January 19 – 25, 2008

STARTING YOUR DAY WITH PRAYER

In this lesson you will learn that your time with God is the most important time of your day. You may phrase your prayer time as “getting alone with Jesus, time with Him, daily devotions, quiet time, or starting your day with prayer.”

 

I.                    How to be a person of prayer.

A.     Colossians 4:2 – “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.” “Continue” means to stay with it. “Earnestly” means with all your heart, seriously. “Vigilant” means alert, watchful.  Your prayers can stop the work of Satan. Pray with thanksgiving.

B.     Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Your time with Jesus should be top priority.

 

II.                 Three things to make Jesus top priority in your life in prayer.

A.     Desire – Benefits to gain and losses to be avoided.

B.     Discipline – Pray whether you feel like it or not.

C.     Delight – Enjoy your prayer time.

 

III.               Scriptures on prayer.

A.     Matthew 26:40 – “Could you not watch with Me one hour?”

B.     Mark 1:35 – “Now in the morning … He prayed.”

C.     Luke 18:1 – “Men always ought to pray and not lose heart.”

 

IV.              What you gain in starting your day with the Lord.

A.     Spend time with the King of the universe.

B.     Get revelation from God.

C.     Receive daily direction.

D.     Receive an impartation of His love, joy, and peace.

E.      Receive an attitude adjustment.

F.      Be prepared to minister – you will be transacting Kingdom business.

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  • Share when you started your daily time with the Lord.
  • Do you have desire, discipline, and delight in your daily prayer time?
  • What are some things you have gained through daily prayer?

 

BE A DOER OF THE WORD

This week make a decision to start your day with prayer and continue until you have the desire, discipline, and delight in your daily prayer time.

 

SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE: Colossians 4:2 – “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”