STEPS TO FAITH

WHY PRAY?        KNOWING GOD		STEP 1   PRACTICING PRAYER
WHY PRAY? Knowing God BIBLE READING: This study only asks that you read portions of each chapter of John. However, some of you may want to read the entire chapter each day to get a better picture of what we are discussing. Read John 1:19–27 Verse 22: "Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?" The priests and Levites wanted to know who John the Baptist was. They knew he was someone great, but they could not figure him out. This is how most of the world views God. Yes, He is awesome, but who is He, really? Does He consist only of love as the world knows it, a kind of love that provides everything that anyone wants? Is His love the kind of love that forgives any lifestyle or behavior, even without a repentant spirit? Or is He a God of judgment? Is He angry with us all the time? Is every negative thing that happens to be interpreted as a judgment from God?  Spending time with God in prayer will help us to know more about His character. It will help us to understand more of His ways. The more time we spend with God, the more we will know what He wants us to ask for in prayer…and the more we will be amazed at His wisdom.		Practicing Prayer There is another avenue in getting to know God better. This is through the pastors and teachers that He set over us: "And he gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints..." (Eph. 4:11–12). This indicates that if we have not placed ourselves under the spiritual authorities which God has given us, then we will be missing out on part of what we need to know about God. And how can we benefit from our pastors and spiritual teachers unless we are consistently in the place where they are teaching? Is church a priority for you? Do you let weariness, sports events, social events or homework keep you out of the house of God? Consistency in church is very important and Biblical: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together" (Heb. 10:25). Begin today by making church attendance a priority in your life. What was Jesus doing on these Sabbath Days? Luke 4:16 . Luke 4:31 . List the church services that you plan to attend faithfully while practicing the Steps to Faith. ... ... Write a short prayer here asking the Lord to reveal more of His character to you as you commit more of your time to prayer in the next 21 days.