A Year of Fellowship & Prayer

Hebrews 4:14–16 NKJV

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Prayer is a Foundation to the Christian Life. Without Communication there is no relationship.

Genesis 4:26 NKJV

26 And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the Lord.

Prayer is daunting to most people. we have a tendency to get locked down because it is intimidating to talk to God.

I don't want to seem flippant about prayer and there are “right way” to pray. the bigger problem is that we don’t pray.

the first thing is to do what Genesis 4:26 call on the name.

Psalm 5:3 NKJV

3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.

Psalm 55:17 NKJV

17 Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice.

Jesus came to earth to live in the flesh. He was tempted just as we are, the difference is we fail, He is victorious.

Hebrews 4:15 NKJV

15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

the struggle is real for us all!

every person who walks the walk of faith will struggle.

James 1:2–4 NKJV

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James brother of Jesus tells us that our trials will be various.

various means that there will be more than one and they will not be the same.

I have two pocket square drawers: one is for solids. the other is for patterns.

like my ties and pocket squares my trials and tribulations are numerous, different and plentiful.

what does this have to do with prayer? it is first in our own life that we gain a testimony in our own life.

our faith is to be tested. this testing is not for God. it is for us. how I am doing when it is rough is how I am really doing! it’s easy to do good when things are going good; for me, it is a real test of where i am.

faith produces patience patience equips us for every good work.

We are to come without reservation to the Lord in prayer.

Hebrews 4:16 NKJV

16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

the word “boldly” would be better translated “without reservation.”

when I go before the throne of grace i need to go to the throne with more confidence than I have in my closest friend.

John 11:42 NKJV

42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”

Jesus prayed to the father with confidence.

we are to pray to Jesus with confidence.

we will learn how to discern the will of God primarily by knowing the word of God.