Day 9
Daily Spiritual Habits of Disciples
Prayer allows us to commune with God at any given time. Through the intimacy of prayer, God protects , shapes, and develops the two things that cause us the most turmoil–our heart (the seat of our emotions) and our mind (where our actions and beliefs form).
Scripture tells us to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving make your requests known to God and in exchange, God’s peace will guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.
God’s peace protects your mind from running rampant with worry and worst case scenarios. God’s peace guards your heart so that your emotions won’t rule or overtake you. Instead, the closer you grow to the Lord through prayer, the more your thoughts and emotions reflect God.
Guarding is necessary for development. A guard creates a barrier of protection. When a building is properly guarded, it can be developed without fear of destruction or tampering during the vulnerable state of development. Similarly, the womb provides guarding for a child as it grows and develops in its mother’s body. When a child is born prematurely, doctors guard that child with a covering to protect it in its vulnerable, developing state.
God’s guarding protects us as we develop.
God’s guarding is a result and benefit of a life of prayer.
We need God’s guarding because we are constantly wrestling against the wiles of the devil. We live in a world that wants to permeate our hearts and minds with thoughts, ideas, and values that contradict, conflict with, and outright oppose the Kingdom of God.
God knows what you need before you ask, so your daily prayer is not solely (or primarily) to bring your wants to Him. Through a life of prayer with thanksgiving, Jesus shifts your focus off of self and onto what matters to Him. Therefore, a daily prayer life is necessary and required to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Sincerity and humility are also essential in your prayer. God wants you, your mind, and your heart in total surrender to Him in prayer.
Do your prayers petition God for the things that matter most to Him?
Do your prayers seek to advance the Kingdom of God or to advance your worldly agenda?
Is your prayer life transforming your heart and mind?
Lesson 8: Daily pursuit of God requires a life of prayer (intimate communing with God), and supplication (petitioning with humility) with thanksgiving. Through prayer and thanksgiving, God shapes our hearts and minds to be more like Him.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the ability to petition you in prayer at any time in any day. Thank you for the ability to commune and converse with you always. Give me a heart and mind to do your will. Help me to submit my will to yours today. Transform me this day Lord Jesus. Reveal the truth of your Word to me today, give me eyes to see and ears to hear that I may be about your business. I ask it in your name, Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV ”Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.“
Proverbs 4:23 NKJV ”Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.“
Romans 8:5-7 NKJV ”For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.“
Ephesians 6:10-13 NKJV ”Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.“
Matthew 6:7-8 NKJV ”And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.“
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV ”Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.“
Colossians 4:2 NKJV “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”
Psalms 119:169-171 NKJV ”Let my cry come before You, O Lord; Give me understanding according to Your word. Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word. My lips shall utter praise, For You teach me Your statutes.