Embracing a Life of Continuous Prayer
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound significance of prayer in our lives as followers of Jesus. We began by reflecting on the simple yet powerful moments of prayer with our children, emphasizing that prayer is more caught than taught. Jesus modeled a praying life, not just a prayer life, and we are called to do the same. We delved into various scriptures that highlight Jesus' commitment to prayer, even in moments of deep anguish and sorrow. This underscores the importance of integrating prayer into every aspect of our lives, making it a continuous practice rather than a sporadic activity.
We also addressed common obstacles to prayer, such as worry, busyness, feeling lost, and cynicism. These challenges can hinder our prayer life, but by acknowledging them and bringing them into the presence of God, we can overcome them. Prayer is not just about asking for things but about aligning our hearts with God's will and experiencing His presence in our daily lives.
Furthermore, we discussed the importance of praying scripture. This practice not only deepens our understanding of God's word but also transforms our prayer life. By praying scripture, we allow God's truth to shape our thoughts, emotions, and actions. We highlighted five specific areas to focus on in prayer: praying for the lost, praying for maturity, praying to overcome fear, praying in times of loss and grief, and praying with gratitude. Each of these areas helps us grow in our relationship with God and align our lives more closely with His purposes.
### Key Takeaways
1. Prayer is More Caught Than Taught: The most significant influence on our prayer life comes from observing and modeling the prayer habits of others, especially Jesus. He didn't just teach His disciples how to pray; He lived a praying life, demonstrating the importance of consistent, heartfelt communication with God. This practice of prayer should permeate every aspect of our lives, transforming us from the inside out. [29:54]
2. Overcoming Obstacles to Prayer: Common challenges like worry, busyness, feeling lost, and cynicism can hinder our prayer life. However, by bringing these obstacles into God's presence, we can find peace and direction. Prayer is not just about asking for things but about experiencing God's presence and aligning our hearts with His will. [38:11]
3. Praying Scripture: Integrating scripture into our prayers deepens our understanding of God's word and transforms our prayer life. By praying scripture, we allow God's truth to shape our thoughts, emotions, and actions. This practice helps us align our lives more closely with God's purposes and experience His presence in a profound way. [54:55]
4. Praying in Times of Fear and Loss: In moments of fear and grief, prayer becomes a lifeline that connects us to God's comfort and strength. Scriptures like Psalm 46 remind us that God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. By praying these truths, we can find peace and hope even in the midst of difficult circumstances. [51:11]
5. Gratitude in Prayer: Praying with gratitude shifts our focus from our problems to God's faithfulness. By thanking God for His blessings and the people in our lives, we cultivate a heart of thankfulness and joy. This practice not only strengthens our relationship with God but also transforms our perspective, helping us see His hand at work in every situation. [01:09:05]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[15:01] - Setting Up for the Campout
[25:10] - Introduction and Church Renovations
[26:29] - Transition to Teaching
[27:13] - The Importance of Prayer
[28:07] - Modeling Prayer for Our Children
[29:54] - Jesus' Praying Life
[31:22] - The Practice of Prayer
[32:06] - Made New Series Introduction
[33:28] - The Goal of the Christian Life
[34:24] - Scripture Memorization
[36:07] - Engaging Scripture
[37:05] - Challenges to Prayer
[38:11] - Overcoming Worry
[40:31] - Trusting God with Our Worries
[42:00] - God's Provision
[43:19] - The Balance of Prayer and Action
[45:08] - Overcoming Busyness
[47:14] - Learning How to Pray
[49:33] - The Lord's Prayer
[51:11] - Dealing with Cynicism
[54:55] - Praying Scripture
[56:54] - Five Things to Pray For
[01:09:05] - Praying with Gratitude
[01:12:06] - Practical Steps for Praying Scripture
[01:18:30] - Closing Prayer and Song
[01:21:12] - Campout Information and Farewell
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Mark 1:35 - "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."
2. Luke 5:16 - "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."
3. Psalm 46:1-3 - "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Mark 1:35, what time of day did Jesus choose to pray, and where did He go to do it?
2. In Luke 5:16, what does the passage say about the frequency and location of Jesus' prayers?
3. Psalm 46:1-3 describes God in a specific way. What are the attributes of God mentioned in these verses?
4. The sermon mentioned several obstacles to prayer. Can you list at least two of these obstacles? [[38:11]]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose early morning and solitary places for His prayer time? How might this influence our own prayer habits? [[30:09]]
2. Psalm 46:1-3 speaks of God as a refuge and strength. How does this understanding of God help us in times of fear and trouble? [[01:01:59]]
3. The sermon emphasized that prayer is more caught than taught. How does observing others, especially Jesus, impact our own prayer life? [[29:54]]
4. What does it mean to have a "praying life" rather than just a "prayer life," and how can this distinction affect our daily walk with God? [[31:07]]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current prayer habits. Do you have a specific time and place for prayer like Jesus did? If not, what changes can you make to establish this practice? [[30:09]]
2. Identify a specific worry or fear you are currently facing. How can you bring this into God's presence and trust Him as your refuge and strength? [[01:01:59]]
3. Think about someone in your life who models a strong prayer life. What specific aspects of their prayer habits can you adopt in your own life? [[29:54]]
4. The sermon mentioned praying scripture as a way to deepen our prayer life. Choose a scripture passage that resonates with you and practice praying it this week. How does this practice change your prayer experience? [[54:55]]
5. Consider the obstacles to prayer mentioned in the sermon (worry, busyness, feeling lost, cynicism). Which of these do you struggle with the most, and what steps can you take to overcome it? [[38:11]]
6. In times of loss and grief, how can you use prayer to connect with God's comfort and strength? Share a personal experience where prayer helped you through a difficult time. [[51:11]]
7. Gratitude in prayer shifts our focus from problems to God's faithfulness. List three things you are grateful for and incorporate them into your prayers this week. How does this practice affect your outlook and relationship with God? [[01:09:05]]
Devotional
Day 1: Prayer is More Caught Than Taught
Prayer is a practice that is often learned through observation and modeling rather than direct instruction. Jesus exemplified this by living a praying life, not just teaching about prayer. His disciples saw Him pray in various situations, from moments of joy to times of deep sorrow. This consistent, heartfelt communication with God was a cornerstone of His life and ministry. As followers of Jesus, we are called to integrate prayer into every aspect of our lives, allowing it to transform us from the inside out. By modeling a praying life for others, especially our children, we can pass on this vital practice in a way that words alone cannot convey. [29:54]
Luke 5:16 (ESV): "But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray."
Reflection: Think about someone in your life who looks up to you. How can you model a praying life for them this week?
Day 2: Overcoming Obstacles to Prayer
Many challenges can hinder our prayer life, such as worry, busyness, feeling lost, and cynicism. These obstacles can make it difficult to maintain a consistent and meaningful prayer practice. However, by bringing these challenges into God's presence, we can find peace and direction. Prayer is not just about asking for things but about experiencing God's presence and aligning our hearts with His will. When we acknowledge our struggles and seek God's help, we can overcome these obstacles and deepen our relationship with Him. [38:11]
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV): "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
Reflection: Identify one obstacle that is currently hindering your prayer life. How can you bring this obstacle into God's presence today?
Day 3: Praying Scripture
Integrating scripture into our prayers can profoundly transform our prayer life. By praying scripture, we allow God's truth to shape our thoughts, emotions, and actions. This practice helps us align our lives more closely with God's purposes and experience His presence in a deeper way. Praying scripture not only deepens our understanding of God's word but also makes our prayers more powerful and effective. It is a way to ensure that our prayers are rooted in God's truth and aligned with His will. [54:55]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: Choose a passage of scripture to pray through today. How does this passage shape your thoughts and emotions as you pray?
Day 4: Praying in Times of Fear and Loss
In moments of fear and grief, prayer becomes a lifeline that connects us to God's comfort and strength. Scriptures like Psalm 46 remind us that God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. By praying these truths, we can find peace and hope even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Prayer in times of fear and loss allows us to lean on God's promises and experience His presence in a profound way. It is a reminder that we are not alone and that God is always with us, providing comfort and strength. [51:11]
Psalm 46:1-2 (ESV): "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea."
Reflection: Think of a recent time when you felt fear or loss. How can you use prayer to connect with God's comfort and strength in similar situations?
Day 5: Gratitude in Prayer
Praying with gratitude shifts our focus from our problems to God's faithfulness. By thanking God for His blessings and the people in our lives, we cultivate a heart of thankfulness and joy. This practice not only strengthens our relationship with God but also transforms our perspective, helping us see His hand at work in every situation. Gratitude in prayer reminds us of God's goodness and helps us maintain a positive outlook, even in challenging times. It is a powerful way to acknowledge God's presence and provision in our lives. [01:09:05]
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: Take a moment to list three things you are grateful for today. How can you incorporate gratitude into your daily prayers?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Because we are really committed and passionate about inviting our community to belong to Jesus, to believe in Jesus, and to become like Jesus." [25:24] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Prayer is simply bringing the presence of God into whatever situation I'm thinking about or I'm worrying about. Something changes on one side or the other of the equal sign. Either he changes me on the one side or he changes the outcome on the other. Sometimes both. Prayer does stuff. Prayer moves the heart of God and we have to remember that." [40:07] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The unique thing about the people of God and the church is that God invites us to both. And they're not mutually exclusive. They actually work interdependently beautifully. As I pray for the things that matter to God, which is people by the way, it's people experiencing new life in Jesus and healing and wholeness of becoming His disciple of all these things." [43:19] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The beauty of the Bible, it doesn't just create language to help you kind of sulk in your pain, right? There's a ton of stuff in the modern world that can kind of, like, sort of numb this kind of the pain, and we can kind of sit in it and kind of wallow in it. But the biblical story actually elevates the conversation offer hope, to offer healing, if we would but engage it and pray it." [01:08:00] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The thing about Christianity that stands in stark contrast to any other philosophy, ideology, religion out there is that God himself stepped into and experienced the very suffering and pain that we experience. God knows what it's like to lose a child. God knows what it's like to go through loss, to go through grief." [53:19] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Jesus didn't have a prayer life. He lived a praying life. There's a difference. Jesus prayed in agony the night before he died by crucifixion. Mark chapter 14 verses 32 through 34 would tell us. I've given some illustrations. I'm trying to make one point today and drive it home. Part of what it looks like to grow in our faith in Jesus and part of what it means to be His disciple, not just a Christian like I check a box on a survey, but to actually order and reorder my life around following Him is this practice of prayer. Not just a prayer life but a praying life." [31:07] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The hardest thing about our spiritual formation is we're not in control of it. We as American people, we love to be in control, do we not? Like holy smokes, I'm a control freak. We all are in a lot of ways, right? And the thing about following Jesus is Carrie Underwood said it well. What did she say? Jesus take the wheel. That was risky. You guys are feeling like, ah, do I go out, break out in song? I don't know. It's we give him control. And as we give him control, he changes us." [01:00:06] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The goal of this teaching series has been to unpack this biblical truth that all the New Testament authors and even the Old Testament pointed towards this truth that we, through Jesus, can be, are, will be made new. And we've been kind of framing the goal of the Christian life to be this. By the way, if you're in the room and you wouldn't say you're a follower of Jesus or you're a Christian, you're kind of exploring faith, man we're so glad you're here because you're getting a sneak peek into what the Bible teaches about what happens when someone puts their faith in Jesus and they say I want to be His apprentice. I want to be his student, his disciple. I want to follow after him." [32:06] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Prayer is kind of like railroad tracks. On the one hand, we have praying and on the other hand, we have doing. You need both for the train to move. If all I do is pray, pray, pray but I don't do, I got one rail. That's a good thing. That train ain't going anywhere. All I'm doing is doing, doing, doing. Train's also not going to go anywhere." [42:58] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The reality is Sunday morning church won't do much in terms of your habit formation. Sunday morning church is a part of your habit formation because you've made it a weekly rhythm to be here on Sunday. Good job. Did you know the average church attendance right now in America, average, once a month. Once a month. Some of the heads in the room are like, I don't know. That seems a little inflated or deflated. However you look at the equation. Once a month. To have worshiping as the body of believers a more regular rhythm is already an unusual thing in our cultural moment and going against the grain." [55:21] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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