Getting to Know God: Prayer

Topic # 2: Seeking God in Prayer

Part I 

How many times have you gotten on your knees, folded your hands, closed your eyes and... nothing.
The words don't come or your mind starts wandering to your bank account or your next test or something other than talking to God.

Or you are praying and you put your head down and suddenly you're jerking awake because you fell asleep. Again.

This probably happens more than we'd want to admit and I'm not going to lie this happens to me all the time.

Now I'm not going to tell you how to pray.
Jesus tells us that in Matthew 6 vs 5-14

I'm just going to remind you that you should
1 Thessalonians 5 vs. 17


Don't give up trying to connect with God because He wants to connect with you regardless of what you've done, regardless of what people have said about you or how you feel about yourself.

But before all that, it's best to remember (or get to know) who you're talking to. A God who is

Loving: John 3 vs.16

All knowing: Matthew 6 vs. 8

Sovereign: Psalm 29 vs. 10 

and about a million other things.

But all these are just words after a while aren't they?
Things that you hear again and again and actually start to lose meaning...until it becomes personal



A Relationship with God

In your alone time with God, here's some tips for when you don't know where to start

Praise (through song, through dance, however you want)
-but be genuine about it. Focus. Think of God's impact on your life. Think of the details. The words and/or feelings will follow.
    Or listen to this to help get you started

Repent. Tell God all of it. (It's not like He doesn't know) And ask Him to help you commit to change.

Ask anything for anybody. When Jesus prayed for others He prayed boldly. You can too. Think about the issues others might face and ask God for guidance for them. Pray for friends, family, strangers. Whomever.

Yourself. Bring all that baggage to God. Talk through your day and your plans. Ask Him to take control and for you to be accepting.

No matter how you choose to pray, the Holy Spirit is there to guide you. Know your prayers are important and will always be heard by our Father.

Source
-New Extreme Teen Bible. New Century Version.
He Promises to help you pray pg. 1513
 
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