Emmanuel Evangelical Church Chippenham

From 12^th April 2007:

In this session we will consider the subject of confessional prayer and the place of confession in our praying.

Background

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

We considered “Praying according to God’s will” in which we have teaching (Matthew 6:10; 1 John 5:14-15) but also example (Matthew 26:39). The example of the NT makes clear that we know God’s will according to what he has said in the scriptures: Acts 4:25-26; John 15:7. We also saw from Paul’s experience (1 Corinthians 12:9-10) and Jesus' experience (Matthew 26:39-46) that sometimes God’s answer can be ‘No’ for our eternal good and his eternal glory.

We looked at the whole issue of ‘Praying with faith’, and saw that though a cursory glace at verses such as Mark 11:24 sound like a ‘blank cheque’, in practice they are the exercise of trust in WHO God is, and not simply a licence to ‘get what we want’.

Confession

Today we are going to consider the place of confession in prayer.

As forgiven people we have no need to worry that we will be rejected by God if we sin. Yet the New Testament has clear points to make on the whole subject of sin:

Please read 1 John 1:5-2:2

1. What do you understand from this passage concerning:

   1. God the Father
   2. The Lord Jesus
   3. The believer

2. What assumption is being made by the Lord Jesus in his ‘model’ prayer from Matthew 6:12?

3. Given that the context is that of prayer, what does James suggest is sometimes appropriate in the matter of sin and confession (James 5:16)?

4. Discuss the implications of your conclusions for:

   1. Personal prayer
   2. Corporate prayer