Lecture on Prayer and Spiritual Communication

Jun 10, 2024

Review flashcards

Lecture on Prayer and Spiritual Communication

Introduction

  • Analogy: Person who only calls to complain - related to how we sometimes treat prayer.
  • Key Verse: Matthew 6:7-8 on vain repetitions in prayer.
  • Problem: Our prayers can often be:
    • Dry and bland
    • Repetitive
    • Transactional (treating God like a vending machine)
    • Obligatory task
  • Lewis's Reflection: From “Screwtape Letters,” prayers can be superficial.
  • Result: Poor prayer life leads to withered faith.

Concepts of Deepening Prayer Life

Image of Prayer

  • Description: Prayer is like mutual pouring of one heart into another until they become one.

Essential Ingredients of Prayer (PHT)

  • Presence: Awareness of God’s presence (like knowing someone entered the room).
    • Prayer is about heart communication, not just words.
    • 1 Samuel 16:7, God looks at the heart, not outward appearances.
  • Heart: Listen to God's heart within ours.
    • Romans 8:26-27, the spirit intercedes with wordless groans.
  • Trust: Radical trust in God, akin to a diver trusting an operator.
    • Trust is foundational even in darkness and uncertainty.
    • God’s comprehensive knowledge and care.

Approach to Praying

Preparation

  • Setting: Quiet, dark place, grounded posture (feet on ground, palms open).
  • Mental State: Recognizing the presence of the God of the universe.
  • Clearing the Mind: Technique to relieve stress (visualizing stress as red smoke).
  • Focus: Quieting the heart to prepare for deeper prayer.

Deep Form of Prayer

  • Silence: Staying in God’s presence without words.
    • Psalm 46:1, let's be still and know that I am God.
  • Conversational Prayer: Using words and structure, typically:
    • Confession: Acknowledge and apologize for failings.
    • Intercession: Praying for others, focusing on large-scale concerns.
    • Personal Requests: Share personal fears and desires.
      • Jesus cares more about spiritual than material well-being.
  • Final Element - Gratitude: Simple, sincere words of thanks.

Trust and Authenticity

  • Belief in God’s Love: Essential for a meaningful prayer life.
    • Romans 8:38-39, nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Encouragement and Practice

  • Challenge: Try the discussed prayer approach for a week.
  • Expectation: If done sincerely, one will hear God in some way deep in their soul.

Conclusion

  • Goal: Transform prayer from a task to a meaningful conversation and relationship with God.
  • Outcome: A deep love affair, not just talking but conversing with God.

Key Takeaways

  • Prayer must be heartfelt, trusting, and sincere.
  • Preparation and the right mental state are crucial.
  • Understand and trust in God’s love and plan.
  • Consistent practice leads to deeper spiritual experiences.
    • Reference: Lamentations 2:19, pour out your heart before the Lord.

Refer to Lewis’s reflections and Biblical scripture for deeper insights and encouragement. This will help sustain and grow a fulfilling prayer life.

  • Keeping faith through prayer leads to stronger spiritual well-being and trust in God’s greater plan.
    • Aligning desires with God’s will brings true fulfillment.
    • Practice gratitude, authenticity, and radical trust in God.