(insights from Bob Hartley)
First: We adore Him.
We come into His courts with thanks giving – Psalms 100:1-5: 1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Second: We ask Him what to ask / enquire:
Job 38 – where were you when I founded the earth …
“Who did they say I am?”
Address your questions to Him, and then your hand becomes the hand of a read writer.
Questions to God are to come from a place of encounter with Him and confidence in Him.
1. God how do we flow in you at this time?
a. Right principles at the wrong time kill
i. June ’09 – God is the God of supply
ii. Truth has tensions – sometimes God supplied them in a different way to the way they requested. Eg The Syrophoenician women kept asking for her miracles, not just because she believed in His ability, but because she believed in His nature. We can ask in confidence because of His nature and goodness.
2. Relational questions / the hope in God sort of questions (Phillip 1:8-9)
a. Ask me (God) how you are to sit at this table with me at this hour, in an appropriate way for me to honour you and you to honour me?
b. God, what do you want to show me about your heart in this season?
c. God, can you trust me with Your heart?
d. Ask, God why do I mean everything to you today?
e. Ask, do who can I be for you in todays situation?
f. God, do I hold anything against you?
g. Do I underestimate you?
h. Do I have more than a casual relationship with you?
i. How have I been there with you at all times?
j. Will I trade our relationship for anything?
k. What do I love about you holding me?
l. What do I see about myself in you?
m. How much do I already delight in our relationship?
n. How many thoughts do I have about you, how many of these thoughts have ever been negative?
o. Do I have hopes and dreams about our relationship?
p. Do I have a way to deepen our relationship, and work out my dream in you>
q. Is there a reason why you picked us?
