Here's our Care Circle "Continuing the Conversation" guide for Sep 05, 2021.
Kung gusto ninyo ng downloadable version, you can get the file here:
Series: Let Us Pray
Topic: Prayer Bones
Date: Sep 05, 2021
Opening [Pambungad]
Napakahalaga to build a genuine relationship with your members. Ang discipleship ay hindi lang attendance o pang-sesermon kundi pagkakaroon ng relasyon sa isa’t isa at sama-samang pagtahak sa buhay.
Mga bagay na makakatulong:
1. I-welcome ang grupo.
2. Kung kayang magkaroon ng ice breaker, mas mainam!
3. Kamustahin ang kanilang mga naging nakaraang lingo – any highlights or challenges.
4. Kamustahin kung nagawa ba nila ang application last week
5. Kamustahin kung meron bang answered prayers mula sa inyong mga ipinanalangin.
Rewind [Balikan ang Napakinggan]
INTRODUCTION
Truth: Isaiah 55:8-9
8“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. 9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
God definitely hears our prayers but not all prayers of all people are answered. God is wiser than us!
God weighs the motives of our hearts when we pray. God’s thoughts are higher than ours!
God knows what to do with people, with his chosen, with the world. God’s ways are higher and much better!
Prayer bone – not the literal bones used by shamans to pray, but referring to the idiom we use: “pagtiklop ng tuhod sa panalangin”
I. GET DOWN ON OUR PRAYER BONES
Lumuhod po tayo! Lumuhod ang puso natin! Lumuhod ang ating katauhan! Lumuhod nang may pagpapakumbaba!
A. To acknowledge that we are nothing apart from God.
Some may say they have the money. Some may say they have the connections. Some may say that they are happy now. BUT WITHOUT CHRIST, WE ARE NOTHING!!! Wala tayong halaga, wala tayong magandang kasasapitan, wala tayong makakamit kung wala ang Dios at lalo na kung wala tayong relasyon sa Dios!
No one can boast about:
· anything he has,
· what he has been,
· what he knows,
· his strength,
· his abilities and capabilities,
· what he has reached and achieved,
· the amount of service he does.
Jeremiah 9:23 -24 This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth— for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.
Kung may ipagmamalaki tayo, ipagmalaki natin, habang ang puso natin ay nakaluhod, our spirits are down on our prayer bones, na ang Dios ang bida sa buhay natin!
B. To honor the King of kings and Lord of lords!
Si Hesus, Anak ng Dios..ang tinatanghal natin na Hari ng mga hari at Panginoon ng mga Panginoon. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. No match ang mga tinatawag nating panginoon at hari sa mundo.
Balang araw, makikita natin ang VENGEANCE of GOD. Hindi pa man din tayo nakakarating sa kalangitan, ngayon pa lamang po…our minds and our spirits should get down on our prayer bones! Kailangang lumapit nang may pagpapakumbaba at may mataas na pagtingin sa Hari ng mga hari at Panginoon ng mga panginoon! Getting down on our prayer bones should be a natural and fitting response.
Read: Philippians 2:9-11, Revelation 17:14
II. STRENGTHEN OUR PRAYER BONES
Mabuting masimulan natin ang ating pananalangin nang lumuluhod sa ating inner man. Ngunit hindi ibig sabihin nito ay hindi susunod ang ating literal na tuhod sa pagsamba.
A. The Biblical Origin of the ‘KNEELING’ Posture
Historically, kneeling to bow at the feet of another was common practice in the ancient world, a universal sign of submission, honor, and respect. Beyond this portrayal of humble reverence, however, is the connection between kneeling and worship.
WORSHIP means TO BOW DOWN
Abram’s story: from kneeling to moon gods and other deities to kneeling to God. Somewhere throughout this process, the practice of kneeling to worship people and things became a sacred kneeling to God, the creator of all people and things.
B. The Biblical Meaning of the Kneeling Posture
Our postures usually have meaning. And even in the workplace, or in the animal world, one’s posture influences his/her feelings, confidence, power, etc.
Strengthening our prayer bones is not just a ‘pakitang-gilas sa Dios gesture’ but it is an ‘empowering, strengthening gesture’ – Ptra. K
Kung sa corporate word ay nagpapakita ng KAPANGYARIHAN sa asta ng taas ng ulo, lapad ng sinasakupan na space, at tindig na tila humaharang salahat ng makakalaban, GOD’S PEOPLE STRENGTHEN THEIR PRAYER BONES to EMPOWER THEM IN PRAYER.
“THOSE WHO ARE ABLE TO STAND STRONG ARE THOSE WHO BEND ON THEIR KNEES.”
Kaya naman…
· Palakasin natin ang ating tuhod sa pagluhod dahil mas nagpapakita ito ng ating damdamin sa harap ng Dios.
· Palakasin natin ang ating mga tuhod sa pagluhod sa pananalangin nang sama-sama. Ito ay visible sign sa susunod na henerasyon ng ating taimtim na pagtawag sa Dios. (the cooperation shows the submission to God)
· Palakasin nating ang ating mga patuhod sa pagluhod dahil mas nakakatulong ito na mas matuunan natin ang ating pananalangin.
Bodily Positions are Specified by Religious Rituals
· Catholics are instructed to kneel at specific times during the mass.
· Muslims pray five times a day and follow a set sequence of poses.
· Theravada Buddhists meditate by kneeling with their palms together, pointing their fingers up and raising and lowering their head and body so their forearms touch the ground.
· Hindus pray while doing something as normal as walking. Circumambulation, or walking around statues of deities, is a common part of Hindu puja, symbolizing movement through different stages of life.
Bilang Christians, not as being religious, what gesture sets us apart show our being God’s children? Kung ano man ang mga Biblical ways na itinuturo sa atin. Tiyak na makakatulong ito upang mas lalo nating mapagtuunan, matutunan at maturuan ang ating mga sarili sa ating paglapit sa Dios nang may pagpapakumbaba at pagpapasakop.
Strengthening our prayer bones may usher us to the confidence to come before His throne of grace.
Examples ng pagluhod: Acts 20:36-38, Ezra 10:1, Acts 9:40
Tingnan ang emphasis ng Dios sa attitude sa pananalangin through this story of the Pharisee and the Publican sa Luke 18:9-14.
CONCLUSION
Not everyone who is on his prayer bones is pleasing to God. Maaaring maging kalapastangan o travesty pa rin ang bagay na ito kung ginagawa lang ito bilang ritual at show-off sa Dios. Hindi ganito ang gusto nating ipakita sa pagluhod sa Dios.
Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship (Romans 12:1).
Not out of obligation, but desire, the result of a graciously regenerated heart — only then so deeply inclined.
It’s important to keep in mind that there are many kinds of prayer, with many different postures — each one an acceptable and lovely way to pray.
Especially for those physically unable to kneel, remember, it is the heart’s posture that matters most.
Therefore, rightly kneeling in prayer, will never be done in vain. In fact, it’s an honor to freely approach our King, to spend time in his presence through worship, or to bring an important plea that only He can gratify.
LET US BE ON OUR PRAYER BONES - kneeling prayer is a purpose-filled prayer.
Reflect [Magnilay-nilay]
Before this Sunday, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WERE ON YOUR PRAYER BONES, YOU KNELT BEFORE GOD? What was your need back then?
When you pray, do you consciously recognize that you are nothing apart from God? Na dependent ka lang sa kanya? Bakit kaya natin ito minsan nakakalimutan?
When you pray, do you have time to honor and adore God? O diretso na lang sa mga hinihingi? Bakit kaya natin ito madalas nakakalimutan?
Can prayer be a form of worship? Paano?
Do you understand how kneeling before God can benefit our praying? Paano? Try to explain in your own words.
Yung pisikal na pagluhod lang ba ang mahalaga? What does it mean na pati ang puso natin ay nakaluhod sa Diyos?
Practice [I-apply ang Natutunan]
Anong pwede mong i-improve sa iyong prayer life para mapractice gamitin ang prayer bones?
Do you participate sa daily Prayer Items sa church? It’s time do so. May pinopost sa FB natin everyday na pwede natin maipanalangin for even just 1 minute.
Do you participate sa Family Prayer Cell? It’s time to do so. Kung wala namang ibang makakasama sa inyong bahay, you can join the online prayer cell group: https://msngr.com/bsidotuteieb
Prayer [Panalangin]
Closing [Pangwakas]
I-remind ang grupo tungkol sa mg ito:
- Kanilang daily Bible reading and devotion
- Pagdalo sa church
- Pagbibigay (tithes and offering)
- Pananalangin (kasama ang Prayer Cell)
- Pag-care sa iba
- Pag-seserve sa ministry – baka wala pa silang ministry, marami pong available!
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