The power to win

Intro

Play a round of Pictionary.

I do love these types of games.

One person up front acting out or drawing something that only they know the answer to, while their team is focused in, watching, interpreting the clues until they also understand the answer as well.

I like to the be one in the seat, yelling random answers until something sticks...

In a similar way, our creator God has a picture of his creation.

And this picture reveals purpose and meaning, it gives clarity to life that can feel so blurry and random.

It gives life direction and confidence and hope.

The tragedy is so many people are yelling out random answers to try and make life make sense. (money, success, significance, etc)

We try to draw our own pictures of what we think it all means without a real clue.

always knowing its an answer but not the answer. This can’t be it.

You see God already knows.

Good thing is, he is a great artist. (not like me I can draw and you’d have no clue what it meant)

He wants to reveal it to us.

It’s only found in him.

Jeremiah 29:13

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

He’s not trying to keep you from understanding, being elusive, (keep guessing, that not it) we just have to seek him.

He’s already given us the greatest resource to be able to seek him.

And this one thing will be one of the biggest game changers for your life.

You will see differently, think differently, it will actually make you different from the inside out.

This thing is PRAYER.

He gives us a direct line to heaven.

Most people would say prayer is crucial, We should be praying, it’s important.

But there is a disconnect from knowing it matters to actually putting it into practice.

Do you see that same disconnect in your own life? I know I can.

Have you ever said things like:

It just doesn’t seem to work.

I tried it but just can’t stick with it.

It’s hard.

I don’t know what to say.

I think we need a new understanding of what prayer really is.

Too many of us have an inaccurate view of prayer.

The disciples saw this disconnect in themselves as well.

Luke 11:1

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

They recognized the difference in the way Jesus prayed and they did.

Show us how to pray like you!!

Because Jesus prayed often, he looked forward to prayer, it fueled him, it was natural. He didn’t pray because he was supposed to, as some duty or task, but it was a joy.

What they saw modeled by other religious leaders was so rigid, recited, extravagant prayers that seemed to be more of a show than something life giving.

They also needed a new understanding of prayer.

prayer is the lifeblood of the believer. You will never be able to go more than surface deep in your walk with God without prayer being a part of who you are.

I want us to understand 3 things about prayer today.

PURPOSE OF PRAYER

We could speak about this for months and only scratch the surface, but this is where most or our problems begin.

We have a wrong understanding of the purpose of prayer.

But at its core, the purpose of prayer is about communion with God.

Communion - Coming into union.

Prayer is not about a transaction - I put in a prayer I get out an answer (God’s not a vending machine)

Prayer is not some religious duty (checking the box)

Pray is not about recitation.

Prayer is just an not an SOS. (just when things are going under)

How often do we only turn to God when things are falling apart?

Jesus’ prayers wasn’t him fulfilling some duty or just spending time in an activity, He was spending time with his Father.

And that’s the difference.

It’s about a relationship.

Prayer is the lifeblood of the believer, because it’s through moments in prayer that we connect with God and grow our relationship with him.

It’s communion.

yes God wants to answer our prayers, yes God wants us to turn to him,

There is a joy in being able to spend time with him. At any moment he desires to meet with us.

Through prayer we have the opportunity to interact with heaven here on earth!

Prayer is not about you trying to bend Gods will to do what you want, it’s more about God molding yoru heart to be more like his.

It’s a chance to honor him, thank him, confess to him, sit and listen to him, and yes request from him.

Have conversation.

I was talking with a lady one time who had been christian for most of her life.

And she told me, I just don’t really get why we pray.

He already knows what he’s going to do, why ask.

She didn’t get the purpose and privilege of prayer.

Psalm 66:17-20

I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!

Proverbs 15:29

The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

James 4:8

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

POWER IN PRAYER

A prayerless christian is a powerless christian.

Prayer is connected to the throne of heaven.

I’m not tapping to my own power or resources but those of heaven.

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

How is that??

Because the power to overcome is found in his presence.

Overcoming people are praying people.

We are in a spiritual war.

There is an enemy of our souls that wants to steal kill and destroy.

We aren’t meant to walk around as defeated, beat up people.

But we can only walk in victory when we are plugged into his presence!

We can sometimes give the devil too much credit. Devil is just attacking ( yes this is real )

But the reality is the problem isn’t there is more of the devil; the problem is we haven’t release enough of God.

it’s time that we become people of prayer!

Prayer and power an inseparable.

James 5:16-17

...The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.

PRIORITY OF PRAYER

Prayer isn’t an obligation, its a privilege.

With this mindset, how can we create a priority for it in our lives.

Dwight D Eisenhower was the 34th President. Before that he was a 5 star general during World War 2.

he presented an idea that we know now as the Eisenhower matrix.

Imagine trying to prioritize what to do during a massive war.

He gives a thought on how to prioritze what really matters.

URGENT AND IMPORTANT (must be done)

IMPORTANT BUT NOT URGENT (scheduled for later)

URGENT BUT NOT IMPORTANT (someone else do)

NOT IMPORTANT NOT URGENT (distractions, delete)

if we’re honest, which box has prayer been in?

We can sometimes misplace prayer because we don’t see the immediate results if we just skip out.

Life can be busy and some things have immediate

Prayer is both urgent and immediate.

You can’t afford for prayer to be optional.

If prayer becomes optional, your faith become superficial.

Make prayer your first response not last resort.

Create a space and time for prayer.

If you don’t it a priority there’s always ways to be distracted.

Luke 11:1

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place...

He created space and a place for prayer. It can be anywhere.

Create a moment and keep it continual.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Pray without ceasing...

how do I pray all of the time!

It’s to stay in a constant state of conversation and relationship with God.

it’s not an abnormal thing for me to just talk with God through out the day, do in and out of conversation, in the elevator, in the car...

Prayer is about relationship, and he’s always with me.

So I am able to just keep the lines open!

Prayer becomes a lifestyle not an event.

I invite you into a deeper more profound walk with God.

He is longing to meet with you.

Just start.

It’s not hard.

Just talk with him.

Today we have some templates to help you get started.

But if its a relationship, it’s much more about conversation and time.

dont be intimidated, understand god wants to meet with you.

You don’t have to say all of the perfect things.

there is no time limit.

This will be one of the greatest game changers for your life, allowing prayer to be more than a nice response I tell people and something that becomes a part of who I am. It will change who I am more into who He is.

Introduce prayer guide and SOAP.