AUTUMN SERIES: PRAYER - Our Common Need for Prayer 9/29/21

Be a Pray'er, before you attempt to be a Do'er.

By: Aaron Babyar
September 29th, 2021

​**NOTE: Please be sure to read the special note at the very bottom, regarding the subject matter for the upcoming two weeks.**

Today, we'll continue our focus on Prayer,...specifically our common NEED for prayer.
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Intro and explanation: Our hope is that this guided time of reflection and devotion will be powerful, but simple enough that you can replicate it for the remainder of your life. We'll begin each post with the scripture passage as well as the practice of slowing down, allowing our savior to speak to us through His word.This "slowing down" is based off of a form of reading, prayer, and meditation that has been around for centuries called Lectio Divina. This simple, yet powerful way of reading scripture (and meditating on it), is helpful for connecting us to the word of God. Then, we'll move on to a video and devotion written by an Exago staff member. Let's get started...

​SLOWING DOWN:

1. Breath in, slowly, for 5 seconds.
2. Hold it for 5 seconds. Try to hold that breath as you focus on communing with God in PRAYER. 
3. Breath out, slowly, for 5 seconds.
4. Repeat this as much as you would like, always thanking the Lord for whatever He puts on your heart, or brings to your mind.

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY:

• Let's open our hearts to how the Lord is speaking to us today as we meditate on prayer.
• Slowly, read the scripture three times before moving on.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, submit your request to God." Philippians 4:6

• What is the Lord revealing to you today in this passage? Take time to write it down.

DEVOTION OF THE DAY:

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By: Aaron Babyar
September 29th, 2021

​Whether your title is Pastor, Volunteer, Youth Director, Missionary, or Church Planter…..your title doesn’t actually matter in the grand scheme of things. We ALL have a common need that is so simple yet so profound….and that is a need to be in Prayer. You shouldn’t DARE to endeavor in kingdom minded work with out it. Prayer is something that we almost take for granted when we are ministry leaders, but it is crucial to soul care and overcoming anxiety. Philippians 4:6 says:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

How about if, before you jump into serving the Lord today, you instead pause...You listen to Him...You pray and talk to Him about what you need to do. Prepare your heart and mind for the task God has put in front of you.

Oswald Chambers declared that
“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer IS the greater work.”

Be a Pray'er, before you attempt to be a Do'er. Listen the Holy Spirit, then go forward with his guidance.


* NOTE: October 6th and 13th will be on the subject of FASTING.
​We encourage you to set aside those two Wednesdays and join us in FASTING from something.