Emmanuel Evangelical Church Chippenham

From 3^rd May 2007:

In this session we will consider what is the correct attitude to take when we pray.

Background

We have started unpacking some of the misunderstood considerations in effective prayer:

We considered “Praying according to God’s will”  and the issue of “Praying with Faith”.

We then looked at confession. We saw that the NT insists that because sin is against God, and sadly continues to be our experience, we must confess - but in the confidence that Jesus has done everything necessary for us to be forgiven: (1 John 1:5-2:2; Matthew 6:12; James 5:16).

Last time we considered the vital place that forgiving others has in our prayer life from Matthew 6:9-15.

The Correct Attitude of Prayer

Today we’re going to consider the attitude of prayer.

Please read James 4:1-10

This is a long passage, with much to say about prayer that we will look at more closely on another occasion. Just for now, what main attitude towards God and ourselves are we told (twice!) to have?

Please read Luke 18:9-14

1. Describe the attitude of the Pharisee in prayer.

2. Describe the attitude of the Tax-collector.

Read Luke 20:46-47

What else does Jesus tell us about the Pharisees? (here called teachers of the law, or scribes)

Finally then, what then should characterise both our attitude and practice in prayer?