How to Develop a Powerful Prayer Life Study Guide
Phase Two: Getting Clean Before God "The Path to Holiness"Y OU ARE NOW READY TO ENTER A PERIOD What has God told you during confession time to make you more Christ-like?
The psalmist asked God to search him, to know his heart, to try him, and to know his thoughts. Have you ever been so bold as to ask God to search you, to know your heart, to try you or to know your thoughts? Is there any reason why you cannot ask God right now?
CONFESSION AND THE GREAT SHANTUNG REVIVAL
How did God bring such an awesome spiritual awakening to the whole region?
§ This is God's changeless pattern for every great revival and spiritual awakening in history. Furthermore, this is the ONLY pattern for GENUINE SPIRITUAL FULLNESS and P0WER in your daily life!
§ If these totally dedicated missionaries were not truly filled with God's Spirit and needed thorough confession, how much more do we?
We pray and pray, yet few prayers are answered. Why is this? ________________________
So, how much time represents an adequate period of cleansing and repentance?
Second Category: Sins of Speech
Third Category: Sins of Relationship
QUESTIONS:
(By Dr. Gregory Frizzell)
DATE: 12/31/13
CHAPTER (5)
Phase Two: Getting Clean Before God "The Path to Holiness"
OF CONFESSION AND CLEANSING.
This is the time God will search your heart and cleanse you from any sin that would hinder your power to pray.
§ Confession is how we grow and allow God to conform us to the image of Christ (Read: Romans 8:29; 12:1-2).
How much time do you spend in confession time to make you more Christ-like?
According to Romans 8:29, confession is how we grow to be more like Christ. What does it mean
to you to be conformed to the image of Christ?
How has confession helped you grow in the Lord and in your prayer life?
§ It is very important that you get fully right with God before you start your prayers of petition and intercession. James 5:16 reminds us of a crucial truth. "The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
§ It is impossible to pray powerful, Spirit-led prayers if there is unconfessed sin between you and God. The psalmist said, "Search me O God and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting" (Read Psalms 139:23-24). God calls for a thorough process and not a brief, casual formality.
It is very dangerous for believers to "assume" they are on praying ground. According to Jeremiah 17:9, it is incredibly easy to ignore and minimize our own sins. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
§ Many people have little prayer power because they fail to practice meaningful confession on a daily basis.
§ Tragically, we tend to rush through our confession time so we can quickly focus on what we want God to do for us. No one can be truly cleansed and full of God's Spirit with such shallow confession!
§ Because of a lack of confession, many prayers are dry and powerless.
Confession also makes our prayers more powerful. According to James 5:16 the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Can you recall a time of intercession when your prayer availed much?
Why do you think your prayer was effective? _____________________________________
Is there someone for whom you need to pray? _____________________________________
Is there any reason you cannot go boldly before God to intercede? _______________________
How would you rate your prayers: dry and powerless or effective and availing much?
One of the finest examples of thorough confession is the great revival that took place in the Shantung province of China
Read about "Confession and the Great Shantung Revival" on page 54. What happened that caused God to pour out His Spirit on the missionaries making them sense a joy and power they had never known?
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_____________________________________________________________________
How did God bring such an awesome spiritual awakening to the whole region?
God's top priority in the life of every believer is to make him holy and sanctified in body, soul, and spirit (Read Romans 8:29). The daily time of confession is God's primary way of conforming you to the image of Christ. Scripture-based confession and repentance are God's primary method for transforming you by the renewing of your mind (Read: Romans 12:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:16). If your confession time is brief, inconsistent and shallow, then so will be your power with God. The missionaries became aware that they had hidden, unconfessed sin in their lives that was blocking their being truly filled with the Holy Spirit. After they each spent time in prayer confessing and forsaking each sin, God poured out His Spirit upon the missionaries and an awesome spiritual awakening filled the entire region.
§ It happened the same way as very great revival! God's people were genuinely cleansed through deep confession and then God filled them with mountain-moving power.
§ This is God's changeless pattern for every great revival and spiritual awakening in history. Furthermore, this is the ONLY pattern for GENUINE SPIRITUAL FULLNESS and P0WER in your daily life!
§ If these totally dedicated missionaries were not truly filled with God's Spirit and needed thorough confession, how much more do we?
We pray and pray, yet few prayers are answered. Why is this? ________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
So, how much time represents an adequate period of cleansing and repentance?
_____________________________________________________________________
To set some rigid requirement for the time of cleansing would be legalism.
§ Your need for cleansing will naturally vary from day to day.
§ You should certainly expect to spend more than a couple of minutes when you ask God to search your life.
§ As a practical rule, I have found it extremely important to examine my life by the following five categories.
FIVE CATEGORIES OF POTENTIAL SIN
I suggest a daily examination of your life in Five Basic Categories.
First Category: Sins of Thoughts and Attitudes
Sin begins in the realm of our spirit thoughts and attitudes. Jesus said, "For out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts…(Matthew 15:19). In 2 Corinthians 10:5, we are commanded to "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."
Ask God to reveal any pattern of attitude or thought that is sinful. Immediately confess and forsake these sins of the heart.
Ask yourself—
Are there any unclean or lustful thoughts that are consumed with earthly pursuits?
Are there any thoughts of anger or bitterness?
Are there any unloving thoughts?
Are there any thoughts of fear and doubt?
Are there any attitudes of pride, of prejudice?
Are there any attitudes of lukewarmness toward God?
If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, immediately confess them and ask God to help you forsake them.
God's Word is clear about the enormous importance of our speech. Matthew 12:36 states, "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." James 3:10 says, "Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and curing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be."
§ Be specific in confessing your sins of speech.
§ Be sensitive to the fact that God will lead you to apologize to people you have hurt with your word.
Read over the following list of some of the sins of speech. Let God show you the areas that need work. Write what God says to you. If God gives you others, write them down. Review the list several times and pray that God shows you how you can eliminate your sins of speech.
Course or profane words ___________________________________________________
Gossip ________________________________________________________________
Slander _______________________________________________________________
Unkind or unloving words to or about another ____________________________________
Overly critical speech ______________________________________________________
Exaggerations or untruths __________________________________________________
Speaking when you should be quiet ____________________________________________
Others ________________________________________________________________
Perhaps the most common place we lose God's fullness is in our relationships. Relationship sins generally fall in five major areas.
1. People you have hurt or offended.
Jesus was emphatic about the importance of getting right with those you have offended. In Matthew 5:23-24 he said "Don't approach God until you first get right with those you have offended!"
§ Many Christians lack power because they have ignored this foundational command.
§ When God reveals people to you, resolve to go to them and ask their forgiveness. Do not think you have failed if they refuse to forgive you? Your responsibility is to do your part in a humble and loving manner. How they respond is their responsibility.
§ We must understand that so-called "little" rifts between Christians can easily quench God's Spirit for the whole church! The Holy Spirit is very sensitive and you must take your relationships seriously.
Can you think of someone you may have hurt or offended?
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What did you do about the situation?
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2. Bitter or Holding Grudges
In Matthew 6: 14-15, Jesus made a statement of enormous importance. "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Jesus says we must forgive people "from the heart." Remember that forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling.
Are you bitter or holding grudges against people who have offended you? _________________
Ask God to search your heart and reveal any patterns of bitterness or unforgiveness against friends, family members, or even against God.
As God searches your heart, make a list of (friends, family members, church members, and God) that you may have bitterness toward or hold a grudge against.
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3. Improper Relationships
An improper relationship could be anything from adultery and fornication to simply being inappropriately close to someone.
§ Don't try to rationalize or defend a relationship you know is improper.
§ Improper relationships involve many things besides physical immorality.
Are you involved in any improper relationships? Ask God to reveal any relationships that are improper or out of balance? Ask God what steps He wants you to take to resolve this relationship?
4. Neglecting regular Fellowship and meaningful Service through your Church
According to Hebrews 10:25, it is a major sin to neglect regular fellowship and worship with the body of Christ. "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as you see the day approaching."
§ God strongly emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 12-14 that all believers are to stay in genuine fellowship and close relationship with a local congregation.
§ Today it seems many want to sit and be served but few want to get up and serve.
§ In seeking a church, our primary prayer should not be "What can this church do for me, but what can I do for this church?"
§ It is a major sin not to be involved in consistent giving and service through a local body of believers.
§ Another common form of this sin is the tendency to drift from church to church.
What are some excuses that you have heard for not attending church regularly?
_____________________________________________________________________
What does Hebrews 10:25 tell us is one reason for regular attendance?
_____________________________________________________________________
Why would exhorting one another be an important reason for church attendance?
_____________________________________________________________________
From the excuses of not attending, do you see concern for exhorting one another?
_____________________________________________________________________
What is the main concern for those excuses? ______________________________________
Do you neglect regular fellowship and meaningful service through your church?
_____________________________________________________________________
Ask God to search your life and reveal ways you are neglecting consistent fellowship and substantial service in the local body of Christ.
5. Family Relationships consistent with God's Word
Improper family and church relationships are common places we lose the filling and power of God's Spirit. "No one who is wrong with others can be truly right with God."
Scriptures reveal God's special words to husbands and fathers.
Ephesians 5:23 states, "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church." From this verse we see that God calls the husband to be the spiritual head of the home.
§ Ephesians 5:25 says, "Husband, love your wives…The husband is commanded to love his wife.
§ 1 Peter 3:7 commands the husband to be very caring and sensitive to his wife's needs.
§ Ephesians 6:4 commands the father to relate to his children in loving spiritual guidance.
§ The father's great priority is the spiritual nurture and training of his family.
Reflect on the statements above and those in the book, then ask yourself if you are taking seriously the responsibility that God gave you as the spiritual head of your home.
Humbly confess your failures and ask God to give you the powerful grace to change. God will bless all that you do toward fulfilling your spiritual responsibility.
Scriptures reveal God's special words to wives.
Ephesians 5:24,33 states, "Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything…and the wife see that she reverence her husband."
§ Husband and wife are equal partners in the grace of Christ…her submission is in the loving and willing submission seen with Christ and His Church. Thus, a godly wife exhibits a beautiful spirit of humility, love and honor toward her husband.
§ The greatest way to see God change your husband is to bring yourself under God's pattern for a godly wife.
Reflect on the statements above and those in the book, then ask yourself if you are doing all you can do to be in line with the pattern God has set for you in Scripture? Is your attitude one of thanksgiving and love or complaining and anger?
Ask God to help you surrender completely to His pattern for your life.
Scripture reveals God's special words to parents.
Matthew 18:6 states, "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
§ Training up a child in the way he should go is more about daily example than occasionally sharing religious words.
§ Parents are modeling values and habits that have effects on their children's development.
§ Parents face the awesome power of example.
Reflect on the statements above and those in the book and ask God to reveal to you the ways in which you have not lived up to His expectations of you as a parent.
When He does, fully confess them and ask God to change you. In many cases, you will need to ask forgiveness of your children.
Scripture reveals God's special words to children and youth.
Ephesians 6: 1-3 states, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor your father and mother; which is the first commandment wit promise; that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth."
§ Old Testament law pronounced severe punishment on children who cursed or dishonored a parent.
§ Modern children must relearn the extreme importance of honoring their parents. Today's foolish and wicked society has completely reversed the principle of honoring one's parents.
§ Disrespect toward parents is a very serious sin before God. You cannot be right with God if you consistently disrespect your parents.
§ As adults, we too must ask whether we are honoring our elderly parents. Remember, no one who mistreats or neglects a parent can be fully right with God!
Are your family relationships consistent with God's Word? Children or teenagers do you disobey or show disrespect or anger toward your parents? Commit to resolving any problems between you and your parents.
Ask God to reveal any wrong feelings or actions you have toward them and to help you live in divine obedience to them.
Fourth Category: Sins of Commission and Transgression
In a broad sense, these are the sins of doing something wrong or breaking God's laws.
§ Examples of such sins are: adultery, fornication, stealing or dishonesty, assaulting someone, going to sinful places, watching adult rated movies, destructive habits (such as smoking, drinking, overeating or eating unhealthy foods), reading unclean literature, putting recreation or material things ahead of God, idolatry, financial dishonesty, cheating employers, etc.
§ God's grace will cover them all! 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Ask God to reveal anything in your life that may be offensive to Him and don't be afraid to own up to your sins. List what God has told you about your sins of commission and transgressions.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Is there something that is keeping you from confessing any of these sins. Ask God to help you confess and repent from each one of them now.
Fifth Category: Sins of Omission
Sins of omission are the failure to obey Christ's commands or conform our character to His image.
§ This sin is mentioned in James 4:17 "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
§ Some examples of sins of omission are: neglecting Bible reading and prayer, failing to witness, failure to tithe, neglecting regular worship, refusing to use your spiritual gifts in a local church, etc.
Ask God to reveal to you what sins of omission you are committing. Make a list as He reveals them to you. Then confess and repent from each of them.
_____________________________________________________________________
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A Final Word About Confession
Don't be overwhelmed or discouraged. I am not suggesting you must meticulously go through all of these sins categories every time you pray, but you should at least be aware of key categories and Scriptures.
You may simply want to ask God if there is sin in each category and then quietly reflect for a few moments. Some days you may be led to focus only on one or two categories.
Above all, seek to be spontaneous and sensitive to God's Spirit. Remember, this is a personal relationship with God, not a formula!
I do warn you of one potential danger. Be careful to avoid confession that does not lead to immediate repentance. When you become aware of a sin, be sure to take action to remove it. True confession must involve repentance, or it is not genuine! Sin must be confessed and forsaken (Read Proverbs 28:13).
Each day after your time of thorough confession, ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit and empower you for Spirit-anointed prayer
& KEY POINTS – The Biblical Path to a Powerful Prayer Life
& We must never forget that God will not hear us if there is unconfessed sin in our life (Psalm 66:18).
& MARK THIS WELL! The depth and power of your prayer life will never be greater than the depth of your daily confession and cleansing.
& The daily time of confession is God's primary way of conforming you to the image of Christ.
& Scripture-based confession and repentance are God's primary method for transforming you by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:16).
& God's top priority in the life of every believer is to make him holy and sanctified in body, soul, and spirit (Romans 8:29). How then could you think you can neglect regular confession and cleansing?
& The sad truth is, most believers have gotten so accustomed to living without God's fullness, we have actually forgotten what it is like to be biblically filled with the Holy Spirit. It is because we fail to make serious time to allow God to truly cleanse us and fill us on a daily basis!
& No one can stay truly cleansed and full of God's Spirit without consistent time in thorough confession.
Please turn to page 69, look up the scriptures, review the study questions, and pray the prayers for daily growth on page 70.
QUESTIONS:
1. How do you think God "corrects" and "adjusts" us during times of confession and cleansing?
2. Why is it dangerous for believers to just "assume" they are clean without frequent times of examination? (Jeremiah 17:9).
3. If the dedicated missionaries to shantung, China needed a deep cleansing and filling, what implication does this have for us?
4. What happens if we try to rush through our time of cleansing?
5. List and briefly describe the five categories of potential sins. Why do you think it is important to use a thorough biblical cleansing guide?
PRAYER:
Father, open our eyes to our sin that we may be fully conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Lord, correct us that we may walk in the full freedom of Christ (John 8:34; Romans 6:6, 14). Wash us O God, that we may be clean and pure. Refine our hearts in the beauty of holiness (Psalms 51:7; Proverbs 17:3). God, help us be thorough in letting You "search" all categories of our lives. Create in us a burning hunger for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). Cause us to pursue holiness through the Christ who lives within our hearts (Hebrews 12:14). This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
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