Aligning Prayer with God's Generosity and Will

 

Summary

In reflecting on the profound teachings of Jesus about prayer, we are reminded of the simplicity and depth of asking, seeking, and knocking. Jesus, the greatest teacher, emphasized that everyone who asks receives, everyone who seeks finds, and to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. This is not just a promise but an invitation to engage with God in a relationship characterized by trust and expectation. The analogy of a parent giving good gifts to their children illustrates God's generous nature. If we, despite our imperfections, know how to give good gifts, how much more will our heavenly Father give to those who ask Him?

Prayer is not merely about presenting our requests but about aligning our desires with God's will. It is about bringing our little kingdoms into the presence of God's kingdom. This alignment is not about guessing God's secret plans for our lives but about orienting our lives towards generosity, humility, and gratitude. To pray according to God's will is to live a life that reflects His character—being generous, asking humbly, and receiving gratefully.

The power of asking is likened to a spiritual force, akin to gravity, that draws us closer to God and each other. It is a fundamental aspect of the universe, rooted in relationships. As we engage in this prayerful adventure, we are encouraged to assess our lives: Are we givers or takers? Givers are those who seek the success of others, share credit, and work collaboratively. In contrast, takers are self-centered, rigid, and blame others for failures.

Ultimately, praying according to God's will is about living a life of giving, blessing, and receiving. It is about recognizing the opportunities to help and bless others, which we might regret missing at the end of our lives. As we pray, we are reminded of God's unwavering generosity and the perfect gifts He bestows upon us. Let us approach Him with confidence, knowing that every good and perfect gift comes from above.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Asking: Asking in prayer is a profound act that aligns our desires with God's will. It is not about guessing God's plans but about living a life of generosity, humility, and gratitude. This alignment transforms our prayer life and our daily interactions. [01:19]

2. God's Generosity: God's nature is inherently generous, much like a loving parent who delights in giving good gifts to their children. This understanding should fill us with confidence and trust as we approach Him in prayer, knowing He desires to bless us abundantly. [02:51]

3. Living as Givers: To pray according to God's will is to embody the characteristics of a giver—seeking the success of others, sharing credit, and working collaboratively. This lifestyle reflects God's character and enhances our relationships with others. [05:11]

4. Regret and Missed Opportunities: Reflecting on our lives, we may find that our greatest regrets are not about what we failed to receive but about the opportunities we missed to help and bless others. This perspective encourages us to live generously and intentionally. [07:49]

5. Confidence in Prayer: We are invited to pray with confidence, knowing that every good and perfect gift comes from God. This assurance should encourage us to bring our requests to Him, trusting in His unwavering love and generosity. [08:33]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:52] - The Invitation to Ask
- [01:19] - The Power of Asking
- [01:35] - Aligning with God's Kingdom
- [02:04] - The Parent-Child Analogy
- [02:18] - God's Generous Heart
- [03:20] - Understanding God's Will
- [04:05] - Orientation Towards Life
- [04:43] - Givers vs. Takers
- [05:39] - Characteristics of Takers
- [06:23] - Healthy Giving
- [07:06] - The Joy of Generosity
- [07:49] - Reflecting on Regrets
- [08:17] - Confidence in God's Gifts
- [09:24] - Praying According to God's Will

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 7:7-11
2. James 1:17

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Observation Questions:

1. In Matthew 7:7-11, what does Jesus promise to those who ask, seek, and knock? How does this relate to the analogy of a parent giving good gifts to their children? [00:52]

2. According to the sermon, how is asking in prayer compared to a fundamental force in the universe? What does this suggest about the nature of prayer? [01:50]

3. How does the sermon describe the difference between givers and takers? What characteristics define each group? [05:11]

4. What does James 1:17 say about the nature of God's gifts? How does this passage reinforce the sermon’s message about God's generosity? [08:33]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the analogy of a parent giving good gifts help us understand God's nature and His response to our prayers? What does this imply about our relationship with God? [02:18]

2. The sermon suggests that praying according to God's will involves aligning our lives with generosity, humility, and gratitude. How might this alignment change the way we approach prayer and our daily interactions? [04:05]

3. Reflect on the concept of regret and missed opportunities mentioned in the sermon. How does this perspective challenge us to live more intentionally and generously? [07:49]

4. How does the assurance that every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17) influence our confidence in prayer? What does this mean for our trust in God's provision? [08:33]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current prayer life. Are there areas where you find it difficult to ask, seek, or knock? How can you cultivate a more trusting and expectant approach to prayer? [00:52]

2. Consider the characteristics of givers and takers discussed in the sermon. In what ways do you see yourself as a giver, and where might you be acting more like a taker? How can you shift towards a more generous lifestyle? [05:11]

3. Think about a recent situation where you missed an opportunity to help or bless someone. What held you back, and how can you prepare yourself to act differently in the future? [07:49]

4. How can you align your desires with God's will in your daily life? Identify one specific area where you can practice generosity, humility, or gratitude this week. [04:05]

5. Reflect on a time when you received a gift or blessing that you didn't expect. How did it impact your view of God's generosity? How can you use this experience to encourage others in their faith journey? [08:33]

6. Identify a specific prayer request you have been bringing to God. How can you approach this request with renewed confidence, trusting in God's unwavering love and generosity? [08:51]

7. How can you create a habit of recognizing and thanking God for the good and perfect gifts in your life? What practical steps can you take to cultivate a heart of gratitude? [08:33]

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning Desires with God's Will
Asking in prayer is a profound act that aligns our desires with God's will. It is not about guessing God's plans but about living a life of generosity, humility, and gratitude. This alignment transforms our prayer life and our daily interactions. When we ask, seek, and knock, we are invited into a deeper relationship with God, characterized by trust and expectation. This process is not about manipulating God to fulfill our desires but about transforming our hearts to reflect His character. As we align our desires with God's will, we become more attuned to His purposes and more willing to participate in His work in the world. [01:19]

James 4:3-4 (ESV): "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."

Reflection: What is one desire you have that you need to align with God's will today? How can you begin to transform this desire into one that reflects generosity, humility, and gratitude?


Day 2: Trusting in God's Generosity
God's nature is inherently generous, much like a loving parent who delights in giving good gifts to their children. This understanding should fill us with confidence and trust as we approach Him in prayer, knowing He desires to bless us abundantly. When we recognize God's generous heart, we are encouraged to approach Him with boldness, trusting that He knows what is best for us. This trust is not based on our worthiness but on His character and promises. As we grow in our understanding of God's generosity, we are invited to reflect that same generosity in our interactions with others. [02:51]

Matthew 7:9-11 (ESV): "Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate trust in God's generosity today? How can this trust influence your prayers and interactions with others?


Day 3: Embracing a Life of Giving
To pray according to God's will is to embody the characteristics of a giver—seeking the success of others, sharing credit, and working collaboratively. This lifestyle reflects God's character and enhances our relationships with others. Being a giver means prioritizing the needs and well-being of others above our own desires. It involves a willingness to share our resources, time, and talents for the benefit of others. As we embrace a life of giving, we become conduits of God's love and grace, impacting the lives of those around us in meaningful ways. [05:11]

Acts 20:35 (ESV): "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Reflection: Identify one person in your life whom you can bless today through an act of giving. What specific action can you take to seek their success and well-being?


Day 4: Recognizing Missed Opportunities
Reflecting on our lives, we may find that our greatest regrets are not about what we failed to receive but about the opportunities we missed to help and bless others. This perspective encourages us to live generously and intentionally. By focusing on the needs of others, we can avoid the regret of missed opportunities and instead create a legacy of love and service. As we become more aware of the opportunities around us, we are challenged to act with intention and purpose, making a positive impact in the lives of those we encounter. [07:49]

Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent opportunity you missed to help someone. How can you be more intentional in recognizing and acting on similar opportunities in the future?


Day 5: Praying with Confidence
We are invited to pray with confidence, knowing that every good and perfect gift comes from God. This assurance should encourage us to bring our requests to Him, trusting in His unwavering love and generosity. When we pray with confidence, we acknowledge God's sovereignty and His ability to provide for our needs. This confidence is not based on our circumstances but on the unchanging nature of God. As we grow in our confidence in prayer, we are empowered to approach God with boldness, knowing that He hears us and desires to bless us abundantly. [08:33]

1 John 5:14-15 (ESV): "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."

Reflection: What is one specific request you have been hesitant to bring to God in prayer? How can you approach Him with confidence and trust in His love and generosity today?

Quotes


Asking is Central to life in the kingdom of God because asking is where I bring my kingdom my desires my little will into the presence of your kingdom your desires your little will and then also ultimately this is what we're talking about now I bring it to God and God's kingdom and God's will. [00:01:23]

In asking we honor the will the kingdom of other people of other persons uh and supremely of God and this is the most important force in the universe because the universe ultimately isn't just particles it's it's persons and so in a way kind of like gravity is the force that objects have that pulls them towards each other asking is that in a spiritual Dimension. [00:01:41]

If you then though you are evil and now I know for some of you saying I'm not evil so Dallas Willard suggest you might substitute the word orinary just give that a try you though though you're ordering know how to give good gifts to your children how much more will your father in Heaven get good gi give good gifts to those who ask him. [00:02:18]

God loves to give this is part of what gives us confidence in prayer God has the heart of a parent where it's a joyful thing to him creation itself is an act of extravagant generosity The Ultimate Gift of God is his own son Jesus for us but every morning is another gift now you may find yourself looking at difficulties in your life or in the world. [00:02:44]

When it comes to asking according to God's will I kind of used to think that meant um I might want to ask for this job or this house or uh relationship with this person this spouse but then I don't know if God wants that from you or not he's probably got a secret plan on that kind of stuff have kind of guess is this what he wants for me. [00:03:39]

God's will is that I become like God somebody who lives with um uh a generous way of giving and then a humble way of asking and then a grateful way of receiving that I enter into that Kingdom Life of um giving blessing and asking and receiving gratefully so you might do a little assessment Adam Grant has written a book called give and take. [00:04:16]

Givers are folks who want people to succeed givers are generous with their time is that mean givers are not competitive with their peers they share credit for achievements conversely they share blame for mistakes and work together to try to fix things givers are flexible in applying rules givers genuinely care about the needs of other people and work to help others achieve their goals. [00:05:01]

Whereas people who are mainly takers take all the credit even um when they've done the least to earn it uh with the taker it is said when things go well they're looking at a mirror I did this when things go bad they're looking out the window there's somebody out there I can blame takers blame others for mistakes takers compete with others instead of working with them. [00:05:30]

To pray according to God's will is to be somebody who gives generously who asks humbly who receives gratefully it's a healthy giving there is a kind of needy giving where I think I only have value or worth as long as other people need me and that's not God's will for our life either so when I pray according to will I'm entering into life in this way. [00:06:14]

I was thinking about another friend of mine who was in a state of need and I could have done something and I didn't and uh it is actually kind of a bitter regret and I was thinking I wonder when we get to the end of our Lives as we look back on them when we're going through Moment by moment part of the way that sin blinds us is I want I want I want and I regret not getting what I want. [00:07:34]

I wonder if at the end my big regrets will be I I could have help helped I could have done I could have blessed I could have been there and I missed that chance would which would have been something that we could have savored forever so that's to pray according to God's Will and we pray to God confidently because God loves to give. [00:07:57]

Every good and perfect gift comes from above from the father of all light in whom there is not the slightest variation or change so let's go to him now in prayer think for a moment about whatever it is that's on your heart that you are consistently bringing to God this week and now we remember God is right here our heavenly father who is always near us. [00:08:30]

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Transcript
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