Drawing Closer to God Through Prayer and Trust
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound call to draw closer to God, understanding that this journey often leads us to the cross, a place of sacrifice and surrender. God desires for us to lay down our personal agendas, concerns, and goals to embrace His divine plans for our lives. This act of drawing near to God requires us to trust Him completely, even when it means letting go of our own understanding and control.
We delved into the importance of prayer as the foundation of our trust in God. Prayer is not just a ritual but a vital connection to God, allowing us to experience His presence and peace. We are encouraged to pray about everything, from the mundane to the significant, fostering a continuous dialogue with God. This persistent prayer life builds our trust in Him, enabling us to experience His peace that surpasses all understanding, even in the midst of life's storms.
As we prepare for our 21 days of prayer, we are reminded that our trust in God is demonstrated through our prayer life. The more we pray, the more we trust, and the more we trust, the more we experience God's peace and provision. We are called to be persistent in our prayers, never giving up, and always seeking God's guidance and intervention in every aspect of our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Sacrifice and Surrender: Drawing closer to God often means sacrificing our personal agendas and goals. This surrender is not a loss but a gain, as we find true fulfillment and purpose in God's presence. Trusting God with our lives requires us to let go of our control and embrace His divine plans. [24:04]
2. Prayer as a Foundation: Prayer is essential in building our trust in God. It is through prayer that we connect with God, experience His presence, and receive His peace. A consistent prayer life is a testament to our faith and trust in God. [25:07]
3. Persistent Prayer: We are called to pray persistently, never giving up. Persistent prayer demonstrates our trust in God and our reliance on His power and provision. It is through persistent prayer that we experience God's miraculous interventions in our lives. [50:30]
4. Experiencing God's Peace: When we pray and trust God, we experience a peace that surpasses all understanding. This peace guards our hearts and minds, even in the midst of life's challenges. Trusting God through prayer allows us to navigate life's difficulties with a sense of calm and assurance. [55:00]
5. Trust Built Through Prayer: Trust in God is built through a vibrant prayer life. The more we pray, the more we trust God. A life of prayer leads to a deeper trust in God's providence and a greater experience of His peace and presence. [01:02:19]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[24:04] - Sacrifice and Surrender
[25:07] - Prayer as a Foundation
[27:32] - God's Presence in Our Lives
[28:10] - Surrendering to God's Will
[28:45] - Experiencing God's Peace
[30:54] - Encouragement and Reassurance
[32:01] - Greeting and Fellowship
[33:29] - Connecting with the Church
[35:25] - Generosity and Giving
[44:55] - Preparing for 21 Days of Prayer
[46:20] - Trusting God in Difficulties
[48:26] - Who Do You Trust?
[50:30] - Persistent Prayer
[55:00] - Experiencing God's Peace
[01:02:19] - Trust Built Through Prayer
[01:14:19] - Praying for Healing and Restoration
[01:20:36] - Trusting God with Our Lives
[01:26:13] - Conclusion and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
2. James 5:16: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:17: "Pray continually."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Philippians 4:6-7, what are we instructed to do instead of worrying? What is the result of following this instruction?
2. In James 5:16, what are the two actions believers are encouraged to take, and what is the promised outcome of these actions?
3. How does 1 Thessalonians 5:17 describe the frequency of prayer in a believer's life?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "present your requests to God with thanksgiving" as mentioned in Philippians 4:6-7? How does this practice affect our trust in God? [53:12]
2. How can the act of confessing sins to one another and praying for each other, as stated in James 5:16, build a stronger community of faith?
3. What are some practical ways to "pray continually" as instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:17? How might this look in daily life? [01:09:04]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were anxious. Did you turn to prayer? How did it affect your situation and your peace of mind? [52:23]
2. Think about your current prayer life. Do you find yourself praying more in times of crisis or consistently throughout your day? How can you develop a habit of persistent prayer? [50:30]
3. What personal agendas or goals might you need to surrender to draw closer to God? How can you start this process of surrender? [24:04]
4. How can you incorporate thanksgiving into your prayers, even when facing difficult circumstances? Share a specific example from your life. [53:58]
5. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to trust God. What steps can you take to build trust through prayer in this area? [01:02:19]
6. How can you support others in your small group through prayer? Is there someone you can commit to praying for regularly? [01:06:03]
7. As we prepare for 21 days of prayer, what specific prayer requests will you bring before God? How can you stay committed to praying persistently for these requests? [01:14:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Sacrifice and Surrender
Description: Drawing closer to God often means sacrificing our personal agendas and goals. This surrender is not a loss but a gain, as we find true fulfillment and purpose in God's presence. Trusting God with our lives requires us to let go of our control and embrace His divine plans. This act of surrender is a profound step of faith, where we acknowledge that God's ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. By laying down our own desires, we open ourselves to the abundant life that God has planned for us. [24:04]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: What is one personal agenda or goal you are holding onto tightly? How can you begin to surrender this to God today, trusting in His greater plan for your life?
Day 2: Building Trust Through Prayer
Description: Prayer is essential in building our trust in God. It is through prayer that we connect with God, experience His presence, and receive His peace. A consistent prayer life is a testament to our faith and trust in God. When we pray, we are not just speaking words into the air; we are engaging in a divine conversation with our Creator. This connection allows us to pour out our hearts, seek guidance, and find solace in His presence. As we commit to a life of prayer, we begin to see God's hand at work in our lives, reinforcing our trust in His providence. [25:07]
Psalm 145:18-19 (ESV): "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine this week? What specific areas of your life do you need to bring before God in prayer?
Day 3: The Power of Persistent Prayer
Description: We are called to pray persistently, never giving up. Persistent prayer demonstrates our trust in God and our reliance on His power and provision. It is through persistent prayer that we experience God's miraculous interventions in our lives. This kind of prayer is not about vain repetition but about a steadfast commitment to seek God's face continually. Persistent prayer shows our determination to align our will with God's and our unwavering belief that He hears and answers our prayers. It is in this persistence that we often see breakthroughs and divine responses that transform our circumstances. [50:30]
Luke 18:1-8 (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."'"
Reflection: Is there a specific prayer request you have been tempted to give up on? How can you renew your commitment to pray persistently for this need?
Day 4: Experiencing God's Peace
Description: When we pray and trust God, we experience a peace that surpasses all understanding. This peace guards our hearts and minds, even in the midst of life's challenges. Trusting God through prayer allows us to navigate life's difficulties with a sense of calm and assurance. This peace is not dependent on our circumstances but on our relationship with God. It is a divine tranquility that comes from knowing that God is in control and that He cares for us deeply. As we lean into this peace, we find strength and comfort that sustain us through every trial. [55:00]
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: In what areas of your life do you need God's peace right now? How can you intentionally focus your mind on God to experience His perfect peace?
Day 5: Trust Built Through Prayer
Description: Trust in God is built through a vibrant prayer life. The more we pray, the more we trust God. A life of prayer leads to a deeper trust in God's providence and a greater experience of His peace and presence. As we engage in regular, heartfelt prayer, we develop a closer relationship with God, which in turn strengthens our faith. This trust is not built overnight but through consistent, daily communication with God. As we witness His faithfulness in response to our prayers, our confidence in His goodness and sovereignty grows, enabling us to trust Him more fully in every aspect of our lives. [01:02:19]
Jeremiah 29:12-13 (ESV): "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: How has your trust in God grown through your prayer life? What steps can you take to deepen your prayer life and, consequently, your trust in God?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "But I promise you this, if you draw nigh unto me, the Lord says, if you draw closer to him and you sacrifice yourself, you will find that in the life that you lost, you will gain so much more in the presence of the shadow of the Almighty. Because he is God and he knows exactly what you need. He knows exactly where you are. And he is able to do those things according to his riches and glory." [24:04] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you would just accept my grace, if you would just accept my love, if you would just surrender your heart and surrender your life, I will show you everything you need to know. I will bring you to a place where your enemies will be at your feet and I will provide a way for the impossible to happen." [28:10] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Prayer should be our first, and not our last. That is a great question, isn't it? Is prayer our first response? Or is it our last resort? As we're gearing up for 21 days of prayer, that we will kick off this Wednesday night, I would encourage you to be here. I would encourage you to be here this Wednesday night. You do not want to miss it." [50:30] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The more you pray throughout your day, the more you will trust God. But if you do not pray, if you do not have an attitude of prayer, and praying about everything, then the trust that you need to have, when those difficult times come, will never come to happen because there is no prayer life. And when there's no prayer life, you will never ever experience the peace of God, even when it doesn't make sense." [01:09:43] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If Satan can keep you from praying, he is keeping you from trusting. I said, if he is keeping you from praying, then he is keeping you from trusting. And guess what else is keeping you from? Experiencing the peace. Experiencing the peace. We must pray. We must pray. What are you believing God to do in your life? What are you believing God to do for your life? For your family? What are the deepest things that you hold dear? Can I tell you, it starts and it ends with prayer." [01:05:19] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So the question for us, are we willing to draw nearer to a cross? That requires for us to get up on it and say, Lord, I've tried it my way. I try to do things right. I think there's a way that's right. But the word says it leads to my own destruction because I do it with a carnal mind. And now I want to surrender everything to you. I want to draw nearer to you." [25:07] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Your response is what you trust. Not what you trust, because we can say we trust, and our response does not line up with that. But what we really trust is how we respond. If you go to a friend first, then you trust that friend. Would you agree? And you might go to that friend first because you know them. You see how successful they are. They have experience. You look up to them. You can go to them because you know they think like you, and they act like you." [48:26] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The person who trusts in God completely is the person who has a strong, vibrant prayer life. Going to God in prayer on a consistent basis is one of the hardest things in life. Because time in prayer with God prepares you for living life and what it brings. Because life is hard. It's unpredictable. It's selfish. It's lonely at times. It shows no regard to the child of God. But listen to me. Your time in prayer is a display of your faith in God." [01:04:06] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Trust only comes by prayer and spending time in prayer. If you say you trust God, and you don't spend any time in prayer, that is only lip service. And the Lord knows that. The Lord has dealt with that. But I can't go there this morning with that. There is power in prayer. And this is when we spend time in the presence of God. Let me tell you, you know this already. I'm not telling you nothing, anything new. Trust is hard to get. Do you believe that this morning? Is trust hard to get? And you know what else is hard? It's hard to keep." [01:04:43] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "To put your trust in God, it is to be built by prayer. To put your trust in God is to be built by prayer. And what I mean by that, if you are not spending any time in prayer, then I can say very confidently, you are not trusting God with your life. I can say that very boldly. If you do not spend any time. If you do not spend any time in prayer. Small prayer life builds small trust in God. Small prayer life builds a small trust in God." [01:02:19] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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