Prayer Meeting                                     Notes 2000

17 April 2000

1. With reference to the disciple of developing a meaningful prayer life. It takes a Whole lifetime of experience in prayer to develop a deep and significant intercessory ministry.

a) Planned protracted periods of time spent in prayer (In the wilderness forty days and nights Luke 4:1-13)

b) Spontaneous moments of prayer (Matt 11:25-26; John 11:41-42; 12:27-28)

c) Daily portions of time set aside for prayer (Mark 1:35, early morning prayer time; Mark 6:46, evening prayer time; Cf. Luke 5:16)

d) Special occasions for prayer (In Gethsemane, Matt 26:36-46)

e) Each prayer experience, each prayer occasion strengthens us in our prayer life and ministry

f) A deep appreciation of the place, and the "power" of prayer should develop

g) The practice of prayer arises from a deep conviction of faith that our communion with God is not in vain!

2. With reference to a Deep and Intimate Relationship with God as Father

a) "Father..." was the customary way in which the Lord Jesus addressed God (John 17:1, 5, 11, 20; John 12:27, 28; John 11:41)

b) The depth of Relationship between The Son and The Father is well demonstrated in John's Gospel. In discourse after discourse, the Lord Jesus referred to God lovingly as His Father (John 5, 6, 7, 8, etc)

c) This Relationship is developed through an ever deepening knowledge of God; as He revealed Himself to The Son

3. With reference to a Deep and Strong Relationship with His Disciples

a) A deep and strong relationship was developed between the Lord Jesus and His disciples and this bond led Him to intercede for them

b) His knowledge of His disciples, both their strength and weakness led Him to pray for them much

c) His prayer for them reflects His deep concern and love

1. With reference to the development of our prayer life (An honest examination of our prayer life)

a) We do not plan protracted periods of time for the purpose of seeking God in prayer

b) We do not have "spontaneous moments of prayer" - but in and of themselves, these moments of spontaneous prayer are not sufficient to cultivate a deep and meaningful intercessory ministry

c) We do not have a disciplined prayer life. We do not set aside significant portions of time to pray in the morning and at night

d) Special occasions of prayer reveal that we are much like the erstwhile disciples of the Lord Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane - we sleep on a prayer watch!

2. With reference to the cultivation of our relationship with God as our Father in heaven, our relationship with God seems to be weak and superficial

a) "Father..." may come to our lips from time to time, but we lack that depth

b) We do not seem to know how to cultivate a depth of relationship (even in human relationships, the lack of depth is obvious)

c) We do not pursue the knowledge of God as we should

3. Our Relationship with others is not as deep and meaningful as it should be (e.g. Sunday School Students, Others in the Household of faith)

a) Where there is that lack of a deep and meaningful relationship with "our disciples," we will also find it difficult to pray for them

b) Where we do not know "our disciples" well, where we do not feel for them, we will never be able to intercede for them meaningfully

c) And where we fail to maintain good and meaningful relationship with others in the Household of Faith, we will not be able to intercede as meaningfully.

1. Take time to memorise God's Word

2. Seek to be filled with the love of God - His love will move your heart to pray

3. Set aside definite periods of time for purposeful/meaningful prayer

4. All for time to pass - waiting upon the Lord requires much patience and faith