Teaching Notes

Prayer, is it only for the preacher?  Is it only for the pastor or the older people?  No prayer is for all God's children.  Prayer is what draws each of us closer to our Father.  It is having a conversation with our heavenly Father so that he can tell us his will.  It is just like the preacher.  He or she helps you understand God's word.  Prayer helps us to understand God's will.

How to Draw Closer To God

Ezra 8:23 (The Message)

23 So we fasted and prayed about these concerns. And he listened.

Notes: This small verse speaks a very important message about how we can draw closer to God.  It has to do with our relationship with God.

Question: What did they do and what was God's response?

Answer: The scripture says that they fasted and prayed about "these concerns".  And when they did, God's response was to listen to them.  This speaks to a relationship.  When God's people bring concerns to him to seek his answers, he will listen to them.  Not only will he listen, but he will answer.  God's people were willing to take this time of bringing concerns to him seriously.  This is one way of drawing closer to God.  When you take your prayer life seriously, God will listen to you.  When you pray you draw closer to his will.  This is done because you are asking him what is his will regarding the concerns you have.  Not simply asking him to fix something your way, but also asking him, what do you want me to do in this situation.  Prayer draws us closer to God because it helps us to understand better the will of the Father.

Prayer: Lord help us to trust you as we obey you will and your way.  And for those things that we do not know, help us to bring them to you in prayer because you will hear our concerns.  You listen to your children.  You have an answer for your children. Thank you, Amen.