Embracing Prayer: A Journey of Intimacy and Dependence

 

Summary

As we gather to reflect on the past year and look forward to the new one, we are reminded of the importance of prayer in our lives. Prayer is not just a ritual or a set of magical words; it is a profound connection with our Heavenly Father. In Luke 11, Jesus teaches us how to pray, emphasizing the intimacy and reverence we should have when approaching God. We are to pray as dependent children to a sovereignly gracious Father, acknowledging His holiness, sovereignty, and provision.

The Lord's Prayer begins with addressing God as "Father," a term that signifies both intimacy and dependence. This was revolutionary for the disciples, as it was rare in their culture to refer to God in such a personal way. Jesus teaches us to approach God with the same childlike trust and dependence, recognizing Him as the one who sustains and loves us.

Prayer is also about aligning our desires with God's will. We are to pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done, not our own. This reflects a heart that seeks God's glory above all else. We are reminded that earthly kingdoms and rulers are temporary, but God's kingdom is eternal.

Furthermore, Jesus instructs us to pray for our daily needs, both physical and spiritual. This daily dependence on God is a reminder that we cannot sustain ourselves; it is God who provides for us. We are also to seek forgiveness for our sins and extend forgiveness to others, reflecting the grace we have received from God.

Lastly, we are to pray for protection from temptation, acknowledging our weakness and need for God's strength. God does not tempt us, but He allows trials to refine our faith. In these moments, we must rely on His power to overcome.

In conclusion, prayer is a vital part of our relationship with God. It is an expression of our dependence on Him and a means of aligning our hearts with His will. As we enter the new year, may we be a people of prayer, seeking God's presence and guidance in every aspect of our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. Intimacy with God: Prayer is an intimate conversation with our Heavenly Father, who loves and sustains us. We are to approach Him with childlike trust, recognizing Him as the source of our life and provision. This intimacy sets Christianity apart from other religions, as we can call God "Father" and experience His personal care. [35:48]

2. Aligning with God's Will: True prayer seeks God's kingdom and will above our own desires. It is a reminder that earthly kingdoms are temporary, but God's kingdom is eternal. We are to pray for His rule in our hearts and the world, trusting in His sovereign plan. [42:38]

3. Daily Dependence: We are to rely on God for our daily needs, both physical and spiritual. This dependence reminds us that we cannot sustain ourselves and that God is our provider. It encourages us to trust in His faithfulness and provision each day. [47:33]

4. Forgiveness and Grace: Prayer involves seeking forgiveness for our sins and extending forgiveness to others. This reflects the grace we have received from God and our need for His continual cleansing. It is a call to live in reconciliation with God and others. [53:20]

5. Protection from Temptation: We must acknowledge our weakness and pray for God's strength to overcome temptation. Trials are opportunities for growth, and we need God's perspective to see them as refining rather than debilitating. God promises to provide a way of escape and deliver us from sin. [59:17]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [09:46] - Prayer for Missionaries
- [11:09] - Prayers for Healing
- [13:39] - Community and Ministry Prayers
- [17:11] - Praying for Leadership
- [26:52] - The Power of Prayer in Crisis
- [28:01] - Rituals and True Prayer
- [29:32] - Teach Us to Pray
- [30:58] - Jesus' Prayer Life
- [31:53] - The Importance of Prayer
- [33:57] - The Attitude of Prayer
- [35:00] - Understanding Our Heavenly Father
- [37:03] - God as Our Father
- [40:01] - God's Holiness and Our Prayers
- [41:31] - Praying for God's Kingdom

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 11:1-13

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Observation Questions:

1. In Luke 11:1-13, how does Jesus instruct His disciples to address God in prayer, and what significance does this have? [29:32]

2. What are the key elements of the Lord's Prayer as outlined in Luke 11, and how do they reflect our relationship with God? [29:32]

3. According to the sermon, what cultural significance did addressing God as "Father" have for the disciples? [35:48]

4. How does the parable of the friend at midnight in Luke 11:5-8 illustrate the nature of persistence in prayer? [01:03:44]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to approach God with "childlike trust and dependence," and how does this shape our prayer life? [37:03]

2. How does the concept of aligning our desires with God's will challenge our personal ambitions and plans? [42:38]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that daily dependence on God can transform our understanding of provision and sustenance? [47:33]

4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between seeking forgiveness from God and extending forgiveness to others? [53:20]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current prayer life. How can you cultivate a more intimate and dependent relationship with God, similar to a child with their father? [37:03]

2. Consider a situation where your desires conflict with God's will. How can you pray for alignment with His kingdom and purposes in that area? [42:38]

3. Identify a daily need, whether physical or spiritual, that you often try to meet on your own. How can you practice relying on God for this need instead? [47:33]

4. Think of someone you need to forgive. How can you apply the grace you've received from God to extend forgiveness to them this week? [53:20]

5. What temptations do you face regularly, and how can you actively seek God's strength and protection to overcome them? [59:17]

6. How can you incorporate the practice of persistent prayer into your daily routine, especially in times of trial or uncertainty? [01:03:44]

7. Reflect on a recent trial or test in your life. How can you view it as an opportunity for growth and rely on God's perspective to see it as refining rather than debilitating? [59:17]

Devotional

Day 1: Intimacy with Our Heavenly Father
Prayer is a profound connection with God, characterized by intimacy and dependence. In Luke 11, Jesus teaches us to address God as "Father," a term that was revolutionary for His disciples. This approach signifies a personal relationship, where we come to God with childlike trust, recognizing Him as the source of our life and provision. This intimacy sets Christianity apart, as we can call God "Father" and experience His personal care. As we pray, we are reminded of the love and sustenance that God provides, encouraging us to deepen our relationship with Him. [35:48]

"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: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of intimacy with God in your daily prayer life, approaching Him with the trust and dependence of a child?


Day 2: Aligning Our Desires with God's Will
True prayer is about aligning our desires with God's will, seeking His kingdom and glory above our own. Jesus teaches us to pray for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done, reminding us that earthly kingdoms are temporary, but God's kingdom is eternal. This reflects a heart that prioritizes God's sovereign plan over personal ambitions. As we pray, we are encouraged to trust in God's eternal purposes and seek His rule in our hearts and the world. [42:38]

"Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to align your desires with God's will? How can you intentionally seek His kingdom in that area today?


Day 3: Daily Dependence on God
Prayer reminds us of our daily dependence on God for both physical and spiritual needs. Jesus instructs us to pray for our daily bread, acknowledging that we cannot sustain ourselves. This dependence encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness and provision each day. As we rely on God, we are reminded of His role as our provider and the importance of seeking His guidance in every aspect of our lives. [47:33]

"Give us this day our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you practice daily dependence on God, trusting Him to provide for your needs and guide your steps?


Day 4: Embracing Forgiveness and Grace
Prayer involves seeking forgiveness for our sins and extending forgiveness to others, reflecting the grace we have received from God. This practice calls us to live in reconciliation with God and others, acknowledging our need for His continual cleansing. As we pray, we are reminded of the importance of grace and forgiveness in our relationships, both with God and those around us. [53:20]

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?


Day 5: Seeking Protection from Temptation
We must acknowledge our weakness and pray for God's strength to overcome temptation. Jesus teaches us to pray for protection from temptation, recognizing that trials are opportunities for growth. In these moments, we rely on God's power to see them as refining rather than debilitating. God promises to provide a way of escape and deliver us from sin, encouraging us to seek His strength in times of trial. [59:17]

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)

Reflection: What is one temptation you face regularly? How can you rely on God's strength and seek His perspective to overcome it today?

Quotes

"Dear gracious heavenly father, we come to you this morning as our God and father. We thank you for the salvation and the life that you provided for us. We thank you for your word. We thank you for this place where we can come together and sing songs together to lift you up and lift you up to the next level. That as we sing the songs, we're reminded of the truths of your word that we are transformed and that we will then live forth those truths and magnify your name in the world around us. So Lord, we pray you'd be glorified and honored as we sing this morning and may you work in our hearts. And it's in Jesus' name we pray, amen. Let's stand together as we sing." [00:00:41] (40 seconds)


"Dear gracious Heavenly Fathers, we come to you. We are thankful for the way you have worked and are working in the lives of those around us. We recognize that you have orchestrated the different derfers to go to Japan, both in Japan and in Japan. We are thankful for the training that they have experienced, their ministry they've already had in Japan, and for the funds necessary to go. We pray, Lord, that their travels would go smoothly, that they would arrive on the field safely. And then as they begin to the transition and adjustments for the kids as well, we pray that they would be able to get into the different programs of training and education." [00:11:09] (41 seconds)


"Now, Jesus was praying in a certain place. And when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples. And he said to them, when you pray, say, Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins. For we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us and lead us not into temptation." [00:29:43] (33 seconds)


"Each part of this prayer is going to teach us something about who our Heavenly Father is. First of all, that the one to whom we pray is, in fact, our Father. Now, this would be culturally shocking for the disciples. In fact, if you go through the prayers of the Old Testament, while God was referred to as a father of the nation and the father of the universe and the creation, to refer to God as a personal heavenly father was very rare." [00:35:33] (28 seconds)


"God does not exist to fulfill our every wish. Now, we wouldn't even think that would be a good relationship between a child and father, and between our earthly fathers, would we? If the only time our children came to us was if they wanted something from us, that would not be honoring. It would leave something lacking. Neither does God to be treated in the same way as a father who just gives us what we need and what we want, and we only talk to him when we need something." [00:38:42] (33 seconds)


"Jesus experienced hunger fasted for 40 days in the wilderness did god fail him as a sustainer no it was part of his test and when satan tried to tempt jesus to turn the rocks into bread what was jesus response man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out the mouth of god what was that attached to it's going clear back to the old testament story of man in the wilderness jesus do you remember how that went they're walking in the wilderness lord where are we supposed to eat we like the steak in egypt god says i'm going to provide for you in fact before they even went to the wilderness he said hey by the way moses we're not going on the shortcut route we're taking the long route and he told him why less when you get to the promised land and you see the armies of the enemies you're going to get to the promised land and you see the armies of the enemies you're going to get to the promised land you're going to get to the promised land and you see the armies of the enemies you're going to get to the promised land you might faint no i'm taking you through the wilderness that you might learn what it looks like to walk by faith and so every day the man is going to be on the ground only collect enough for that day did they listen no they thought this is good stuff let's have more they woke up the next morning what they find in their in their cupboards tents rather worms and all their manna" [00:50:36] (93 seconds)


"Jesus taught his disciples to pray to God as Holy Father, as the God who rules the hearts of people, as the God who would daily sustain them, and to the God who would graciously forgive them. Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Psalm 51, we're conceived in sin. Ephesians 2, we are by nature children of wrath. And so we need God's grace daily. We need God's forgiveness." [00:53:08] (35 seconds)


"Jesus said, pray to God as your father. Who is holy, who is the sovereign, who is sustainer, who is the gracious forgiver. In verse four, pray to God as the one who can also protect and deliver you from temptation. What an interesting prayer here. Lead us not into temptation. James 1 .13 says that God does not tempt us. Now, to help with this, the word that is used in the Bible oftentimes for, trials or testings is the exact same word that is used for temptation." [00:55:56] (38 seconds)


"James 1, 13 to 15, I've referenced it. Let me read it for you. Let no one say when he is tempted, I'm being tempted by God. For God cannot be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin. And sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death. So when does a trial or test become a temptation then?" [00:59:17] (25 seconds)


"Jesus taught his disciples that the one to whom they prayed was their sovereign, gracious heavenly father. Now, let's look at the second parable. Let's quickly run back through Jesus' example of prayer and consider what each of these prayer requests teaches us about ourselves as a dependent child. Since God is a holy, sovereign, sustaining father, the disciples needed his daily provision." [01:06:06] (26 seconds)


"Jesus then, before going to the cross, prayed so intensely, he sweat drops of blood and then he answered every part of his model prayer. He glorified his father. He brought his kingdom to the hearts of his followers. He is the bread of life, the healer, the resurrection of life. He paid the redemption price for the forgiveness of sins. He gained victory over sin and over death and over temptation so we can go boldly to the father's throne and find grace and mercy to help in time of need. He is right now beside his father's throne alive, doing what? Interceding daily for us." [01:20:36] (33 seconds)


"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need. Let's pray. Dear gracious heavenly father, we do need you. And Lord, may our lives reflect, may our prayers reflect it. And may you do a work in and through us that one that is obvious that is only done in the power of the spirit, that you might be glorified, that your kingdom would come, that your will would be done on earth just as it is in heaven." [01:24:27] (42 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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