The Heart Of Prayer

Welcome

Before we get started this morning I want to thank Tommie Ray and Lee Wallrap for all they did on the new classroom. The exterior is finished and they are close to getting the interior finished. They don’t want the recognition but I want them to know just how much we appreciate their hearts for service and hard work on this project

So glad all of you could make it this morning. What a week. I had a long week both in terms of sermon prep, which we will get to here shortly, and waiting. Melody, Logan and Claire will tell you just how patient of a waiter I am......hahahaha not very good at all…I am still working to fully surrender waiting to the Lord!

I was waiting to be able to share a praise report. As many of you know and in fact have been in prayer with me about my job at NHS. I have felt that the door to Nevada High School has been shut but didn’t know what door God was opening. I have knocked on A LOT of doors. I mean a lot of doors and in fact thought I had found a couple of open doors but they were not.

While we are there I want you to know something I found out in my struggle with finding God’s open door. This began over 6 years ago. I have been a Special Education teacher for the past 11 years. Special Education was the only way into the district and the only way into the high school and at the time as a two sport high school coach with aspirations of being a 3 sport coach Special Education was the only way into the high school where I felt I needed to be.

6 years ago I began seriously trying to get out of special education into the history department of the high school. I ran into closed door after closed door, roadblock after roadblock. I prayed and in fact for the past couple of years some of you have been praying as well. In September of this year I felt God tell me the Special Education door at NHS was shut but He didn’t tell me what door He was going to open. I tried and tried, applied and applied, interviewed and interviewed and was in fact offered an outside position or two but nothing inside the district.

I came to a place where I was at peace with returning to NHS as a special education teacher as I waited on God to open the door He had planned to open. As 2nd semester started openings in other districts began to appear and I felt called to apply for a principal position on a small district south of us. I felt the interview went great and in fact I was a finalist but ended up finishing 2nd and the position went to someone else.

Then a few weeks ago another opportunity opened and I applied and interviewed and again felt it went really well. Now before I go any further I wan to say this. I got my Masters in Educational Leadership years ago as a promise to my dying Grandpa Ed and had only planned on using it as a retirement plan. In fact I have not even taken the certification test, I am planning on taking it April 18th so prayers are appreciated. In this last interview I told the board and superintendent I understand I am the least qualified and least experienced person you will talk to in this process because I knew I had to be but I said you are buying into me and my lifetime of experience in leadership.

Long story short God opened the door and two Fridays ago I was offered the position and Thursday of this past week the board approved and I signed a contract Friday to be a co-principal at Northeast Vernon County Jr Sr High school in Walker mo.

This was not the door that I thought God would open and was not the door that I was praying to be open. I was praying for full time ministry to open right here at CCC but God has different plans and I am excited to see those plans revealed in His time.

If you are searching for God’s open door, be prayerful, be active, but also be discerning. As I said earlier I had a couple opportunities that I thought were God’s open door but he made it very clear that I was wrong. When it is God’s door you will have peace about walking through it, not saying peace in the circumstances surrounding it but YOU will feel God’s peace.

I am excited for this new position and adventure and for the ability to pour into the lives of students, staff, parents and grand parents, community members and fellow administrators as I lead them as God leads me.

PRAY AND START OBS

Introduction

I struggled greatly with this message for this morning. On Tuesday I went to my office at church after school and what usually happens is I get into God’s Word and He begins to speak and I begin to write and in a few hours I usually have the bones or structure of the message. Then I spend the rest of the week meditating and refining the message.

That didn’t happen this week. On Tuesday nothing came. I struggled and struggled and finally decided it was not God’s time and went home. As I was at home Tuesday evening I was pondering this and wondering what was going on but still wasn’t sure why things happened like they did. Late Tuesday night or Wednesday morning God began to speak to me. About 4:30 am I got up as I felt God calling me to my secret place. As I prayed God smacked me with what was going on. I realized that here I am preaching my heart out every Sunday about relationship and my own relationship with Jesus was self-serving. I realized my relationship with Jesus was not an authentic, intimate relationship that God desires.

I am not talking about salvation. I have zero doubt that Jesus was born of a virgin, walked this earth, lived on this earth, died on the cross and God rose Him to life three days later and that His blood covers my sin. His death and resurrection defeated the power of sin and death in my life. I have had zero doubt about that since I accepted Jesus at the age of 9. I am not talking about salvation but relationship

I realized my relationship with Jesus was all about me.

I prayed when I needed something.

I sought Him on my time, usually chasing a sermon or teaching.

My prayer life was one sided.

I talked and asked and expected but rarely did I slow down enough to listen.

God is awesome and even through all of my junk, my short-comings, my self-serving relationship with Him and quite frankly in spite of me He still showed up and showed off and delivered.

I think that is one of the things about God that keeps hitting me…

In spite of me…

my attitudes…

my behaviors…

my sinful nature…

my sin…

my weakness

He still loves me and still works in my life because that is who He is. He has been delivering on everything not just the small things but huge God sized things all this time.

I pray that one of three things happens this morning.

If you don’t know or have never truly accepted Jesus.....maybe you have been playing church games for years but have never truly accepted Jesus that today the Holy Spirit awakens you to that and you respond.

If you are a prayer warrior. One who truly has a wonderful, fervent prayer life that God encourages you this morning. That He edifies you that He lifts you up with His Word and His presence this morning.

If you are like me and thought you were doing it all right but the Holy Spirit convicts you that you are not.....your prayer life is far from what God desires.....that it is self-serving…that it is not the relationship God desires and Jesus died to provide then you surrender....confess…and leave here changed

Matthew 6:5-13

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”

This morning I want to look at this scripture from a couple of angles or perspectives.

Why Pray? Because God says so

Romans 12:12

“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”

Here is something I want us to get....maybe you guys have gotten it and your hard headed, meat head of a pastor hasn't yet.......It is about relationship.

Prayer isn’t something you do to develop relationship it is something you do because of relationship.

I want to make sure you heard that....Prayer isn’t something you do to develop your relationship with God it is something you do BECAUSE of your relationship with God!

Look Rejoice in our confident hope.....what hope..Jesus and that we are going to live with God for eternity in heaven and that because of Jesus and because we are God’s children when we accept Jesus this world no longer has any power over us....that is our hope....that is why we are patient in trouble and prayer is a natural response and by product of that hope.....that relationship.

Ephesians 6:18

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

Again pointing to a relationship. If we are completely and totally dependent upon God. If we live with our soul under the control of the Holy Spirit we will be in prayer at all times because we will be communicating with God and Jesus, and the Holy Spirit at all times. Relationship. Constant relationship....Constant communication....constantly looking to be quick to pray for fellow believers.

Philippians 4:6

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

Many people look at this verse and think that you don’t worry because you pray but it is the opposite you pray because you don’t have to worry because you have a relationship with Jesus.

You know him....not just know who he is but KNOW him. I have people at work that I know. I know some things about them, their families etc. However I KNOW my bride. I know what makes her tick, I know what she is thinking, sometimes.....knowing what a woman is thinking is hard sometimes....she knows what I am thinking....I know that because she tells me!!!!!

I know her. I completely trust her because I know her. We must know Christ and completely trust him and then we pray about everything because our relationship is so strong we want to tell Him and we want to hear from Him and we KNOW Him.

Colossians 4:2

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.”

Again If you have met my Jesus your heart overflows with thanksgiving because you know what He has done for you!!!!!!!!!!!! Devote....commit....make it a lifestyle!

I Thessalonians 5:17

“Never stop praying.”

I love when God is straightforward. Never stop praying. Again if your relationship with Jesus is true and intimate and deep this is an easy thing for you to do.

These are but a few of the scriptures where God directs His children to pray and live a lifestyle of prayer.

Question for this section.....DON'T SAY OUT LOUD

God has shown you in His Word that He expects you to pray. Prayer comes form a relationship with God. Where am I at on this? Do I believe God expects me to pray and is my prayer life based on relationship or duty?

Why Pray? To Relate And Communicate With God

Hebrews 4:15-16

“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

Again pointing to relationship.........you can relate to Jesus because He was tempted in every way as a man. Jesus was fully man and fully God.....He lived a perfect life.......He never sinned but He faced every temptation that you face......If He is in you then you have the power to defeat every temptation because He already has defeated it. You can relate to Jesus and He can relate to you. He knows what you are thinking, feeling, wrestling with, struggling with.....He understands and knows the burdens you are carrying and He wants to take it all.....since you can relate to Him and know Him you can charge into the throne room of grace.

Maybe you are like me and need a visual. Because of the relationship you have with Jesus you should be like this little girl

PLAY VIDEO OF LITTLE GIRL

Running with arms open to her dad. Why she knows here dad....she relates to her dad....just like you know Jesus and relate to Him run to Him with open arms

Question for this section.....DON'T SAY OUT LOUD

Do you relate with Jesus enough to run to Him with your arms up and boldly charge into the throne room of God with your arms up running to your daddy?

Why Pray? To Realize And Request God’s Power

II Chronicles 7:14

“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

Humble themselves....pray....seek God’s face....turn from wicked ways. All of those things happen because of the relationship you have with God. I hear people say all the time you need more faith.

If I would have had more faith God would have .........stop......it is relationship.....you don’t need more faith you need more of Jesus

You need to seek God and know Him. You are weak. You are human. You are sinful by nature YOU will never have enough faith stop seeking faith and start seeking Jesus!

Isaiah 40:29-31

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

God will give you power.....in fact since you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you.....you have all of God’s power already. God will sustain you…God will provide for you....all you have to do is put Him first.....die to self and live in Christ!

Question for this section.....DON'T SAY OUT LOUD

Do you truly rely upon God for your power and endurance? If so in what ways? Give God praise for those. If not what are you going to do differently and surrender to God in order to start?

Why Pray? Because Your enemy Is Real

Matthew 26:41

“Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!””

Your flesh is so weak. Your minds are so weak. Your fleshly nature is no match for the enemy. You keep watch and pray because you know that you are no match for temptation. Without God and the power of Jesus and Holy Spirit living inside of you, you would be crushed by every temptation.

John 10:10

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

Make no mistake about it if you belong to God here today. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior the enemy, his demons, and the world want nothing more than to steal from you, steal your joy and hope in Jesus, destroy you and your family, and kill you. Kill your relationship with God. That is the thief’s soul purpose.

You are no match for the enemy by the way it is only through the power of Jesus that you can overcome the world.

That leads us to our next question. We looked at why we pray now let’s look at how we pray

Question for this section.....DON'T SAY OUT LOUD

What am I doing to watch and pray to allow God to deliver me from temptation and my real enemy?

How Should I Pray? In My Prayer Closet

Look back at verses 5 and 6

There is a place and time for corporate prayer which we will talk about here in a little bit however, God calls you to get alone, get isolated, get in a distraction free environment and boldly approach the throne.

When you enter your secret place and shut the door or enter your prayer closet and shut the door you are transported to the feet of God in His throne room. How cool is that?

Get alone with God and get real with God. Get in your prayer closet close the door and pray and listen and worship and read and pray and listen and worship and read!!!!!!!!!!

Question for this section.....DON'T SAY OUT LOUD

Do I have a prayer closet and am I going to God and getting truly alone with Him so that I can speak to Him and He can speak to me?

How Should I Pray? Corporate Prayer

Matthew 18:20

“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.””

We are called to gather and where we gather in Jesus name He is there. God is here this morning. Jesus is here this morning. The Holy Spirit is here this morning.

Some of you thought you were just coming to church but you came to a family reunion. You came to a holy place, not because of any teaching or name on the door or pastor or leadership team member or worship song but you came to a holy place this morning because God and Jesus and The Holy Spirit are here.

How Should I Pray? Sincerely

Look to verses 7 and 8 again. This again points to heart. If you are just repeating the same words over and over to look holy or to look like you know God better than you do then you are wrong.

I will be honest I used to have an issue when people wrote out their prayers and then prayed them from the pulpit but God has revealed to me that it doesn’t matter. If the prayer is written or spoken for the first time at the time of prayer it is the heart of the person that matters.

By the way if you have never been up here from this side of the pulpit it is intimidating. When someone is up here and they speak you guys listen. You look at them and that puts a lot of pressure on the person up here.

Data points to public speaking as to one of the most feared things people have to do. Most would rather run through walmart naked than get up in front of people to speak. I praise God for these men who get up here week after week and share communion meditations with you. I praise God for Stephanie and Melody who get up here week after week and bear their souls as they lead you in corporate worship and for Barb and Monty as they lead on hymn Sundays.

Words don’t matter to God your heart is what matters to God. Pray sincerely like you are talking to your dad because you are!!!!!!!!

I Chronicles 16:11

“Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.”

Sincerely seek the Lord for His strength. Quit trying to fight things on your own. God wants your burdens. God wants to show you he has already fought and won the battle. God wants you to be totally dependent upon Him. Seek him continually.

Luke 11:5-13

“Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not!  So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

Your heavenly Father loves you. He wants to be the one and the only one you turn to for help, encouragement, love, and support. I want you to understand something here. If you are a Christian you are no longer defined by you, your past behavior, sins, shortcomings, failures. You are defined by whose you are. God says you are His child and therefore He wants you to come to him boldly as you did and/or do your earthly father. God knows what you need when you need it much better than you do. Trust Him.

Question for this section.....DON'T SAY OUT LOUD

Is my prayer life based on fancy words or a sincere heart?

How Should I Pray? Follow Jesus’ Teaching

Look at verses Matthew 6:9-13 “Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”

Jesus gives us how to pray. This is commonly called the Lord’s prayer because it is from Jesus. Let’s look at this prayer and then we can model our prayers after this one. Now before we go any further this is just one example of prayer. Not all prayers have to look and sound like this one but the heart should be the same

1. Notice Jesus starts by praising God. Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. The KJV says Our Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy name Hallowed means to keep or make holy. You start by realizing just who God is and how holy and set apart He is. Be humble in your prayers as you are praying to God Himself!

2. May your kingdom come soon. This is to be our desire as Christians. We should want God’s Will and God’s kingdom no our will or our kingdom. How much better would earth be if God’s people truly sought God’s will to be done here as in heaven.

3. Bring your needs and desires. God wants us to depend solely on Him. He will perfectly provide.

4. Confess and seek forgiveness. When we realize we have sinned against God we must seek Him and confess to Him. When we are reading the Word of God and the Holy Spirit convicts us we must run to God to beg forgiveness. Don’t hide your sin give God your sin.

5. Seek how to forgive others. We have talked about this many times and will talk about it many more. God requires you to forgive.......not to earn forgiveness but because you have been granted forgiveness. We will talk about forgiveness in depth next week.

6. Rely on God to defeat temptation and evil in your life. Again you are no match for evil. It will destroy you. You must rely upon God and routinely ask God to protect you and deliver you from evil.

Question for this section.....DON'T SAY OUT LOUD

Am I truly seeking God in prayer or just the things I am praying for?

Do I long for a relationship instead of a response?

What am I going to do differently moving forward to ensure my prayer life comes from my relationship with God?

Church fervent and continual prayer must mark us as Christians. If you struggle with your prayer life give it to God. Ask God to show you your heart and where you struggle so you may surrender that to Him and develop a love for prayer.

The thing is prayer is a result of knowing Jesus not a way to get to know Him. You don't pray to develop the relationship with God you pray because of your relationship with God.

If you don't have a relationship with God through the acceptance of Jesus Christ come.

If you need to come and get real with God come. Whatever God is calling you to here this morning I beg you to respond.