Topic: Prayer

How often do we inadvertently leave God out of our prayer times? We usually jump into what is most pressing on our mind, or the problem we’re facing right then, or the needs we think we have. But where should we begin and then properly bring our petitions to our God and Savior? Get some answers for these questions and more as Pastor Gary continues a study on prayer, emphasizing this week both the Imminence & Transcendence of God in our prayers.

Today, we begin to dig into the prayer that Jesus gave His disciples in response to their request, “Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples.” We will deal with three foundational issues: (1) why is our “adoption” into God’s family so critical to our relationship to “our Father in heaven? (2) What are some of the doubts that hinder or even drive us away from prayers? And finally, (3) How can God love me, given the things I have done in my past?

“What does God think of my prayers?” Have you ever asked that question? How would you know? Well, Jesus helps us in this area of our walk with Him day-by-day. There are some things we should shun and other practices we need to embrace. For instance, do you often repeat certain words or phrases throughout your prayer time using familiar phrases? Even the name of God can be a habitual “filler” that borders on using God’s name in vain. Come find out how Jesus instructs us in our time alone with Him and even in public prayers so that you might pray as Jesus taught us in the Sermon on the Mount.

Prayer is one of the most talked about aspects of the Christian life and one of the least consistently practiced. It is also one of the most difficult spiritual disciplines to pursue with consistency. But Jesus both preached about prayer and rigorously practiced it in his personal life. How amazing that the God-man felt a great need to spend time in prayer with his Father in heaven. Yet, you may wonder, “If God knows it all and will accomplish all his holy will anyway, then why should anyone pray?” Find out some answers in this two-part series entitled “The I-V (a medical term) of Life & Godliness.”