Week 3 -- The Necessity of Prayer

Class Notes
Women’s PowerWALK Wednesday
Live a Praying Life: Open Your Life to God’s Power and Provision
Week Three: The Necessity of Prayer
December 29th, 2010

I. Psalm 106:23; Ezekiel 22:30
II. God has chosen to accomplish His will on Earth by working through His people.
III. Knowing God through prayer.

IV. PowerWALK Challenge: A. WALK through Week Three of our study guide.
B. Pray that God open the eyes of your heart to understand His purposes for prayer in your life.

Lyrics to Christmas Anthem by Michael W. SmithIn the space of the beginning was the living Word of Light.
When this Word was clearly spoken, all that came to be was right.
All creation had a language. Words to say what must be said.
All day long the heavens whispered, signing words in scarlet red.

Some have failed to understand it, so God spoke His final Word.
On a silent night in Judah's Hills a baby's cry was heard.

“Glory!” sang the angel chorus, “Glory!” echoed back the night.
“Love has come to walk among us. Christ the Lord is born this night!”

All creation sing His praises!
Earth and heaven praise His name!
All who live come join the chorus.
Find the words His love proclaim!
Find the words His love proclaim!

Week 2 -- The Definition of Prayer

Class Notes

Women’s PowerWALK Wednesday
Live a Praying Life: Open Your Life to God’s Power and Provision
Week Two: The Definition of Prayer
December 15th, 2010

I. Matthew 6:8; 25-34
II. Prayer Is A Relationship, Not An Activity
When prayer is viewed as an activity….
1. We do not see His purposes or appreciate His provision, His love, His power, or how He is working in our lives or in a certain situation.

2. We do not trust Him fully.

3. We inhibit His Spirit from fully working in us and through us.

4. Our lives are void of the adventure that comes from uniting with Him in His work.

III. Foundational Points1. God is the Creator of prayer.

2. God has put His Spirit within us.

3. God is trust-worthy and faithful.

IV. PowerWALK Challenge: A. WALK through Week Two of our study guide.
B. Pray that God open the eyes of your heart to understand His purposes for prayer in your life.

Week 1 -- The Purpose of Prayer

Class Notes

Women’s PowerWALK Wednesday

Live a Praying Life: Open Your Life to God’s Power and Provision

Week One: God’s Sovereignty and Man’s Free Will

December 8th, 2010

I. Jeremiah 29:11-14a, Ephesians 2:4-5
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II. Foundation Built on Truth

III. God’s Detailed Plans
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IV. Discussion Groups Questions:

A. What does it mean that God is sovereign? How does this affect your approach to prayer?

B. Since God is all-knowing, then what is the purpose in praying?
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C. What are some ways in which our powerful God accomplish His will through prayer?
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D. Discuss Jeremiah 29:11-14a and Ephesians 2:4-5. What do these two verses tell us of God’s Sovereignty and of His plans for us?
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V. PowerWALK Challenge:

            A. Pray that God opens your heart and mind to understanding the purpose of prayer.

            B. Pray for God to guide us as we begin this power study in prayer.

            C. Memorize Psalm 25:4-5

            D. WALK through Week One of our study guide this week.

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Examples of God’s Detailed Plans in Scripture
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1. Esther

            A. The edict agreeing to the annihilation of the Jews was written on the 13^th day of Nisan.           

            B. The Jewish Passover was always held on the 14^th day of Nisan.

            C. The edict was written on the 13^th day, and began to be distributed on the 14^th.

            D. The edict hit the provinces of Persia on exactly the day observing Jewish households were preparing their tables for Passover. That very evening at dusk, in accordance with God’s command, the fathers were to recount to their families the story of Israel’s deliverance from the mighty Egyptians. From an eternal perspective, God was reminding His people that He was in control. “Remember how I delivered you from Pharaoh? I’ll do the same thing now.” It was by no coincidence that the edict was revealed on the 14^th. It was part of the divine plan.

2. Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father.

            A. Luke 1:8-10

            B. 400 years of silence since God had spoken to His people when Gabriel spoke to Zechariah.

            C. Zechariah was a priest. Each of the 24 divisions of priests served in the temple for one week twice a year and at major festivals. An individual priest could offer the incense at the daily sacrifice only once in his lifetime. Zechariah’s only turn had come.

            D. It was no coincidence that the lot fell to Zechariah at that time. God had chosen him and Elizabeth to have a son, John the Baptist. The timing was upon them, and for the first time in 400 years, God sent a message to relay His word.

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3. Tabernacle

            A. Numbers chapters 1 & 2

            B. Heavenly view of tabernacle with tribes surrounding it outlines a cross. Now that’s detail!

Introduction to Live A Praying Life

Class Notes

Women’s PowerWALK Wednesday
Live a Praying Life: Open Your Life to God’s Power and Provision
Introduction
November 17th, 2010

I. Romans 8:26-27

II. Prayer: an activity or a lifestyle?

III. The Starting Point.

IV. Discussion Groups Questions:

A. Think back to your childhood. What were your impressions of prayer? What part did it play in your life? Do you remember any experiences with prayer that helped define it for you, either positively or negatively?

B. Who was the first person whose life of prayer made an impression on you?

C. Who are the people in your life who have modeled a relationship with God that made you realized there was something deeper?

D. What to you hope to gain from this study?

V. PowerWALK Challenge:

A. Pray that God opens your heart and mind to understanding the purpose of prayer.
B. Pray for God to guide us as we begin this power study in prayer.