Aligning Our Prayers: From Self-Centered to God-Centered

Devotional

Day 1: Choosing a God-Centered Life

A God-centered life is one that seeks to glorify God in all things, rather than focusing on personal desires. This orientation profoundly affects our prayers and our relationship with God. When we choose to live a God-centered life, we align our hearts with God's will, and our prayers become more effective and powerful. This choice is crucial as it shapes not only our spiritual growth but also our ability to impact the world around us through prayer. Reflecting on Psalm 46, we are reminded of God's presence and power, which should be the foundation of our lives. By choosing to be God-centered, we open ourselves to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Him. [18:58]

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself focusing more on your own desires than on glorifying God? How can you shift your focus to be more God-centered in that area today?

Day 2: Abiding in Christ

Abiding in Jesus means maintaining a deep, continuous relationship with Him, not just occasional interactions. This involves immersing ourselves in His Word and allowing it to transform us. A life that abides in Christ naturally aligns its desires with God's will, leading to prayers that are powerful and effective. Jesus emphasizes the importance of abiding in Him and His words in John 15. This abiding relationship transforms us from being self-centered to being God-centered. When we are truly centered on Christ, our prayers align with God's will, and we begin to ask for things that glorify Him rather than fulfill our own desires. [22:50]

John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: How can you create more consistent and meaningful touchpoints with Jesus throughout your day to ensure you are abiding in Him?

Day 3: Transformation Through the Word

Regular engagement with the Bible is crucial for a God-centered life. As we read and study Scripture, it convicts us, corrects us, and guides us to live in a way that pleases God. This ongoing transformation helps us to pray in alignment with God's will, rather than our own. The Word of God is living and active, and it has the power to transform our hearts and minds. By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we allow God to shape our desires and align them with His will. This transformation is essential for a vibrant and effective prayer life. [24:21]

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take to engage more deeply with the Bible this week, allowing it to transform your heart and mind?

Day 4: Embracing a Broader Vision for the Church

God is calling our church to be a house of prayer for all nations, moving beyond ethnic boundaries. This vision requires us to embrace diversity and work together to fulfill God's mission. Our prayers should reflect this broader vision, asking God to use us to reach people from all backgrounds. Historically, our church has been a place for people from South Asia, but God is calling us to expand our mission and embrace a broader vision. This means being intentional about reaching out to people from different backgrounds and cultures, and praying for God's guidance and strength as we pursue this mission. [39:53]

Isaiah 56:7 (ESV): "These I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples."

Reflection: How can you personally contribute to making our church a more inclusive and welcoming place for people from all nations?

Day 5: Praying in Jesus' Name

To pray in Jesus' name means to ask for what Jesus would ask, according to His will. This kind of prayer brings fullness of joy because it aligns with God's purposes. We are called to examine our prayer lives to ensure they are not self-centered but focused on God's glory and His will. Jesus invites us to ask in His name, which means asking for what He would ask, according to His will. This kind of prayer brings fullness of joy because it aligns with God's purposes. By praying in Jesus' name, we are aligning our hearts with His and seeking to glorify God in all that we do. [43:47]

John 16:23-24 (ESV): "In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."

Reflection: What is one specific prayer request you have that you can reframe to align more closely with Jesus' will and purposes? How can you begin praying for this request in Jesus' name today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today's sermon focused on the importance of being God-centered and Christ-centered in our lives, especially in our prayer life. We began by reflecting on Psalm 46, which speaks of God's presence and power, and then moved into a discussion on the orientation of our lives. We have two choices: to live a self-centered life or a God-centered life. This choice is crucial as it influences the substance and manner of our prayers.

We explored John 15, where Jesus emphasizes the importance of abiding in Him and His words. Abiding in Jesus means having a deep, continuous relationship with Him, not just occasional touchpoints. This abiding relationship transforms us from being self-centered to being God-centered. When we are truly centered on Christ, our prayers align with God's will, and we begin to ask for things that glorify Him rather than fulfill our own desires.

We also discussed the practical implications of being God-centered, especially in the context of our church. Historically, our church has been a place for people from South Asia, but God is calling us to be a house of prayer for all nations. This vision requires us to move beyond our ethnic boundaries and embrace a broader mission.

In John 16:24, Jesus invites us to ask in His name, which means asking for what He would ask, according to His will. This kind of prayer brings fullness of joy because it aligns with God's purposes. We are challenged to examine our prayer lives to ensure they are not self-centered but focused on God's glory and His will.

Finally, we are encouraged to pray with passion and commitment, much like John Knox, who prayed fervently for the salvation of Scotland. We are called to pray that our church becomes a house of prayer for all nations, fulfilling God's vision for us.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Centered vs. Self-Centered Life**: The orientation of our lives—whether self-centered or God-centered—profoundly affects our prayers. A self-centered life focuses on personal desires, while a God-centered life seeks to glorify God in all things. This fundamental choice shapes our relationship with God and our effectiveness in prayer. [18:58]
2. Abiding in Christ: Abiding in Jesus means maintaining a deep, continuous relationship with Him, not just occasional interactions. This involves immersing ourselves in His Word and allowing it to transform us. A life that abides in Christ naturally aligns its desires with God's will, leading to prayers that are powerful and effective.

3. Transformation Through the Word: Regular engagement with the Bible is crucial for a God-centered life. As we read and study Scripture, it convicts us, corrects us, and guides us to live in a way that pleases God. This ongoing transformation helps us to pray in alignment with God's will, rather than our own.

4. Vision for the Church: God is calling our church to be a house of prayer for all nations, moving beyond ethnic boundaries. This vision requires us to embrace diversity and work together to fulfill God's mission. Our prayers should reflect this broader vision, asking God to use us to reach people from all backgrounds.

5. Praying in Jesus' Name: To pray in Jesus' name means to ask for what Jesus would ask, according to His will. This kind of prayer brings fullness of joy because it aligns with God's purposes. We are called to examine our prayer lives to ensure they are not self-centered but focused on God's glory and His will.

### [18:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:01] - Opening Prayer
[03:16] - Introduction to Prayer
[18:13] - Orientation of Life
[18:58] - Self-Centered vs. God-Centered Life
[19:58] - Examining Our Prayer Life
[20:46] - John 15: Abiding in Christ
[22:50] - Importance of Abiding
[24:21] - Transformation Through the Word
[26:04] - Becoming God-Centered
[27:31] - Example of Jesus
[30:03] - Trusting God's Provision
[39:53] - Vision for the Church
[42:07] - John 16:24: Asking in Jesus' Name
[43:47] - Praying in Jesus' Name
[49:44] - Joy in God's Will
[56:08] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 46:4-11 — 2. John 15:1-8
3. John 16:24

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Observation Questions

In Psalm 46, what imagery is used to describe God's presence and power? How does this imagery provide comfort? [02:01]
According to John 15:1-8, what does it mean to "abide" in Jesus, and what are the consequences of not abiding in Him? [20:46]
In John 16:24, what does Jesus promise will happen when we ask in His name? [42:07]
How does the sermon describe the difference between a self-centered and a God-centered life? [18:58]

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean to have a "deep, continuous relationship" with Jesus as described in John 15? How does this differ from occasional interactions? [23:41]
How does the concept of abiding in Jesus and His words abiding in us transform our prayer life according to the sermon? [22:50]
The sermon mentions that our church is called to be a "house of prayer for all nations." What practical steps can we take to embrace this vision? [39:53]
What does it mean to pray in Jesus' name, and how does this align our prayers with God's will? [43:47]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own prayer life. Do your prayers reveal a self-centered heart or a God-centered heart? What changes can you make to align your prayers more with God's will? [19:58]
How can you cultivate a deeper, continuous relationship with Jesus in your daily life? What specific practices can help you abide in Him more consistently? [23:41]
The sermon challenges us to move beyond ethnic boundaries and embrace a broader mission. How can you personally contribute to making our church a house of prayer for all nations? [39:53]
Think about a recent prayer you made. Was it focused on your desires or on glorifying God? How can you shift your focus in future prayers to align more with God's purposes? [43:47]
The sermon encourages us to pray with passion and commitment, like John Knox. What is one specific area or issue you feel passionate about that you can commit to praying for fervently? [54:43]
Identify one aspect of your life where you struggle to trust God's provision. How can you actively practice trusting Him more in this area? [30:03]
How can you incorporate regular Bible reading into your routine to ensure that God's words abide in you? What specific steps will you take this week to start or improve this practice? [24:21]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "There are two diametrically opposite centers to life. You can live your life centered on yourself so that you are self-centered and all of your interests and goals are related to yourself and those who might be important to you. The other way is to live your life centered on God, centered on Jesus Christ. That is the Christian way. That is the biblical way. That is the way that the Lord Jesus Christ has taught us." [18:13] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Now reflect on that. What does it mean to abide in Jesus? It means to have a deep faith-based relationship or connection with Jesus. And abiding is not relating to Jesus or relating to God once in a while. You don't abide in God if you think you can come to your time of prayer maybe for 5 minutes or 10 minutes or 15 minutes in the morning, and then you're done for the day, and you never think about God again throughout that day." [23:41] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Now imagine with me, if you are this kind of person in whose life God is first, whose life is Christ centered, what will you wish for? Think about it. If in your life God has the first place Christ is the center of your life, what will you wish for? What will you pray for? There is only one thing to pray. Just one thing. May your will be done." [34:42] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "There is no greater joy than to see yourself playing a part along with God becoming an instrument so that other people come to faith in Jesus Christ. There is no greater joy because you have just become a part of the story and the testimony of somebody who was dead but through Jesus, by faith, now is made alive. That's joy. There is no greater joy than that." [51:26] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So if we as Christians, we believers, we know the revealed will of God is that this place needs to be a house of prayer for all the nations. What should we do? We should pray. This should become the central part of our praying every day. Before you even ask God for anything for yourself, get up and say, God, may your will be done today." [47:18] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "And there is no way you can be in the middle on this. Every Christian, everyone who puts their faith in Jesus Christ has to make this decision at some point. You will choose either to live a self-centered life, even as a Christian, you will call yourself a Christian, and you will be living a self-centered life, or you will be Christ-centered and God-centered. And these two do not meet together. You cannot put, as the English proverb says, you cannot put your feet in two different boats and expect that you will stay afloat." [18:58] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And so, ask yourself, if you want, and this is what God is giving to us as a promise that if you will ask, ask whatever you wish, it'll be done for you. Remember the precondition. We have to learn to be God-centered, to be Christ-centered. We must be abiding in Jesus and His words abide in us. What does that do to us? Instead of being people who are constantly seeking our own good, seeking our own benefit, we will be looking to the example of Jesus, the example of the apostles, and the examples of millions and millions of Christians down the centuries." [27:31] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And what do you think happens to a person who constantly is connected to the Lord Jesus Christ? And to the teachings of the Bible? The Lord Jesus and His example and the teaching that is there in the Bible through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives will begin to change us. In the beginning it'll be little by little. Then we will see that our very basic attitudes and perspectives to life will change. We will move from a place where we were self-centered because all of us begin with, at that place, being self-centered, to becoming more and more oriented towards God, becoming more and more centered on Jesus Christ." [26:04] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And so if we as Christians, we believers, we know the revealed will of God is that this place needs to be a house of prayer for all the nations. What should we do? We should pray. This should become the central part of our praying every day. Before you even ask God for anything for yourself, get up and say, God, may your will be done today. Show me what I need to do and what we need to do together to fulfill what your will is, to become an instrument in your hands to fulfill your will. And that, he says, when you ask, you will receive. And what do you think is going to happen? He says, your joy will be full." [47:18] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And so let's learn to pray like this so that we can share in that joy, so that we can bring life. God brings life, but we play a part in bringing life to others. So I want to ask you a question. In fact, I want to give you a challenge. When you sit down to pray, when you sit down to pray, ask God this. Ask Him, God. Tell Him, Lord, I realize that I am a self-centered person because that's what we are. That's our human nature. That's our role. That's our old person. I am a self-centered person. And then pray to God. God, change me. Make me a God-centered person, a Christ-centered person. And then pray this. Lord, teach me to pray. Teach me to pray. And He will. He will teach you to pray the way we have been talking about." [52:26] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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