Sunday Service | May 16, 2021
Prayer. Taking a break from our I AM statement series.
Why do we pray? What is the purpose of prayer?
We pray because our soul thirsts for God, there is a longing for connection within each of us, even when we are struggling or doubting in our faith, we still have that deep thirst that cannot be fulfilled by the other people around us.
A definition of prayer: any word or thought directed in faith towards God. It doesn’t have to be a formal, sit-down, beautiful package. It’s any word or thought, it’s so simple.
The Lord wants to have a conversation with us daily, about what is happening in our world and what we are each experiencing. If you are struggling in prayer, a good place to start back is with the Lord’s Prayer.
A few lyrics from “Talking to Jesus” by Elevation Worship:
Grandma used to pray out loud
By her bed every night
To me, it sounded like mumbling
Like she was out of her mind
She said, "Boy, this kind of praying
Is what saved my life
You outta try it some time"
And now I know she was right
She was talking to Jesus
She was talking to Jesus
She'd been talking to Jesus
For all of her life
What a friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus
There's no wrong way to do it
There's no bad time to start
It don't have to sound pretty
Just tell Him what's on your heart
'Cause it's not a religion
'Cause it's more like a friendship
Just talk to your Father
Like you are his kid
Just start talking to Jesus
Just start talking to Jesus
You can talk to Jesus
Oh, whenever you like
Questions/Challenges:
How are you modeling prayer to others (like your kids)?
What does your prayer life look like?
Is it easier for you to pray for others than to pray for yourself?
Help, Thanks, Wow by Anne Lamott is a short resources to learn more about prayer:
Help--Most good and honest prayers remind us that we are not in charge. When we open ourselves up to be helped, we are reminded that breath is all we need. We are asking for Jesus to give us courage to stop in our tracks.
Thanks--An easy prayer when things are good, but its power is found when said in the middle of growth.
Wow--Having your mind blown by the amazing work of our Creator. We are created to be in awe of him, to be in awe of Jesus.
Amen--”And so it is” or “truly.” It is an act of saying “We believe that this prayer will be answered.”
The bottom line is God wants to connect with us. He wants to have a daily conversation with us. Just like the relationship with your closest friend, he wants those same daily connections.
Philippians 4.6-9 (The Message)
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Two things to take with us in this passage:
Be saturated with prayer.
Keep our thoughts on things that are true and authentic. This doesn’t mean we ignore hard things or feelings, but we ask God what is true.
Spend some time praying about the things happening in your personal life. Praying with your spouse, as a family, or separately. Praying for everything and everyone around us is important, but God wants to connect with each of us personally. How can you be praying for yourself today?