Today starts the actual 40 DaysWorkbooks available for the campaignSmall groups will be meeting starting this weekTwo key facts about prayerWe are wired for prayerWe aren’t very good at prayerOur frustrations about prayer flow out of our misconceptions of prayerPrayer MisconceptionsPrayer is not a magic wandPrayer is not a fire extinguisherPrayer is not a tug of warPrayer is not a ritual to relieve guiltFour Pillars of PrayerGod loves for me to talk to HimGod gave us the desire to prayThis is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of him.– 1 John Prayer is a conversation not a ceremonyPrayer is about a relationship not a ritualGod listens to prayers that are simple and sincere“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.– Matthew Don’t use prayer to show offBe sincereDon’t use clichéslet us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.– Hebrews God likes to show His grace by answering prayerGod longs to be close to usGod wants for us to have a close and personal relationship with Him.Jesus told the disciples that they would not be servants but friends.