PRAYER TEACH ME TO PRAY FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD

PRAYER

TEACH ME TO PRAY

FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD • I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. John 15: 15 • Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness, and he was called a friend of God.

INTIMACY & FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD

FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD • We regard falling from God’s friendship as the only dreadful thing and we consider becoming God’s friend as the only thing worthy of honor and desire (Gregory of Nyssa, 4 th century). • Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever (Westminster Catechism). • For thou has created all things for thy pleasure and for thy pleasure they were created (Revelation 4: 1). • Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37: 4 ).

PRAYER

• But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psalm 131: 2 • Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46: 10

INTIMATE FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD • Intimacy with God seems to be a lost art. Our world has replaced hunger for God with service because serving is easier to do and we can see the results (Henry Nowen). • In this noise and busyness, what is often lost is vital to our spiritual health and maturity–the still small voice of God (Leanne Payne). • “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name – the name you gave me – so that they may be one as we are one (John 17: 11).

IMM AN UEL PRAYER

IMMANUEL PRAYER Steps • • Prayer of protection Invite the Holy Spirit Quiet and relax Positive Memory/Appreciation Enjoy/rest in the memory Connect to Jesus, Father, Holy Spirit Listen