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Vision: We embrace
Christ’s kingdom – His
presence and fullness – here at Christ Center!
Today: Jesus promised that if we initiate,
He will respond. Prayers is asking and listening. Matthew 7:7-8
|
"Ask, and it
will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it
will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks
finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. |
Definition:
A.S.K. is an acronym we us for an
intentional context for “listening prayer.”
1. Ask –
Implies our heart’s burden. Two types:
a. Requests
– We ask God to intervene in specific needs.
John 14:13-14
b. Questions – We ask God
for His wisdom, direction, and His will. James 1:5
2. Seek – Implies our heart’s hunger.
We desire to know Jesus in a deeper way. We press in to hear his voice, to know
His heart. We wait expectantly for His leading, for His agenda. Jeremiah 29:13
3. Knock – Implies our heart’s passion.
He allows us to enter through the torn veil into the courts of heaven, to
behold His glory, to stand in awe, and seek mercy and grace. Hebrews 4:14-16
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Do not be hasty in word or
impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and
you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. Ecclesiastes
5:1-3 Therefore if you have been
raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated
at the right hand of God. Set your
mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have
died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians
3:1-3 |
Ø In an A.S.K.
prayer setting, we come to listen more than talk. We ask with expectant faith,
and wait for the Holy Spirit to prompt our hearts, lead our thoughts, and shape
our words to reflect the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:10-16; Ephesians 1:15-19; 3:14-21)
Ø We want to
allow the Spirit to do in us what He did in Jesus. Isaiah 11:2
“The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him,
The spirit
of wisdom and understanding,
The spirit
of counsel and strength,
The spirit
of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.”
ü In
“Listening Prayer,” we knock and seek before we ask.
We live out Romans 8:26-27.
ü First, we
enthrone Christ, ask for protection, and begin to press in to worship Him!
ü Then we wait
and listen to allow the Spirit to prompt our spirits. We must quiet
our minds.
ü Praising,
singing, honoring Scripture, and reflective silence are all appropriate.
ü We allow
the Spirit freedom to manifests Himself, to build our faith and understanding.
ü We test
everything by the Word of God, as it reveals the person, will, and plan of
God.
ü We are
sensitive to those around you. Consideration and confidentiality is essential.
ü Our
conversation be with Jesus more than with one another. (Revelation 3:20)