fall 2012
PraYER
An invitation to a more intimate relationship with Jesus
How to Pray for a Disciple Nations in Exchange for Your Life The Power of Intercessory Prayer
a publication of
disciple’s DNA Prayer: Part of a
J
ust how important is prayer to the life of a disciple of Jesus?
As followers of Jesus, we talk a lot about
comes from the fact that we have relegated prayer
prayer. As a matter of fact, if you search ama-
to the status of a “spiritual discipline.” But we
zon.com for books on prayer, you’ll find more
could easily argue that prayer is not simply some-
than 80,000 options—an indication that a lot of
thing that a disciple of Christ does—it is part of
people consider prayer important.
his or her life. Prayer is part of a disciple’s spiri-
Of course the Bible has a thing or two to say
tual “DNA.”
about prayer. Prayer—in one form or another—
Prayer is part of The Navigators DNA as well.
is mentioned more than 500 times throughout
It’s always been one of the basic elements Navi-
Scripture. Jesus modeled prayer—both privately
gators emphasize in discipleship training. It’s no
and publicly. It was something He practiced
accident that prayer is one of the spokes in the
before making major decisions (such as before
well-known (and well-used) Wheel illustration
selecting His disciples) and when He faced the
that Navigators have used for decades to commu-
most monumental challenge of his ministry (His
nicate the essentials of a disciple’s life.
death by crucifixion).
What Navigators do—where and how we min-
Jesus also repeatedly taught His disciples how
ister—is the result of countless hours spent in
to pray. He used parables, and personal example,
prayer, seeking God and listening to His leading.
in addition to giving them the model of what
The Navigators founder, Dawson Trotman, was
we’ve come to call “The Lord’s Prayer.”
legendary for his prayer discipline—retreating to
Both the Old Testament and the New Testa-
the hills with his Bible and a map of the world to
ment feature the prayers of people we consider
pray that God would use Navigator-trained dis-
heroes of the faith: David, Moses, Abraham, Pe-
ciples to reach the world.
ter, and Paul. We have recorded examples—not just that they prayed, but what they prayed.
As you read through this issue of Disciple! we hope you sense that prayer is not merely a disci-
And yet, prayer is perhaps the one spiritual
pline to master or an activity to do, but that it’s
discipline that many of us seem to struggle with
an essential part of a disciple’s life—a part of his
the most. And perhaps some of that struggle
or her spiritual DNA! D! Dig Deeper at my.navigators.org/disciple
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Photograph by Sean Sheridan
The Navigators Vision: What We See in
T
the Future
his issue of Disciple! focuses on prayer. It’s our hope to encourage you in your prayer life, and serve as an evidence of how God has answered your prayers in support of The Navigators ministry. Be sure to check out the Field Notes, which provide new stories from our staff on how God used prayer to impact their local community. As Navigators, the vision we have for the future shapes the things we do today. Would you join us in prayer that God will bring to reality this compelling vision of the future impact of our effort? Here are some thoughts inspired by our Navigator Vision Statement: We see a vital movement of the Gospel, fueled by prayer, flowing freely through relational networks into the nations. We see workers for the Kingdom living next door to everywhere! We envision laborers characterized by a deep engagement with and obedience to the Scriptures. They believe the promises of God and they seek to know and pursue God’s purposes both personally and in committed communities. We pray for ordinary people from many walks of life, joyfully living fruitful lives among the lost even in the face of hardship and suffering. We see many around the world coming to faith and becoming established in discipleship. Some will be foundations for further generations as the Gospel spreads naturally and powerfully through believers sharing Christ life upon life. We see teams of men and women crossing cultures into new cities and nations proclaiming and embodying the Good News of Jesus Christ, in such a way that transformed communities multiply—bringing joy and hope to their environments. I pray this resource will encourage and equip you with the biblical inspiration, practical tips and tools to grow in your prayer life. As you do so, please continue to pray with us, as we trust God for this vision of the future. I also encourage you to pray for those in your everyday life, whether family, friends, neighbors, or colleagues—you can make a difference through prayer because of the mighty God we know and serve. In His Grip, Doug Nuenke U.S. President, The Navigators
FOLLOWING JESUS IN TODAY’S WORLD
FIELD NOTES NOTES
The Power of Intercessory Prayer
During early spring 2011, a prayer request came to us from our Discipling for Development (D4D) leaders in northern Malawi: Could people pray for their outreach to a local village chief? Recently, we heard how a dramatic change in the chief’s life had begun after some of our D4D team held an all night prayer meeting on his behalf. Prior to this meeting the chief’s wife had requested prayer for her husband. He lacked respect in the community and with his fellow chiefs. He spent most of the family income on alcohol, and he was abusive. In addition to asking for prayer, the chief’s wife requested that one of our staff members, named Andy, talk to her husband about his drinking and resultant behavior. Through careful dialogue, he helped her understand that she was the most suitable person to do that. Buoyed by the team’s prayers, she courageously talked to her husband. Much to her amazement, the chief didn’t beat her for her audacity. After seeing the reality of answered prayer, the wisdom of the counsel she’d received and the amazing outcome of the conversation with her husband, the chief’s wife gave her life to Christ, began to attend church regularly, and asked Andy to meet with her husband. Our team prayed for the right time and circumstances for this to take place.
One day Andy “happened” to meet the chief during one of his lucid moments. During their conversation, Andy mentioned reports from the community about the chief’s behavior. The chief admitted that the reports about his drunkenness and unruly behavior were true. As they talked, Andy asked the chief to consider not only his present lifestyle, but to also think about an alternative lifestyle free from the influence of alcohol—and to consider which lifestyle he desired. The chief told him he would think about the question for three days. Three days later the chief shared his decision: He would drink no more! However, as he considered the enormity of his choice, the chief admitted that he couldn’t do this in his own strength. Andy agreed, and asked if he could introduce him to someone who could help. With permission, Andy explained the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the only way for achieving such a radical life change. In May, the chief embraced Jesus as his Savior and Lord. He has not returned to drinking and he attends the team Bible studies well dressed and gives valuable input. He is providing for his family and is no longer abusing his wife. Such is the power of intercessory prayer! D! Adapted from a report from Andy Atkins, a mentor with The Navigators Discipling for Development Ministry.
Join the conversation with Doug at blogs.navigators.org/DougNuenke/blog my. n av i gato r s .o rg/ d i s c i pl e
| 3
FOLLOWING JESUS IN TODAY’S WORLD
FIELD NOTES NOTES Three Simple Things by Keith Pepsny
Sometimes we think know that Proverbs that making disciples thing? I want someone is a complicated to help me and invest endeavor. In reality, in me!” So I did three it can be fairly simsimple things with Jusple. Keith and Kate tin, and they are things Pepsny pioneered that anybody can do. a Navigator ministry I spent time with at Oregon State UniJustin. We’d play basversity in Corvallis, ketball and I’d invite Oregon, and are now him to the house, directing a new minisand we’d have meals try at the University of together. I simply Keith Pepsny (right) with Justin Washington in Seattle, spent time with him Washington. Keith recently shared a building a relationship. bit about how simple it can be to make Then—even though he wasn’t foldisciples. lowing Jesus, yet—I’d occasionally When I was in the eighth grade, a share a nugget from God’s Word— fellow named Doug began investing in knowing that it would not return to Him my life. It was simple. He’d invite me to empty (Isaiah 55:10). his house and we’d have dinner with But I was most passionate about his family, and once a week we’d do a praying for Justin. I didn’t want him simple Bible study together. to just love or trust me—I knew it was Years later I have the privilege important that he trust in Jesus. So I’d of doing the same thing with college ask him what I could pray about for him students in the Pacific Northwest. At and then do it—even though he had little Oregon State University I met a stu- concept of what prayer was all about. dent named Justin—a very ambitious When Justin came to faith in Christ guy and although he wasn’t a follower he immediately began to focus on of Jesus, he wanted to invest in the life those same three things with his fraof someone else, so he volunteered at ternity brothers. He’d hang out with the local Boys and Girls Club. them, expose them to God’s Word, and One day over coffee I told him that ask them what he could pray about for what he was doing was really great. them. It was that simple. Then I told him about an old proverb that I finally asked him, “How do you said, “He who walks with wise men will know how to do this?” He responded, be wise . . .” (Proverbs 13:20, NASB). I “Keith, you’ve been doing this with me confided that I was always looking for for the last couple of years!” Now that someone in whom I can invest my life— he’s living and working in New York, as well as for someone who will invest in Keith is still passionate about helping me. In fact, I had been specifically pray- others. When he sees the guys he used ing that God would “give me people out to minister with at Oregon State, he still of the world” (John 17:6). asks them, “Who are you influencing?” The next morning he told me, “You It’s so simple. D! Photograph by Micah & Megan Photographers
4 | d i s c i pl e! | s u m m er 2 012
I
By Rusty Rustenbach t’s been estimated that a typical Christian layman spends about three-and-a-half minutes each day in prayer. Full-time Christian workers average about seven minutes per day. Why do we fail to take full advantage of the privilege of prayer? Is it a lack of discipline? Are we too busy? Are we unmotivated?
Perhaps the basic cause relates to how we view God. We
may have no genuine awe for the one “who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth” (Isaiah 51:13). And if we aren’t captivated by God, prayer is a tedious task—a discipline that only those with wills of steel can master. I once regarded prayer as “gutting it out” before God—
bringing reams of petitions before Him. The more requests I could bring, the more spiritual I was. I also misinterpreted statements from godly men about the
importance of prayer. Martin Luther’s statement that “I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer” implied to me that prayer was a guaranteed formula for success. Rather than being dynamic communion with the sovereign Lord of the universe, prayer was an exercise meant to wrestle effects into the lives of people and to manipulate God’s hand. Prayer became lifeless and tedious. It was like castor oil: tasting terrible, but good for me.
FOCUSED ON THE
FATHER
How to Make Prayer an Adventure Rather Than a burden
Yet God reminded me of the truth I was
eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all
conversations don’t do much to build intimacy
neglecting: He wanted to commune with me.
these?” (Isaiah 40:26). We, too, should consider
in a relationship.
Communion is the intimate sharing of thoughts
the one who made it all, and we can ask God to
and emotions. It’s intimate fellowship, rapport
help us see Him in His creation.
or communication. This is the kind of relation-
Another way to appreciate God and com-
mune with Him is to read and meditate on
The second resource available to us is God’s
the great prayers of the Bible. When the early
Word—a vast reservoir of riches designed to
Christians prayed for boldness (Acts 4:24–30)
I realized afresh that God desires com-
remind us of the greatness of the God we serve.
most of their words recounted what God had
munion with me and has little interest in the
Many passages focus on what God is like. When
already done. No wonder their prayer for bold-
petition gymnastics I was trying to perfect. He
you read them, think of the implications these
ness was clearly answered. Many of the psalms
wants me to be preoccupied with Himself.
attributes have for our lives, and talk with God
of David and the prayers of Paul also focus on
about them.
who God is and what he has done, rather than
ship God wants.
Seeing God this way enables us to stand in awe of him. It stimulates our heart to vital com-
The life of Jesus Christ as told in the Gos-
munion and conversation with Him. Seeing God
pels also draws our attention to God’s charac-
Growing in reverent communion with God
as He is requires faith on our part, but whoever is
ter. As we read about Jesus talking with and
isn’t another burden to add to your already busy
enamored and thrilled with God is then rightly
living among people, we see vivid examples of
schedule. It is not an activity, but an attitude
motivated to pray. I believe that’s what John 4:24
God’s character in action.
of heart that should influence your Bible study,
is hinting at: “God is spirit and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Communion also means sharing the same
on their requests.
Scripture memory, quiet times, and prayer.
thoughts as we communicate. We need to
William Carey said that “secret, fervent,
What can we do? God has graciously given
respond to God about the specific things He
believing prayer lies at the root of all personal
us two major resources to enable us to see Him
has spoken to us about. We often fail to do this
godliness.” We could add that an exciting sense
as He is: His works and His Word.
when we read the Bible. In a particular passage,
of reverence and worship—an increasing appre-
Most of us think of the works of God as His
God may speak to us about His holiness. But
ciation of God’s presence—lies at the root of all
spiritual work in people’s lives. But another
our mind is preoccupied with how we can come
secret, fervent, believing prayer. D!
work of God, neglected by many of us, is His
up with enough money to pay next month’s
creation. The universe declares God’s glory, but
rent. So when we put down our Bible and pray,
Adapted from Focus on the Father, in Discipleship
many of us have lost our sense of wonder at the
what do we talk to God about? Not His holi-
Journal, November/December 1981. Used by permis-
ordinary miracles God performs all around us
ness, but the rent money!
sion of NavPress.
each day.
It is not wrong to pray about our needs, but
God wants us to experience awe and wonder
God wants us to listen to Him and give Him
Want to expand your study on this topic?
when we see the return of spring, or the variety
a proper response. Imagine telling someone, “I
in the animal world, or the impressive powers
love you very much,” only to hear him respond,
of wind, rain, and sea. Isaiah wrote, “Lift your
“I sure hope I get a raise soon at work.” Such
Download a FREE chapter from http://www.navpress.com/product/9781576839775/25-Ways-toExperience-God-Marlene-LeFever my. n av i gato r s .o rg/ d i s c i pl e
| 5
a praying
P
life
a c o n v e r s at i o n with Paul E. miller
aul Miller is director of seeJesus.net, an organization that
develops interactive
Bible studies for small
groups. He has authored several books, including Love Walked Among Us. He travels widely, teaching
A Praying Life seminars and other topics. Recently, Paul shared a bit about the importance of the right mindset in prayer.
Disciple!: As believers many of us would list prayer as an extremely important spiritual discipline—yet so many of us struggle with it. Why do you think that is? Paul E. Miller: There are probably a lot of layers to that question, but one would have to be that prayer has been presented to us as something almost “super spiritual.” We see it as a mountain to climb. In fact, it’s really more of a valley we fall into. Prayer comes naturally to those who realize how weak we are. That’s hard in an American culture that places such value on self-reliance and lifting yourself up by your bootstraps. We also live in a busy culture, and prayer requires taking some time out to do it. That’s really hard to do in a performance-oriented culture.
D!: The subtitle for your book A Praying Life is Connecting with God in a Distracting World. Why is that concept of connecting so important? Paul: People tend to put praying in a “prayer box.” They sometimes talk about prayer as if it were an activity that has nothing to do with God. But prayer is all about God and our relationship with Him. It’s a bit like sitting down with my family to talk. We don’t think about how we’re going to communicate. We think about each other and what’s important to us. Prayer isn’t some abstract concept. It’s a means by which we build our relationship with God. D!: What about the distractions? What are the main culprits? Paul: When we do our prayer seminars, the biggest complaint participants voice is the difficulty they have concentrating. We often start off
6 | d i s c i pl e! | fa ll 2 012
announcing that we’re going to spend five minutes in prayer—and people hate it! Their minds wander, they can’t concentrate. Then we explain that God wants us to come to Him as we are—as children. Children aren’t disciplined. Children don’t concentrate. Children don’t try to manage their distractions. Adults try to “do prayer right.” We help them understand that it’s not about doing prayer right. It’s about coming to God with your distractions and your wandering mind. It’s about coming to God like a child.
D!: Throughout your book you place a strong emphasis on the father/child relationship. Why is that so important? Paul: This relationship is probably the major theme of the book—and it’s elusive to so many of us. It’s really the heart of the Gospel. God wants us to come to Him as children—as we are, without pretext. A good portion of our prayer seminar focuses on how Jesus Himself demonstrates the characteristics of a child. Look at
Learn to Pray Like a Child Some of the struggles we experience with prayer come from the fact that we try to act too much like adults when we pray. We try to get it right. We try to use the right methods and tools. But Paul Miller dares to suggest that one of the keys to a meaningful prayer life is to learn to pray like a child. This is a book for any Christian who wants to know the joy and power of a vibrant prayer life.
Order Paul’s book, download a FREE chapter, or find out more about A Praying Life seminars attended by thousands at my.navigators.org/paulmiller
ministry snapshots Here are a few “snapshots” of the impact that The Navigator ministry has had on the people we serve across the world.
the language He uses in John 5:19. Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” People begin to see that Jesus is different than they thought He was.
it’s try is that e is in m e g e fiv coll ing about t in four to The cool th istry. You know tha go off to nd min a sending graduate a Generation to g in o g are ses. years they unities and busines ue to be m m ntin impact co ple will co o e p f o n ratio after gene e Word and Gospel. y th affected b eWitt, Jamie D
and of —Derrik f at University f rings or Sta rado Sp Navigat lo o C , o d Colora
D!: You don’t focus on the “how-tos” of prayer until the last part of the book. Why did you highlight the prayer cards? Paul: People in our seminars tell us they’ve been very helpful—and liberating. They help people organize and focus their prayer times and take some of the pressure off. We don’t emphasize tools because we emphasize relationship. If you wanted to have a good conversation with your spouse, you probably wouldn’t use a lot of tools to do it!
What does it mean to love your neighbor? Walk together with people and encourage each other to keep going, to not give up, and to finish the race. —Karl and Michelle Wang, young professionals, Southern California
—Shukura Burrell, EDGE Corps, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
God u se seed of d my relatio ns th fold as e Gospel. T hip with Fox h F t with th ox shared th at seed grew o plant the e Good a hund e peop le in h red more t News is v ha of schools n 350 stude illage and t Jesus he . n “to the God is trans ts at two Ch n with f r or outerm is ost par ming people tian ’s lives ts of th e worl d!”
D!: If people get one thing out of this book, what would you want it to be? Paul: That’s easy! I’d want them to learn to ask like a child. Children are great “askers.” They’re uninhibited. They know who they’re asking and simply ask! At the same time, one of the keys to meaningful prayer is an awareness of God’s narrative in your life. Much of the book is simply stories about how God answers prayer—and about what He’s doing in the lives of the people whose prayers are being answered. I think that’s why we’re
Currently I’m learning that spiritual generations start with much prayer. I can’t do it on my own.
mper as a youth. ca ke a L e gl a E I was an to me in a way I ed in a pl ex s a w Christ though I came en ev d ce en ri pe ex hadn’t d my ome. I rededicate h n ia st ri h C a from ake for attended Eagle L d n a st ri h C to life ew s. Now I bring n er m m su x si t ex n the Camps. ds to Eagle Lake ki of s on ti a er n ge
ver schoolteacher — Suz Greer, Den
—Mike
Noel, platoo Kingd n leader, om lab orer
The Spirit works in different ways according to each individual’s needs and God’s purpose for them. And yet, in spite of the different areas in which He works there is a common thread of knowing Christ, becoming more like Him, passing that knowledge on to the next generation—and making sure that the next generation is equipped to pass on what they have learned. D!
told to watch and pray. D! my. n av i gato r s .o rg/ d i s c i pl e
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Money Matters The Power of Gratitude by Matt Bell Every day, we are the unwitting recipients of countless messages designed to foster discontentment. They’re very effective at making us believe we need something more. In fact, according to one study, more than 60 percent of us always have something in mind that we look forward to buying. That’s what makes the following words seem so out of sync with our daily experience: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (1 Timothy 6:6-8) What? Content with only food and clothing? Why, that’s downright un-American! Or so it seems. But do you know what else it is? It’s liberating. For several years, I drove a car that looked like it had been through a demolition derby. It had been hit a couple of times while parked on the street. A tree branch even fell on it once, denting the roof. Because of its high mileage, I never bothered to fix the dents. When I was working in corporate America, I would drive into the parking lot of my office building and pass lots of new
cars. Driving that old car gave me frequent opportunities to practice contentment, and there were definitely days when I needed extra practice! What helped the most was reminding myself that having a paid-off car provided the financial freedom to build savings targeted toward being able to leave my corporate job one day to write and speak full-time. The more I dwelled on that benefit, the more thankful I felt. In the process, I saw firsthand that gratitude drives contentment and serves as a powerful antidote to our culture’s constant encouragement to want something more. Instead of always having something in mind that we look forward to buying, what if we always had something in mind that we were thankful for? What are you thankful for? And if you really want to challenge yourself, think of something you own that you’re eager to replace. Try to find something about that to be thankful for. What comes to mind? Matt Bell is Associate Editor is the author of three personal finance books published by NavPress http://www.navpress.com/ author/A12715/Matt-Bell#speakerInformation. D!
part of the plan Create a Lasting Legacy
F
or nearly 80 years, The Navigators has led people around the world to Jesus Christ. Through one-onone discipling, dedicated Navigator staff has spread the Gospel on college campuses, military bases, business offices, homes—wherever there are people who need Christ. None of these ministries would have been possible without generous gifts from committed partners like you. Did you know there are a number of special ways you can support the work of The Navigators while meeting personal
planning goals as well? Through what are known as “planned gifts,” you may be able to make gifts to The Navigators in ways you have never imagined.
With a planned gift, you can: • Make a gift now that will be received in the future, such as a bequest through your will or related plans. • Give using time-tested tools that actually “give back” for a time, providing you with extra income in retirement years. • Make maximum use of tax savings that
can make it possible to actually give more at the same cost. • Memorialize someone special to you through a tribute gift. Through such thoughtful gifts, you can leave a legacy that will perpetuate your spiritual values for the benefit of future generations. The Navigators Estate and Financial Planning staff will be glad to answer your questions regarding planned gifts and how they can be used to further The Navigator ministry. Please call 888-283-0157. D!
seekers
Mike Jordahl
e h t in
Young people in their 20s
mentor—someone who has been around the block.
are flocking to the cit-
We’ll make sure there is someone there to help them
ies in the United States.
and mentor them so that they can do what God is
These young college grad-
calling them to do.”
uates are seeking jobs and
While the CityLife team originally had some spe-
social interaction. Most of
cific cities in mind where they wanted to begin, they
these young people don’t
soon realized that CityLife ministry can happen any-
know Jesus. They may or
where—in any city or town. To this point there are
may not actively be seek-
about 100 individuals comprising 25 CityLife teams
ing Him—but will they find Him there?
Mike Jordahl, who heads up CityLife, a ministry of The Navigators 20s Mission, believes they can. And he believes young people trained by The Navigators can help that happen. “We’re asking God to raise up a generation of men
in 22 different cities. Mike is encouraging young people with Navigator training to pray about forming more CityLife teams in additional cities. As Mike encourages young people who are transitioning out of campus life into the workplace to consider CityLife, he asks them to do four things:
and women,” says Mike, “who will purposely move to the cities to reach their peers for Christ. That’s really at the heart of what CityLife is all about.” The whole concept of CityLife is built around a group of friends who make a commitment to each other and to the Lord to move to a city and to: • P ursue Christ and walk with Him with all their heart •P ursue excellence in their workplace and profession
1. Keep praying about this opportunity and ask God what He thinks of this idea. 2. Get counsel from people they trust. 3. T alk to other likeminded individuals and start dreaming together to see if they think this is something God wants them to do together.
multitude of
college grads
flocking to
the cities find
Jesus there?
“Mostly,” says Mike, “what we want these young people to do is to follow Jesus and love Him with
•D o all of the above with a team comprised of people of like mind and heart
them today.” D!
a team comes together,” says Mike, “we’ll provide a
W
ill the
4. T alk to a Navigator 20s leader to get some help processing how to move forward.
• L ive and disciple among the lost— especially their peers
So, how does The Navigators fit into this? “When
y t i c
everything they have. That’s what we’re praying for
For more information about CityLife, check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tvLzCRJEE4 my. n av i gato r s .o rg/ d i s c i pl e
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Resources for Today’s Disciple
When it comes to living out our faith, we all need a little extra help at times. Here are some resources to help you pursue a deeper walk with God.
books
online tools
bible studies
My House Shall Be a House of Prayer by Jonathan Graf and Lani C. Hinkle My House Shall Be a House of Prayer explains in a powerful and practical way what a church saturated with prayer looks like. Through stories and step-by-step instruction, you’ll learn how to develop a prayer strategy, prioritize steps for shifting the focus to prayer, and more.
The Prayer Hand: Getting a Grip on Prayer The “Prayer Hand” is a tool Navigators have been using for years to help believers maintain a balanced prayer life—one that incorporates five distinct elements of prayer and results in a deeper relationship with the Father.
Becoming a Woman of Prayer by Cynthia Heald Intimacy with God is His idea. He has taken the initiative, and prayer is His gift to us. Prayer is our response to the One who has called out to us and desires to be in a relationship with us. This topical resource will help you respond to God’s invitation to deeper intimacy with Him.
audio The Purpose of Prayer by Jerry Bridges What is the purpose of prayer? Veteran Navigator and best-selling author, Jerry Bridges suggests that the purpose of prayer is first of all to glorify God and secondly to enjoy Him—and that part of that enjoyment comes from seeing how He answers our prayers. In this classic audio message, Jerry provides a solid biblical basis for why we pray in the first place!
How to Pray When You’re Not a “Prayer Warrior” Sometimes we know that shooting up a “prayer flare” just isn’t going to get the job done. But spending an extended time in prayer intimidates some of us. Here’s a tool for those of us aren’t natural “prayer warriors,” and need a little help.
Check out any of these resources at
my.navigators.org/discipleresources
booklets 12 Prayers for Christmas by Sandra Higley For many people, the holidays can be filled with unrealistic expectations. Here are 12 suggestions for prayer that help us focus on what the season is really about—even in the midst of all the tinsel, lights, and shopping, 31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Kids by Bob Hostetler One of the greatest gifts we can give to our children—or grandchildren—is to pray for them. But what should you pray? Here are 31 biblical character traits you can ask God to develop in your child. my. n av i gato r s .o rg/ d i s c i pl e
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Take it and Use It
D!2GO
Got 7 Minutes for God?
DISCIPLE! fall 2012 Ministry materials to use on your own or in your small group
t
his is simply a guide,” Bob emphasized. “Very soon you will discover that it is impossible to spend only seven minutes with the Lord. An amazing thing happens— seven minutes become 20, and it’s not long before you’re spending 30 precious minutes with Him.”
Do It for the Right Reason Bob also offered additional words of wisdom: “Do not become devoted to the habit, but to the Savior. Do it not because other [people] are doing it—not as a spiritless duty every morning, not merely as an end in itself, but because God has granted the priceless privilege of fellowship with Himself.” Want a deeper walk with God? Give Him just seven minutes and see what happens! To order copies of the booklet Seven Minutes with God, visit www.navpress.com or call 1-800-366-7788. Feel free to copy this prayer guide for your own use or share with your small group. The page is set up to fit on letter-sized paper. Just place it face down at the edge of your copier. Or download with the a FREE PDF of this tool at my.navigators.org/d2go.
Most Christians will tell you that they firmly believe in the importance of spending regular time in God’s Word and in prayer each day. Yet, so many of us struggle to do this consistently. Perhaps that’s because we think this time with God has to be a monumental, mystical experience. In fact, you can begin developing this spiritual discipline in as little as seven minutes a day. Longtime Navigator Bob Foster developed a simple outline, called Seven Minutes with God, to help deepen your daily relationship with the Father.
½ Minute: Preparing Your Heart
Invest the first 30 seconds preparing your heart. You might pray, “Lord, cleanse my heart so You can speak to me through the Scriptures. Make my mind alert, my soul active, and my heart responsive. Surround me with Your presence during this time.”
4 Minutes: Listening to God (Scripture Reading)
Take the next four minutes to read the Bible. Your greatest need is to hear a word from God. Allow the Word to strike fire in your heart. Meet the Author!
2½ Minutes: Talking to God (Prayer)
After God has spoken through His Book, then speak to Him in prayer. One method is to incorporate four areas of prayer that you can remember with the word ACTS.
A Adoration. This is the purest kind of prayer because it’s all for God. Tell the Lord that you love Him. Reflect on His greatness.
C Confession. Having seen Him, you now want to be sure every
sin is cleansed and forsaken. “Confession” comes from a root word meaning “to agree together with.” When we apply this to prayer, it means we agree with God’s estimation of what we’ve done.
T Thanksgiving.
Think of several specific things to thank Him for: your family, your business, your church—even thank Him for hardships.
S Supplication. This means to “ask for, earnestly and humbly.” Ask for others, then ask for yourself. Include people around the world, missionaries, friends, and those who have yet to hear about Jesus.
Copyright © 2012. Chief Development Officer: Jim Young; Donor Stewardship Director: Stephanie Rich; Editor: Mike Smith; Art Director: Anne Meskey Elhajoui; Memberships: Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and Evangelical Fellowship of Missions Agencies. The Navigators • P.O. Box 6000, Colorado Springs, CO 80934. www.navigators.org Feedback or Story Ideas? Email us at info@navigators.org. 12 | d i s c i pl e! | fa ll 2 012