DESCRIPTION
In this episode, Chris Rivers, Scott Mozingo, and Ryan Donell discuss prayer as a formative practice and explore how prayer can serve as a barometer to what we truly believe about God, the gospel, and our salvation.
- When you first become a Christian, you recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life and, in most cases, have an immediate desire to talk to God and be in relationship with him. These are part of your natural intuitions as a believer. In order to mature as a believer, however, you have to develop daily habits and disciplines to experience the fullness of walking with Jesus.
- When we allow Jesus’ presence in all the corners of our life, it highlights what we really think about the gospel and what we believe it gives us. Many people view God as a resource to get to something else. The Christian gospel reminds us that the best thing God can give us is himself. God is the gift. Prayer centers us with the truth that God is the gospel and the way to have genuine fellowship is to be in his presence.
- Prayer as a formative practice involves carving out time and space to be with God. It involves bringing his presence into every facet of our lives so that we can be free to love others. It involves participation— not just participating in a conversation with God, but participating in what he is doing in the world. Prayer cultivates our devotion to God and allows us to be present in the moments God is calling us to be present.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
- In what ways am I cultivating my prayer life so I can experience the fullness of walking with God? What habits and practices have I put in place?
- What is my view of the gospel and salvation? Do I see it as a channel to get to heaven or simply as life with God?
- Do I have a desire to pray? How am I seeking to be in his presence and be an active participant in the work he is doing in my life?
SCRIPTURES
And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba,” Father. Galatians 4:6
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me, you can do nothing. John 15:5
RESOURCES
If you have questions about this episode or you have an idea for a future episode, please visit the podcast page and click on "Ask Scott."
