Introduction

Good morning, church family! It's so good to see everyone here today. We're going to be diving into a powerful passage of Scripture today, talking about prayer, God's promises, and trusting in His plan—especially in times of worry.

The great preacher and writer Charles Spurgeon once said, "True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that - it is a spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth." And that's what we're going to be digging into today.

The verse we're centering on comes from Isaiah 43:19, which says:

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

Now that's a promise we can hold onto, amen?

Let's open in prayer.

Lord, as we gather here today, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to Your Word. Help us to understand and grasp the power of prayer, the comfort found in Your promises, and the peace that comes from trusting in Your plan. Amen.

Alright, are ready? Let's dive in!

The Power of Prayer

Prayer is not merely a religious ritual or a duty that we must fulfill; it is a powerful tool that God has given us to communicate with Him, to express our deepest thoughts and feelings, and to seek His guidance and intervention in our lives.

It connects us with God: When we pray, we are not just speaking into the void; we are engaging in a direct, personal conversation with the Creator of the universe. This is a profound and humbling thought. The God who created the stars and the galaxies, who set the earth in motion and breathed life into every living creature, is the same God who listens to our prayers. He cares about our joys and our sorrows, our hopes and our fears, and He invites us to bring all these things to Him in prayer.

It changes us: When we pray, we are not trying to change God's mind or convince Him to do what we want. Instead, we are opening ourselves up to be changed by Him. As we pour out our hearts to God, we are also allowing Him to pour His love, His wisdom, and His grace into us. Prayer helps us to align our will with God's will, to see things from His perspective, and to grow in our faith and trust in Him.

It can bring about tangible results: Throughout the Bible, we see countless examples of people who prayed and saw God work in miraculous ways. The Israelites prayed for deliverance from Egypt, and God parted the Red Sea. Hannah prayed for a child, and God gave her Samuel. The early church prayed for Peter's release from prison, and God sent an angel to free him. These stories remind us that God hears our prayers and that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

It’s not dependent on us: It's not about how eloquently we pray or how many hours we spend on our knees. The power of prayer comes from God Himself. He is the one who hears our prayers, who answers them according to His perfect wisdom and love, and who works in and through us as we pray.

Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about how prayer has made a clear difference in your life. How has it changed your life?

God's Promises in Times of Worry

God's promises in times of worry are incredibly relevant to each of us, as we all face periods of worry and uncertainty in our lives ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO