Prayer Is From The Heart

When You Pray  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  46:11
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Introduction

First awkward conversations with someone you liked?
Learning to have a conversation.
Observation, Correction, and experimentation.
As we mature, we get more comfortable.
Same is true for prayer.
Prayer in intentional communication with God.
Jesus has given correction:
Matthew 6:1 ESV
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 6:5 ESV
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
And then v. 7.
We will see some opportunities to observe in the model prayer.
But, why pray?
Paul’s letter to the Philippian church offers instruction.
Turn to Philippians 4:4-8.

Prayer Is Conversation

vv. 4-5
That awkward, “hey.”
Humanity had that with God…
Genesis 4:26 ESV
To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.
What is considered to be the first recorded prayer, from Abram, in Genesis 15:1-8.
Complaints, Questions, and Doubt.
God listens.
And there is maturation in the relationship as God responds.
Response leads to confidence.
This is why Paul says to rejoice! Many Psalms, rejoice!
Because of the congruence, reasonableness, gentleness. Opposite of violence / quarrelsome.
“The Lord is at hand.”
Ultimately based upon a saving relationship.
The highest cause to rejoice!

Prayer Is Communion

vv. 6-7
[Not Food]
Fellowship - Not Food!
A deep relationship marked by transparency.
Important to the early church:
Acts 2:42 ESV
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Three truths that empower prayer:
God hears
God cares
God is able
Why we have prayers of supplication, petition, and intercession.
Even prayers of confession.
See 4:6-7.
The ongoing nature of prayer. Nick & Tristan.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV
pray without ceasing,

Prayer Is Transformational

vv. 8-9
Guarding of the mind -> Thinking on these things. and to practice them.
Your prayers increase your Christlikeness.
Not just because Jesus prayed, but it has a sanctifying effect.
Prayer adjust our worldview.
Instead of focusing on the things of the world, suddenly greater things.
And we change our hearts by changing our minds.
Think = dwell (NASB/CSB)
“Count” - Pay attention to details.
Take an accounting of those things.
I hated accounting. Details. Little things.
Do you notice the little things that God does?
When you see God in those things, you have peace.

Conclusion

Pray.
Pray without ceasing.
Eyeball in the youth room.
[EYEBALL]
Have an awareness of God.
Most of the prayers of Jesus were very short.
As you think of things, lift them up to the Lord.
He is at hand.
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