Embracing Prayer: The Power of Confession and Worship
Summary
### Summary
As we conclude our 21 days of prayer, we reflect on the one thing Jesus' disciples asked Him to teach them: how to pray. Jesus provided a prayer guide through the Lord's Prayer, which focuses on three main aspects: worshiping God, praying for God's agenda, and praying for our personal needs. This prayer guide is applicable in every situation and season of life, helping us to reset and refocus on seeking God first. Whether we are dealing with anxiety, confusion, defeat, or even excitement, the Lord's Prayer can bring peace and purpose to our lives.
Today, we engage in a prayer and worship service using the Lord's Prayer as our guide. We begin by acknowledging God as our Father in heaven and praising Him for His many blessings. We pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. We also ask for our daily needs, forgiveness, and protection. This approach to prayer helps settle our spirit and soul, providing the peace and purpose we crave.
We also take time to confess our sins and forgive those who have wronged us, as Jesus instructed in Matthew 6:12. This act of confession and forgiveness is crucial for experiencing God's continued grace and forgiveness. We encourage everyone to write down their sins and the names of those they need to forgive, and then symbolically leave these burdens at God's altar, walking away free and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
As we move into a time of worship and celebration, we praise God for His provision, protection, and guidance. We also celebrate the testimonies of those being baptized, acknowledging the transformative power of God's grace in their lives. This service is a reminder of the importance of prayer, worship, and community in our spiritual journey.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Lord's Prayer as a Guide: Jesus provided the Lord's Prayer as a comprehensive guide for our prayer life, focusing on worshiping God, praying for His agenda, and addressing our personal needs. This prayer can be used in every situation and season of life to help us reset and refocus on seeking God first. [10:43]
2. The Power of Confession and Forgiveness: Confessing our sins and forgiving those who have wronged us are essential steps in experiencing God's grace and forgiveness. Jesus emphasized the importance of these actions in Matthew 6:12, reminding us that our forgiveness is conditional on our willingness to forgive others. [38:47]
3. Symbolic Acts of Release: Writing down our sins and the names of those we need to forgive, and then symbolically leaving these burdens at God's altar, can be a powerful act of release. This practice helps us to walk away free from the weight of sin and unforgiveness, empowered by the Holy Spirit. [43:32]
4. The Importance of Worship and Community: Engaging in worship and celebrating the testimonies of others strengthens our faith and reminds us of God's transformative power. As we praise God for His provision, protection, and guidance, we are encouraged to continue seeking Him in every aspect of our lives. [59:57]
5. Living in God's Grace: Embracing God's grace involves acknowledging His blessings, confessing our sins, forgiving others, and living in the power of the Holy Spirit. This holistic approach to our spiritual life helps us to say no to sin and yes to God, leading to a life of peace, purpose, and transformation. [44:05]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:30] - Introduction to Prayer
[10:43] - The Lord's Prayer as a Guide
[12:30] - Settling Our Spirit and Soul
[13:52] - Praying Scripture
[15:16] - Praising God for His Blessings
[16:55] - Jehovah Rapha and Jehovah Shalom
[37:46] - Using Worship in Prayer
[38:12] - Confession and Forgiveness
[39:26] - Writing Down Sins and Forgiveness
[41:03] - The Conditional Nature of Forgiveness
[42:36] - Releasing Burdens at God's Altar
[43:32] - Walking Away Free and Empowered
[59:57] - Celebrating Baptism Testimonies
[01:06:44] - Worship and Celebration
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord's Prayer)
> "This, then, is how you should 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 today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'"
2. Matthew 6:12
> "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."
3. 1 John 1:9
> "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the three main aspects of the Lord's Prayer as highlighted in the sermon? [10:43]
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the personal needs we should pray for? [10:43]
3. What symbolic act did the pastor encourage to help release the burden of sin and unforgiveness? [43:32]
4. How does the pastor suggest we use worship in our prayer life? [37:46]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized the importance of forgiving others in Matthew 6:12? How does this relate to our own forgiveness from God? [41:34]
2. How can the act of writing down our sins and those we need to forgive help in the process of confession and forgiveness? [39:26]
3. What does it mean to "reset and refocus on seeking God first" in every situation and season of life? [12:30]
4. How does engaging in worship and celebrating testimonies strengthen our faith and remind us of God's transformative power? [59:57]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt anxiety or confusion. How might using the Lord's Prayer have helped you find peace and purpose during that time? [12:30]
2. Is there a specific sin or person you need to forgive? How can you take a step towards confession and forgiveness this week? [39:26]
3. How can you incorporate the practice of praying scripture into your daily prayer routine? What scripture might you start with? [13:52]
4. Think about a recent situation where you felt defeated or in despair. How can praying for God's provision, forgiveness, and protection help you in similar future situations? [10:43]
5. How can you make worship a more integral part of your prayer life? Is there a worship song or playlist that helps you connect with God? [37:46]
6. What are some ways you can celebrate and share testimonies of God's work in your life with your community? [59:57]
7. How can you live more fully in God's grace, acknowledging His blessings and saying no to sin? What specific steps can you take this week to embrace this holistic approach to your spiritual life? [44:05]
Devotional
### 5-Day Devotional
Day 1: The Lord's Prayer as a Comprehensive Guide
Description: The Lord's Prayer, given by Jesus, serves as a comprehensive guide for our prayer life. It focuses on three main aspects: worshiping God, praying for His agenda, and addressing our personal needs. This prayer is versatile and can be used in every situation and season of life to help us reset and refocus on seeking God first. Whether we are dealing with anxiety, confusion, defeat, or even excitement, the Lord's Prayer can bring peace and purpose to our lives. By following this guide, we align our hearts with God's will and find solace in His presence. [10:43]
Matthew 6:9-10 (ESV): "Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.'"
Reflection: How can you incorporate the structure of the Lord's Prayer into your daily prayer routine to ensure you are focusing on worship, God's agenda, and your personal needs?
Day 2: The Power of Confession and Forgiveness
Description: Confessing our sins and forgiving those who have wronged us are essential steps in experiencing God's grace and forgiveness. Jesus emphasized the importance of these actions in Matthew 6:12, reminding us that our forgiveness is conditional on our willingness to forgive others. This act of confession and forgiveness is crucial for experiencing God's continued grace and forgiveness. By acknowledging our sins and extending forgiveness to others, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's grace and allow healing to take place in our hearts. [38:47]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
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 3: Symbolic Acts of Release
Description: Writing down our sins and the names of those we need to forgive, and then symbolically leaving these burdens at God's altar, can be a powerful act of release. This practice helps us to walk away free from the weight of sin and unforgiveness, empowered by the Holy Spirit. By physically writing down our burdens and leaving them at the altar, we are making a tangible commitment to let go and trust God with our struggles. This symbolic act serves as a reminder that we are not meant to carry these burdens alone, but to rely on God's strength and grace. [43:32]
Psalm 55:22 (ESV): "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved."
Reflection: What burdens or sins are you holding onto that you need to release to God? Can you take a moment today to write them down and symbolically leave them at God's altar?
Day 4: The Importance of Worship and Community
Description: Engaging in worship and celebrating the testimonies of others strengthens our faith and reminds us of God's transformative power. As we praise God for His provision, protection, and guidance, we are encouraged to continue seeking Him in every aspect of our lives. Worship and community play a vital role in our spiritual journey, providing support, encouragement, and accountability. By participating in worship and celebrating the testimonies of others, we are reminded of God's faithfulness and are inspired to deepen our relationship with Him. [59:57]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you actively engage in worship and community this week to strengthen your faith and encourage others in their spiritual journey?
Day 5: Living in God's Grace
Description: Embracing God's grace involves acknowledging His blessings, confessing our sins, forgiving others, and living in the power of the Holy Spirit. This holistic approach to our spiritual life helps us to say no to sin and yes to God, leading to a life of peace, purpose, and transformation. By living in God's grace, we are empowered to overcome challenges, grow in our faith, and experience the fullness of life that God intends for us. This journey requires daily surrender and reliance on the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us. [44:05]
Titus 2:11-12 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Quotes
1. "And in the Lord's Prayer, Jesus instructs his disciples and us to focus on three big-picture things in our praying. Worshiping God by acknowledging who God is to us, that is, our Father in heaven, and by hallowing, revering his name, by remembering everything that God has and will continue to do for us. And then the second thing is to pray for God's agenda, that his kingdom will come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And then to pray for our agenda, that is, to ask God, pray for God to meet certain personal things for us, things like provision, forgiveness, and protection that deal with what Jesus believes are most important in life, are physical, are emotional, our mental, our relational, and our spiritual well-being." [10:43] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "No matter what situation you may find yourself in or no matter what season of life you may find yourself in, if you're struggling with some feelings of angst or anxiety, or confusion, or unease about maybe a change that's happened, or as you think about how many things seem to be being turned upside down or deconstructed in our society as we go into this really crazy season of election season. Or maybe, maybe you're struggling with feelings of defeat and despair because you just can't seem to break free of that stronghold, that the evil one has on you. Or maybe you're just wrestling with questions of life like, who am I? What's my purpose in life? Or maybe, maybe you have feelings of excitement and expectation because you're entering a new season in life. But no matter where you are, no matter what situation you are in, no matter what season you are in, I believe we can use this Lord's prayer to reset and to refocus us on seeking God first, in every way, and every day, and then just trusting that God will take care of the rest." [12:30] (77 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Praying this way, I believe, settles our spirit and our soul. It is our soul being our mind, our will, and our emotions. And it gives us the peace and the purpose in life that our spirit and soul so desperately crave. So that is what we're going to do today as we end our 20, 21 days of prayer experience. As we entered into this, as we entered into this school season of the year, we're going to engage in a prayer and worship service using the Lord's prayer as our guide, which we hope will inspire you to use the Lord's prayer in your prayer life in a deeper way, and which we hope will take you to deeper spiritual places with God today." [13:52] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Thank you for being a gracious father who loves us when we don't deserve it. In fact, there's nothing that we can do to make you love us any less. Although we may cause you to weep over us as you watch us live and deal with the consequences of our sin choices. But I got to thank you, though, even in those situations, thank you for being a compassionate father who empathizes with our pain and our hurts and our confusion and our angst and our unease and our anxiety and our depression. But you just don't empathize. You step in. You then comfort and restore us in our emotional distress." [16:55] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Are you starting to see how you can use the Lord's prayer as a guide? And I want to tell you personally what I'll do when I press into this. I have a worship playlist as well. And you see when you tie it to songs, these songs that are scripture-based take us to deeper places in our praying. And I just want to encourage you maybe to sit with some songs in the Lord's prayer and just dive in." [38:12] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "In 1 John 1, 9, I want to set this up, what Jesus said. He says in 1 John 1, 9, we're told that if we confess our sins, He, that is Father God, is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And so Jesus instructs us to pray this way in Matthew 6, 12. He says, ask the Father, forgive our debts, that is forgive our sins, and forgive our debts, that is those who have sinned against us, those who have wronged us in some way." [38:47] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We are forgiven as we forgive. And Jesus takes this to another level in the verses that follow. And let me read them to you. Verses 14 and 15, Jesus says this. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. In other words, we won't experience contempt, continued forgiveness if we refuse to forgive someone who has hurt and harmed us." [41:34] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "So for yours is the kingdom all authority is found in you yours is the power all of our strength is found in you and yours is the glory that is our victory is found in you father god and we just want to bear testimony to everything that you have done in us i'm going to bear testimony to you saving us freeing us and then transforming us to be like your son jesus christ just like these people who are being baptized today are going to do yeah they they are bearing testimony to the fact that they have died to sin and are now alive in christ." [59:57] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We don't just sit here and go, oh, that was nice. So, as these folks are being baptized, I want you guys to stand right now. Come on, stand. You'll see them on the screen. No one will not be able to see. You're going to stand and we are going to just go nutso and praising and celebrating everything that God has done in them, and we're going to celebrate the fact of everything that God is going to continue to do in them as they walk this path of life, radiating Jesus Christ to everyone that they interact with." [01:06:44] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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