The Compass

A Daily Personal Reflection & Small Group Discussion Guide

by John Hay, Jr.
Senior Pastor, West Morris Street Free Methodist Church

Series: Summer Growth Series
Week's focus: "How to Revitalize Your Prayer Life"
Scriptures: Matthew 6:5-18
Week of: July 24, 2005

TRACKING THE WORD IN WORSHIP
What does Jesus teach us about prayer and fasting?

1. Pray and fast not to fulfill a duty or APPEAR spiritual, but because you are convinced they are ESSENTIAL for spiritual life and growth. Matthew 6:6, 16-18

2. Prayer is effective not because of MANY or impressive words, but because it is direct, PRIVATE, and earnest. Matthew 6:7-13

3. Consciously, FREQUENTLY, and tangibly remind yourself of the ONE to whom your prayer is addressed and unto whom your life is LIVED. Matthew 6:9

4. Try praying in the VARIETY of ways Jesus, his disciples, and the early church prayed. (see "10 Ways to Revitalize Your Prayer Life" below)

GUIDED JOURNALING / DISCUSSION
For personal devotions & journaling or small group discussion

1. What do you think are some of the benefits of a consistent or developing life of prayer? What makes prayer-even the discipline of prayer-rewarding? List your responses or discuss them in your small group.

2. Why do you not pray more? What are the reasons, excuses, hindrances or practical barriers that prevent you from a rich prayer life? List and explore your responses in your journal, or discuss in your small group. What simple steps can you take to overcome these?

3. Pray the Lord's Prayer. Do you see or hear various elements or parts of the "Lord's Prayer?" If so, describe them. How do these confessions, affirmations, reminders, petitions, or declarations connect with you, or help you?

4. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus clearly connects our request for forgiveness from God with our forgiveness of others. Is this a hindrance to prayer for you? Are there persons you need to forgive or situations you need to try to resolve? Do so.

MARKINGS LEFT BY PREVIOUS TRAVELERS
Selected quotes on prayer and fasting

"Prayer is doing business with God." -- Virginia Whitman

"Prayer is leading every sorrow to the source of all healing; it is letting the warmth of Jesus' love melt the cold anger of resentment; it is opening a space where joy replaces sadness, mercy supplants bitterness, love displaces fear, gentleness and care overcome hatred and indifference. But most of all, prayer is the way to become and remain a part of Jesus' mission to draw all people to the intimacy of God's love." -- Henri Nouwen in Prayer Embraces the World

"Fasting in America and in other prosperous Western nations is almost incomprehensible because we have been brainwashed by a consumer culture. We are taught to experience the good life by consuming, not by renouncing consumption." - John Piper in Seeking the Face of God

"Fasting can bring breakthroughs in the spiritual realm that could never be had in any other way." - Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline

10 WAYS TO REVITALIZE YOUR PRAYER LIFE

1. Walk when you pray. You can "be still" and move at the same time. You will be amazed at the things you encounter for intercession during a prayer walk.

2. Pray with your eyes open. There is nothing more holy about closing your eyes when you pray. Some pray-ers in the Bible prayed with their eyes open.

3. Start by confessing-by name-every action, attitude, or outlook that just might be construed as sin…and repent---turn away from-each. This is the first and most important expression of prayer.

4. As best you can, put yourself in the shoes of the ones for whom you pray. Compassion for another changes the way you pray for them.

5. Visualize Jesus addressing and healing those for whom you pray. Using your imagination can help you understand prayer as something more than words.

6. Pray at the same time and place everyday for six straight days. Establish it.

7. Listen as much as you talk or petition. Prayer is not one-way. Listen intently.

8. Pray outside. Many prayers of the Bible are out in the open. Get out of the box.

9. Pray with a Psalm each day. The Psalms are prayers. Let them help you.

10. "Flash" prayers at 10 people each day. I call this "stealth praying." You'll find yourself looking for someone to pray for. Who knows, you might even speak to them?!

RESPONSES & OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE
Want to explore The Compass with others? Have questions?

If you'd like to connect with others who are working weekly with The Compass, e-mail me or call the church office (317.632.8311)

If you have questions about Scriptures or some of the questions, or just want to share what your are discovering through The Compass, you are welcome to e-mail me.

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