Faith Filled Prayers

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DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit, and we are missionaries.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

WHAT IS THE REASON WHY THIS MESSAGE IS BEING SHARED / WHAT IS THE PROBLEM THIS MESSAGE IS ANSWERING?…

To help the church pray with confidence and clarity as we enter 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, understanding prayer as participation in God’s presence, not performance before Him.

BIG IDEA FOR TODAY: Faith-filled prayer is first relational because we pray to the Father, through the Spirit, in the name of Jesus.

In Pursuing God’s Presence, we learned that God desires nearness, not distance.

Prayer is not how we earn God’s presence, it’s how we enter and live in it.

As we begin 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting in 2026, we are not striving harder, we are drawing nearer.

Prayer is not a technique to master, but a relationship to enter.

WHAT IS THE PICTURE OR ILLUSTRATION FOR THIS BIG IDEA?

What is your highest priority?…Then why do some of us spend more time in front of a screen than on our #1 priority?

THE FOUNDATION OF FAITH-FILLED PRAYER: WE ARE SONS AND DAUGHTERS

“Faith Filled Prayers” is our 21 Day of Prayer & Fasting Theme for 2026

Galatians 4:6 “6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!””

A. Prayer begins with identity, not desperation

We pray because we belong, not to become acceptable.

“Abba” is the language of intimacy, not formality.

Faith-filled prayer starts with adoption, not achievement.

B. The Spirit allows us to vocalize Christ’s voice within us

God doesn’t need us to wait find the right words.

The Spirit of His Son within cries out to the Father. (cf. Rm. 8:26-27)

Prayer begins with God’s will before it ever reaches our lips. (cf. Mt. 6:10)

Key Insight: Faith-filled prayer flows from knowing who we are and whose we are.

PRAYER TO THE FATHER: THE DIRECTION OF OUR PRAYERS

Romans 8:15 “15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!””

Jesus consistently taught His disciples to pray to the Father.

God is not distant, angry, or reluctant.

Faith-filled prayer trusts the Father’s character even before answers are realized.

Application for 21 Days: Begin prayer each day by acknowledging God as Father (loving, attentive, and near.)

PRAYER THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT: THE POWER OF OUR PRAYERS

Romans 8:26–27 “26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

A. The Spirit empowers our praying

When we don’t know what to pray, the Spirit helps us pray.

When we don’t know how to pray, the Spirit intercedes.

Faith-filled prayer depends on the Spirit, not eloquence.

B. The Spirit aligns our prayers with God’s will

He prays within us according to the will of God.

Prayer becomes less about convincing God and more about cooperating with Him.

Application: During fasting, when weakness is felt, the Spirit’s help becomes evident.

PRAYER IN THE NAME OF JESUS: THE AUTHORITY OF OUR PRAYERS

John 14:13–14 “13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

A. Praying in Jesus’ name is not a formula

It’s not a magic phrase.

It means praying under His authority, aligned with His character and mission.

B. Jesus is our access and mediator

We don’t approach God on our own merit.

We come through Christ’s finished work.

Ephesians 2:18 “18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.”

Summary:

To the Father — relationship

Through the Spirit — power

In the name of Jesus — authority

Conclusion/Reflection:

DRAWING NEAR WITH CONFIDENCE

Because we are sons and daughters:

We pray boldly.

We pray honestly.

We pray expectantly.

Why you can spend an hour Drawing Near in Prayer:

You don’t say, “I’ll just take three bites tonight and work my way up to a full plate next week.”

You don’t experience swimming by ankle-deep commitment.

You don’t prepare for a long trip by driving five minutes at a time around your neighborhood.

You don’t just watch 12 minutes of a good show, you finish it.

Key: Prayer is entering God’s presence, not logging spiritual minutes.

How might my prayer life change if I truly believed I am welcomed by the Father, helped by the Spirit, and heard because of Jesus?

Praying An Hour Format:

Adapted from How to Spend an Hour in Prayer (Dick Eastman).

INSTRUCTIONS: This prayer cycle helps you spend one intentional hour with God using 12 biblical prayer practices, 5 minutes each. Use it personally, with family, or during 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting.

1. PRAISE — Begin by Worshiping God (5 min)

Focus on who God is. Praise Him for His character and His goodness. Psalm 100:4; Psalm 145:3

2. WAIT — Be Still Before the Lord (5 min)

Quiet your heart. Sit in silence and surrender distractions.  Psalm 46:10; Lamentations 3:25–26

3. CONFESS — Receive God’s Cleansing (5 min)

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything that needs repentance.  Psalm 139:23–24; 1 John 1:9

4. READ THE WORD — Listen Through Scripture (5 min)

Read Psalms, prophets, or Gospel passages slowly and prayerfully.  Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16

5. ASK (PETITION) — Bring Your Needs to the Father (5 min)

Ask boldly and humbly for your personal needs.  Matthew 7:7–11; Philippians 4:6

6. INTERCESSION — Pray for Others (5 min)

Lift up family, friends, church, leaders, and the lost.  1 Timothy 2:1–4; Ezekiel 22:30

7. PRAY THE WORD — Pray Scripture Back to God (5 min)

Turn Scripture into prayer—especially Psalms and promises.  Psalm 119:18; John 15:7

8. THANKSGIVING — Express Gratitude (5 min)

Thank God for what He has done, is doing, and will do.  1 Thessalonians 5:18; Psalm 107:1

9. SING — Worship with Music (5 min)

Sing a worship song, hymn, or spiritual song.  Psalm 96:1–2; Ephesians 5:19

10. MEDITATE — Reflect and Receive (5 min)

Ask God what He is saying. Write impressions or insights.  Psalm 1:2; Joshua 1:8

11. LISTEN — Discern God’s Voice (5 min)

Let what you’ve read, prayed, and sung settle into clarity. John 10:27; Isaiah 30:21

12. PRAISE — Close with Worship and Surrender (5 min)

End as you began—magnifying God and trusting Him fully.  Psalm 150:1–6; Jude 24–25