Song Lyrics
Same God
[Verse] I'm calling on the God of Jacob, Whose love endures through generations, I know that You will keep Your covenant. I'm calling on the God of Moses, The one who opened up the ocean. I need you now to do the same thing for me.
[Chorus] Oh God my God I need You. Oh God my God I need You now. How I need You now. Oh Rock oh Rock of ages. I’m standing on Your faithfulness.
[Verse] I'm calling on the God of Mary, Whose favor rests upon the lowly. I know with You all things are possible. I’m calling on the God of David, Who made a shepherd boy courageous. I may not face Goliath, But I've got my own giants.
[Bridge] You heard Your children then. You hear Your children now. You are the same God. You are the same God. You answered prayers back then. And You will answer now. You are the same God. You are the same God. You were providing then. You are providing now. You are the same God. You are the same God.
[Bridge] You moved in power then. God move in power now. You are the same God. You are the same God. You were a healer then. You are a healer now. You are the same God. You are the same God. You were a Savior then. You are a Savior now. You are the same God. You are the same God.
[Bridge] You freed the captives then. You’re freeing hearts right now. You are the same God. You are the same God. You touched the lepers then. I feel Your touch right now. You are the same God. You are the same God.
[Verse] I’m calling on the Holy Spirit. Almighty river come and fill me again.
The Jesus Way
If you curse me, then I will bless you. If you hurt me, I will forgive. And if you hate me, then I will love you. I choose the Jesus way.
If you're helpless, I will defend you. And if you're burdened, I'll share the weight. And if you're hopeless, then let me show you. There’s hope in the Jesus way.
I follow Jesus. I follow Jesus. He wore my sin, I'll gladly wear His name. He is the treasure. He is the answer. Oh, I choose the Jesus way.
If you strike me, I will embrace you. And if you chain me, I'll sing His praise. And if you kill me, my home is heaven. For I choose the Jesus way.
And I choose surrender. I choose to love. Oh, God my Saviour, You'll always be enough. I choose forgiveness. I choose grace. I choose to worship, no matter what I face.
I choose the Jesus way. I choose the Jesus way. I choose the Jesus way. I choose the Jesus way.
How To Pray: Ask For Others
Question: How much influence do my prayers actually have? Does prayer actually make a difference?
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Jesus - Matthew 7:7-8
Pray According to God’s Desires
“Prayer is not a matter getting what we want the most. It is a matter of giving ourselves to God and learning His laws, so that he can do through us what He wants the most”. Agnes Sanford
Prayer is not getting God to say ‘amen’ to what I want. Prayer is saying ‘amen’ to God’s will. Pete Greig (week 4 video)
This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven… Jesus - Matthew 6:9-10
How To Pray Effectively
“These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: (power over evil spirits, divine protection) … 18 They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” Jesus - Mark 16:17-18
Practicalities
1. Pray with Others
Matthew 18:19-20 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
2. Learn to Pray Incrementally
3. Learn to Pray God’s Promises
4. Pray Consistently
Group Discussion
What do you think? Does prayer actually make a difference?
What do you think about Pete Greig’s statement, “Prayer is not getting God to say ‘amen’ to what I want. Prayer is saying ‘amen’ to God’s will.”
In Matthew 7, Jesus said, “Keep on asking…”. Do you find it hard to be persistent in prayer?
Closing Prayer
Loving Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to you in every way.
Help me to give myself to others, being kind and generous to everyone I meet.
Help me to love those who don’t know you, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say.
Amen.
(adapted from Lectio 365)