The Topic of Prayer

"Prayer catapults us onto the frontier of the spiritual life. It is original research in unexplored territory. Meditation introduces us to the inner life, fasting is an accompanying means, but it is the discipline of prayer itself that brings us into the deepest and highest work of the human spirit… To pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us." 

- Richard J. Foster | Prayer: Finding Your Heart’s True Home
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"Prayer is the expression of the human heart in conversation with God. The more natural the prayer, the more real He becomes to us… prayer is a conversation between two people who love each other." 

- Rosalind Rinker | Prayer: Conversing With God
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Prayer produces:

- increased PERSPECTIVE of what’s really important.
- increased POWER for our relationship with God and others.
- increased PASSION for God and one another.
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The Jesus Prayer-

"Dear Lord Jesus, Son of God
have mercy on me, a sinner... and thank you for loving me.
Help me to fear not, fret not, and faint not.
Continue to cleanse my mind and purify my heart, and help
me become a man that you can trust, for Your honor and glory.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen."
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The Daily Examen:

1. Acknowledge God’s presence.
2. Count your blessings and give thanks.
3. Ask God to help you look back on the day through His eyes.
4. Pay attention to your emotions.
5. Choose one feature of the day and pray about it.
6. Look forward to the opportunities of tomorrow.
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Prayer of Commitment:

"Lord, I give myself to You, whatever the cost may be. Take every aspect of my life and use me for Your Kingdom to glorify Your name. I'm not here on earth to do my own thing or seek my own fulfillment or my own glory. I'm not here to indulge my desires, to increase my possessions, to impress people, to be popular, to prove I'm somebody important, or to promote myself.
I'm not here even to be relevant or successful by human standards. I'm here to please You. The desire of my heart is to discover what it means to delight in You. I want to have my heart and mind entranced and captivated by the superlative beauty and sweetness of who you are. I'll do anything that You want me to do, go anywhere that You want me to go, and say anything that You want me to say. Father, there isn't any gift that You have for me that I don't want. If you want me to move out of my comfort zone, I’ll follow you. If You want to use me in a way that I'm not used to, I yield myself to that. Today I re-dedicate myself to You. I love You Lord, and I choose to live and minister in Your way. I trust You, Lord, to do that which I cannot do myself. Teach me, guide me, empower me, and reveal yourself through me. 

In Jesus' Name, Amen."
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          The two prayers that are actually prayers were written by the pastor that was preaching this past Saturday night at church. I was going to put some of my own words in but I wanted to get it posted fast so I didn't. I will change them later on for my life. The two prayers I am talking about are: "The Jesus Prayer" and "The Prayer of Commitment".  I also want to write out a prayer on here using "The Daily Examen" later on. One that I can use everyday if needed.