Prayer Is...
*To VIEW the entire series, click HERE.
We talk about the importance of prayer all the time. But, why pray if God already knows what I need? What is supposed to happen when I pray? There are hundreds of examples of praying in the Bible. Does God really care about the stuff I pray about? Actually, prayer is one of the greatest gifts God gives me because through prayer I experience all of God’s blessings. Jesus provided an outline for us to use as a guide to prayer in His Sermon on the Mount. We will unpack His teaching to discover why and how God wants us to pray.
APRIL 18th | Prayer is Submission | Matthew 6:5-15
*To VIEW this week's sermon, click HERE.
Prayer starts with the reality that God is in control. His love motivates His will and I can trust His ways are the best thing for me. But sometimes that’s hard to do. Prayer starts with submission. I accept the authority of God first and then seek what He wants for my life. We open the series with an overall look at the prayer Jesus taught us to pray. To prepare, read Matthew 6:5-14.
APRIL 25th | Prayer is Supplication | Matthew 6:11 & 6:19-34
*To VIEW this week's sermon, click HERE.
When I need something in my life, is it ok to come to God ask Him to supply it? Maybe its sickness or maybe its money. How do I humbly ask God for His help? How do I know what is right for me to ask for? I’ve always been told God wants to bless the ones He loves. This means I can come to God whenever I have a need. To prepare, read Matthew 6:11 and 6:19-34.
May 9 | Prayer is Confession | Matthew 6:12-15 and 7:1-6
*To VIEW this week's sermon, click HERE.
I know I fail...often. Do I have a right to ask God to forgive me? What does He want from me when I am fully justified in not forgiving someone who has done horrible things? How does forgiveness relate to all of the other things I pray for? Everyone has messed up and God wants me to come to Him with confidence I can be forgiven and to help me forgive. To prepare, read Matthew 6:12-15 and 7:1-6.
May 16 | Prayer is Powerful | Matthew 6:13; Acts 1:8; Acts 4:23-31
*To VIEW this week's sermon, click HERE.
When the disciples prayed, they cried out to God with great faith. As they displayed their faith, their powerful prayers brought tremendous results. The power Jesus promised to give them before He went back to heaven is often on display following the powerful prayers of His followers. Am I praying powerful prayers? What amazing results am I seeing in my life due to my prayers of faith? To prepare, read Matthew 6:13; Acts 1:8 and Acts 4:23-31.
May 23 | Prayer is Sacrificial | Matthew 6:16-18; Mark 9:14-29
*To VIEW this week's sermon, click HERE.
The Bible has many examples of people who prayed with fasting. Fasting is sacrificing food to focus on prayer and personal spiritual growth. Many times a fast was called to help make a decision. Other times fasting was used to bring healing. Ultimately, fasting provides a connection to God that is not accomplished with ordinary prayer. What is important enough in my life to lead me to fast? To prepare, read Matthew 6:16-18 and Mark 9:14-29 (NKJV).
May 30 | Prayer is Confident | Matthew 7:7-12 and 17:14-20
*To VIEW this week's sermon, click HERE.
Prayer that accomplishes its purpose is grounded in belief. If I am to pray with confidence, I must believe that God gives me my prayers through the Holy Spirit. I must believe God is able to answer my prayers and I must believe that God wants to answer my prayers. Jesus makes it clear, powerful prayers are prayers that are built on strong faith. When you pray with confidence, I believe God will answer and provide. To prepare, read Matthew 7:7-12 and 17:14-20.
