MARCH 1

Theme: Teach us how to pray

(Matthew 6 and Luke 11)

• When you pray, say: Prayer is by no means only silent, only half an hours silence in heaven, nor is it just and individual private thing 

• Spiritual Beatbox: rhythmic tongues

• Singing is musical saying 

• Public giving of thanks, way more than simple blessing at meal-time – any time, anywhere can set the tone and platform for the impartation of resurrection life. 

• Romans 8: when we know not how to pray as we aught  - no Biblical reason to run out of words  

• Importunity: the widow and unjust judge – ask, seek, knock and keep on, vain repetition and and vital repetition 

• The two contrasting prayers: look at me – I am not worthy  - vain in the proud sense 

• God Band Prayer Jam - Matthew 18:19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” HANDY LINK FOR “AGREE” 
  
  Topic Pattern 
  Our Father which art in heaven:  our not mine, us not me, Psalm 87:1-3 Father’s preference, each individual important but a special place for the whole family together
  
  Come your kingdom – Key of David (Isaiah 22:22, Rev 3:7), keys of kingdom (Matt 16:19), given to bride 
  
  Be done your will on earth as in heaven - not if, might, maybe but command mode (Matthew 8, Deut 28:8) – balanced by God willing 
  
  Give us this day our daily bread - Healing, life, giants (Num 14:9), crumbs under the table (Matt 15:27), deliverance, giant toast every word not bread alone (Matthew 4:4)
  
  Forgive us as we forgive - Nehemiah 1:4-11
  
  Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil  
  
  Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory 

Ready Reckoners - This is taken directly from Session 3 of the Create to Relation Bible Foundations Course, we are including this to supplement the comments above regarding the prayer pattern as it is a ‘Ready Reckoner’, a ready-made prayer resource. 

Who is the real Jesus? 
To make sure we are putting in place the correct cornerstone, we need to know who the real Jesus is. The scriptures show us that there will be many who misrepresent who Jesus is and others who falsely claim to be him, especially in these last days. 
 
2 Corinthians 11:4 - “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” 

Matt 24:5“For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many.”

Praise God! We CAN be sure about who Jesus is, on the one hand, we will only get to know the fullness of the; who, what why, when, where and how of God when we meet Him face to face and see Him as He is (1 John 3:2). Nevertheless, until that time there is a vast amount that we can know and be sure of now in terms of His wonder, worship, word, will, ways, works, and wisdom.  In simple terms, all of these help us to identify who God is, what He is like, and what He does.  These are all interrelated and considering prayer is how we primarily relate to God, we have broken down an outline of this based on the Lords/Disciples/Gatherer’s Prayer framework. In line with the comments we’ve made in the relational logic section of this session, we want to highlight two keynote factors about this prayer framework.  Firstly, as with everything to do with God and His eternal purposes- it begins and ends with God.  Secondly, it is we rather than me focused - namely Our father (not mine), Our daily bread (not mine), Forgive Us (not me), Deliver Us (not me). 

HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME - “Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be your name”
Jesus is not the Father, nor is He the Holy Spirit, however as Jesus stated, He and the Father are one (John 10:30) and all the Holy Spirit does is to honor the name of Jesus (John 16:14).  Furthermore, in giving the Great Commission in Matt 28:18-20, Jesus instructed in carrying out the discipleship of the nations people should be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, thus giving a clear indication which is emphasized throughout scripture - The Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit are inextricably interrelated, integrated and interdependent.  They are indeed all living beings and are one. Accordingly, in coming to know the real Jesus He like His Father (indeed Our Father), is full of wonder and worthy of our worship.  In the sections below, there are two main elements - Jesus’ names and references to the nature of God.  Considering Jesus himself is God along with the Father and Holy Spirit - this nature applies to Him as well as the other two persons in the Godhead. 
 
Names & Nature of God:
I am: Genesis 15:1, Exodus 3:14
Before Abraham was I am: John 8: 48-59
I am the Bread of life: John 6:35
I am the good shepherd: John 10:11-18
I am the Light of world: John 8:12
I am the Door: John 10:9-16
I am the True vine: John 15
I am the Way the Truth and the Life: John 14:6
I am the resurrection and the Life: John 11:25
I am with thee and will keep thee, will not leave thee: Gen 28:15
I am gracious: Exodus 22:27
I am from him and he sent me: John 7:29
I am from above, I am not of this world: John 8:23, John 17:11, 14, 16
For judgment I am come: John 9:39
I am come that they might have life: John 10:10
I am not alone: John 16:32
I am glorified: John 17:10
Jehovah: Gen 2:4, 7:1, 5, 16, Ex 6:2-3, 14:30
Jehovah Elohim - Lord God: Gen 2:4
Jehovah Adonai - Lord God sovereign: Gen 15:2, 8; 2 Sam 7:18-29
Jehovah Jireh - Lord will provide: Gen 22:14
Jehovah Rophe - the Lord heals: Ex 15:26
Jehovah Nissi - The Lord my banner: Ex 17:15
Jehovah N’kaddesh - The Lord who makes you holy: Ex 31:13
Jehovah Shalom - The Lord our peace: Judges 6:24
Jehovah Sabaoth - The Lord of hosts: 1 Sam 1:3, Josh 5:14
Jehovah Rohi - The Lord my Shepherd: Psalm 23:1
Jehovah Tsidkenu - The Lord our Righteousness: Heb 23:5-6, 33:14-16
Jehovah Shammah - The Lord who will be there: Ezekiel 48:35
Jehovah Sabbath - The Lord of the Sabbath: Luke 6:5
Lord of the Breakthrough: 2 Sam 5:20
Lord of the heavens: Ex 31:17
Lord of all the earth: Ex 31:17
Lord of Lords: Deut 10:17
Lord of All Phil 2:9-11
Risen Lord: 1 Cor 15:3-4
King of Kings: Revelation 17:14
Prince of Peace  Is 9:6
Our Peace: Ephesians 2:14
God of the nations: Genesis 10, Psalm 47:8, Psalm 117: 1
Creator: Genesis 1:1, 1 Cor 1:16-17
Incubator: Genesis 1:2 
Author and Perfector: Heb 12:2
Potter: Genesis 2:7,  Isaiah 64:9, Romans 9:21
Seed of the women: Genesis 3:15 
Alpha and Omega (First and last, beginning and end): Rev 22:13
Ancient of Days: Dan 7:9, 7:13, 7:22
Rock of Ages: Isaiah 26:4
Rock of Revelation  
Rock: 1 Cor 10:4
Chief Cornerstone: Ps 118:22
Almighty: Rev 1:8
El Shaddai (Almighty, all sufficient, more than enough): Gen 17:1, Ex 6:3
Righteous One: 1 John 2:1
The Word: John 1
Son of God: Matt 3:17
Son of Man: Luke 19:10
Son of the Most High: Luke 1:32
Son of David: Matt 21:19
Bridegroom: Matt 9:15
Bright morning Star: Rev 22:16
Day star: 2 Peter 1:19
Deliverer: 1 Thessalonians 1:10
Faithful and True: Rev 19:11
Great High Priest: Hebrews 4:14
Head of the Church: Ephesians 1:22
Holy Servant: Acts 4:29-30
Emmanuel/Immanue (God with us)l: Isaiah 7:14
Yahweh (God for us): 
Judge: Acts 10:42
Lamb of God (who takes away the sin of the world) : John 1:29
Lion of Judah: Rev 5:5
Mediator: 1 Tim 2:5
Messiah: John 1:41
Mighty One: Isaiah 60:16
Mighty God: Is 9:6
Our Hope: 1 Tim 1:1
The Great Prophet: Mark 6:4
Redeemer: Job 19:25
Savior: Luke 2:11
Wonderful Counselor: Is 9:6
Master Craftsman: Proverbs 8:30
Exceeding Great Reward: Gen 15:1
Our Shield: Gen 15:1
Our song: Ex 15:2, Is 12
Rabboni (Master Teacher): Mark 10:51, John 20:16
God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob: Acts 3:13
He rewards: Rev 2&3; Heb 11:6
Grants forgiveness: James 2:13
He judges: Matt 5; Rev 20; Psalm 75:7
He is coming back: Matthew 16:27
He will rapture the church: 1 Thess 4:17, 2 Corinthians 12:1-4, Rev 12:5 - In the greek the words “Caught up” is harpazo - in latin this is translated as Rapturo - We mention this as many today question whether the notion of the rapture is actually Biblical
He will marry the church: Revelation 19:6-9, Rev 21, 22
He is building his Church: Matt 16:18
He does all things well: Mark 7:37
He confirms his word with signs following: Mark 16:20
He casts out demons: Matt 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-17
He rebukes, corrects and instructs in righteousness: Luke 4:38-39, Luke 4:40-41, Mark 1:32-34, Matt 8:26, Mark 4:39, Luke 8:24, Mark 16:4
He grants repentance: 2 Timothy 2:25
He’s won the victory over sin and death: 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, Rev 3:21
He’s conquered every principality and all spiritual wickedness in high places: Ephesians 6:12
He provides us armor: Ephesians 6:10-18 
Gave His life: John 3:16, Galatians 1:4, John 10:18
Has a fathers heart and wants us to do greater things than him: John 14
Sacrifices: 1 John 4:10
Shed His Blood: Ephesians 1:7
He Rejoices: 
He was born of a virgin: Matt 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-38
He speaks to us: John 10:10
He listens: Gen 18:16-33, Ex 32:30-33, Psalm 17:6, 2 Cronicles 7:14
He sings over us: Zephaniah 3:17
He disciplines us:  Proverbs 3:12, Hebrews 12:6
He intercedes: Hebrews 7:25
Preparing a place for us: John 14
Guides Kings hearts like a watercourse: Proverbs 21:1
Gives spirit of revelation and wisdom: Ephesians 1:17
Endows us all with natural and supernatural faculties, aptitudes and capacities: 1 Corinthians 12-14
He’s eternal, immortal, invisible, invincible: Romans 1:20
He is Relational: Gen 1:26, John 17:3, Matt 7:21-23
Slow to anger: Ex 34:6, Numbers 14:18, Psalm 86:5, Nehemiah 9:31
Blesses: Psalm 67
Curses: Genesis 3:16-24, Deuteronomy 28:15-68
Is Jealous: Exodus 34:14
Provides seed for the sower: 2 Corinthians 9:10
Brings life from death: 1 Samuel 2:6
Faithful: 1 Cor 1:9
Fruitful: John 15, Galatians 5
Heals: James 5:14, Proverbs 4:20-22, Exodus 23:25, Psalm 30:2, Isaiah 53:4-5, Praise 103:2-4
Comforts: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Empathizes: Hebrews 4:15
Leads: Isaiah42:3, Matt 12:20, 2 Corinthians 2:14
Calls us by name: Isaiah 43:1, Romans 9:28-33
Prefers the whole family to individuals: Psalm 87:2
Prefers us to sit at His feet and learn, rather than to be busy serving: Luke 10:38-42
He conceals and He reveals: Proverbs 25:2
He separates: Matt 13:47, Matt 25:31-46, Matt 10, 34-46
He exposes deception: John 8:12
He punishes the wicked: Proverbs 11:21
He’s merciful: Deuteronomy 4:31, Matt 9:13
He’s full of grace: John 1:16
He is spirit: John 4:24
He feels, thinks, reasons: Isaiah 1:18, 1 Corinthians 2:16, Philippians 2:5, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 139:1-2
He repents: Exodus 32:7-14
He intercedes: Romans 8:26
He rules, reigns: Psalm 47;8
He sanctifies: Ephesians 5:26
He justifies: Romans 4:5
He glorifies: John 13:32
He overcomes: 1 John 5:4
He resists: James 4:6
He humbles: Matt 23:12, Daniel 4
He adopts: Ephesians 1:5
He Connects: Proverbs 8:2, Acts 9 & 10, John 4:1-42
He whispers and shouts: 1 Kings 19:12, John 11:43-45, John 12:44-50
He instructs: Psalm 32:8
He teaches, preaches: Ex 4:15, Deut 4:36, Psalm 25:12, Psalm 71:17
He rests: Gen 2:2
He starts and finishes: Philippians 1:6
He gives love, life and light: John 1:4
He mourns, weeps, smiles, laughs: Matt 5:4, John 11:35, Numbers 6:25-27, Psalm 2:4
Puts the solitary in the family: Psalm 68:6
Cares for widows and orphans: James 1:27, Psalm 113:9
He persuades: Romans 8 
He Teaches
He gives visions and dreams
He gives us fruit 
Formed Adam and Eve with his hands out of Dust: Gen 2:7, Gen 2:21-22
Formed us in our mother’s womb: Psalm 139:13, Jeremiah 1:5
Spoke to people: Gen 8:15, Gen 16:13, Gen 17:3, Gen 31:11, Gen 24:7, Gen 35:15, Gen 46:2, Exodus 6:2, Joshua, 23:14, 
Met face to face: Exodus 33:11
Spoke to Nations through the prophets - Books of the Prophets OT
Made Covenants: 
                - Adam: Gen 1:26-30, 2:16-17, 3:15; 
                - Noah: Gen 9:!1; 
                - Abraham: Gen 12:1-3; 
                - Moses: Deuteronomy 11; 
                - David: 2 Samuel 7:8-16; 
                - Phineas 
                - ALL: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Matt 26:28, Hebrews 9:15
Used foreign powers to chasten His people and other nations: 
Chastened people himself: - Gen 3, Matt 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-18, John 2:15,, Matthew 15, Mark 7, Matthew 23,:1-12, Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-27, Proverbs 3:12, Hebrews 12:4-12
Came as love in person: John 3:16, John 15:13
Gave no defense of Himself: Matthew 27:14, Mark 15:5
Was Crucified: Matthew 27:32-56
Was resurrected: Luke 24
Worked Miracles: John 2:1-11, John 4:43-54, Mark 1:21-27, Matthew 8:14-15, Mark, 1:32-34, Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 8:1-4, Luke 7:1-10, Mark 2:1-12, Matthew 12:9-14, Luke 7:11-17, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:26-39, Matt 9:20-22, Mark 5:21-24, 35-43, Matt 9:27-34, John 5:1-15, Luke, 9:10-17, John 6:16-21, Mark 6:53-56, Matt 15:21-28, Mark 7:31-37, Matt 15:32-39, Mark 8:22-26, John 9:1-12, luke 9:37-42, Matt 17:24-27, Matt 12:22-23, Luke 13:10-17, Luke 14:1-6, Luke 17:11-19, John 11:1-45, Matthew 20:29-34, Mark 11:12-14, Luke 22:50-51, John 21:4
Shared food: Mark 2:13-17, Luke 22:7-8, Matt 26, Mark 14 (also Jesus fed four and five thousand) 
Taught: Matthew 4:23, Matthew 9:35, Matthew 26:55, 
Engaged in affectionate physical contact:  - John 13:23, Luke 18:16, John 13:1-17, Luke 7:36-50
Gave people visions & dreams: Matthew 1:20-2:23, Matthew 27:19, Acts 16:6-10
Exercised the gifts of the Holy Spirit: John 1:48, John 4:29
Emmanuel God with us 
Shaamah God who will be there
El Shaddai All Mighty , All sufficient, more than enough 
Jehovah Nissi – banner of love and victory 
Check Jehovahs 
 
YOUR KINGDOM COME: 
There is considerable that has been said and written in terms of God’s Kingdom, this includes various theories of which it is most worthwhile to research and come to a Biblically informed decision as to the validity or otherwise of this range of theories. Our recommendation in this foundational context is to major on getting to know what God’s word actually says including the list of references above and then make the effort to evaluate the range of theories. Sadly, these theories have brought much division in the Body of Christ, and while it is important to ensure that we have a God honoring understanding of how to apply what the scriptures say, God hates division and thus it is most important that we recognize and acknowledge that theories are theories, fact is fact and Jesus through His word is the truth, with the truth needing to be applied in love. 
 
Kingdom parables: Matt 13
His kingdom is nigh: Matt 10:7, Luke 10:9, Mark 1:15
His kingdom suffers violence: Matt 11:12
His kingdom does not come by observation, but is within: Luke 17:20
Wise scribes in his kingdom bring forth things both old and new: Matt 13:52
He will take His kingdom from one nation and give it to another: Matt 21:43
His Kingdom is in power not in word in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit: 1 Corinthians 4:20, Romans 14:17
We should pray for His kingdom to come: Matt 6:9
God calls workers into His kingdom, pays what He sees fit: Matt 20:1-16
God expects His servants serve Him at the end of the day before themselves: Luke 17:10
Kingdom is like the marriage feast: Matt 22:2-14
Gives the church the keys to his kingdom: Revelation 2-3
Promise to Israel: Acts 1:6
Raises up as royal priesthood: 1 Peter 2:9
Glory of the Nations: Revelation 21 (vs 24-26 in particular)
Kingdom of heaven not in eating and drinking: Romans 14:17
We are to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven: Matt 3:2, Matt 10:7, Luke 9:2
 
BE DONE YOUR WILL ON EARTH AS IN HEAVEN: 
Love God, Love People: Matt 22:36-40
Make Disciples, of all nations, teach them all things: Matthew 28:18-20 
Destroy work of the Devil: 1 John 3:8 
Gather together more and more as the day of His return approaches: Hebrews 10:25
Exercise in His word
                - Fast, pray, read His word: Mark 9:29, 1 Corinthians 14:15, 1 Timothy 2:8
                - Study His word to show ourselves approved: 2 Timothy 2:15
Come to our own convictions: Acts 17:11
Think for ourselves: Acts 17:11
Consult with others: Proverbs 8:14, Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 12:15
Be reconciliatory: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
Be forgiving: Matt 6:12, Ephesians 4:32
Exhibit the fruits of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-23
Function in the gifts and the Supernatural loving power of the Holy Spirit including speaking in tongues and prophesying: 1 Corinthians 12-14
Be church: John 1:12-13, 2 Cor 5:17, The word in the Greek for English word Church is “ekklēsia” which means “called out ones”.  In other words, church is the people. 
Memorize the word: Psalm 119:11
Be impartial: James 2:1-13, 1 Timothy 5:21
Work so as to provide for ourselves, our families and be in a position to give to others in need, esp fellow believers: Proverbs 31
Care for the fatherless and widows, the least, the last, the lost: Luke 7, James 1:27
Be anointed: 1 John 2:20, Luke 4:18
Be profitable stewards: Matt 25:14-30, Luke 19:11-27
Live by the faith that works by love: Galatians 5:6
Believe that God is: Hebrews 11:6
Preach, teach, love in person: Mark 16:15
Give of ourselves and our substance, tithe: Mal 3:8, Matt 23:23, Luke 11:42, 1 Corinthians 16:2
Honor others, see them as better than ourselves: Philippians 2:3
Serve: Matt 20:26
Be reliable: Matt 5:37
Submit to leadership: Hebrews 13:17
Obey: 1 Sam 15:22
Give thanks in everything: 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Cover faults: 1 Peter 4:8, James 5:29-20
Correcting with humility: Gal 6:1
Examine ourselves: Matt 7
Endure hardship: 2 Timothy 2:3
Be tenacious and live in victory: 
Carry our cross: matt 16:24-26
Live boldly: Joshua 1:9, Acts 4:13, Acts 4:29, 2 For 7:4, Mph 3:12, 1 John 4:17, Her 10:19
Save souls: James 1:21
Build the church: 1 Corinthians 3:9, Revelation 5:9, Matthew 16:18
Prepare for ministry: Eph 4
Bring us into unity of Faith: Eph 4
Bring us into fullness of stature of Christ: Eph 4
Be respectful and courteous: Acts 24:4
Pray without ceasing and with all kinds of prayer: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
To have a full house: Luke 14:16-23
To compel others: Luke 14:16-23, 2 Cor 5:14, Hebrews 10:24
Make melody in our hearts and sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs
Be on being filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit (to the point of appearing drunk - and other appropriate yet undignified/exhuberant expression): Acts 2 
 
OUR DAILY BREAD
The Word ‘ASK’, can be used as an acronym for Ask Seek Knock.  All of these are verbs and in a Biblical context, all contribute to the various facets of prayerfully engaging with God so that we are blessed beyond all we can ask or think with His faithful, divine and miraculous provision for us all. 
Jesus pointed out that the Gentiles, those who are not born again Bible believers and/or who seek other Gods, all work on the basis of thinking that they will get what they pray for based on how much they ask. Implicit in their thinking is the notion that they are seeking to earn God’s favor. Jesus’ instruction here however makes it clear that God gives our daily bread, indeed He blesses the wicked and the good because of His generous nature. This framework, in tandem with the scriptures as a whole, makes it clear there is certainly a place for persistent, continued, even importune asking, but it is to be carried out from a place of relationship with God and in line with hearing what He has to say and being willing to be obedient to His word, His will, His ways, His works and His wisdom, rather than our own wants and particularly on the understanding that everything we receive is by G.R.A.C.E. - Gods Riches At Christs Expense - not by our own efforts, self-merit or the likes. 
 
In terms of God’s provision, we are blessed to live at a time where a number of resources are now available for free to help us to grow in our maturity and move from being spoon-fed to feeding ourselves and feeding others.  To this end, we encourage you to carry out your own exercise using blueletterbible.com to search the scriptures and find out what they have to say about playing our part in A.S.K.ing God for His provision. To help you with this a list of some key words to search is as follows;
 
Ask
Seek 
Knock
Provide
Blessing
Pour out
Pray
Prayer
Prayed
Praying
Receive 
Need/s
How much more
 
As you search these words, you will find a list of references where they are used and we encourage you not just to read the specific verses but to dig into the broader context 
 
FORGIVE US AS WE FORGIVE
Clearly this is about receiving and giving forgiveness. Just as we have mentioned earlier in the course about the important understanding of born again believers being church, rather than just going to or doing, similarly as we grow in God, our main aspiration will become being forgiven rather than just receiving or giving forgiveness in specific incidents. This understanding has two main parts to it.  Firstly, it is to do with the phenomenal blessing of living our daily lives knowing that we are forgiven with a confidence, boldness and assurance that we are saved, that God loves us. This goes beyond just being aware theoretically that this is the case to a place where it is our, so to speak, default clause, where it is how we now think and perceive ourselves. 
Secondly and similarly, it is to do with forgiveness being our first thought, our primary tendency, something we yearn for and see as a key factor in our personal motivation. 
 
Again, encourage you to do a blueletterbible.com exercise in terms of forgiveness. Keywords to search are;
 
Forgive
Forgave
Forgiven
Repent
Repented
Remission
 
DELIVER US FROM EVIL, LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION
Again, encourage the use of blueletterbible.com. Keywords are;
 
Deliver
Deliverance 
Tempt
Tempted
Temptation
Trail / Trials 
Tribulation 
Protect
Protection 
Armor 
Shield 
Sword
Shoes
Helmet
Breastplate
Belt
Weapons 
Warfare 
Cast out 
Possessed 
Demons
Spirit
Spirit of 
Devils
Satan
Devil
Accuser 
Condemnation 
 
FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOREVER AND EVER AMEN
Likewise, as we return to a focus on God in the last facet of this prayer framework, use the blueletterbible.com and search out the words;
 
Thine. Yours. Kingdom. Power. Glory
Forever (and ever)