Embracing a Year of Prayer and Renewal

 

Summary

As we step into a new year, it's a time for reflection and renewal. The beauty of New Year's Day lies in the opportunity to start afresh, to wipe the slate clean and set new intentions. Reflecting on the past year, many of us carry regrets, whether they are specific incidents or patterns of behavior that we wish we could change. For me, the realization that I didn't pray enough stands out. Despite praying more than ever before, I recognize how much more effective and fulfilling my life could have been if I had spent more time in prayer.

James 4 reminds us of the power of prayer and the futility of striving without seeking God's guidance. We often find ourselves caught up in our own plans, forgetting to ask God for help. The passage challenges us to consider our motives and to remember that we do not have because we do not ask. It's a call to shift our perspective, to look up from our busy lives and acknowledge the God who is in control of everything.

This year, I am committed to making prayer a central focus, both personally and within our church community. I envision 2003 as a year of prayer at Cornerstone Church, where we pray like never before, believing that through prayer, God will bring about significant change. We will emphasize prayer in our services and create opportunities for us to gather and seek God's face together.

In our personal lives, I encourage each of us to make a commitment to pray more. Let's not continue the cycle of regret, but instead, start this year with a renewed dedication to prayer. Use the ACTS model—Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication—to guide your prayers. Begin by adoring God, acknowledging His greatness, and confessing your sins. Then, express your gratitude for His blessings and make your requests known with thanksgiving.

As we embark on this journey of prayer, let's remember that we are speaking to the God of the universe, who is capable of doing immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. May this year be marked by a deeper connection with God and a greater reliance on His power and presence in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- The Power of Starting Over: The new year offers a chance to reflect on past mistakes and set new intentions. Embrace the opportunity to start afresh, recognizing that each day is a gift to begin anew. [00:31]

- The Importance of Prayer: Reflecting on the past year, the realization of not praying enough can be a powerful motivator. Prayer is not just a ritual but a vital connection with God that can transform our lives. [02:39]

- James 4's Challenge: The passage in James 4 challenges us to examine our motives and recognize that we do not have because we do not ask. It's a call to prioritize prayer and seek God's guidance in all things. [06:09]

- Commitment to Prayer: This year, make a personal commitment to pray more. Use the ACTS model to guide your prayers, starting with adoration and confession, and moving to thanksgiving and supplication. [19:21]

- A Year of Prayer at Cornerstone: As a church, we are committed to making 2003 a year of prayer, believing that through prayer, God will bring about significant change. Let's gather together to seek God's face and rely on His power. [15:19]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:31] - New Year's Reflections
- [00:58] - The Beauty of Starting Over
- [01:39] - Regrets and Lessons from 2002
- [02:39] - The Realization of Not Praying Enough
- [03:49] - The Power of Prayer
- [05:19] - James 4: A Call to Prayer
- [06:47] - Examining Our Motives
- [09:01] - Little People and Big Plans
- [11:03] - The Arrogance of Planning Without God
- [13:40] - Life's Uncertainty and God's Control
- [15:19] - A Year of Prayer at Cornerstone
- [19:21] - The ACTS Model of Prayer
- [22:25] - Adoration and Confession
- [31:32] - Thanksgiving and Supplication

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- James 4:1-3
- Isaiah 40:22
- Ephesians 5:3-4

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Observation Questions:

1. According to James 4:1-3, what are the reasons given for why people do not receive what they desire? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on prayer? [06:09]

2. In the sermon, the pastor mentions the concept of "little people" making plans. How does this analogy relate to the message in Isaiah 40:22 about God’s sovereignty? [09:01]

3. What does Ephesians 5:3-4 say about the behavior expected of God’s people, and how does this connect to the sermon’s call for a life of prayer and thanksgiving? [32:42]

4. How does the pastor describe his personal realization about prayer in the past year, and what impact does he believe more prayer could have had on his life and the church? [03:39]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the passage in James 4 challenge believers to examine their motives in prayer, and what might be some examples of wrong motives that could hinder prayer? [06:09]

2. The pastor uses the analogy of "little people" to illustrate human plans versus God’s control. How does this analogy help in understanding the futility of making plans without seeking God’s guidance? [09:01]

3. In Ephesians 5:3-4, Paul contrasts improper behavior with thanksgiving. How might a focus on thanksgiving transform a believer’s life and relationships? [32:42]

4. The pastor expresses a desire for 2003 to be a year of prayer at Cornerstone Church. What are some potential changes he anticipates as a result of this commitment to prayer? [15:19]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own prayer life over the past year. What specific changes can you make to prioritize prayer in your daily routine? [03:39]

2. Consider the analogy of "little people" making plans. How can you ensure that your plans for the future are aligned with God’s will and not just your own desires? [09:01]

3. Using the ACTS model of prayer (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication), identify one area where you can improve. What steps will you take to incorporate this model into your prayer life? [19:21]

4. The pastor emphasizes the importance of starting the year with a clean slate. What past regrets or patterns do you need to let go of to embrace a fresh start in your spiritual journey? [00:31]

5. How can you incorporate more thanksgiving into your conversations and interactions with others, as encouraged by Ephesians 5:3-4? [32:42]

6. The sermon calls for a commitment to prayer both personally and as a church community. How can you contribute to fostering a culture of prayer within your small group or church? [15:19]

7. Reflect on the pastor’s challenge to pray more than ever before. What specific prayer goals can you set for yourself this year, and how will you track your progress? [18:12]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace New Beginnings
Reflecting on the past year, many people find themselves burdened by regrets and missed opportunities. The new year offers a unique chance to start afresh, to wipe the slate clean, and to set new intentions. This is a time to embrace the beauty of new beginnings, recognizing that each day is a gift to begin anew. By acknowledging past mistakes and learning from them, individuals can move forward with hope and purpose. The opportunity to start over is not just about making resolutions but about a deeper transformation that aligns with one's values and faith. [00:31]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Reflection: What is one regret from the past year that you can release today, trusting God to guide you into a new beginning?


Day 2: The Transformative Power of Prayer
Prayer is more than a ritual; it is a vital connection with God that can transform lives. Reflecting on the past year, the realization of not praying enough can serve as a powerful motivator to deepen one's prayer life. Prayer is an opportunity to communicate with God, to seek His guidance, and to align one's life with His will. It is through prayer that individuals can experience God's presence and power in their lives, leading to a more fulfilling and effective life. By prioritizing prayer, one can open the door to divine intervention and transformation. [02:39]

Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine, and what specific area of your life do you need to bring before God in prayer today?


Day 3: Seeking God's Guidance
James 4 challenges individuals to examine their motives and recognize that they do not have because they do not ask. This passage serves as a reminder of the futility of striving without seeking God's guidance. It calls for a shift in perspective, encouraging people to look up from their busy lives and acknowledge the God who is in control of everything. By prioritizing prayer and seeking God's guidance in all things, individuals can align their plans with His will and experience His blessings. This is a call to humility and dependence on God, recognizing that true success comes from Him. [06:09]

Proverbs 16:3 (ESV): "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."

Reflection: What is one decision or plan you are currently making without seeking God's guidance, and how can you invite Him into that process today?


Day 4: A Commitment to Prayer
This year, individuals are encouraged to make a personal commitment to pray more, using the ACTS model—Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication—to guide their prayers. This model provides a structured approach to prayer, starting with adoration and confession, and moving to thanksgiving and supplication. By making prayer a central focus, individuals can deepen their connection with God and rely on His power and presence in their lives. This commitment to prayer is not just about personal growth but also about fostering a prayerful community that seeks God's face together. [19:21]

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: How can you incorporate the ACTS model into your prayer life this week, and who can you invite to join you in this commitment to prayer?


Day 5: A Year of Prayerful Transformation
As a church community, there is a commitment to making this year a year of prayer, believing that through prayer, God will bring about significant change. This vision involves emphasizing prayer in services and creating opportunities for the community to gather and seek God's face together. By dedicating the year to prayer, the church believes that God will work in powerful ways, transforming lives and bringing about His purposes. This is a call to collective action, inviting everyone to participate in this journey of prayerful transformation. [15:19]

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in your church's commitment to prayer this year, and what specific role can you play in fostering a prayerful community?

Quotes

"I love the idea of the new year because you know I love about it is I love to start over do you guys enjoy starting over do you enjoy just like saying okay I totally messed that one up but okay I get a new start you know like in sports okay I had a terrible game but okay I'm starting a new new game I just love the idea of okay yes I blew it but now I get to just wipe everything away start over again." [00:00:46]

"I just think about how much more effective I could have been this year had I spent more time praying and asking God to do things through me how much better my family would be how much better the church would be how much better so many things in my life would be not that any of them are bad but it's like God I forgot to call upon the god of the universe." [00:03:36]

"The passage that keeps hitting me is James 4 James chapter 4 uh it's there's a real simple phrase in this uh passage that has just been on my mind especially this last week as as God has just shown me just how foolish it's been in James chapter 4 starting in verse one he says what causes fights and quarrels among you don't they come from your desires that battle Within in you you want something but you don't get it you kill and covet but you cannot have what you want you quarrel and you fight you do not have because you do not ask God." [00:05:27]

"See a lot of times when we pray and we start asking God if we really brought all of our desires before God sometimes when we start asking for things we realize wow why am I asking for that you know what is my motive in wanting that is that something God would even be pleased with but that other phrase that just kept hitting me you know you don't have because you don't ask it's so simple it's so obvious and yet how often is that true in our lives where prayer is our last resort." [00:06:47]

"Instead you ought to say if it's the Lord's will we will live and do this or that as it is you boast and brag all such boasting is evil he says you know after he's talking about prayer he says okay come on you guys that are he says come now you who say well this year I'm going to go to this city I'm going to make this amount of money as as many of us in this room are doing already saying okay this year 2003 I've got this position and this job we should have this type of income and the Bible says come on are you kidding me he says you don't know what your life's going to be like tomorrow." [00:11:11]

"I really want two 2003 to be the year of prayer at Cornerstone Church where we pray like we never have before where we just really really believe that through prayer things are going to change not that things are horrible but I I just feel like God wants to do so much more and it's a matter of us praying about it you know when this church first started we were so foolish but we knew it you know we just were I don't know any of you were there but we all knew we were dumb we didn't know how to start a church we like what what is this all about how do you do this you know call someone find out what do we do and so we depended on God and nothing has changed we're still stupid it's just that now I'm not sure we know it." [00:15:06]

"I love for you in 2004 to be able to look back at 2003 and see all the wonderful changes that took place in your own life because of the amount of prayer that took place personally and that's where we're going to start we're not going to start with a big event here you know I'm not calling a big prayer meeting you know this Wednesday night first I I I want to address your own personal life are you willing to make that type of commitment yourself to say no this year I commit I'm going to pray more than ever I'm just going to do it starting over I wish I had done it last year and things would be different now had I done that last year I truly believe my life would be different if it if I had prayed more last year." [00:17:44]

"Acts remind us because the idea is it you know a stands for adoration C stands for confession T stands for Thanksgiving and S stands for supplication supplication meaning petitioning and asking for things now so often when we come before God the first thing we do is we just ask for stuff rather than adoring him rather than confessing the sin in our lives rather than telling him everything we're thankful for already and so that that has really helped me in my prayer life because I tend to just rush in and just ask for things and yet when you read scripture you'll see that so much of the Psalms so many of the prayers are all just about praise and adoring God." [00:19:21]

"Father teach us to fear you to worship you with reverence to speak your name with awe and we come into your presence help us not to forget that you're the one that spoke the stars in place you're the one that created the Seas and you can calm them stir up storms but not to forget about how the the mountains can just tremble in your presence now there are just Angels worshiping at your feet telling you how holy you are this year Lord remind us to adore you to adore your son Jesus in his name we pray amen." [00:23:26]

"Thanksgiving and then finally supplication where we make our requests known to God he wants us to make our requests known with god with Thanksgiving it says in in Philippians 4 how it says you know not to be anxious but in all things through through prayer and petition with Thanksgiving make your request known to known to God we usually skip that Thanksgiving part though we just make our requests known you see it's a process what do you want from God he says you don't have because you don't ask he ask you'll receive seek you'll find knock the door will be open to you." [00:40:44]

"Have you guys noticed your prayers changing over the years like the way in which you pray hopefully it changes I don't know about you but I I've noticed in my life it's it's changed from like temporary physical things that I used that's all I ever prayed for to where the more I pray the more I I find myself asking for Spiritual things and asking for you know character issues and and people and lives and things that that matter more whereas before I was like I hurt my toe helping to get better now it's like God I want to see your face I want to know you better I'm tired of living a mediocre life I want to see you do things that that that you've never done through me before I want to see you change me I want to know you like I've never known you before." [00:46:35]

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Transcript
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