Aligning Prayer with God's Heart and Mission
Summary
This morning, the focus is on prayer—what it truly is, how it works, and how it connects us to God’s heart and mission. Drawing from Luke 18 and the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6, the call is to move beyond surface-level, self-centered prayers and into a deeper, riskier, faith-filled pursuit of God’s will. Prayer is not just talking and listening to God; it must be filtered through three essential prerequisites: seeking God’s glory, being kingdom-oriented, and desiring His will above our own. Without these, our prayers are little more than wishes, lacking the power and alignment that true prayer brings.
The parables of the persistent widow and the tax collector versus the Pharisee highlight two essential ingredients for effective prayer: boldness and brokenness. The widow’s persistence teaches us to approach God with bold faith, never giving up even when answers seem delayed. The tax collector’s humility shows that God responds to hearts that are broken and contrite, not to those who come with entitlement or pride. These stories challenge us to examine our motives and posture in prayer, reminding us that God owes us nothing—He has already given us everything in Christ.
To pray according to God’s will is not about finding a formula but about aligning our hearts, minds, and requests with God’s Word, values, and purposes. This means saturating our lives with Scripture, praying with God’s kingdom in mind, and being led by the Holy Spirit—even in how and what we pray. Constantly checking our motives ensures our prayers remain God-centered, not self-centered. The invitation is to commit to a life of prayer that is persistent, humble, and aligned with God’s mission—praying for our church, our mission partners, and for God to send and provide for those He calls. The altar is open, both in the church and in our hearts, to lay down our lives and say, “Yes, Lord, your will be done.”
Key Takeaways
- True prayer is filtered through God’s glory, kingdom, and will. Before bringing our requests, we must orient our hearts to seek His purposes above our own desires. This foundational shift transforms prayer from a self-focused wish list into a God-centered act of worship and surrender. [42:17]
- Boldness and brokenness are the twin pillars of effective prayer. Like the persistent widow, we are called to approach God with relentless faith, but like the tax collector, we must come with humility, recognizing our utter dependence on His mercy. This balance keeps us from both prideful entitlement and hopeless resignation. [48:22]
- Entitlement in prayer subtly creeps in when we expect God to answer on our terms, forgetting that He has already given us everything in Christ. Persistent dependence can easily turn into insistent demands if we lose sight of God’s sovereignty and grace. Remembering the cross keeps our hearts humble and grateful, even when prayers seem unanswered. [51:00]
- Praying God’s will is not about reciting the right words but about aligning our lives with His Word and Spirit. Immersing ourselves in Scripture and inviting the Holy Spirit to guide our prayers ensures that our requests reflect God’s heart, not just our own preferences. This alignment opens us to experience God’s personal and perfect will for our lives. [57:12]
- The altar—both physical and spiritual—is a place of surrender, intercession, and mission. We are called to fight for the altar in our church and in our hearts, committing to pray for our mission partners, for God’s call to go, and for the resources to send. Prayer is not just for our needs but for God’s purposes in the world, and it begins with a willing spirit to say “yes” to whatever He asks. [01:03:29]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[17:14] - Welcoming Fourth and Fifth Graders
[19:15] - Going Farther with the Gospel
[37:25] - What Do You Believe About Prayer?
[38:27] - The Call to Pray Farther
[39:40] - The Three Prerequisites of Prayer
[42:17] - Prayer’s True Orientation
[46:24] - Parables of Persistence and Humility
[47:36] - The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
[48:22] - Boldness and Brokenness in Prayer
[51:00] - From Dependence to Entitlement
[55:17] - Learning to Pray God’s Will
[57:12] - Aligning with God’s Word and Spirit
[01:03:29] - Fighting for the Altar
[01:06:58] - Invitation and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Praying Farther—Boldness, Brokenness, and God’s Will
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### Bible Reading
Luke 18:1–14 (ESV)
1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Matthew 6:9–13 (ESV)
9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1–8), what does Jesus say is the main reason for telling this story? What does the widow do that stands out?
2. In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9–14), what is the difference in how each man approaches God in prayer?
3. According to the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9–13, what are the first three things Jesus teaches us to focus on before bringing our personal requests?
4. The sermon mentioned three “filters” or prerequisites for true prayer. What are they, and where do we see them in the Lord’s Prayer? [[42:17]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus puts the stories of the persistent widow and the tax collector side by side? What is he trying to teach us about the attitude and heart behind prayer? [[48:22]]
2. The sermon says that prayer is not just about talking and listening to God, but about seeking God’s glory, being kingdom-oriented, and desiring His will above our own. How does this change the way we think about what we pray for? [[42:17]]
3. What does it look like when someone moves from “persistent dependence” on God to “insistent entitlement” in prayer? Why is this shift dangerous? [[51:00]]
4. The pastor said that praying God’s will is not about finding a formula, but about aligning our lives with God’s Word and Spirit. What are some practical ways to do this? [[57:12]]
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### Application Questions
1. The persistent widow kept coming back to the judge even when she didn’t get an answer right away. Is there something or someone you have stopped praying for because you got discouraged? What would it look like to pray with boldness and persistence this week? [[46:24]]
2. The tax collector came to God with a broken and humble heart, while the Pharisee came with pride. When you pray, do you find yourself more like the Pharisee or the tax collector? What steps can you take to approach God with more humility? [[47:36]]
3. The sermon challenged us to filter our prayers through God’s glory, His kingdom, and His will. Before you pray for something this week, how can you pause and ask, “Is this about God’s purposes or just my preferences?” [[42:17]]
4. The pastor shared about how easy it is to feel like God “owes” us an answer, especially when we’ve been faithful or are hurting. Have you ever felt this way? How can remembering what Christ has already done for you at the cross help you pray with gratitude instead of entitlement? [[51:00]]
5. The sermon encouraged us to saturate our lives with Scripture so our prayers line up with God’s will. What is one practical way you can bring more of God’s Word into your prayer life this week? (For example: praying a Psalm, using a verse as a prayer, etc.) [[57:12]]
6. The pastor invited everyone to pray for our church’s mission partners and for God to send and provide for those He calls. Is there a specific person, ministry, or mission you feel led to pray for or support? How can you take a step toward that this week? [[01:04:15]]
7. The altar was described as both a physical and spiritual place of surrender. What would it look like for you to “fight for the altar” in your own heart this week—laying down your own will and saying, “Yes, Lord, your will be done”? [[01:03:29]]
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Devotional
Day 1: Prayer Must Seek God’s Glory, Kingdom, and Will
True prayer is not simply talking to God, but approaching Him with a heart that seeks His glory, is oriented toward His kingdom, and desires His will above our own. When we pray, we are invited to move beyond self-centered requests and instead align our hearts with God’s greater purposes, trusting that His plans are always better than our own. This posture transforms our prayers from mere wishes into powerful petitions that reach the throne room of God. [42:17]
Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV)
“Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’”
Reflection: In your prayers today, are you seeking God’s glory and will above your own desires? What is one area where you can intentionally surrender your preferences to God’s purposes in prayer?
Day 2: Boldness and Brokenness Are Essential in Prayer
Effective prayer is marked by both bold persistence and humble brokenness. Like the persistent widow who would not give up and the tax collector who came before God in humility, we are called to approach God with confidence yet with a heart that is fully dependent on His mercy. This balance keeps us from prideful entitlement and draws us into deeper trust, even when God’s answers do not come in the way or timing we expect. [48:22]
Luke 18:1-14 (ESV)
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Reflection: Where do you need to persist in prayer with boldness, and where do you need to humble yourself before God today? Is there a specific situation where you can practice both persistence and humility in your prayers?
Day 3: Check Your Motives—Prayer Is Not About Entitlement
It is easy to slip from persistent dependence on God into a sense of entitlement, expecting God to answer our prayers in the way we want because of what we have done for Him. But God owes us nothing—He has already given us everything in Christ. True prayer comes from a place of gratitude and surrender, not from demanding our way or treating God as if He exists to serve us. [51:00]
James 4:3 (ESV)
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Reflection: Have you ever found yourself frustrated with God for not answering your prayers as you wished? Take a moment to confess any sense of entitlement and thank God for what He has already done for you in Christ.
Day 4: Align Your Prayers with God’s Word and Will
Praying according to God’s will is not about finding a secret formula, but about aligning your heart, mind, and requests with God’s Word and His purposes. As you saturate your life with Scripture, you begin to understand God’s values and desires, and your prayers naturally become more in tune with His will. This alignment brings clarity, direction, and power to your prayer life, as you seek not your own comfort, but courage, faithfulness, and fruitfulness for God’s glory. [56:27]
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 area of your life where you need to align your prayers more closely with God’s Word? How can you use Scripture to guide your prayers today?
Day 5: Pray in the Spirit and Intercede for Others
We are called to pray not just for ourselves, but for others, and to do so by being led by the Holy Spirit. Instead of simply presenting our wish lists, we should ask God how He wants us to pray, allowing the Spirit to guide our intercession and reveal needs we may not see. This Spirit-led prayer deepens our dependence on God and unites us with His heart for the world, moving us to pray for our church, our mission partners, and those around us with faith and expectation. [01:01:24]
Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Reflection: Before you pray for someone today, pause and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to pray for them. Who is one person or group you can intercede for, trusting the Spirit to guide your words and heart?
Quotes
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