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The Seminar on Prayer
The Praying with Passion seminar is a seven-part study on the basics of prayer, based on the book, “Praying with Passion: Grounded in Obedience” by me, Albert M. McCaig, Jr.
As I said on the home page, praying with passion means having an intense, real relationship with God that is manifested through our own physical, emotional, and spiritual sense of that reality. It means a conversation with God in which we truly know in our hearts that He hears us. Our passion for fellowship with God is visible, even tangible, as we communicate with God in such a way that we move closer to God in all parts of our lives. Praying with passion is praying for real. I would be honored to present the seminar to your church or ministry group. The sylabus below gives the details of the seminar.
As I said on the home page, praying with passion means having an intense, real relationship with God that is manifested through our own physical, emotional, and spiritual sense of that reality. It means a conversation with God in which we truly know in our hearts that He hears us. Our passion for fellowship with God is visible, even tangible, as we communicate with God in such a way that we move closer to God in all parts of our lives. Praying with passion is praying for real. I would be honored to present the seminar to your church or ministry group. The sylabus below gives the details of the seminar.
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Part I: Fundamentals of Prayer.The first session covers the three fundamentals of prayer: faith, love, and forgiveness. Many Christians do not have an understanding of why God created prayer and how we are to embrace this direct communication with almighty God. In order to have that direct communication, we must have a relationship with God in order to have fellowship with Him.
As a fundamental, prayer starts out with the basic understanding that it works through faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” Hebrews 11:16.
The second fundamental of prayer is love. Without love we are nothing. We will study three aspects of God’s love: God’s love for us, our love for God, and our love for others. We are called to love people and hope for the best and the highest for their lives. The first and highest priority is their salvation. We are enabled in doing that through prayer.
Forgiveness, the third fundamental, is essential to receiving affirmative answers to our prayers. We cover the basic understanding that we must ask God for forgiveness for our sins against Him. We find in this session that we must also ask for forgiveness for our sins we have committed against others. Finally, we see that we must forgive others of their trespasses and sins against us.
As a fundamental, prayer starts out with the basic understanding that it works through faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” Hebrews 11:16.
The second fundamental of prayer is love. Without love we are nothing. We will study three aspects of God’s love: God’s love for us, our love for God, and our love for others. We are called to love people and hope for the best and the highest for their lives. The first and highest priority is their salvation. We are enabled in doing that through prayer.
Forgiveness, the third fundamental, is essential to receiving affirmative answers to our prayers. We cover the basic understanding that we must ask God for forgiveness for our sins against Him. We find in this session that we must also ask for forgiveness for our sins we have committed against others. Finally, we see that we must forgive others of their trespasses and sins against us.
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Part II: Mechanics of PrayerThe mechanics of prayer looks at three subjects: the question of what prayer is; example prayers of the masters; and, the six forms of prayer.
As part of the study of the mechanics of prayer, we learn how God speaks to us primarily through the always true Word of God, the Bible. We see that God also speaks through the Holy Spirit. Through that, we see the powerful role of the Holy Spirit, not only in our prayer lives, but throughout our lives as Christians. We also see how God speaks through pastors, teachers, writers, and even Christian lyrics in music.
God invented prayer as a means of His communicating with us and our communicating with Him. Our study will examine how, if we are not getting results from our prayers and if we are not hearing God, the communication breakdown is on our end, not God’s.
In our study of the masters of prayer, we see that Jesus gave us the model prayer. We learn why Jesus, the son of God prayed. The reason Jesus prayed was for the fellowship and the relationship He has with God the Father. We study the masters of prayer to find that they all prayed because of their fellowship with and relationship to, God. Their prayer was in their hearts, and not just in their heads. Learning the mechanics of prayer is the means by which we change our head knowledge of who God is into our heart knowledge of knowing the character of God.
In the Mechanics of Prayer session, we break down the Model Prayer of Jesus into its component parts, examining why Jesus gave us such specific instructions on the contents of our prayers.
Finally, we look at the six forms of prayer, which are: prayer of agreement; prayer of faith; prayer of consecration and dedication; prayer of praise and worship; prayer of intercession; and, prayer of binding and loosing. We will discuss the scriptural basis of each form of prayer, why it is important to use the correct form for a particular circumstance, and how those forms of prayer work together.
As part of the study of the mechanics of prayer, we learn how God speaks to us primarily through the always true Word of God, the Bible. We see that God also speaks through the Holy Spirit. Through that, we see the powerful role of the Holy Spirit, not only in our prayer lives, but throughout our lives as Christians. We also see how God speaks through pastors, teachers, writers, and even Christian lyrics in music.
God invented prayer as a means of His communicating with us and our communicating with Him. Our study will examine how, if we are not getting results from our prayers and if we are not hearing God, the communication breakdown is on our end, not God’s.
In our study of the masters of prayer, we see that Jesus gave us the model prayer. We learn why Jesus, the son of God prayed. The reason Jesus prayed was for the fellowship and the relationship He has with God the Father. We study the masters of prayer to find that they all prayed because of their fellowship with and relationship to, God. Their prayer was in their hearts, and not just in their heads. Learning the mechanics of prayer is the means by which we change our head knowledge of who God is into our heart knowledge of knowing the character of God.
In the Mechanics of Prayer session, we break down the Model Prayer of Jesus into its component parts, examining why Jesus gave us such specific instructions on the contents of our prayers.
Finally, we look at the six forms of prayer, which are: prayer of agreement; prayer of faith; prayer of consecration and dedication; prayer of praise and worship; prayer of intercession; and, prayer of binding and loosing. We will discuss the scriptural basis of each form of prayer, why it is important to use the correct form for a particular circumstance, and how those forms of prayer work together.
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Part III: The Heart of PrayerThe Heart of Prayer is the substance of prayer. We will cover three aspects: our relationship and fellowship with God; receiving affirmative answers to Prayer; and, praying in God’s will.
Our tapping into the power of God is only possible when we have a relationship to, and fellowship with, God, through prayer. That relationship should generate heat in our hearts to be on fire for God. Our prayer life is the life-line of our relationship to God. We can know about God in our mind, but we also need to know the character of God in our heart.
We will cover why obtaining and recognizing real, affirmative answers to prayer is one of the most misunderstood, misstated, hoped-for-yet-not-found, prayed-for-and-not-heard, talked-about-and-not-truly-believed subjects in the Bible and in our Christian lives. We look at why that condition is so prevalent. And, we find there is a solution.
This lesson will cover the content of heart-felt prayer so that we can mold our will into the will of God. We will study how we come to find out God’s will, and then follow that will in not only our prayer life, but in all aspects of our life.
In the heart of prayer, we will learn that we must first seek God’s wisdom in a scriptural way so we can know and understand the will of God. We must become peacemakers in our homes, at our work, in school, in church, and in all our relationships.
Through the Heart of Prayer, we will know we have gained proper wisdom and are in the will of God when our prayers are peace loving, considerate, submissive, and full of mercy and good fruit.
Our tapping into the power of God is only possible when we have a relationship to, and fellowship with, God, through prayer. That relationship should generate heat in our hearts to be on fire for God. Our prayer life is the life-line of our relationship to God. We can know about God in our mind, but we also need to know the character of God in our heart.
We will cover why obtaining and recognizing real, affirmative answers to prayer is one of the most misunderstood, misstated, hoped-for-yet-not-found, prayed-for-and-not-heard, talked-about-and-not-truly-believed subjects in the Bible and in our Christian lives. We look at why that condition is so prevalent. And, we find there is a solution.
This lesson will cover the content of heart-felt prayer so that we can mold our will into the will of God. We will study how we come to find out God’s will, and then follow that will in not only our prayer life, but in all aspects of our life.
In the heart of prayer, we will learn that we must first seek God’s wisdom in a scriptural way so we can know and understand the will of God. We must become peacemakers in our homes, at our work, in school, in church, and in all our relationships.
Through the Heart of Prayer, we will know we have gained proper wisdom and are in the will of God when our prayers are peace loving, considerate, submissive, and full of mercy and good fruit.
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Part IV: Practical Prayer in our Lives: Healing Prayer
Session IV delves into one of the great mysteries of faith; spiritual healing. For any number of reasons, there has been skepticism surrounding the concept of biblical or scriptural healing, not just outside the church, but inside the church and throughout the Christian world. The Bible addresses healing in at least 175 places. We see it in the Bible; but, we will find out in this session if we really believe it.
We will briefly study the methods of healing set out in scripture: through a person with that spiritual gift; through the laying on of hands; through anointing with oil; through a prayer of faith; through intercession by others; and, through divine intervention. While we introduce all those methods, we will not cover them all. We will study in depth the method covered in James 5.
We will see how healing prayer is one area where we connect the spiritual world with the physical world. In engaging in healing prayer in a biblical manner, and seeing God’s work of healing, we learn to find ourselves closer to God in all parts of our lives.
We will study a personal approach to healing prayer so that it becomes a part of our every-day prayer life. We will also learn how to become prayer warriors, practicing healing prayer in a scriptural manner for the good of not only ourselves, but others in need of healing. We will take the skepticism out of scripture, and give healing prayer a practical application in our lives.
For in-person presentations, we will close this session with an altar call for healing prayer.
We will briefly study the methods of healing set out in scripture: through a person with that spiritual gift; through the laying on of hands; through anointing with oil; through a prayer of faith; through intercession by others; and, through divine intervention. While we introduce all those methods, we will not cover them all. We will study in depth the method covered in James 5.
We will see how healing prayer is one area where we connect the spiritual world with the physical world. In engaging in healing prayer in a biblical manner, and seeing God’s work of healing, we learn to find ourselves closer to God in all parts of our lives.
We will study a personal approach to healing prayer so that it becomes a part of our every-day prayer life. We will also learn how to become prayer warriors, practicing healing prayer in a scriptural manner for the good of not only ourselves, but others in need of healing. We will take the skepticism out of scripture, and give healing prayer a practical application in our lives.
For in-person presentations, we will close this session with an altar call for healing prayer.
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Part V: Practical Prayer in our Lives: Praying in Spiritual WarfareSession V covers one of the least understood, and least practiced, areas of Christian faith: spiritual warfare. In past sessions, we will have seen that we are at war with Satan. Satan has attacked us and will continue to attack us. As Christians we are Satan’s enemy and we are at war with him.
Session V introduces us to what must be done to be ready to engage in powerful warfare against the enemy. We will study the concepts of demonic activity including oppression, possession, demons, and curses. We will learn what those terms mean, that they are real and not merely imaginary manifestations created by Hollywood and mystery writers.
We will answer serious questions of spiritual warfare: Is the spiritual world really all around us? Are demons everywhere? Are there angels? If they are all around us, are the angels and demons fighting one another?
We will see in scripture what we already believe; that the devil is at work now more than at any other time. The Bible tells us that because Satan realizes his time is short, his activity will increase.
We will study Ephesians 6:11–13, in which Paul dealt with being prepared for spiritual warfare. He said, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Session V introduces the concepts of deliverance and exorcism, the differences, and why it is important in our Christian lives. While strictly an introduction to the concepts of deliverance, this session is intended to awaken a desire in the student to learn more about this little known and little understood aspect of our faith.
At the end of the session, for in-person presentations, we will provide an opportunity for an altar call for spiritual deliverance and prayer.
Session V introduces us to what must be done to be ready to engage in powerful warfare against the enemy. We will study the concepts of demonic activity including oppression, possession, demons, and curses. We will learn what those terms mean, that they are real and not merely imaginary manifestations created by Hollywood and mystery writers.
We will answer serious questions of spiritual warfare: Is the spiritual world really all around us? Are demons everywhere? Are there angels? If they are all around us, are the angels and demons fighting one another?
We will see in scripture what we already believe; that the devil is at work now more than at any other time. The Bible tells us that because Satan realizes his time is short, his activity will increase.
We will study Ephesians 6:11–13, in which Paul dealt with being prepared for spiritual warfare. He said, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Session V introduces the concepts of deliverance and exorcism, the differences, and why it is important in our Christian lives. While strictly an introduction to the concepts of deliverance, this session is intended to awaken a desire in the student to learn more about this little known and little understood aspect of our faith.
At the end of the session, for in-person presentations, we will provide an opportunity for an altar call for spiritual deliverance and prayer.
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Part VI: Practical Prayer in our Lives: Praying through AdversityThere are two parts to this session on praying through adversity. The first part is dealing with the adversity we face in our lives. The second part is a strong word of encouragement to persevere in our Christian walk.
One of the most difficult concepts to accept as Christians is that bad things really do happen to good people. Good Christian people really do suffer serious illness, loss, disappointment, hardship, and financial ruin. Adversity can be just around every corner, ready to happen even to the most dedicated and spiritually mature believer. We will look at why God allows those things to happen, and what our response should be in those tough times.
In this session we will see how the earlier sessions on the fundamentals of prayer, the mechanics of prayer, and especially the heart of prayer enable us to work through the adversity in our lives through prayer. The introduction to healing and spiritual warfare are brought into play to show us how we use those practical applications in our lives to get through the adversity we face in our lives.
One of the most difficult concepts to accept as Christians is that bad things really do happen to good people. Good Christian people really do suffer serious illness, loss, disappointment, hardship, and financial ruin. Adversity can be just around every corner, ready to happen even to the most dedicated and spiritually mature believer. We will look at why God allows those things to happen, and what our response should be in those tough times.
In this session we will see how the earlier sessions on the fundamentals of prayer, the mechanics of prayer, and especially the heart of prayer enable us to work through the adversity in our lives through prayer. The introduction to healing and spiritual warfare are brought into play to show us how we use those practical applications in our lives to get through the adversity we face in our lives.
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Part VII: Our authority in Christ over our health, well-being and prosperity.The session is a culmination of the previous studies. While a stand-alone session, it certainly builds on the previous lessons. We will discuss prayers of authority and how we have spiritual authority in the name of Jesus to do great things and move spiritual mountains. Through specific scriptural references, we will see in the Bible that we do have that spiritual authority, and how to use that authority in achieving and maintaining our health, our well-being, and even our finances. We will learn that God truly does have plans for our benefit and prosperity, just as the Bible says in Jeremiah 11:29. This is not a lesson in prosperity gospel teaching, but how to live a life of rest and peace in the name of Jesus; a life more abundant.
We will reinforce that prosperity is much more than worldly riches or a bag of money falling out of the sky. It is about having peace in your walk with the Lord; about peace of mind; and of being satisfied in our situation.
We will look at how we use that authority in the name of Jesus in our own lives, but also in ministering to others. Our prayers must have authority in order to be effective.
Following the teaching for in-person presentations, we will have a time of intercessory prayer and for healing for those in need.
We will reinforce that prosperity is much more than worldly riches or a bag of money falling out of the sky. It is about having peace in your walk with the Lord; about peace of mind; and of being satisfied in our situation.
We will look at how we use that authority in the name of Jesus in our own lives, but also in ministering to others. Our prayers must have authority in order to be effective.
Following the teaching for in-person presentations, we will have a time of intercessory prayer and for healing for those in need.
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