Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Beginning the New Year with faith in the Lord

2. Beginning the New Year on the subject of Prayer

3. Personal Appreciation concerning Prayer

a) Thank God for the Privilege of prayer

b) Grateful for the Principles of prayer

c) Encouraged by People’s examples in prayer

d) Challenged to Practise Prayer diligently

A FAMOUS PSALM

1. Psalm 23

2. Many have read this Psalm

3. Many have testified that this Psalm has been a special source of encouragement

4. Sharing precious and personal thoughts about praying with Psalm 23 in mind

LEARNING HOW TO PRAY BETTER

1. Praying well is something we can learn

a) It takes a bit of knowledge

b) It takes a bit of practice and experience

c) It can be learned

2. Praying to God

a) Thinking of God as a wonderful Shepherd

b) Thanking God for being our Shepherd

REFLECTION ON THE PAST

1. Personal relationship with God leads to appreciation

“The LORD is my shepherd”   Psalm 23:1a

2. Provision of God

“I shall not want”   Psalm 23:1b

3. Personal involvement of God

a) “He makes me lie down in green pastures”   (Psalm 23:2a)

b) “He leads me beside the still waters”   (Psalm 23:2b)

c) “He leads in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake”   (Psalm 23:3b)

d) “He restores my soul”   (Psalm 23:3a)

FACING THE PRESENT

1. “Yea, though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death”   (Psalm 23:4a)

a) Illness

b) Old age

2. “I will fear no evil”   (Psalm 23:4b)

a) No need to fear

b) No need to fear even evil

3. “For You are with me”   (Psalm 23:4c)

The presence of God

a) God is indeed with us

b) You can sense His presence

4. “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me”   (Psalm 23:4d)

The comforting presence of God

a) God brings comfort

b) He brings peace to the soul

5. “You prepare a table before me”   (Psalm 23:5a)

Prepared Provision of God

a) “A table” represents God’s provision

b) Abundance of His provision

6. “In the presence of my enemies”   (Psalm 23:5b)

The powerful presence of God

a) Don’t dwell on enemies (negative)

b) Dwell on the power of God (positive and true)

7. “You anoint my head with oil”   (Psalms 23:5c)

a) Take time to appreciate

b) Take time to enjoy God’s provision

8. “My cup runs over”   (Psalm 23:5d)

a) God’s supply is abundant

b) He will provide amply

CONFIDENT ABOUT THE FUTURE

1. “Surely, goodness and mercy”   (Psalm 23:6a)

Facing the future with confidence

a) “Surely” (assuredly)

b) “Goodness”

c) “And mercy”

2. “Shall follow me”   (Psalm 23:6b)

a) Accompanying blessings

b) Assurance

3. “And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever”   (Psalm 23:6c)

The Promise of a home in heaven

a) A home to dwell in

b) In the House of God (Heaven)

c) For eternity

CONCLUSION

1. Every Encouragement to pray

a) As we remember the past

b) As we face the present

c) As we anticipate the future

2. Every Reason to live meaningfully

a) Confidently

b) Courageously