Oct. 26 Praying Together
Remember the first time you drove on the freeway? - Nervous
The first time we do things often is marked by fear, discomfort but it is no sure sign that we should not be doing this
True with dating - new school - jumping out of an airplane (well...)
It seems like a bold thing for us to pray together - out loud - but for all Christians in the first 300 years - it was not only normal - it was vital!
Do I really worship God or do I worship my experience of God?
It is an ancient practice to always pray vocally, some say "I don’t pray out loud - I’m not comfortable with it."
So what is that an indication of - your deep spirituality?
Is that what you are willing to settle for?
Don’t let that argument hold water with others things - ie. I don’t drive, eat, love on my kids - out loud or in public. How do you generally react at a sporting event?
People pray the most dangerous prayers not considering that God might answer them
Dangerous prayers -
Jesus make me humble (keep me humble) prepare for failures and humiliations
Lord increase my faith - Life of pure faith is walked in the thickest darkness
Asking God to give you anything is dangerous - He just might give it to you.
Motives - I need to pray or I ought to pray degenerated to selfishness - using God
He needs me to pray - God chooses to limit displays of His power to answering prayer
But don’t let this turn into legalism - phariseeism
I get to pray! Relationship - enjoying time with God.
Prayer is connecting with God to see what He is doing
Let loose of your prayers - you were designed by God to talk to Him
Show video clip of Passion 2003
Debunk the idea that prayers need to be fancy - listen to the simplicity of her prayer.
Take the risk of praying together
You learn to pray by praying.
Pray as you can, not as you can’t
Don’t just pray when you feel like it - start with morning and evening prayers
Begin with prayers of Abiding - dwelling - I live for you - in you - through you
John 15 - no fruit without abiding - much fruit if we abide - no in between
Prayers of agreement Amos 3:3 How can tow walk together unless they agree?
Matt. 18:18-19 "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
John 17:21-23 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Move to prayers of confession - forgiveness
Pray that you don’t fall into temptation
Jn. 17:15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
These are not timid prayers - but bold
Selected verses
Acts 4:23-31 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Pray for one another
Let my heart be broken by the same things that break the heart of God
Prayer together is time to confess, worship, abide and learn
Need for prayer partners - let routine be your ally
Get off the bench - get into the game
