Prayer Lifestyle

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Announcements:

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!! (Celebrate after service)

Happy Birthday Robyn & Travis T!! (SING HAPPY BDAY!)

Sunday Afternoons @ The Olivers (starting next Sunday 5/21 bring food and come ready to relax and fellowship)

Why Prayer?

So we officially kicked off our new Series last week on Prayer…And as you can see by the graphic I am gone for some time and next thing you know the graphic have commanders colors influence LOL!

Prayer is so important for the life of believers. As Richard Foster once said “To pray is to change. This is a great grace. How good of God to provide a path whereby our lives can be taken over by love and joy and peace and patience and kindness and goodness and faithfulness and gentleness and self-control.”

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

PRAY!!

Life Update and Gratitude Section :

First off, it is crazy being back up here. Its been six weeks since i’ve last spoken. Since being full-time in ministry i have never gone this long without preaching God’s word. I have also never been aways from my family that long. 30 days is a long time!

I really want to start off with that i have a heart full of gratitude and just a genuine joy that i get to be apart of such an amazing church family here at Avert!

-I want to thank Manny publicly for leading the charge while i was gone. You did an amazing job. You are a natural pastor and leader i am thankful for you and all of us here at Avert are blessed to call you a brother and one of our leaders!

-I want to thank our preaching team that mapped out our Go & Find and Prayer series. I also want to thank all our speaker that have spoken while i was gone Manny, Todd, and Michael. Also all of you who spoke at our Good Friday Service.

-I want to shout our Robyn T for leading and loving our kids so well but also putting together an amazing easter egg hunt and easter morning with the kids!

-I want to thank all of you for the love and support and prayers during the time i was gone and how you all loved on my family while i was gone. I sincerely thank you all.

I do want to share with you all some of what went down for me personally during those 30 days i was down at Sanctuary Clinics! It will really help us get into the main portion of the sermon today.

About 50 days ago now… I was an anxious, angry, broken, hurt, depressed mess! Standing on this platform the last time i did communicating to you all that I wasn't ok was a surreal moment and honestly in that moment i didn't ever think i would get up on this platform again. I really thought God was done with me.

I didn't even know who i was anymore and questioned if i ever did know who i was. I had disconnected from God…my source of life, because i had felt He abandoned me first. Life was moving so fast and i fell victim to it, I allowed myself to get swept up in the business with life because that meant i would haven’t to look and reflect on all the ugly and painful stuff of my past and in that present moment.

At that point i chose to live in my flesh and brokenness rather than remain in Jesus who is our good and faithful shepherd! This would all come to a head while i was in Florida and God would break me completely down and make the old me die once and for all so i could be a new man and finally live a life of freedom!

Share some highlights about time at Sanctuary.

Ultimately i had to learn how to slow down and truly connect with God and how remain in Him. The number one way that happened was by learning how to have a lifestyle of prayer once again, always communication with my heavenly Father and allowing Him to speak into my and also to prune, refine, and purify me.

Life is Fast, We must slow down Section :

Now that i have share some of my last 50 days with you i want to ask you all some questions!

Anybody in here feel like life moves fast? do you feel like its hard to slow down and you don’t know how to? Are you afraid to slow down? (Show of hands for each) Do you feel like when life moves fast you can tend to get overwhelmed and anxious?

Life moves fast. It can be absolutely overwhelming and cause massive anxiety as we think about all we have to do, also being flooded by painful memories of the past and missed opportunities , not knowing how we are going to navigate all we have to do today, and then also worrying about what the future holds...

The past is gone.... it isn't changing (you can change your posture towards it though).No need to worry about the future, let it worry about itself. We must slowdown, remain in the moment and invite God into to guid you. When we fail to do this...... Anxiety tends to overwhelm.

Anxiety is a common mental health condition in the United States, affecting millions of people each year. Here are some statistics on anxiety in America:

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million adults aged 18 or older (18.1% of the population) every year.

Anxiety disorders are more prevalent in women than in men, with women being twice as likely to be affected.

Anxiety disorders often co-occur with other mental health conditions, including depression, substance abuse, and eating disorders.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is the most common anxiety disorder, affecting 6.8 million adults (3.1% of the US population) every year.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is the second most common anxiety disorder, affecting 15 million adults (6.8% of the US population) every year.

Panic disorder affects 6 million adults (2.7% of the US population) every year.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects 7.7 million adults (3.5% of the US population) every year.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects 2.2 million adults (1.0% of the US population) every year.

Anxiety disorders can be treated with therapy, medication, or a combination of both. However, less than half of people with anxiety disorders receive treatment.

Anxiety disorders cost the United States more than $42 billion a year, including healthcare costs and lost productivity.

Anxiety is at an all time high and many of us in here have probably struggled with it at one point or right now, so my question to you is prayer at and all time low for you personally?

There is evidence to suggest that a lack of prayer or spiritual practices can contribute to higher levels of anxiety. Research has shown that people who engage in regular prayer and other religious practices tend to have lower levels of anxiety and depression, as well as better overall mental health.

There are several reasons why prayer may help to reduce anxiety:

It promotes a sense of calm and inner peace. Prayer involves taking time to quiet the mind and connect with a higher power, which can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

It provides a sense of purpose and meaning. Prayer can help people to feel connected to something greater than themselves and give them a sense of purpose and direction in life.

It encourages social support. Many religious communities provide social support and a sense of belonging, which can help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.

It can provide a sense of control. Prayer can give people a sense of control over their lives and help them to feel that they are not alone in facing their challenges.

Of course, prayer alone may not be enough to address all cases of anxiety, and professional help may be necessary in some cases. However, incorporating spiritual practices such as prayer into one's routine can be a helpful tool for managing anxiety and promoting overall well-being.

Anxiety is rising and some study suggest that prayer is actually decreasing here in America. I want to remind us of Philippians 4

Read Philippians 4:6-7 “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

In prayer, as in life, there is "a time to be silent and a time to speak. If we want to get better at hearing the one who speaks in "a still small voice," we must befriend silence. Its hard not to worry about anything and be in prayer about everything when we are anxious and constantly being bombarded with the fast pace/chaotic lives we live.

If we are to host the presence of the one who says, "Be still, and know that I am God," we must ourselves become more present. We expect his voice to boom like thunder, but mostly, he whispers. And in order to hear Him, we must slow down and be still to communicate with Him and to listen.

10 “Stop fighting, and know that I am God, (CSB) 10  “Be still, and know that I am God. (ESV)

Psalm 46:10, is a popular verse for comforting ourselves and others—many people tend to think this verse means to rest or relax in who God is. This verse does encourage believers to reflect on who God is, but there is more to this psalm than one verse—and verse 10 is actually more of a wake-up call to be in awe than a gentle call to rest. Taking time out of our day to meditate on Scripture and be silent with listening ears toward God is mentioned in other sections of Scripture (Psalm 119:15, Joshua 1:8, Luke 5:16, and others). But this command—“Be still…”—is written in the context of a time of trouble and war; therefore, we should consider the verse with that context in mind.

The phrase “Be still and know that I am God” calls us to take time to pause and reflect. It reminds us that God is still in control no matter what happens in our lives. By taking time to be still and connect with our faith, we can find peace even amidst the chaos of life. We can take a moment to be thankful for what we have and remember that our trials are part of God’s plan. We can also use this time to pray and ask God for guidance and strength. Being still isn’t always easy, but it can be enriching if we take time to be thankful and remember that God is always with us.

Common Misunderstandings of Psalm 46:10

Instead of interpreting “be still” as a gentle suggestion, the meaning in this psalm lends itself more to: “cease striving” or “stop,” and more specifically, in this context, “stop fighting,” which is directed toward the enemies of the people of God.

The people of God should interpret the command for themselves to read more like: ‘snap out of it,’ ‘wake up,’ ‘stop fearing’—acknowledge who your God is—be in awe! However, it is good to note that there’s nothing wrong with the words in the translation “be still;” those words are not incorrect, it is simply helpful to note the context of the phrase. Verse 10 has something to say to both the enemies of God and the people of God, but the psalm is written to the people of God. Verse 1 starts, “God is our refuge and strength”. The Psalms are for God’s people.

Regardless of whether we interpret the “be still,” “cease striving,” or “stop” phrase of Psalm 46:10 to be God’s words toward the enemies of the people of God, his people, or both groups, there is great comfort in this psalm that extends past one verse. We should find immense comfort in the fact that our God is an impenetrable refuge, that he will bring glory to his name among the nations and all the earth, and that he will protect his people and bring them to everlasting peace. But God does call us to stop fearing, to be still and commit to him. In order to feel secure, we have to know that we have an impenetrable home with God.

“In order to find security in God, we have to stop finding security in everything else. …Nothing in this world will offer you the security you have in God.”

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for your spiritual, mental, and physical well-being that you learn to silence the world's relentless chatter for a few minutes each day, to become still in the depths of your soul.

You must seek solitude and silence as if your life depends on it, because in a way, it does. When you are stressed, your adrenal glands release the hormone cortisol, which impairs your capacity for clear thinking and healthy decision-making. But as you sit quietly, the cortisol subsides and things become clearer.

Remaining In God:Making Prayer a Lifestyle Section:

If we want to worry and stress less we must remain in God. Prayer helps us do this!

Lets read what Jesus says in John 15:1-8

John 15:1–8 CSB

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.

In this passage, Jesus uses the metaphor of a vine and its branches to describe our relationship with him. He is the true vine, and we are the branches. Without him, we cannot bear fruit, but when we remain in him, we will bear much fruit.

But what does it mean to "remain in him"? It means that we must stay connected to him through prayer, reading the Bible, and obeying his commands. We must abide in him and let his words abide in us. When we do this, we will be filled with his love and his Spirit, and we will bear fruit that brings glory to God. But it will also help us when it comes to being stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed.

So many of us unfortunately pull away from God in times of stress and comfort, when we must be continually drawing near to Him.

As followers of Christ, we know that remaining in Him is essential to living a life that is pleasing to God. But how do we do that? How do we stay connected to Christ in the midst of all the distractions and challenges of daily life? One of the most powerful tools that God has given us for remaining in Christ is prayer.

Prayer is our lifeline to God. It is the way we communicate with Him, pour out our hearts to Him, and seek His guidance and wisdom. When we pray, we invite the presence of God into our lives and open ourselves up to His transforming power. Through prayer, we can experience the love, grace, and peace of Christ in a deeper way.

But prayer is not just about receiving from God. It is also about surrendering to Him. When we pray, we acknowledge our dependence on God and our need for His help. We confess our sins, ask for forgiveness, and seek His strength to overcome temptation and trials. In this way, prayer helps us to stay humble and reliant on Christ, rather than trying to rely on our own strength and wisdom.

Prayer also helps us to align our hearts and minds with Christ. When we pray, we focus our attention on God and His will for our lives. We ask Him to reveal His plans and purposes to us and to give us the wisdom and courage to follow them. In this way, prayer helps us to stay centered on Christ and His mission, rather than getting distracted by the cares and concerns of this world.

prayer is a powerful weapon against the enemy. When we pray, we put on the armor of God and stand against the schemes of the devil. We declare God's truth, His promises, and His victory over sin and death. In this way, prayer helps us to resist temptation, overcome spiritual attacks, and live in the freedom that Christ has won for us.

let us make prayer a daily habit in our lives. Let us set aside time to seek God, to listen to His voice, and to respond to His leading. Let us pray for ourselves, for our loved ones, for our communities, and for the world. Let us pray with faith, with boldness, and with expectancy, knowing that God hears us and responds to our prayers. And as we do, may we experience the joy, the peace, and the power of remaining in Christ.

But i want all of us to keep in mind that.....

Prayer is not just an activity that we do occasionally or when we need something from God. It should be a way of life, a constant conversation with our Heavenly Father.

In the book of 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the apostle Paul tells us to "pray without ceasing." This doesn't mean that we should be on our knees praying 24/7, but rather that we should have a continuous awareness of God's presence and a constant communication with Him throughout our day. ( I believe i heard brother Chad say last week in our Family Talk Time that he sometimes does not say amen at the end of his morning prayers because thats usually a period on the prayer, instead he leaves it open to continue to talk to his Heavenly Father…I love that!)

When we make prayer a lifestyle, we open ourselves up to a deeper relationship with God. We learn to trust in His provision and guidance, and we become more attuned to His will for our lives. We also learn to rely on Him for strength and wisdom in every situation.

Prayer as a lifestyle also means that we are intentional about our prayer time. We set aside dedicated time to spend with God each day, whether that's in the morning, during our lunch break, or before bed. We use this time to pour out our hearts to God, to listen for His voice, and to meditate on His Word.

But prayer is not just about talking to God; it's also about listening to Him. As we spend time in prayer, we should be attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and open to receiving His guidance and direction. We should also be willing to surrender our own will and desires to God's will.

When we make prayer a lifestyle, we also become more aware of the needs of others. We learn to pray for our friends, family, and community, and we become more compassionate and empathetic towards those who are struggling. Our prayers become a powerful tool for bringing about change in the world and for spreading God's love and grace.

Prayer is not just an activity that we do; it's a way of life. It's a continuous conversation with our Heavenly Father that deepens our relationship with Him, strengthens our faith, and helps us to live out His will for our lives. So let us make prayer a priority and strive to pray without ceasing, knowing that our God hears and answers our prayers.

When we remain in God. Our lifestyles and who we are changes! Peace and joy in spite of your circumstance can and will become a part of your daily life, if choose to pursue and remain in our loving God.

We have a choice to make every moment to remain in God and seek Him and not the world and the things it tells us we should be feeling.