Theology of Prayer &
The Eternal Purposes of God
Part 1
Jesus is the center of all things.
A.W. Tozer said in his book, The Knowledge of the Holy: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Why? Why would he make such a devastating claim? It’s because all prayer, in every form and medium of exchange, begins with the central eternal purpose of God’s plan — to point to and exalt Jesus. AND, if our prayer life is not mostly an intimate life of fascination with the man Christ Jesus, then how will we keep coming back?
Are you ready to find the focal point of your fascination?
What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. ... man’s spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God. For this reason ... the most portentous fact about any man is not what he at a given time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like. We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God."
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Is Jesus Fascinating to You?
You are called to a life of fascination and focus on Jesus as the center of all your life. Life breaks apart when Jesus is not the primary reason we live, move and have our being. Prayer is about union with Christ. Intimacy and deep love.
Test Yourself
Answer
Respond to Video:
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1.2 – The Eternal Purposes of God
Respond to one of the following prompts in paragraph format:
- When you think of God the Father and His son Jesus, what do you think of, what do you see?
- What do you do to set your focus on Jesus in prayer?
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4 Replies
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When I think of God the Father through Jesus, I picture victory. Jesus while on the cross said that it is finished. As Christians, we know and believe that Christ died on the cross and resurrected three days later and that it is through this ultimate sacrifice that we are saved. God claimed victory through Jesus dying on the cross and raising from the dead. We see the ultimate love of our God as an example through His sacrifice of His one and only son. We are now invited in to eternal life because of this victory over the grave.
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When I think of God the Father and His son Jesus I think of how They work together to reconcile us to God and God to us. I think of Their compelling love and Their divine wisdom to satisfy the mercy of God and the justice of God. How marvellous that Jesus the Son is the exact representation of God the Father. I can now come to God my Father through Jesus the Son in sure confidence with no fear. What Perfect Love!
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When I think of the Heavenly Father, I think of ageless wisdom, generosity, benevolence, compassion, love, and protection. I think of my status as His adopted child in Jesus Christ. When I think of Jesus, I see the highly exalted King of Kings and Lord of Lords sitting on a throne of grace. He holds out his royal scepter to me in invitation and says, “Come, draw near.” Even more, “Come into my embrace. You are accepted in the beloved.” This throne of grace is a completely safe and secure place to be and to pour out my entire heart–hopes, questions, laughter, tears, and intercession. Sometimes, just silence. Waiting and listening. It is a place to allow the Holy Spirit to search my heart. Here, in the presence of God, there is fulness of joy and pleasures at His right hand (Psalm 16.11). To enter into prayer, I just begin to worship the Lord and to praise and thank Him for who He is.
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When I set my mind to pray to Jesus I need to declutter it from the worlds noise. I come humbled and in awe of his greatness and his love. I have my bible handy to look up verses he may lay upon my heart.
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