Bill Hybels: Prayer

“The greatest prayer motivator in existence is answered prayer.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

Motivation

“Adoration in prayer reminds us of God's identity and inclination. As we list his attributes, lifting up his character and personality, we reinforce our understanding of who he is.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

God , Understanding , Personality

“Sensing the carelessness and one-sidedness of our prayers, we start to feel guilty about praying. Guilt leads to faint-heartedness and that in turn leads to prayerlessness.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

Feeling , Sense

“By forcing us to look closely at our requests, prayer purifies us.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

“Be wary of insisting that you know better than God about when a prayer request should be granted. God's delays are not necessarily denials. He always has reasons for his 'not yets.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

God

“When Jesus prayed the model prayer we call the Lord's Prayer, his first requests were that God's name be shown reverence, that his kingdom come, that his will be done.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

God

“Confession is probably the most neglected area of personal prayer.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

Personality

“God-honoring prayers are not simply shopping lists. They are more than cries for help, strength, mercy and miracles. Authentic prayer should include worship, submission, requests, and confessions.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

God , Help

“Adoration in prayer purges our spirit and prepares us to listen to God.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

God

“As you walk with God, your faith will grow, your confidence will increase and your prayers will have real power.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

God , Faith , Confidence

“The Lord's Prayer is an excellent model, but it was never intended to be a magical incantation to get God's attention. Jesus gave this prayer as a pattern to suggest the variety of elements that should be included when we pray.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

God

“Don't let your prayers turn into a wish list for Santa Claus. Worship God and praise him when you come to him in prayer.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

God

“If you let even a little sin into your heart, it's going to contaminate your prayers. Your Christian life will not achieve its full potential.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

Life , Heart

“If your life is rushing in many directions at once, you are incapable of the kind of deep, unhurried prayer that is vital to the Christian walk.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

Life

“Prayer is a bridge from despair to hope.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

Hope , Despair

“Our prayers can be more than empty wishes, vain hopes or feeble aspirations – but only when they are prayed from faith-filled hearts.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

Faith , Hope , Heart

“Developing prayer fitness is similar to developing physical fitness: we must follow a pattern in order to stay balanced.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

“Keep on praying because the Father does listen. He loves our company, he wants us to endure in prayerfulness and he is eager to do whatever is best for us.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

Love

“How would you feel if your prayer requests were made public, displayed on a billboard or marquee? "Dear Lord, make me famous. Make me rich."”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

Feeling

“When we make a habit of prayer, we stay constantly tuned to God's presence and open to receive his blessings.”

Bill Hybels

Too Busy Not to Pray (2008, InterVarsity Press)

God