IN THE GROOVE Staying in step with the Spirit in Prayer

Use 2026 WOP slides in this message.

Series Title: In The Groove

Week 1: Constant Conversation

Scripture: Galatians 5:25 // 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 // Luke 11:1-4

Write Up: In this first week, we'll explore the foundational spiritual discipline of prayer, understanding it as an ongoing conversation with God. Prayer is not just a scheduled activity but a continuous communion with the Creator. We'll unpack how to cultivate an attitude of constant prayer and discover the joy, peace, and alignment it brings to our lives. Through Jesus’ teaching on prayer, we will learn practical ways to deepen our personal connection with God.

Think: Prayer is a continuous conversation with God that aligns us with His will and rhythm.

Feel: A sense of peace and closeness with God as prayer becomes a natural part of our lives.

Do: Commit to making prayer a daily practice, incorporating the A.C.T.S. method. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication)

Sermon: Good morning! What a wonderful Sunday to gather! I’m so glad you’re here as we begin a brand-new series called In The Groove. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to dive into what it means to stay in step with the Spirit of God and live a life that’s aligned with God’s purpose.

One of the fundamental truths of this series is that we can live in connection to the God of the universe. Though this may seem daunting or overwhelming, the Bible tells us that when we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are given the Holy Spirit to live and dwell within us. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts us, empowers us, and guides us. This Spirit is meant to be the engine that drives our daily lives. In fact, in the book of Galatians, Paul writes to the early church about this gift from God. Galatians 5:25 is where the title of this series comes from as Paul finishes a word about the fruit or results that come from living by God’s Spirit.

READ Galatians 5:25

Paul reminds the early church, and us, that walking in step with the Spirit is like staying in rhythm with a trusted dance partner. Like being on the dance floor and ignoring the music or trying to move ahead of your partner, things can quickly become chaotic and awkward. But when we tune into God’s rhythm, listen closely, and let God guide us, the movement of life becomes smooth, natural, and even beautiful. That’s what it’s like to live in step with the Spirit. This morning, we begin our series with the foundational spiritual discipline of prayer as a way of staying in step with God.

Prayer is not just a task we check off our to-do list or something we reserve for special moments. It’s an ongoing conversation, a daily communion with our Creator. Through prayer, we open our hearts to God’s presence, invite His guidance, and experience the peace and joy that only He can provide. Jesus’ teachings on prayer can transform our lives. Whether you’re just beginning your prayer journey or looking to grow in your faith, this morning’s message is for all of us as we learn to align our lives with the heart of God. This morning is about learning how to get in the groove through the practice of prayer.

POINT #1 – PRAYER IS CONSTANT CONVERSATION

Prayer is the way we tune into God’s rhythm. It’s how we slow down, listen for His voice, and follow His lead. Just as staying in rhythm requires focus and intentionality, staying in step with the Spirit requires us to cultivate a daily habit of connection with God. Prayer isn’t just about speaking—it’s about listening, trusting, and letting God guide the day in day out rhythm of our lives.

Story: My wife and I have been married for 15 years. From the very beginning of our relationship, conversation with her came so easily. It wasn’t awkward or forced, words just flowed naturally between us. We could talk about anything and everything, and before we knew it, hours had passed. We talked early in the morning, with sleep still in our eyes, and late into the night, long after the rest of the world had gone quiet. Those moments became the foundation of our relationship. The more we talked, the more we learned about each other—our hopes, dreams, fears, and even the silly little things that made us laugh. Those conversations were what helped us build such a deep and meaningful connection. We were in the groove, fully in sync, and it felt like nothing else mattered in those moments but being together. Looking back, I see how those hours of intentional connection laid the groundwork for the love and partnership we share today.

(Pastor - share this story or a similar one of your own to make the point)

Any married couple will tell you that communication is the foundation of a meaningful relationship. The same thing is true when it comes to our connection and relationship with God. Paul addresses this need for an ongoing dialogue in the letter he wrote to the early church at Thessalonica.

READ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

These verses are some of the final instructions Paul gives in this letter. These are his marching orders for the churchto align with God’s will for their lives. First, he tells his listeners and us to rejoice always. To "rejoice always" is to trust that God is working for good, even in situations we may not yet understand. Then he tells them to pray continually. This doesn’t mean being on our knees 24/7, but rather cultivating a mindset of continual communication with God. Prayer is meant to be an ongoing dialogue or a heart posture where we remain aware of God’s presence in every moment. This kind of prayer includes adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. Some in the church have narrowed this continual prayer into an acronym that is easily remembered; A.C.T.S. We can stay in the groove with God by using this practical way to live out this continual prayer life.

A - Adoration: Begin by praising God for who He is—His character, power, and love. This sets the tone of worship and reminds us of His greatness.

C - Confession: Acknowledge your sins and seek God’s forgiveness, inviting Him to cleanse your heart and restore your relationship with Him.

T - Thanksgiving: Express gratitude for God’s blessings, provision, and faithfulness, recognizing His work in your life.

S - Supplication: Bring your requests to God, praying for your needs and the needs of others with faith and trust in His willingness to provide.

The author, CS Lewis states the value in praying A.C.T.S. when he said, “The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving it all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.”

This way of praying is the right foot, left foot of the Christian faith. Staying in step and letting God guide us each day. As a part of Paul's instruction, he also calls them to gratitude. Gratitude shifts our focus from our problems to God's provision and his faithfulness. Paul doesn’t say to give thanks for all circumstances but inall circumstances. A life marked by joy, prayer, and gratitude reflects the character of Christ and stands as a powerful witness to the world.

This is, as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, God’s will for you…

POINT #2 – PRAYER IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU

In the church I often hear people ask, "What is God’s will for my life?" I have good news, Paul makes it simple: God's will is that we rejoice, pray, and give thanks continually. Prayer is not a mystery—it’s God’s invitation to daily connection. Through prayer, we align with His heart, experiencing His presence in every moment. This lifestyle of prayer builds intimacy with God and aligns our desires with His will.

STORY: Early African converts to Christianity were earnest and regular in private devotions. Each one reportedly had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time the paths to these places became well worn. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, "Brother, the grass grows on your path." (Today in the Word, June 29, 1992)

To stay in the groove, prayer must be a consistent, intentional practice. The story of the early African believers shows us the importance of regular prayer. They had separate paths in the thicket, worn down by their consistent time with God. Prayer is the path that keeps us in step with God, but if we let it slip, we lose the rhythm. We don’t want “grass to grow” on our spiritual path. Daily prayer helps us remain focused on God’s presence, guiding us through the chaos of life. It doesn’t have to be lengthy or complicated; it's simply about staying connected, even in small moments. It is not just about speaking to God. It is also about listening to God.

POINT #3 – YOU ARE PRAYING TO YOUR FATHER

Jesus made a regular practice of stealing away for time in prayer with God. It was clearly a priority for Him and the key to His ministry. We see an interaction between the disciples and Jesus that gives us even more insight into the reason prayer should be a part of our daily rhythm.

READ Luke 11:1-4

It’s fascinating to me that in all their time with Jesus, the disciples asked Him to teach them only one specific thing: how to pray. They could have requested lessons on performing miracles or feeding multitudes, but instead, they sought to understand prayer. Why? Is it because they recognized that prayer was the lifeline of Jesus’ relationship with His Father?Perhaps they wanted to experience that same deep connection themselves. The lesson that is offered by Jesus is a model to follow. He offers the Lord’s Prayer and shows prayer is not about transactions or requests, but about a relationship. Prayer draws us closer to our Father, helping us acknowledge His holiness, surrender to His way, and trust Him for our needs and forgiveness. When we pray, we’re not addressing a distant or impersonal deity. We’re speaking to a loving Father who knows us completely and wants to walk with us.

Jesus shows us how to pray with confidence. We can boldly come to God because of his love for us as his children.

STORY: A story is told of a mighty king who ruled over a vast and powerful kingdom. He was constantly surrounded by advisors, soldiers, and dignitaries, and no one could approach him without permission. One day, as the king was holding an important council meeting, the heavy doors to the throne room burst open. Everyone gasped, expecting the guards to intervene. Instead, a little boy ran straight to the king and jumped into his arms. The advisors looked shocked, but the king just smiled and held the boy close. The child didn’t need permission because he was the king’s son. While others approached the king with fear and protocol, this child approached him with confidence, knowing that his father’s love gave him direct access.

Prayer is the key to staying in step with the Spirit, to staying in the groove. Much like the king’s son confidently approached his father whenever he wanted, we too have direct access to our loving Father through the gift of prayer. It’s not just a task, but a constant conversation that aligns our hearts with God’s heart. This week, let’s embrace prayer as a daily rhythm, deepening our connection with God. When we commit to this ongoing conversation, we’ll not only hear His voice more clearly, but also discover the beauty of living fully in His presence. I’d like to invite you to pray with me as we close.

Prayer: Heavenly Father,thank You for the gift of prayer, the privilege of staying in constant conversation with You. We invite Your Spirit to guide us, to align our hearts with Yours, and to teach us how to live in rhythm with You each day. Help us to remain connected, not just in moments of need, but throughout all the moments of our lives. Thank You for the confidence we have to approach You as our loving Father, and for Your invitation to rejoice, pray, and give thanks in every circumstance. We commit to making prayer a regular rhythm in our lives. May we grow deeper in our relationship with You, hearing Your voice more clearly, and responding to Your lead. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions:

Provide these questions to your Sunday School classes or small groups, or send them home with families to discuss during the week. They are also a great way to engage with your online audience before, during or after each service

How would you describe the rhythm of prayer in your life? Is it something that feels natural, or is it more of a task you check off?

How can the A.C.T.S. method of prayer help you stay in step with the Spirit on a daily basis?

In what ways does the idea of prayer as a constant conversation with God change the way you view your relationship with Him?

What role does gratitude play in your prayer life? How does it help shift your focus?

How does the story of the little boy approaching the king with confidence help you understand your own relationship with God as your Father?