Deeper Prayer leads to Reflection

INTRODUCTION

Over the past few weeks, we have studied about having a deeper prayer life. From learning about sincerity in our prayer life to modeling after Jesus’ prayer, the goal was to take a deeper dive into our prayer life.

We are finishing this small series on prayer today and transitioning to our series focused around Heritage. It will center the idea of, “Falling in Love with Jesus (again)” We will start this in two weeks. Next week, I will be gone.

This morning we are going to look at the results of a deeper prayer life.

PRAYER

Hook-(What we see in a mirror) Store fitting room mirrors often make people look different because retailers combine strategic lighting, mirror angles, and room layout to create a more flattering reflection. These design choices can subtly slim body proportions, improve skin tone, and enhance clothing fit. The result is a mirror image that may look noticeably different from what you see at home.

As we go deeper in our prayer life, we will see the reflection of our life because

Deeper Prayer leads to Reflection

When we see the reflection, there will be two reactions: Amazement or Repentance. Basically, we will like what we see or not. First, let’s see at the response of repentance. We can feel discouraged and broken to a low point. In the Bible, when people needed severe repentance, they fasted. See Nineveh in the book of Jonah.

Fasting and prayer go together to show us our need for God.

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that followers of Christ should practice. However, many Christians don’t partake of this discipline.

Fasting should be done humbly and secretly

Matthew 6:16–18 ““Whenever you fast, don’t be gloomy like the hypocrites. For they make their faces unattractive so that their fasting is obvious to people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting isn’t obvious to others but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Jesus says, “When we fast” with an expectation that fasting will happen among Christians.

When we need to fast, we should not be like the hypocrites. We need to take care of ourselves and not make a show about it.

When we fast, there may be people we need to tell like our family.

ILLUSTRATE

When I fasted from lunch in Senior Year (My mom asked why I wasn’t eating lunch)

APPLY

When you fast, make sure you have a pure heart to have the right attitude.

Fasting reveals the distractions in our life

Biblical fasting involves going a set time without food in order to focus more on God.

Jesus spent 40 days and nights without food.

Fasting should be uncomfortable

What we choose to fast from should be something that make life difficult. I wouldn’t choose to fast from watching Hallmark movies because it wouldn’t be a sacrifice.

Some people choose social media, TV, or other habits. However, food brings us to greater understanding of our need for God. It shows our need for dependence on God.

ILLUSTRATE

Purpose of Rumble strips in a work zone

APPLY

When you are convicted to the point of fasting, choose something that makes you uncomfortable.

TRANSITION TO NEXT POINT: When our prayer life is deeper, the Spirit shows us a greater need for God. However, sometimes the reflection shows the amazing things God has done. When that time comes, it is important to write them down.

Memorial Stones

Joshua 4:1-10, 21-24

 Joshua commanded the leader of each tribe to take a stone from the riverbed to remember what happened. 

2 sets of stones to remember what happened 

1 set of stones was taken from the riverbed for the purpose of: 

Memorializing what God did 

Remind future generations of what God did 

The other set were place in the riverbed by where the Ark was being held. 

The purpose was for showing that God’s plan will not be stopped 

The crossing ends 

We see the Ark of the Covenant coming out of the river and the water returning the regular flow. 

Just like the Israelites, we should find something to remind ourselves about what He did. It can be a scripture, picture, or any thing else that helps remind us of what God has done. Also, sometimes we need to stop and think about what God has done in our life. Personally, I like to write down in a journal around my birthday. This started for me when I first studied this chapter. It is so encouraging to see how God has moved in the past that we can look to the future. This morning, we are going to create some memorial stones. 

(Instructions: Write down the stones on a sheet of paper. No name is needed. When we are done, you will hand it in, and next week, we will look at all God has done.) 

Take a few minutes to write down 4-5 events God has done for you and/or your family. Here are some examples: 

Marriage 

Birth of a child 

Salvation 

Significant changes in job or location 

Take a few minutes to write down 2-3 events within your time here at Hillcrest. It can be positive or negative. It can be about your loved ones. 

Marriage 

Funeral 

Baptism/Salvation 

Exciting ministry 

Finally, let’s look to the future. Next year, what is a stone you would like to write about God moving in your life or your family. 

Conclusion

As we go deeper in our prayer life, we will be led to reflection on all the wonderful things God has done for us, or the parts of our life that we need to recenter ourself around Him.