COMMITTED TO PRAYER

(S1) — MORE PLUGGED IN THE EVER

…how technology has us tethered to the world; making it possible to connect with anyone, anything, anywhere, at any time.

— It creates the Illusion of connection while producing Isolation.

— While it has increased our connection…it has also deepened our attachment to the world’s pace, values, distractions, and noise.

“Technology is a useful tool, but a dangerous master”

When we are constantly connected to the world, we struggle to remain connected to God.

Satisfaction with Prayer Life

“Only 2% of people report being very satisfied with their overall prayer lives. A much larger percentage indicates moderate to low satisfaction, highlighting a common struggle among Christians to maintain a consistent prayer practice.”

How is your connection to God...your prayer life? Are you committed to prayer?

(S2) — SERIES

…taking a STEP UP in our COMMITMENT to discipleship in six areas…

— first Step is being Committed to Christ—a relationship with Jesus

When Jesus first came on the scene...he showed the people what commitment looks like...

Luke 3:21 “One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened,”

What does being committed to Christ look like?

Series is an invitation to respond to Jesus’ call…come follow me

COMMITTED DISCIPLES IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN THE MISSION OF JESUS

…when it comes to commitment—are you a FAN...or FOLLOWER...?

Team building quote…the difference between contribution and commitment.

“Take the matter of bacon and eggs—The chicken makes a contribution. The pig make the commitment!” John Carter

God gives us this means for a deeper commitment with himself through prayer. But the reality is how little we take advantage of it.

— If we were brutally honest, many of us choose not to go deeper but to live in the shallow end of the life that Jesus offers.

(S3)

“GOD OFFERS US AN OCEAN and WE CHOOSE A PUDDLE INSTEAD.”

Jesus shows us the primary means by which we engage in a relationship with Him—by improving our connection with God through prayer.

— not about praying to earn salvation...but rather a step toward a more generous life in response to the salvation already received.

One word to describe your prayer life? Is there room for improvement?

— Are you ready to go deeper? To go from being a fan to a follower— committed to take a step up in your connecting with God?

Commitment cards—Begin where you are! Set a goal for growth...

PRAY

(S4)

One of the most striking characteristics of Jesus, was how he modeled connection with his father in heaven.”

Do you pray before meals? Jesus did.

Loaves and fishes...last supper

Do you pray for guidance? Jesus did

Mark 1:35 “Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” 38 We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too.

Do you pray alone? Jesus did

Luke 5:16 “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.”

Do you pray in worship?

Luke 4:14–15 “He taught and prayed regularly in their synagogues...

Do you have certain places you pray? Jesus did

Luke 11:1 “Once Jesus was in a certain place praying.

Do you pray for each other?

Luke 22:32 “I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.””

Do you pray when your hurting? Jesus did?

Luke 22:42 ““Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me.”

Was it important for Him to pray? Was it necessary for Him to pray? Was it difficult for Him to pray?

(S5) — {Galatians 4:4}

Born into human flesh, into human suffering and into a world marred with sin...Jesus prayed!

Some suggest that he really didn’t need to pray, and in doing so he was modeling faithful leadership for his disciples.

— While that may be true...the problem is, his moment in the Garden of Gethsemane…

"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.

(S6)

JESUS LIVED IN AN OCEAN OF CONSISITENT COMMUNION WITH GOD

Did he need to pray? Yes! Did he pray to teach us? YES! Do we need to pray? Yes!

How is your connection to God...your prayer life? Are you committed to prayer?

— What if you were to choose to jump in the the ocean of connection with God, rather than just play in the puddle?

How Jesus reveals the importance of prayer...first we learn that jesus prayed for one of those days

(S7) —{Luke 6:12, NIV}

Jesus entered into every part of human life—physically, emotionally, and socially—while remaining without sin.

— The Bible teaches that He did not merely appear human; He truly lived as one of us...for Jesus is was one of those days...

He Experienced Physical Needs—hunger, thirst, fatigue, and pain

Matthew 4:2 “For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.”

John 4:6 “Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime.”

John 19:28 “Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.””

He suffered physically through scourging and crucifixion. This reminds us that God understands human weakness and suffering personally.

Matthew 27:46 “Jesus called out with a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?””

...CONSISTENT COMMUNION with God, helped Jesus get through for one of those days...

EVER HAVE ONE OF THOSE DAYS...?

(S8) — Connecting to God in prayer...

I. PRAYER IS FOR ONE OF THOSE DAYS...

The Story of the "Grocery Store Meltdown"

A woman named Sarah was having a day that felt like a losing battle. She had slept through her alarm, her car wouldn't start (requiring an expensive tow), and she’d spent the afternoon getting criticized by her boss. By 6:00 PM, she was exhausted, emotional, and standing in a crowded grocery store line just to get milk. As she reached the front, she realized she had left her wallet in the car. The "one of those days" weight finally crushed her. She didn't just get annoyed; she started to cry right there at the register. She felt invisible, overwhelmed, and like the universe was actively rooting against her.

The "Jesus Moment" As she started to apologize and leave, the man behind her in line—someone she didn't know—quietly reached forward and swiped his card. He didn't make a scene. He just said, "I think you've had a long enough day. Go home and be kind to yourself."

Sarah later described it not just as a nice gesture, but as a direct intervention. In her prayer earlier that morning, she had asked for a sign that she wasn't doing this all alone. That stranger’s small act of grace...for one of those days

Ever experienced God’s help in getting you through one of those days?

Jesus didn't save humanity from a distance. He stepped into our world, our struggles, and our sorrow to redeem them. To restore our lives from within—We have a choice - dive into the ocean or play in the puddle

Next...we learn that Jesus prayed because he had an important decision to make...

(S9) — {Luke 6:13}

Who would he choose as his inner circle? Who he would spend most of his time with...teaching them and trusting them with heavens unknowns secrets

...when the disciples question Jesus on his use of parables {Matthew 13:11-12}

“You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge.

Jesus was teaching them there would be hard decisions ahead...prayer is how they would discern God’s will in difficult situations

John 14:17–18 “The Holy Spirit, leads into all truth. You know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans...

(S10) — Connecting to God in prayer

II. PRAYER ALIGNS US WITH GOD’S WILL

1“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters...““My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”{ Isaiah 55:8–9 }

Have any difficult decisions to make? Are you living more into God’s will or your own?

Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

He didn’t make his decisions alone… and neither should we. He didn't save humanity from a distance. He stepped into our world, our struggles, and our sorrow to redeem them. To restore our lives from within

We have a choice - dive into the ocean or play in the puddle

As Jesus grew in popularity and so did his followers...next we learn that Jesus’ prayed for those in the crowd

(S11) — {Luke 6:17}

...when Jesus prayed, most often he would slip away...but the people would follow. In the crowds were...

— Those who grew to love him...Those who wanted to touch him...Those who were always asking questions...and some who demanded answers

John 8:7–8 “They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.”

— Those who were out to get him...those who feared him, wanted to kill him..

We may not encounter crowds, but think about the people you meet in a day...

(S12) — Connecting to God in prayer...

III. PRAYER HELPS US RELATE TO OTHERS

...how we react or respond to our spouse, to a friend, family the people we encounter at the gas station, the store, keeping us from road rage…

Struggling in a relationaship? Pray! Not sure when to confront, teach, or slip away? Pray!

How Jesus handled difficult relationships—He questioned their questions—He ignored them—He addressed them publicly—He showed them grace—He never compromised Who He was (1).

Connecting to God...helps us relate to and with others...and win them for Christ! Prayer helps us to love better those closes to us and put up with those we would rather keep at a distance

Jesus said, love your neighbor...but he also said, love your enemy

Jesus didn't save humanity from a distance—He stepped into our world, our struggles, and our sorrow so that He could redeem them and restore our lives from within—so we can better relate to others

Last, we learn that Jesus’ prayer was for the reason so many came...

(S13) — {Luke 6:18-19}

Some came to hear him...some to be physically healed...some to be spiritually renewed!

Notice the connection between Jesus having prayed and healing power he possessed, which the people experienced

...the healing power went out from him.

JESUS PRAYER OPENED UP THE FLOODGATES OF HEAVEN!

— The Spirit of God came down from heaven, upon him at baptism

Luke 3:21 And as he was praying, the floodgates of heaven were opened

—The Spirit of God gave him the power to teach, heal and make people whole again

Matthew 28:18 “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”

—The same spirit given to his followers...The same Spirit every believer receives today

1 Corinthians 12:7–9 “A spiritual gift is given to each of us. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing.”

When we pray, it...

(S14) —

PRAYER CONNECTS US TO THE POWER OF CHRIST

“This connection operates on multiple levels.

— First, all prayer is MEDIATED through Christ...”

1 Timothy 2:5 “For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.”

— Second, prayer helps us know Jesus INTAMATELY.

— Prayer’s power isn’t mechanical—it doesn’t work like a formula—but relational. The more deeply someone knows Christ through prayer, the more effectively they channel His power.”

— Third prayer brings us into the PRESENCE of God with us; converting his blessing and grace into real-lived experience

Woman having one of those days

Commitment to prayer is all about improving our relationship with Jesus!

PRAYER INSERT/COMMITTMENT CARDS

Imagine a church full of members living the generous life in prayer—How it would affect our presence, gifts, service, witness? The churches mission and witness to the world?

Jesus didn't save humanity from a distance—He stepped into our world, our struggles, and our sorrow so that He could redeem them and restore our lives from within

For ONE OF THOSE DAYS—To ALIGN us with GOD’S WILL—To help us RELATE TO OTHERS—and to CONNECT US TO THE POWER OF CHRIST

Will you dive into the endless ocean and connect with Jesus in prayer? Will you stay in the puddle or choose the ocean of God’s grace offered when we connect with him?

When we are constantly connected to the world, we struggle to remain connected to God. But, when BELEIVERS are committed to prayer! THE FLOODGATES OF HEAVEN OPEN!