Message Notes

YAG RETREAT
Session #1
Thursday, 31 May 2007
Unanswered Prayer
Venue: Hyatt Regency (JB)
INTRODUCTION

1. Studying the Subject of Prayer

a) A special approach must be adopted

b) Prayer is ultimately going to be highly personal

c) Participants would be at different levels: –

i) Of understanding

ii) Of spiritual maturity

iii) Of practice in prayer

iv) Of different dispositions with reference to prayer and its application

v) Different sets of circumstances in life

2. A suggested approach

a) Personal evaluation to be done honestly

b) Lessons on prayer to be personally evaluated

c) Problems must be addressed in depth

d) Application greatly encouraged

e) Post Retreat monitoring to be carefully done

f) Evaluation and Refinement

AN ESSENTIAL APPROACH          Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, That we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need

1. Throne of Grace          (Cf. Revelation 4, 5)
2. Key words

a) Mercy

b) Grace

3. In time of need
4. Boldness = Confidence (parresian)

SPECIAL AND URGENT REASONS FOR THE STUDY OF THIS THEME
“UNANSWERED PRAYER”

1. INDIVIDUALLY

a) The sheer task of living drives us to seek to deepen our prayer life

b) The uncertain future again drives us to seek God in prayer

c) The needs of close friends drive us to seek to pray more meaningfully

d) Personal circumstances of life

2. AS A CHURCH

a) The needs of the Church are multiplied

b) Many Individuals express need for prayer support in their hour of crisis

c) Many ministries in Church require powerful prayer support

d) The need for spiritual power

e) The desire to see the Lord’s blessings outpoured

3. THE “END-TIMES CHURCH”

a) Perilous times          1 Timothy 4

b) Special problems created by the Devil          2 Timothy 3; 2 Thessalonians 2

c) Spiritual warfare          Revelation 12-13; Ephesians 6; 1 Peter 5

4. PASTORAL CONCERN

a) Prayerlessness

b) Weakness

c) Helplessness

d) Powerlessness

e) Reliance on human wisdom and strength

GOALS OF THE RETREAT

1. A deeper understanding of Prayer
2. A greater sense of motivation to cultivate a more meaningful Prayer-life
3. Commitment to improve personal prayer-life
4. Cultivation of a Ministry of Prayer
5. Breaking bad habits of prayer
6. Refreshing of the soul
7. Appreciating afresh the privilege of being able to pray to God