How to Pray Week One

Starting Point – What is Prayer?

This sermon is for those who struggle with the idea that God wants to talk to us, but we aren’t hearing Him.

James 1:5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

A story of prayer from my own life’

It was prophesied to me that I would move to the United States

- It was prophesied to me that I would move to the United States

I then went into a phase of life where I had one goal – Stockpile money

To get engaged, cover moving costs, and have enough money to cover us while I wouldn’t be able to get a job

Everything was going great, till I fell

Broke both elbows, had 2 surgeries on them

Lost my job in the process (I couldn’t do the work, and I was leaving at some point

I had been waiting on my visa for 9 months to this point – Not one word or update on it.

September my prayers went from joy to God what are you doing?

I was in a “Desert of the soul”

November rolled around and I had an interview date

I did my interview in January – Moved to the USA on March 3rd, 2023

o I did my interview in January – Moved to the USA on March 3rd, 2023

I think sometimes we confuse prayer with God granting our requests.

James 1:6But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

There are periods of time where God may not answer

- These are moments that cause many people to ask if God is powerless to help, he doesn’t care, or God doesn’t exist

Or maybe, Sometimes we feel like God is on top of a ladder, and far away from us

- Prayer is allowing God to meet us at the bottom of the ladder

Relationships don’t start overnight – They take time to develop.

- “Our prayers are symptoms of shallow, impersonal relationships with Jesus. We expect God to answer through circumstances and events, but never in an actual dialogue.” (17)

Ask yourself: Do I want to hear God’s voice enough to make it a priority in my life?

- It’s actually a discipline, something you have to work at over and over

Deep relationships don’t happen overnight

Some alternative ways to Pray:

- Once a day (Before bed), thank God for three things that happened throughout your day

- At different times of the day, consider where God is throughout your day

- Before you make decisions ask for wisdom

- Sit in silence for 5 minutes – Repetitively recite scripture (Psalm 46:10 is a great starting point)

- Pray and tell God that you want to listen to Him