Deepening Prayer: Connecting with God as Father
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Harvest Church! Today, we delved into the final part of our series, "Teach Us to Pray," focusing on the Lord's Prayer as a model for our personal prayer time. We began by emphasizing the importance of starting our prayers with a personal connection to God, recognizing Him as our Father. This intimacy sets the tone for our entire prayer life, reminding us that we are His children and have access to His love and protection.
We then moved into worship, acknowledging God's power and authority. This is crucial because it shifts our focus from our problems to God's greatness. We discussed the importance of aligning our prayers with God's agenda, prioritizing His will over our own desires. This helps us build a relationship with God before making any requests.
Next, we talked about presenting our needs to God, understanding that He is our provider. This part of the prayer is about dependency, recognizing that all good things come from Him. We also touched on the importance of forgiveness, both receiving it from God and extending it to others. This keeps our hearts pure and aligned with God's grace.
We then explored the concept of spiritual warfare, asking God to deliver us from evil. This involves not just seeking protection but also actively fighting against the enemy through prayer. Finally, we concluded with praise and worship, reinforcing our faith in God's ability to meet our needs and fulfill His promises.
By following this model, we can deepen our relationship with God, align our lives with His will, and experience His power and presence in our daily lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Intimacy with God: Begin your prayers by acknowledging God as your Father. This sets a personal and intimate tone, reminding you that you are His child and have access to His love and protection. This foundational step helps you approach God with the right heart and mindset.
2. Worship and Acknowledgment: After establishing intimacy, move into a time of worship. Acknowledge God's power, authority, and greatness. This shifts your focus from your problems to God's ability to handle them, creating a sense of peace and trust in His plans.
3. Aligning with God's Agenda: Before presenting your needs, align your prayers with God's will. Ask for His kingdom to come and His will to be done. This helps you prioritize God's desires over your own, fostering a deeper relationship and understanding of His plans for your life.
4. Dependency on God: Present your needs to God, recognizing that He is your provider. This part of the prayer is about dependency, understanding that all good things come from Him. It keeps you humble and focused on God's ability to meet your needs.
5. Spiritual Warfare and Forgiveness: Engage in spiritual warfare by asking God to deliver you from evil and actively fighting against the enemy through prayer. Also, focus on forgiveness, both receiving it from God and extending it to others. This keeps your heart pure and aligned with God's grace.
### YouTube Chapters
- Welcome
- Introduction to Harvest Track
- Faithfulness in Giving
- Supporting Missionaries
- Ways to Give
- Offering Instructions
- Prayer for Tithes and Offerings
- Online Giving Options
- Preparing for the Sermon
- Pastor's Absence and Prayer Series
- Importance of Order in Prayer
- Jesus Take the Wheel Prayers
- Note-Taking and Devotionals
- Scripture Model of Prayer
- The Lord's Prayer
- Sermon on the Mount Context
- Part 1: Our Father in Heaven
- Part 2: Hallowed Be Your Name
- Part 3: Your Kingdom Come
- Part 4: Give Us This Day
- Part 5: Forgive Us Our Debts
- Part 6: Deliver Us
- Part 7: Kingdom, Power, and Glory
- Chris's Version of the Lord's Prayer
- Worship and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:9-13 (NKJV): "In this manner, therefore, pray: 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 forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
2. Romans 8:14-17 (NLT): "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, 'Abba, Father.' For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering."
3. Proverbs 18:10 (MSG): "God’s name is a place of protection—good people can run there and be safe."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 6:9-13, what are the key components of the Lord's Prayer?
2. In Romans 8:14-17, what does it mean to be led by the Spirit of God and to call God "Abba, Father"?
3. How does Proverbs 18:10 describe the significance of God's name?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to start our prayers by acknowledging God as our Father, as mentioned in the sermon? ([44:12])
2. How does worshiping and acknowledging God's power and authority shift our focus from our problems to His greatness? ([47:17])
3. What does it mean to align our prayers with God's agenda and prioritize His will over our own desires? ([50:02])
4. How does recognizing our dependency on God for our daily needs keep us humble and focused on His provision? ([55:06])
### Application Questions
1. How can you begin your daily prayers by acknowledging God as your Father and reflecting on the intimacy of that relationship? ([44:12])
2. What are some practical ways you can incorporate worship and acknowledgment of God's power into your prayer life to shift your focus from your problems to His greatness? ([47:17])
3. Think of a specific area in your life where you need to align your desires with God's will. How can you pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done in that area? ([50:02])
4. Reflect on a time when you depended on God for a specific need. How did recognizing His provision impact your faith and humility? ([55:06])
5. Is there someone you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from to keep your heart pure and aligned with God's grace? How can you take a step towards reconciliation this week? ([01:01:07])
6. How can you actively engage in spiritual warfare through prayer to seek protection and fight against the enemy in your daily life? ([01:04:48])
7. End your prayer time with praise and worship. What are some specific attributes of God you can focus on to reinforce your faith in His ability to meet your needs and fulfill His promises? ([01:11:44])
Devotional
### Step 1: Themes
1. Intimacy with God as Our Father
2. Worship and Acknowledgment of God's Greatness
3. Aligning Our Prayers with God's Will
4. Dependence on God for Our Needs
5. Engaging in Spiritual Warfare and Practicing Forgiveness
### Step 2: Descriptions
1. Intimacy with God as Our Father
Starting our prayers by acknowledging God as our Father sets a personal and intimate tone. This approach reminds us that we are His children and have access to His love and protection. Recognizing God as our Father helps us approach Him with the right heart and mindset, fostering a deeper connection and trust in His care for us.
This foundational step is crucial because it frames our entire prayer life. When we see God as our loving Father, it changes how we communicate with Him. We are more likely to be open, honest, and vulnerable, knowing that He cares deeply for us and is always ready to listen.
2. Worship and Acknowledgment of God's Greatness
After establishing intimacy with God, it is important to move into a time of worship. Acknowledging God's power, authority, and greatness shifts our focus from our problems to His ability to handle them. This act of worship creates a sense of peace and trust in God's plans, reminding us that He is in control.
Worship is not just about singing songs; it is about recognizing who God is and giving Him the honor He deserves. When we focus on God's greatness, our faith is strengthened, and our worries diminish. This shift in perspective helps us approach our challenges with confidence, knowing that God is greater than any obstacle we face.
3. Aligning Our Prayers with God's Will
Before presenting our needs to God, it is essential to align our prayers with His will. Asking for His kingdom to come and His will to be done helps us prioritize God's desires over our own. This alignment fosters a deeper relationship with God and a better understanding of His plans for our lives.
When we seek God's will first, we demonstrate our trust in His wisdom and sovereignty. This act of surrender allows us to let go of our own agendas and embrace God's perfect plan. It also helps us to pray more effectively, as we are seeking what God desires rather than just our own wants.
4. Dependence on God for Our Needs
Presenting our needs to God is an act of dependency, recognizing that He is our provider. This part of the prayer keeps us humble and focused on God's ability to meet our needs. It is a reminder that all good things come from Him, and we are reliant on His provision.
Dependence on God is a vital aspect of our faith journey. It teaches us to trust in His timing and provision, even when we do not see immediate answers. By acknowledging our dependence on God, we cultivate a heart of gratitude and humility, recognizing that we are not self-sufficient but need His constant care and support.
5. Engaging in Spiritual Warfare and Practicing Forgiveness
Engaging in spiritual warfare involves asking God to deliver us from evil and actively fighting against the enemy through prayer. Additionally, focusing on forgiveness, both receiving it from God and extending it to others, keeps our hearts pure and aligned with God's grace.
Spiritual warfare is a crucial aspect of our prayer life, as it acknowledges the reality of the spiritual battle we face. By seeking God's protection and strength, we can stand firm against the enemy's attacks. Practicing forgiveness is equally important, as it frees us from bitterness and allows us to experience God's grace fully.
### Step 3: Bible Passages
1. Intimacy with God as Our Father
"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15, ESV)
2. Worship and Acknowledgment of God's Greatness
"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all." (1 Chronicles 29:11, ESV)
3. Aligning Our Prayers with God's Will
"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." (1 John 5:14, ESV)
4. Dependence on God for Our Needs
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)
5. Engaging in Spiritual Warfare and Practicing Forgiveness
"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11, ESV)
### Step 4: Reflection Questions
1. Intimacy with God as Our Father
Reflect on how you address God in your prayers. Do you see Him as a loving Father? How can you deepen this intimate connection with Him today?
2. Worship and Acknowledgment of God's Greatness
Think about a current problem or challenge you are facing. How can you shift your focus from this problem to God's greatness and power?
3. Aligning Our Prayers with God's Will
Consider an area of your life where you have been seeking your own will. How can you surrender this area to God and seek His will instead?
4. Dependence on God for Our Needs
Identify a specific need you have today. How can you express your dependence on God for this need and trust in His provision?
5. Engaging in Spiritual Warfare and Practicing Forgiveness
Is there someone you need to forgive? Ask God to help you extend His forgiveness to this person and to protect you from the enemy's attacks.
### Step 5: 5-Day Devotional
Day 1: Intimacy with God as Our Father
Starting our prayers by acknowledging God as our Father sets a personal and intimate tone. This approach reminds us that we are His children and have access to His love and protection. Recognizing God as our Father helps us approach Him with the right heart and mindset, fostering a deeper connection and trust in His care for us.
This foundational step is crucial because it frames our entire prayer life. When we see God as our loving Father, it changes how we communicate with Him. We are more likely to be open, honest, and vulnerable, knowing that He cares deeply for us and is always ready to listen.
"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on how you address God in your prayers. Do you see Him as a loving Father? How can you deepen this intimate connection with Him today?
Day 2: Worship and Acknowledgment of God's Greatness
After establishing intimacy with God, it is important to move into a time of worship. Acknowledging God's power, authority, and greatness shifts our focus from our problems to His ability to handle them. This act of worship creates a sense of peace and trust in God's plans, reminding us that He is in control.
Worship is not just about singing songs; it is about recognizing who God is and giving Him the honor He deserves. When we focus on God's greatness, our faith is strengthened, and our worries diminish. This shift in perspective helps us approach our challenges with confidence, knowing that God is greater than any obstacle we face.
"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all." (1 Chronicles 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a current problem or challenge you are facing. How can you shift your focus from this problem to God's greatness and power?
Day 3: Aligning Our Prayers with God's Will
Before presenting our needs to God, it is essential to align our prayers with His will. Asking for His kingdom to come and His will to be done helps us prioritize God's desires over our own. This alignment fosters a deeper relationship with God and a better understanding of His plans for our lives.
When we seek God's will first, we demonstrate our trust in His wisdom and sovereignty. This act of surrender allows us to let go of our own agendas and embrace God's perfect plan. It also helps us to pray more effectively, as we are seeking what God desires rather than just our own wants.
"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." (1 John 5:14, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you have been seeking your own will. How can you surrender this area to God and seek His will instead?
Day 4: Dependence on God for Our Needs
Presenting our needs to God is an act of dependency, recognizing that He is our provider. This part of the prayer keeps us humble and focused on God's ability to meet our needs. It is a reminder that all good things come from Him, and we are reliant on His provision.
Dependence on God is a vital aspect of our faith journey. It teaches us to trust in His timing and provision, even when we do not see immediate answers. By acknowledging our dependence on God, we cultivate a heart of gratitude and humility, recognizing that we are not self-sufficient but need His constant care and support.
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a specific need you have today. How can you express your dependence on God for this need and trust in His provision?
Day 5: Engaging in Spiritual Warfare and Practicing Forgiveness
Engaging in spiritual warfare involves asking God to deliver us from evil and actively fighting against the enemy through prayer. Additionally, focusing on forgiveness, both receiving it from God and extending it to others, keeps our hearts pure and aligned with God's grace.
Spiritual warfare is a crucial aspect of our prayer life, as it acknowledges the reality of the spiritual battle we face. By seeking God's protection and strength, we can stand firm against the enemy's attacks. Practicing forgiveness is equally important, as it frees us from bitterness and allows us to experience God's grace fully.
"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11, ESV)
Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive? Ask God to help you extend His forgiveness to this person and to protect you from the enemy's attacks.
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God is much, much more than a distant God. You're not talking to a statue. You are talking to your father. And so we need to understand and know that when we begin prayer, we need to understand who we're talking to. We are talking to our father, my father." (19 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Do you understand that you are God's child? And because of that, you have God's authority. You have God's ability. You have got right because it says that we are joint heirs with God. And that is an important thing." (17 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We need to become relational before we become transactional. And that's where this comes. It's our father's agenda first. We often jump into what we want. Do we not? We sit down and we pray again. Besides the Jesus, take the will prayers, because that's basically what we need. But when we actually sit down to spend time with God, I don't know about you, but I'll talk about myself for a minute. I tend to sit down and go, well, God, this is what I need. And this is what's coming up. And this is what I and this is what I and this is what I and this is what I and this is what I and this is what I can think you got a man." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We need to understand that we turn to God and we say, God, if I'm in something I don't need to be in, help me, help me provide that way out. Send people my way. Let me link arms with somebody who can help pull me out of where I'm at. But on the flip side of that, now it's time for me to start attacking. Get off the defense. Christians should not walk around defeated and in defense. We should be walking around victorious and on the attack." (24 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We start prayer and worship. We end prayer and worship. We start by telling him how great he is. And we've finished by reminding ourselves how great he is." (9 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We need to help our, our, our, we need to get our hearts right with God and with people. It's the old saying, forgiven, forgiven people, forgive people, guys, we need to take a step back. I want you to realize that God has forgiven us over a lot of stuff. Can I be real? God has forgiven me over stuff that I haven't even forgiven people for. God's forgiven me of things that I've done that if somebody did that to me, I would probably just, just give them one of those guys to be real." (33 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We need to make a choice that it doesn't matter what happens when I leave this place and I get on the road and somebody gets in front of me. It starts doing some stupid things. I'm going to let that go. I'm going to let that go because God so freely let me off on a lot of things. I'm going to go ahead and let them off." (16 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you're not fighting the devil every day, then he's working harder than you. Imagine that. Imagine if we began to think about that, that if we're not attacking hell's gates every day, we are losing because our enemy, the adversary is, is roaming like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. But church, I'm here to tell you, we don't have to because we can go to God and we can say, God, in your name. I say this, I say the enemy can't do this. I say, you say that we are sons and daughters of God. The enemy says we are not, but I'm gonna believe in you." (37 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We need to start with respect and intimacy. Then we move to worship. After we worship, we move to the father's agenda. God, what do you want? After we find out what God wants, then we begin to ask him, God, this is what I need. This is what I, I desire God, but I know that everything comes from you. So I'm going to say, thank you for giving me what you, what I need. Then. Then we're going to shift focus down to, uh, to getting our hearts right. God, if there's anything in here that I need to get out, let me get it out. God, if there's anything in here that that's keeping us separate, that's keeping us apart. Let me get that out of me." (33 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We need to start with praise. We need to start with worship. We need to move into, me come back before I forget. We need to start with respect. We need to start with individualism. We need to start with the Lord's Prayer. We need to start with the Lord's Prayer. We need to start with intimacy. We need to move into worship. Then we need to pray out the Father's agenda first. Put God first. Then let's back up and begin to say, God, this is what I need, but I know that everything I need depends on you. Then we're going to go into get your heart right. God, if there's anything inside of me that needs to come out, get that out of me. Help me. Help me get away from that. Then we're going to move into, enemy, you don't have a foothold inside of me. You don't have a foothold in my home, my church, nowhere I go, you don't have a foothold there. And then we're going to say, God, we know that the power comes from you. The authority comes from you. And because of you, through Christ, all things are possible. You begin to pray that out. I promise you, church, your life is going to change." (54 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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