Jared's blog

It is time for some of us to start praying "High Risk" prayers! Here are a few that we went over last week that will take our spiritual lives to the deep end!

1.  Examine Me
2.  Break Me
3.  Test Me
4.  Guide Me
5.  Use Me
6.  Stretch Me

These are some BIG prayers but the reward is unexplainable.  As we talked about, when we begin to believe that our God is big enough then these prayers will automatically flow.

As we continue to grow in our understanding of prayer, we learn that prayer is all about a relationship and communication with God.  I have come to realize that prayer is magnified as we pray for one another because it a powerful agent for doing good to others.  But the question that I often hear is, "How exactly do we pray 'for' someone else?"

Colossians 1:9-12 gives a clear example of how we can intercede for each other.  It really doesn't matter what the prayer request may be, if we follow this example we can pray for anyone at anytime even if we know what is going on or not.

I encourage us as a group of college/young adults to take this passage of Scripture and apply it to our lives as we pray for one another.  Pray this prayer: 

That we will walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to the His glorious power, for all patience and long suffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

-JNM

God instructs us to pray about everything, at anytime, and anywhere.  Then the Bible assures us over and over again that God will answer our prayers.  But often times, we don't "get" what we asked for and sometimes God's answer to our prayer is "NO!

Here are a few reasons why God may say "No" to our prayer requests.

1.  We don't see the big picture.
2.  Our plan is not on the same page with God's plan.
3.  God is keeping us from trouble.
4.  God has a different timetable than we do.
5.  We have sin issues in our life.

Unanswered prayer may seem like a mystery,but when we look at it from God's persepctive, realizing thtat he can see the whole picture, it makes more sense.  We must learn to trust in His love, and realize that His plans are bigger and better.

"Not our Will but Your Will be done!"

Being transparent with God is critical if we are going to take our prayer life to another level!  But being transparent is messy and it takes a whole lot of effort.  So how do we dive into the deep end of prayer by being transparent?

1.  Look In the Mirror
-We must learn to reflect.  If we really want to see the heart of God - it begins by taking a long honest look at ourselves.

2.  Pour Out Our Pain & Struggles
-A transparent prayer is not a formula, not an edited prayer, but it is an authentic prayer pouring out the pain and hurt from our heart...not being afraid to tell God exactly how we feel.

3.  Soak Up God's Wisdom
-Once we have learned how to reflect, God wants us to listen to His Word!  Prayer is a two-way conversation.  We must take tim to listen to God after we have poured out our hearts to Him.

As we open up to transparent prayer, we will experience God's peace and power.  Don't be afraid about being transparent.  Reflect, pour out your pain, and listen to His Word and watch your prayer life change for the better!

Last week we discussed the 4 conditions for a healthy prayer life.  In case you missed the sevice, here is a quick recap:

Condition # 1 - Understand the Purpose of Prayer
            - Conformity to His Will

Condition # 2 - Make Prayer  a Top Priority

Condition # 3 - Pray with the Right Motives

Condition # 4 - Use the P-R-A-Y Method
             P - Praise
             R - Repent
             A - Ask
             Y - Yield

This weekend, we will look at what it means to be transparent with God (Allowing ourselves to be real and honest with God).