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Adventurous Prayer

Thomas Nelson

Contents

Foreword.................................................ivIntroduction.............................................viiTheme Verse..............................................viiiChapter 1 Call to Me....................................1Chapter 2 Boldly Go.....................................7Chapter 3 Teach Us to Pray..............................15Chapter 4 Prayer Closets................................23Chapter 5 Two-way Conversations.........................31Chapter 6 Journaling Prayers............................37Chapter 7 Prayer Through Passages.......................45Chapter 8 Praying Out Loud..............................51Chapter 9 Warriors and Intercessors.....................57Chapter 10 The Attitude of Prayer........................63Chapter 11 How He Answers................................69Chapter 12 Saying Thank You..............................77Shall We Review?.........................................83Leader's Guide...........................................85What Shall We Study Next?................................106

Chapter One

"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3, NKJV

Clearing the Cobwebs

Who is the first person you turn to when you have a piece of wonderful news to share? Your mother? Your sister? Your best friend?

John says the only reason we love God is because He first loved us. In the same way, we could not pray to our Heavenly Father if He had not first asked us to do so. "Call to me," invites our Heavenly Father. It is an invitation to pray. He has made Himself available to us 24/7/365. He has put out the welcome mat. He has given us the green light. We have a direct line to His throne room. We have a permission slip, a backstage pass, an engraved invitation. He has an open door policy for all of His children. And when we do call out His name, He gives us His undivided attention.

1. Prayer doesn't just happen. We must take a little initiative. But we can pray because God has invited our prayers. What does Psalm 50:15 declare?

2. Believe it or not, the Bible does share just one definite rule regarding prayer. You can find it in Exodus 23:13. What is God's command in this verse?

3. David understood the importance of this. What are his words of promise to God in Psalm 5:2?

4. In the beginning, prayer wasn't needed, for Adam walked through the garden paths with God, in the cool of the evening. This gave him a chance to talk things over with his Maker face to face. But when sin entered the world, and the population began to explode, things changed. What does Genesis 4:26 say began to happen about the time Adam's grandkids were being born?

5. In Psalm 116:10, David says, "I believed in you, so I prayed" (NLT). Belief-faith-is at the foundation of prayer. Christians believe God has invited them to call upon Him. They trust Him to listen to their prayers and to answer. What does this say about the believer who does not pray?

What's the purpose of prayer? Why is it so important? Why do we do it? There are plenty of reasons. Prayer reacquaints us with our Savior, solidifies our relationship with Him. Prayer reaffirms His Lordship in our lives, welcomes His input, familiarizes us with His voice, calms our frazzled emotions, lifts our eyes beyond our daily struggles. Prayer underscores God's omnipotence, highlights His patient care, acknowledges God's wisdom, recognizes His sovereignty, appeals to His mercy, magnifies His name. Why do you pray?

6. There are many reasons why we pray. What was David's? It can be found in Psalm 17:6.

7. God's love inspires our devotion and calls our hearts into prayer. How does Psalm 42:8 describe the give and take of David's prayer life? What has God done? How does David respond?

8. God's ears are always tuned to our hearts. He is faithful to hear and answer our prayers. What is the psalmist's resolution in Psalm 116:2?

Digging Deeper

Every Psalm is a prayer of sorts, whether David is pleading with God or singing His praises. Many of these Psalms give us a glimpse of God's invitation to prayer. Others are requests by David for God to hear him out and to answer his call. Let's look at a few of these verses in the Psalms, to remind ourselves God is near.

Psalm 65:2 Psalm 86:7 Psalm 91:15 Psalm 143:1

Ponder & Pray

Paul was a communicator. He kept in touch with fellow believers, many of whom he had fathered in faith. He wrote letters, filled with words of wisdom, advice, correction, and praise. He spoke God's truth, answered troublesome questions, greeted dear friends, and encouraged Christians everywhere. But if you take a careful look through Paul's epistles, you will also find his prayers. Each week as we delve into our own prayer lives, we will sneak a peek at Paul's. In this "Ponder and Pray" section, one of Paul's prayers will be printed, and you are invited to pray his prayer after him by rewriting it in your own words. Change it. Personalize it. Make it your own.

We pray that you will be strengthened with His glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy. -Colossians 1:11, NLT

By way of example, here is my prayer. Add your own below.

Dear Father, I am asking You for a boost. Your power is so vast and glorious, and I need some of it today. The only way I can face my day's work cheerfully, enduring the routine, is by Your power. The only way I can find the patience to show kindness to my family today is if You lend me Your own strength. And in whatever I may face today, help me to see the humor, give me a glimpse of glory, and settle my soul in contentment-for then I shall surely have joy. Amen.

Trinkets to Treasure

At the close of every Women of Faith(r) conference, women are asked to play a little game of pretend. Each conference guest is asked to imagine that a gift has been placed in their hands-one from each of the speakers. These gifts serve as reminders of the different lessons shared by the Women of Faith. This study guide will carry on this tradition! At the close of each lesson, you will be presented with a small gift. Though imaginary, it will serve to remind you of the things you have learned. Think of it as a souvenir! Souvenirs are little trinkets we pick up on our journeys to remind us of where we have been. They keep us from forgetting the path we have traveled. Hide these little treasures in your heart, for as you ponder on them, they will draw you closer to God!

Trinkets to Treasure

Your trinket for this week is a reminder that God wants you to call upon Him. It's an invitation. He has invited you to come to Him in prayer. God has made Himself available to you, and awaits your call. Your invitation is the key to His undivided attention. So set your mind on Him, let Him know how much you love Him, and pour out your heart. He wants to hear it all.

Chapter Two

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace...