Week 1

Prayer is a heavenly gift from a Father who loves to hear from His children.

Luke 11:1

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ’Lord teach us to pray…’

Today take time to be still, even if it is just for a minute or two. Ask God to teach you how to pray more effectively.

Music: Be still for the presence of the Lord

Prayer is an ongoing conversation with God. It is a natural expression of our intimate relationship with God.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances.

Today find opportunites to give thanks in as many things as you can. It can be as simple and short as Father, I thank you for….

Music: Thank you for saving me - Delirious

Prayer is not just about talking to God but learning to listen to him.

John 10:27

Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me”

Pray that God will help you to recognise His voice. Be patient, wait expectantly and prepare to be surprised!

Music: Your Words – Third Day

God is always available, always willing and always waiting.

Jeremiah 29:13

‘’You will seek Me and find Me when you search for me with all your heart.’’

Pray that God will help you to open your heart to Him throughout the day in all circumstances.

Music: Open the eyes of my heart Lord – Paul Baloche

God may choose to communicate with us in different ways: a word, a picture, the bible, a dream, through a conversation with someone, through music….

Prayer is as essential to knowing God and growing spiritually, as breathing is to living and staying healthy.

1 John 3:1

‘’See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God. And that is what we are!’’

Music: No longer slaves – Jonathan David and Melissa Helser

God has established prayer as the way we receive His supernatural help.

Isaiah 49:15

‘’Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.’’

Ask God to give you His wisdom to know what to do throughout your day. Give thanks each time you think of Him; knowing He is always there.

Music: God I look to you- Jen Johnson

Week 2

Jesus our teacher and example 1

In our day there are many distractions and often so much to do. Jesus had many demands placed on him and often in the Bible we see him remove himself from these.

Luke 5:16

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

Where is your special place to be alone? Invite God into your quiet place and just spend time with Him.

Music: What a beautiful name – Hillsong worship

Jesus our teacher and example 2

Praying before meals was common practice in Jesus day. Praying before each meal is a reminder that that all things come from God. He is the source of everything we have.

Luke 24:30

“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.” 

Each time you eat today, give thanks to God for the blessing of the food you are to eat and for those who have contributed to make this possible.

Music: Praise God from Whom all Blessings flow

Jesus our teacher and example 3

Jesus prayed for his disciples.

John 17:9

“I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.” 

What we see around us can prompt us to pray blessings into the lives of those we love.

Music: Ten Thousand Reasons – Matt Redman

Jesus our teacher and example 4

Jesus not only taught his disciples to pray but encouraged them to pray together.

Matthew 18:20 

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Is there someone you can ask to pray with today? Ask God to help find someone and make the time to do this.

As

As you iron or put clothes away pray for the person the clothes belong to.

As you see things which belong to the ones you live with give thanks for them.

Jesus our teacher and example 5

Jesus prayed for each and every one of us, even though we would not be born into this world for many years.

John 17: 20

“My prayer is not for them (the disciples) alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their (the disciples) message.” 

How amazing is it that Jesus would pray for each of us. He loved us before we were born. Give thanks for the people who have shared the good news of Jesus through the ages, so that you too can know Him.

Jesus our teacher and example 6

Jesus prayed because he could do nothing without God, and neither can we. It is important to spend time in prayer every day.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart    and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,    and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Invite God to ‘break through’ into your day, so you can talk with Him as you go along . Give thanks each time you think of Him.

Music: Overwhelmed – Big Daddy Weave

Week 3

Prayer as a relationship – The Lord’s Prayer 1

The disciples saw the difference prayer made in Jesus’ life; they also knew they struggled so they asked Jesus to teach them. This week we will spend each day focusing on the model of prayer He gave them. See Luke 11:1-4

Our Father in heaven,hallowed be Your name,

Jesus invites us to call upon God as our Father, for we are part of His

family. Our Holy God Who created all things wants us to have an intimate

relationship with Him.

Reflect today on these words.

Music: Good Good Father – Chris Tomlin

Prayer as a relationship – The Lord’s Prayer 2

We ask to seek God’s will, priorities and values as the foundation for our relationship with Him.

Your kingdom come,Your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Today ask God to help you put Him first in your life.

Music: Be Thou my vision

Prayer as a relationship – The Lord’s Prayer 3

Everything we have is a gift from God. In our society where material possessions are the world’s measure of success, we need Him to help us to be content with, and give thanks for, what we have.

Give us today our daily bread.

Pray that God will not only meet our physical needs but will also feed us with the Holy Spirit so we will know and rely on Him more.

Music: Speak O Lord – Stuart Townend

Prayer as a relationship – The Lord’s Prayer 4

We have God who is willing to forgive every one of us, if we ask Him. Jesus died on the cross to make this possible.

Forgive us our sinsas we forgive those who sin against

us.

We all need forgiveness and reconciliation with God, but also with

each other. It can be so hard to forgive others, but ask God and He will help you to forgive those who have hurt you. It is truly freeing to know

you are forgiven and to forgive others.

Music: Redeemed – Big Daddy Weave

Prayer as a relationship – The Lord’s Prayer 5

We are all vulnerable to temptation, being economical with the truth or sacrificing our principles when it suits us. It is easy to nurse resentment or allow jealousy to poison our relationships.

Lead us not into temptation

This is why Jesus tells us to pray constantly for God’s help and guidance. When you feel tempted; call on God to help. Ask Him what to do or say. He will respond.

Music: Lord I Need You – Matt Maher

Prayer as a relationship – The Lord’s Prayer 6

We are constantly made aware of the evil in our world. We are all vulnerable to being manipulated or undermined; this is why we need God’s protection.

But deliver us from evil.

God wants to use us to encourage and inspire others to a better way of life. Pray for God’s strength and protection and to be a person of integrity.

Music: More Than Conqueror’s – Rend Collective

Week 4

Prayer as a relationship – The Lord’s Prayer 7

The true purpose and perspective in our lives is found in the praise and appreciation of God and in our relationship with Him.

For the Kingdom, the Power,and the Glory are Yours,

now and for ever. Amen

Everything we have comes from God and so we can daily place ourselves within His love, care and protection. Thank God today for as many things as you can!

Music: Build Your Kingdom – Rend Collective

As we pray more we will enjoy His presence. We can talk to God about anything.

Psalm 73:28

But I’m in the very presence of GOD—    oh, how refreshing it is!I’ve made Lord GOD my home.    GOD, I’m telling the world what you do!

You can talk to God at any time and in any place. Take time to simply tell him what you are doing and how you feel.