Message Notes

YAG RETREAT
Saturday, 2 June 2007
Session #8
B. New Testament

1. Principle of A.S.K.          Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:9-13

a) Seeking God

i) Asking

ii) Seeking

iii) Knocking

b) Seeking God in faith          (Cf. Hebrews 11)

i) Understanding who God is

ii) Believing God

iii) Persevering in prayer

2. Principle: “Watch and Pray”          Matthew 26:41

a) Understanding our human weaknesses          Cf. Romans 6-7

The flesh is weak

b) Appreciating the potential strength of the spirit

i) It is willing

ii) It can be made stronger Cf. Romans 8

c) “Watch”

i) It literally means “staying awake”

ii) It means overcoming physical weakness (“tiredness”)

d) “Pray”

i) It means “to persevere in prayer”

ii) It means “to triumph in prayer- ultimately”

3. Principle: Praying with Faith

Have we such poor faith that our prayers are not answered?

a) High commendation of those who exhibit faith

b) Rebuke of those who do not have the requisite faith

c) Faith and praying go together

4. Principle: Praying with Consciousness of Jesus as our High Priest

Have we been guilty of trusting in our own strength as we pray, rather than on the role of Jesus as our great High Priest?

a) Introducing Jesus as our Great High Priest          (Hebrews 2-10)

b) His role is of tremendous importance

5. Principle: Praying in the Spirit

Have we lost touch with the Holy Spirit in our prayer effort?

a) A working knowledge of the Holy Spirit in our life is vital

b) The role of the Holy Spirit in our prayer-life is of utmost importance