This week, we are asking the question: As you pray, what do you want from God?
The way you pray will tell you what you think about God.
The way you pray will tell you want you expect from God.
Larry Crabb in his book, The Papa Prayer, identifies two basic paradigms for prayer. The paradigm that is far more commonly accepted among Christians today is what he calls the “Get Things from God” paradigm. The second paradigm for prayer, he calls, “Get to Know God Better.”
Larry Crabb lists eight assumptions regarding these two paradigms and then compares them. As we look at these assumptions, I’m going to ask you to see if you, like me, may need to have a major shift from one to the other.
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The “Get to Know God Better” Paradigm
Assumption #1
Prayer is more about hearing God than about Him hearing us. We’re the audience.
The “Get Things from God” Paradigm
Assumption #1
Prayer is an opportunity to get God to hear our request. He’s our audience.
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The “Get to Know God Better” Paradigm
Assumption #2
Real prayer is never dull. We aren’t praying unless prayer is the most vital thing we do, whether we receive what we ask for or not.
The “Get Things from God” Paradigm
Assumption #2
Excitement in prayer depends on receiving what we ask for, or at least on the hope that we will.
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The “Get to Know God Better” Paradigm
Assumption #3
Prayer is the God-appointed means for us to come to know Him as Papa.
The “Get Things from God” Paradigm
Assumption #3
Prayer is the God-appointed means for us to receive what we need in order to feel satisfaction and fulfillment.
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The “Get to Know God Better” Paradigm
Assumption #4
Prayer can become the conversation you longed to have with your earthly father. As that happens, your “father wounds” are healed.
The “Get Things from God” Paradigm
Assumption #4
Prayer consists of asking things from God in a way that releases Him to treat us like children who are entitled to their inheritance.
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Think on these assumptions. Ask yourself what your assumptions are as you pray.
The rest we will look at tomorrow.
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