Prayer

Communion / Prayer in Garden of Gethsemane

Matthew 26:37–42 NIV

37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

Two points before we take communion

1. Jesus was seeking after the Fathers will in prayer.

2. What was this cup? The cup symbolized the suffering he would be required to undergo in the horrible death that awaited him. Jesus drinks the cup of God’s wrath. Taken on the wrath of God for payment of our sin.

Cracker: Symbol of His body broken for you. Take eat in remembrance of me.

Grape: Symbol of his blood shed on the cross for your sin.

When dealing with a issue or challenging circumstance do you start with thinking and planning out the solution? Then when you are done strategizing do you then pray and ask for God’s help?

I have a terrible habit of making plans then asking God to bless my plans.

I know what to do. God do you? Do you hear me now?

Challenging start at the Hill (Satan is not happy)

We need to pray more.

Pastor friends reach out they wanted to come pray over me and our church. Encouraged me to seek God first.

TM sends a book on prayer to my home.

Nancy Walden sends me a email re: their small group willing to lead a 24-hour prayer chain.

I feel God pressing on me to seek after Him more for the Hill.

Share with Chandra at a conf. Prayer is not my default go to, it is roll up my sleeves and work. Ask her to keep me accountable.

Personal thought: Prayer before planning. More praying less planning / strategies. I love formulas more than prayer. Ouch, I just said what I have felt for years. Lord, please forgive me and help me get off the self-success driven train and lean more on you.

My friend of 20 plus years opens up the conf. by saying we need to get back to praying as leaders and churches. Then he said my default is not to pray but to plan, strategies and work hard.

God - Are you listen to me now son?

Me Working vs. God Working

1 John 5:14–15 NIV

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

1 John 5:14 NIV

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Confidence: The Greek word, parrēsia; (speech); freedom of speech, confidence or boldness in speech.

Soldier to General. Permission to speak freely Sir?

Having the ear of the President of the United States Vs. Having the ear of the Creator of the Universe. Not even close.

That if: (If) is a condition word. If you clean up your room you can go outside and play.

What is the condition? Ask anything according to His will.

What is God’s will?

1 John 5:14 NLT

14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.

1 John 5:15 NIV

15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

Whatever we ask? - In His will. Could this be true? Is there power in prayer? Will God move on our behalf?

Skeptic: I have been disappointed before because God has not answered my prayers. Me to: - Don Fite

I believe God will move if we will just stop and seek Him.

Back to Me, Myself, and I: Me Working vs. God Working

List of things to work on here at our church:

Finances

Relaunching small groups / Sunday school

Visitation team

Greeting / welcoming team

Celebration of Hymns event

Staff Evaluations

Board structure

Prepare messages

Counseling

Outreach events to reach young families

Men’s ministry relaunch

Missions

Jeremiah 33:3 NIV

3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

I don’t know what to do? God does. Let’s ask.

Map apps have saved men the shame of asking for directions.

What if we just stopped and asked God what the answer is to the challenge we are facing.

My body is failing me. All I can do now is pray.

Phone call with Pastor Mary Polite:

Dr. Bill Bright’s most important work of his ministry was when he was bed ridden and devoted all day to praying. (Pulmonary fibrosis)