Transforming Prayers
Introduction
Everything else that we have talked about so far in this series is really about preparing for this last topic. This is really the most important question: How do we pray Transforming Prayers? Prayer is part of the classical disciplines of the Christian church. It is essential to our identity. But not everyone knows how to pray in this way. Often our prayers fall short of actually transforming us, other people, or even the world we live in. In other words, we pray only as needed or when there are emergencies, but not for transformation.
Three Movements In Transforming Prayer
- First Movement: Centering (Phil 4:4-5) – We cannot pray unless we slow down, find a place free from distraction, and center ourselves toward God. These are choices we must make or else we cannot pray. We are commanded to rejoice and to focus on God either by thinking about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ or His presence in our lives. Often we are distracted by so many things that may seem important to us. We live hurried lives because we cannot be content with God. We need to be intentional and self-controlled in order to pray.
- Second Movement: Calling (Phil 4:6) – God is always calling us to Himself because apart from Him we can do nothing. Unfortunately, we don’t believe that, so we keep on striving in order to fulfill our needs. We are confident in our ability to make our lives work, so we don’t pray. Therefore, God allows us to rely on our strengths until we are not able to do so anymore. This is called weakness. But instead of answering God’s call to draw near to Him in times of weakness, we keep on striving. This is called living in the flesh. We are called to live in the Spirit instead, and to do that we need to pray.
- Third Movement: Consoling (Phil 4:7) – We will know that we have responded to God’s call to rely on Him through prayer. The evidence of this is the peace of God that passes all understanding, which He will give to us through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. Without this, we are still being called by God to continue in our prayers. Only when God’s peace settles in our hearts and we know what He would want us to do next, can we stop praying until our next appointment with God. This is how we keep in step with the Holy Spirit. We allow Him to lead us.
Conclusion
- Main idea: “Prayer that transforms conforms to God’s will and purpose.”
- Unless we pray Transforming Prayers, nothing much will happen in our prayers.
- It takes intentionality and perseverance to pray Transforming Prayers.
Discussion
- How will you describe your typical prayers?
- Which of the three movements do you need to start practicing?
- What will you do in the next few days to start practicing?