Prayerfulness
Text: Philippians 1
18 January 2014
THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD: PRAYERFULNESS
1. Prayer
a) A natural response to God as His children Romans 8:15
i) Natural for a child to relate to his parents
ii) Natural for a child to say “Abba”
b) A learned response with reference to our faith in God
i) Taught by the Lord Jesus Christ Matthew 6:9-13
ii) Exemplified by the Lord Jesus Mark 1:35; John 17
2. A Meaningful Practice of Prayer
a) Example of the prophets
b) Example of the psalmists
c) Example of the apostles
3. The Example of one who is Prayerful – the apostle Paul
a) He prays with a heart of thanksgiving Philippians 1:3
b) He makes requests with joy Philippians 1:4
c) He prays with great depth of understanding and insight
i) Prayer that Christian love may abound more and more Philippians 1:9
ii) Prayer for deeper knowledge Philippians 1:9
iii) Prayer for greater discernment Philippians 1:9
iv) Prayer for ability to approve that which is excellent Philippians 1:10a
v) Prayer for sincerity Philippians 1:10b
vi) Prayer to be inoffensive Philippians 1:10c
vi) Prayer to be filled with the fruits of righteousness Philippians 1:11a
vii) Prayer that all of the above would be fulfilled through Christ Philippians 1:11b
viii) Prayer that all glory may be given to the Lord Philippians 1:11c
4. A challenge to examine our prayer life
a) How real is it?
b) How meaningful is it?
c) How consistent is it?
d) How significant is it?
5. A further challenge to cultivate prayerfulness
a) Through a deeper faith
b) Through practice
c) Through responding to the Holy Spirit teaching us
d) Through a heart of love of communion with God the Father
e) Through a love for the Church
f) Through a love for the brethren
BIBLE MEMORY VERSE
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17