Talking To God - Guide

Talking to God What is the most common tool we use to connect with other people? Communication – Talking to others. If talking to others gives us a sense of closeness to them, then we can assume to draw closer to God would mean we would need to talk to Him more. Genuine prayer is sustained when the believer is convinced of its value and feels the power in its practice. 3 questions concerning effective prayer: 1. Why should I talk to God? Because genuine prayer gets God’s attention. Prayer “for show” may gain man’s attention and affirmation but sincere prayer finds an audience with God. 3 reasons given in scripture that answer this question: • Because God is God. • Because God wants us to converse with Him. • Because God responds to prayer. There is direct correlation between not knowing Jesus well and not asking much from Him. A failure in our prayer life is generally a failure to know Him intimately. Peace is a by product of genuine conversation with God. 2. What should I talk to God about? We have a model in v. 9-13. • Praise Him for who He is, worship and adore Him. • Thank Him for who He is and for what He has done for us. • Ask Forgiveness. • Ask for Supplication. Asking for our needs to be met honors Him by letting Him know how very much we need Him and opposes the attitude of self-sufficiency. God invites us to get to Him anyway possible. 1

One of the greatest gifts you can give another person is to speak to God on his or her behalf. 3. How should I talk to God? He teaches us what kind of prayer reaches God and is greeted with a response: • It is private • It is sincere • It is thoughtful **Additional attitudes necessary in approaching God: • Boldness tempered by humility. As we approach God, we should do so confidently because we have been invited to do so and because we recognize God’s power to meet our need. At the same time, in our confident approach we are not presumptuous, but humble in our estimation of ourselves compared to the majesty and holiness of God.

Challenge: Try the ACTS model everyday this week and journal the effects: • Acknowledge His greatness, praise and adore Him • Confess our sins • Thank Him for His goodness • Supplication: Acknowledge needs and ask for help for self and for others

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