Closer to Christ – What to Say to God

Closer to Christ

What to Say to God

It is a fact that most Christians pray on an average of 5 minutes a day. And yet, what could be more important than communicating with our Heavenly Father? It is also a fact that most people have no idea how to communicate with Jesus.

The “Closer to Christ” series will break down all walls of drawing near to God in prayer, making it a lively and meaningful time in a person’s day as it was meant to be! No more boring prayer time. No more shrugging at prayers that seem answered.

In this series of lessons, you will learn how to be comfortable speaking to God, hearing His voice, and asking for things with the assurance that their request will be seriously considered.

Here is what we are going to learn in the next six lessons:

• What to Say to God – (Something Even the Disciples Asked!)

• How to Say It – (Attitudes That Really Get God’s Attention and Are Not Just Background Noise)

• How to Feel God’s Closeness   – (To Overcome Doubt and Low Self-Esteem and Truly Believe You Are in The Throne Room)

• How to Listen for God’s Voice – (Because There Is Nothing More Boring Than A One-Way Conversation)

• When You Can’t Hear God’s Voice – (Uh-Oh! God Left Me! (NOT!)

• When God Says No – (Looking at Motives and Results God Can See That We Can’t)

Introduction

We cannot see God. But we believe in Him. He doesn’t speak aloud to us. And yet, we know He hears our prayers. We want to be close to Him. We sense in our hearts that this is right and good. But how do we draw closer to a huge being whom we cannot see or hear?  

Put a check mark before each one that you think would help us draw closer to God.

• Pray to Him
• Listen for Him
• Read about Him in the Bible
• Spend time with His people

We do not want to be fooled because we cannot see or hear God.

• He is not make-believe.
• His love and daily care are very real.
• He is the most important person in our lives.
• There is so much we need to learn about Him.

We do not want others lack of communication and unbelief in Him to influence us.

We all are told to speak to God. But did you know that even Jesus’ disciples were confused about what to say? In Luke 11:1, we find them asking Him, “Lord, teach us to pray”

And so, Jesus taught them how to pray.

How does the Lord’s prayer start?

(Luke 11:2), So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven

This was a nice way of saying “Hello” to God when you start praying. Jesus wanted them to use the rest of the prayer as a list of reminders of the types of things they could say.

In this lesson, we are going to learn a list of reminders that will help us know what to say. Along with these, we are going to include Psalms that were written by David. The Book of Psalms are prayers put to music. As you read these Psalms, you will see the heart of David’s prayers in each of these areas. We hope this inspires you to spend more time reading the Psalms that will encourage you even more what to say to God and how to say it.

God, You are Amazing!

This is your “Hello” greeting at the beginning of your prayer. God is amazing. He made the farthest planet in the universe and the weirdest fish in the deep sea. He made all the animals, insects, plants and birds. He made our bodies in a miraculous and wonderful way that we may see, touch, taste and hear. He gave His life on the cross to show us how much He loved us.

(Psalm 19:1-3), The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.

(Psalm 8:1-4), A Psalm of David. O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens! Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger. When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?

(Psalm 139:1-6), O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.

God, thank you!

Did He keep you out of trouble by the advice He gave you in His Word? Did He keep you from getting hurt? Did He help your family with something very important? Did you have enough to eat? Did your clothing and home keep you warm? The truth is, there is so much the Lord has done and is doing for us on a daily basis that we should not only do our best to notice these things, but also take time to thank Him for His daily love and care towards us. Everyone likes to be thanked when they do a good job. Don’t you?  God does too. Give thanks often to Him.

(1 Thessalonians 5:18), in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

(Psalm 107:1), Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

(Psalm 100:3-4), Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

God, I’m sorry!

Did you mess up today? Are you feeling guilty, or embarrassed, or dreadful? It’s okay!  We all make mistakes. Just tell Him!

(1 John 1:9), If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ask for His help so you won’t forget and make the same mistake next time.

(Psalm 38:18), For I will declare my iniquity; I will be in anguish over my sin.

(Psalm 40:11-13), Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord; Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me. For innumerable evils have surrounded me; My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up; They are more than the hairs of my head; Therefore my heart fails me. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me!

God, help me out!

Do you need help with things? This is the time to ask!

(1 John 5:14), Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

What a fantastic promise! He hears us ask about protection, better behavior, wisdom, loving more completely, giving, sharing. You can be sure He wants to help. But remember, as the verse you just read said, our confidence in Him answering our prayers is knowing He will answer them according to His will, because He is the only one that really knows what is best for us!

(Psalm 25:18-20), Look on my affliction and my pain, And forgive all my sins. Consider my enemies, for they are many; And they hate me with cruel hatred. Keep my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.

(Psalm 51:10-13), Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.

(Psalm 119:34), Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

God, help others!

Is someone you know suffering? Is something hard in their lives?

How about a grandparent, another relative, or a friend? How about a teacher, coach, or a neighbor?

How about poor people, homeless people, displaced people who were in the fires and hurricanes? How about sick people? How about Christians in other countries greatly suffering because of their faith in Jesus? How about a loved one that needs salvation?

(1 Timothy 2:1), Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

(Psalm 28:9), Save Your people, And bless Your inheritance; Shepherd them also, And bear them up forever.

(Psalm 82:3-4), Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked.

David knew what to say to God. His prayers included these five ways that we have encouraged you to consider. As you read the Psalms, you grasp how real and meaningful praying to God really is. The Lord opened up a way for you to communicate to Him. Just think, YOU ARE ACTUALLY TALKING TO YOUR CREATOR AND HE IS TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN TO EVERY WORD!!!! Try to grasp what a privilege prayer really is. 

AND IF YOU EVER DOUBT THAT GOD IS INDEED REALLY INTERESTED IN YOUR PRAYERS, PLEASE NEVER FORGET WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE.

Why Our Prayers Matter

John the apostle got to go up into the heavens once. He wrote all he saw in the Book of Revelation. He saw angels holding golden bowls full of incense that burned and gave a wonderful smell. See if you can solve the mystery of what that most important incense before the Lord means.

(Revelation 8:3-4), Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.

WOW!!!  Out of all the many things in Heaven that God could have chosen to put right in front of Him, to show what is most important in His sight, He chose to put the Altar of Incense right before His heavenly throne, to remind Him of your sweet and precious prayers! That is how much they mean to God.

Here is another reason why your prayers matter.

(James 5:16), Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

There are things in life that cannot be accomplished without the power of prayer! This is why your prayers really matter! Never doubt it! 

Closer to Christ Worksheet for Lesson 1 – Write to God, like a letter.  Picture God listening!

• Tell God something wonderfully different or special that He got you to notice today. It could be something in nature or just something you thought about
• Thank God for something nice that happened. Feel that thankfulness in your heart.
• Think of a time you messed up that you really have not talked to Him about. Tell Him and what you would like to do about it.
• Think of something that you would really like help with. Ask Him for it.
• Think of someone who really needs help. Ask God to help them and what can you do to help.