prayer
Prayer is an often misunderstood and underappreciated discipline. However, there’s a reason the early church “devoted themselves to prayer.” Prayer puts us in the right position with God… under him. Daily Prayer: Lord, teach me to pray. Amen.
Monday, November 24
Read Psalm 141. What does David pray for? Notice the passion with which David prays to God. Pray to God today, unveiling your deepest needs and submit them to His power.
Tuesday, November 25
Read Matthew 6:1-13, Luke 11:1-13. Jesus wasn’t just giving us a script when he taught us to pray the Lord’s Prayer. He showed us how to seek first the kingdom of God. Try praying the Lord’s Prayer without using the script. For each petition, use your own words from your heart.
Wednesday, November 26
Read John 17. This is the only extended example of a prayer Jesus prayed. What does Jesus pray for? At the end of the prayer, he prays for us. Take a cue from Jesus and pray for the Christians now and future generations of Christians.
Thursday, November 27
Read Matthew 26:36-46. Jesus didn’t like pain. Nobody does. Even Jesus would have liked a different way to redeem the world than to go through pain. But pain was necessary. When have you submitted to the will of God even though there was pain? Pray for the courage to submit to God’s will.
Friday, November 28
Read 1 Timothy 2:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28. Who should we pray for? Who should we not pray for? Be honest, do you pray for the people you consider to be deceived, wrong or even evil? If so, what do you pray for? If not, pray! Pray today for people you don’t normally pray for.
Saturday, November 29
Read Ephesians 1:15-23, Ephesians 3:14-21. Paul prays for the churches. I hope you pray for your own church, but what about the other churches around you? Pray for them today using Paul’s words.
Bethel Lutheran Church, St. Paul, MN – bethelstpaul.com