Scripture Reading
Mark 11:22-24 (MSG)
“Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’—no shuffling or hemming and hawing—and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything.”
Introductory Remarks:
Each of us has consciously or subconsciously accepted limits in our thinking, believing, and living. The Beyond Limits series helps us identify those limits — spiritual, mental/emotional, physical, relational, social, vocational, and financial — and then consciously decide whether to let them remain, reduce them, or expand them.
The capacity of our lives depends on the level of awareness and belief we have accepted for ourselves. Many of us have settled within boundaries we didn’t realize we could change. Now is the time to review, reset, and upgrade — beginning with your Spiritual Upgrade. Today we explore the A.R.T. of Prayer as the foundation of spiritual transformation — and as our spirituality expands, so does every other area of life.
Major Points of the Lesson:
- A – Acknowledgement
Practical Step:
Acknowledge where you are — without judgment or condemnation. Take an honest inventory of your spiritual state and daily practices. Awareness is the beginning of transformation.
Spiritual Step:
Acknowledge the Presence and Power of God in you and as you. God is not distant or withholding; God is the very essence of your being. As you acknowledge this Truth, limits begin to dissolve.
- R – Realization
Practical Step:
Become genuinely interested in your own spirituality. Read, study, and meditate. Develop curiosity about your connection to the Divine — what it means, how it shows up, and how you can express more of it daily.
Spiritual Step:
Spend intentional time contemplating the Truth about God, the Truth about You, and the Truth about your relationship with God. As Bishop Jack Bomar describes in Live Beyond the Limits, this is the Art of Mindfulness — the practice of staying aware of Divine Reality in the midst of everyday living.
- T – Thanksgiving
Practical Step:
Give thanks for everything — nothing left out. Gratitude expands awareness and dissolves resistance.
Spiritual Step:
See the end from the beginning. Give thanks in advance for the good that already is, even before it appears. Gratitude opens the door for abundance to flow.
Quote:
“Whether through prayer, meditation, or contemplation, connecting with GOD, a Higher indwelling Power, and a deeper sense of self help us navigate life’s uncertainties with grace.” Live Beyond the Limits – Bishop Jack Bomar
ASSIGNMENT:
Daily Practice (Morning — 3 minutes)
- Center yourself in silence.
- Affirm: “God in me is my Source, my Strength, and my Supply.”
- Journal one area where you’ve been living with limits, and acknowledge God’s Presence active in that area today.
Prayer Partner Practice (Choose a partner today)
- Decide a fixed daily time to connect (in person, call, or calendar reminder).
- Together, craft one shared prayer/affirmation around a Divine Idea (e.g., Guidance, Order, Prosperity, Healing) that covers your major AIF projects or goals.
- When you connect, do three things:
- Brief check-in (1 minute)
- Speak your shared affirmation (in unison)
- Close with thanksgiving in advance for results already in motion.
Evening Practice (2–3 minutes)
- List three gratitudes, including at least one for good not yet visible.
- Note any shift in thoughts, feelings, or opportunities.
Weekly Reflection (End of Day 7)
- Where did I notice God within guiding me?
- What limit loosened or dissolved this week?
- What is my next faithful action?