About Prayer

The Bible says
Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don't forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I'm locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth I'll be able to make Christ plain as day to them. Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity
(Colossians 4:2-5).

Prayer is a regular part of life at Shadle. We value the time we spend in prayer for many reasons. We want to spend time with our Savior, in praise, confession, as well as asking God to help us and others. We want to seek God’s will for our church as well as in our personal lives. We believe that God answers all prayers and that some times the answer is wait, or even no. We know that God wants the best for our lives and eagerly waits for us to come to him in prayer.

Prayer is a part of each worship service. We begin our Session (governing board) meetings with 30 minutes of prayer and we invite everyone to join us for that time, especially if there are specific requests. Our small groups spend part of their time in prayer.

We have 2 different prayer chains, a phone prayer chain and an email prayer chain.

We also have a prayer meeting Wednesday mornings at 6:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to join us.

Links:
www.allaboutprayer.org
www.dailyguidepost.com

How to Pray:

Jesus taught his disciples to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Anyone can pray. There is no right or wrong way to pray. You simply are having a conversation with God. Many talk with God in the same way they talk with friends and family. You don’t have to be any special place or say any special words; God meets you where you are. Some people set a special time to talk with God and also read their Bibles (some find devotionals helpful) A quiet time in the morning works for many, while others pray while on their way to work (if you are driving we recommend strongly you pray with your eyes open), or at the end of their day.

Prayer can come from the deepest part of your heart. So talk to him in detail about your needs, hopes, dreams, joys, and everything else that is having any kind of importance or effect on your life. He cares about you and what matters to you. There isn’t anything you cannot say to the Savior!

Many people have found the following helpful in organizing their prayer: A.C.T.S.

Adoration: Adoring and praising God for who he is, for his character

Confession: Honestly and specifically telling God our sins, combined with repentance

Thanksgiving: Thanking God for the things he has done for us

Supplication: Asking God to act on behalf of ourselves and others

The following is a prayer that is often used when giving your life over to Christ.

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I receive you now as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins, for giving me eternal life, and for giving me the right to become a true child of God. Take control of my life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen.