Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  John 8:32    

The Spiritual
You Can Know God!

Now That I'm A Christian!

What We Believe
 (It's The Best)

Formula For a Fantastic Prayer Life
Are you struggling with having a consistent daily prayer life? Sometimes we let our busy lives come before our prayer life, then find ourselves needing to get back on track with God. This "Formula For a Fantastic Prayer Life" will help you to draw close to God once again.  If you are a seasoned prayer warrior or a new believer, it will be a great pattern to follow.

This formula consists of ten parts.  What? Ten!  You may be saying that's too much to remember.  In actuality though, these are all important aspects of our lives, that we probably think about each day, so why not pray about them each day as well? The formula consists of the following:
1. F orgiveness                          6. F inances
2. F aith                                   7. F itness (Health)
3. F amily                                 8. F ailures
4. F ellowship (the church)           9. F oes (the world, flesh, & the devil)
5. F riendships                         10. F uture

Forgiveness - I John 1:9 states If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will  forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness.  If there is any unforgiven sin  in our lives, it breaks the close fellowship that God desires to have with us.  We should always ask for forgiveness (repent) of that sin, and thank God for allowing Christ to die for us, allowing forgiveness of sin and reconciliation to take place. All this is of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation. II Cor. 5:18

Faith - Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exist and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Heb. 11:6)  Once we have faith we can say to the Lord as the apostles said to Him, "Increase our faith!" (Luke 17:5)  Jesus said "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.  You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it." (John 14:12-14)  When we read such a passage as this, our faith should be increased.

Family - Rom. 8:16 tells us, once we become a Christian, we become one of God's children.   In Matt. 6:13b, Jesus instructed us to ask for deliverance (protection) from the evil one. Since you are a child of God, ask Him to bless and protect your children, your wife, and yourself.  God decreed statues which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. (Psalm 78:5-6)  We should follow this Godly teaching so we can truly say "for me and my house, we will worship the Lord." Joshua 24:15b

Fellowship (church) - If you are not yet a member of a church, find one so you can hear the preaching of the Bible, worship God, and enjoy fellowship with other Christians. Such corporate worship has benefits one cannot experience in private. When God’s people pray together, sing praises together, fellowship together, and hear God’s word preached and taught, they are encouraged, challenged, and supported in their spiritual growth. This pleases God and gives honor to his name. Attending church is also a reminder that you are not alone in your faith. (Hebrews 10:25) Along with worshipping God, a Christian should also serve Him in the church and community. God gives each Christian at least one "spiritual gift" at salvation. Pray/ask God what your spiritual gift(s) are. This gift(s) are to be used in service. When we serve by using our gift(s), it gives us joy and enables God to use us to build up the church/the body of Christ and witness to those who don’t know Christ as their Savior. Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 8:39; Acts 1:8; Romans 12:1-8; I Corinthians 12:4-31.  Many thanks to Rev. Steve Hogg, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Rock Hill, SC for providing this information.  Pray for your pastor as well.

Friendships - Be thankful that you are a friend of God (Exodus 33:11) through Jesus, His son (John 15:15).  Show this Godly love to your friends, and treat them as you want to be treated (Matt. 7:12).  Jesus also spoke about relationships in Luke 6:38, where He instructs us to "give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." So pray for your friends and encourage them in their Christian walk.  Ask God to continue to strengthen your Christian friendships and pray for your non-Christian friends, that they would come to know Christ as their Savior very soon!  

Finances - Thank God for the income that he has blessed you with, whether it be large or small.  Let God rule over your money and don't let money rule over you. Jesus said "you cannot serve both God and Money." (Luke 16:13b) Be sure to give back at least a 10th of your income to God and seek wise Godly counsel on investing.  Although we should not give with a "what am I going to get in return" attitude, God will bless you greatly for tithing.  (Mal. 3:10)  Above all, give with a cheerful heart.

Fitness (Health) - In III John 2 the apostle John stated "Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well."  God is concerned for both your body and your soul.  As responsible Christians, we should neither neglect nor indulge ourselves, but care for our physical needs and discipline our bodies so we are at our best for God's service.  I Cor. 3:19 tells us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. (NKJV) Our spiritual health is just as important as physical health. (Matt. 15:16-20)  We should not put any substance into our body (the temple) that would harm it.  In the same way, we should not partake in sin.  It is what makes us spiritually unfit. 

Failures - We all fail God/commit sin from time to time.  When we do fail Him, we should repent, refocus, and move on. Repent of the sin(s) when God reveals it through the Holy Spirit.  Refocus on God's will for our life, and know that He wants the cycle of sin, repentance, and forgiveness to strengthen us, not weaken us.  Move on, marching forward in your faith.  Learn from your sin and you will be better prepared for it if you are tempted with it again, but do not let Satan keep you dwelling on it.  God is the God of your past as well as your present and future.  Know that He is eager to give you cleansing, forgiveness, and strength.  Allow Him to do this, and continue to live a victorious life! See what King David did in II Sam. 12:13-25, when his sin had been revealed to him. 

Foes (the world, flesh, & the devil) - Jesus defeated each one of these through His death and resurrection.  (Heb. 4:14-16)  Also know that "everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that has overcome the world?  Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." (I John 5:4-5).  "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
(I John 4:4)

Future - Pray about your future...where you will attend college, your career, and your future spouse, etc. God wants us to pray about our future.  He is very concerned about it.  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  (Jeremiah 29:11)  God knows the future and His plans for our future are good and full of hope.  This does not mean that we will be spared pain, suffering, or hardship, but that God will see us through to a glorious conclusion.  Pray about your future and allow God to set your agenda now and in the future. He will give you strength to accomplish the mission(s) that He has planned for you!

I challenge you to apply this Formula For a Fantastic Prayer Life. It is my prayer that it will re-energize and strengthen your faith as you walk daily with the Lord.

God Bless You.

Your Brother in Christ,
Rev. Larry Sizemore
Associate Pastor
First Baptist Church, Rock Hill, SC                                                           

Many thanks to Rev. Larry Sizemore for this month's Discipleship subject: Formula For a Fantastic Prayer Life.  For questions or comments, Bro. Larry can be reached at associatepastor@fbcrockhill.org.