Empowered Through Prayer: Accessing God's Will
Summary
### Summary
Today, we conclude our five-part series on "Standing Firm" by focusing on the power and significance of prayer, as highlighted in Ephesians 6:18. Prayer is not just a ritual but a vital means of communication with God, encompassing praise, confession, thanksgiving, and requests. It is through prayer that we access God, nurture our relationship with Him, and experience transformation in our lives. My personal journey with prayer began in my early teens, guided by my mother's unwavering faith despite our hardships. This taught me that true strength and provision come from God.
Prayer gives us direct access to God, made possible through Jesus Christ's sacrifice. This access is not mediated by any human but is a direct line to the Father. Prayer nurtures our relationship with God, allowing us to understand His heart and receive His instructions. This relationship transforms our lives, aligning our desires and actions with God's will, leading to a life that honors Him.
Paul emphasizes the importance of praying in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Praying in the Spirit means allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and shape our prayers, focusing on God's will rather than our own desires. This kind of prayer requires a deep connection and surrender to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and seeking His will above all else.
Jesus provided a model for prayer in Matthew 6:9, starting with the recognition of God's sovereignty and moving towards seeking His will. This pattern helps us align our priorities with God's, transforming our requests to reflect His desires. Even in times of unmet desires and unanswered prayers, we are called to trust in God's will and continue to seek His guidance.
Paul's request for prayer in Ephesians 6:19-20, despite his imprisonment, shows his focus on fulfilling his mission as an ambassador of the gospel. This teaches us to prioritize God's kingdom and His will in our prayers. We are also called to intercede for one another, maintaining unity in the body of Christ.
To enhance our prayer life, we can practice daily prayers, engage in periods of prayer and fasting, and take periodic retreats to spend time alone with God. These practices help us grow in our intimacy with God and align our lives with His will.
### Key Takeaways
1. Prayer as Access to God: Through Jesus Christ's sacrifice, we have direct access to God. This access is not mediated by any human but is a direct line to the Father. Prayer is a means to nurture our relationship with God, allowing us to understand His heart and receive His instructions, leading to a transformed life that aligns with His will. [02:58]
2. Praying in the Spirit: Praying in the Spirit means allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and shape our prayers. It is not about eloquence but about surrender and connection to God. This kind of prayer focuses on seeking God's will above our own desires, leading to a deeper relationship with Him and a life that honors Him. [08:25]
3. Jesus' Model of Prayer: Jesus provided a model for prayer that starts with recognizing God's sovereignty and moves towards seeking His will. This pattern helps us align our priorities with God's, transforming our requests to reflect His desires. Even in times of unmet desires and unanswered prayers, we are called to trust in God's will and continue to seek His guidance. [09:41]
4. Interceding for Others: Paul emphasizes the importance of interceding for one another, maintaining unity in the body of Christ. Praying for others helps us grow in our love and concern for the body of Christ, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. [20:17]
5. Enhancing Our Prayer Life: To grow in our prayer life, we can practice daily prayers, engage in periods of prayer and fasting, and take periodic retreats to spend time alone with God. These practices help us deepen our intimacy with God, align our lives with His will, and experience His guidance and strength in our daily lives. [23:04]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:26] - Personal Testimony on Prayer
[02:58] - Access to God Through Prayer
[04:13] - The Transformative Power of Prayer
[05:35] - Paul's Emphasis on Prayer
[06:58] - Praying in the Spirit
[08:25] - How to Pray in the Spirit
[09:41] - Jesus' Model of Prayer
[11:19] - Seeking God's Will in Prayer
[12:47] - The Challenge of Unanswered Prayers
[14:21] - Paul's Prayer Requests
[15:49] - Praying on All Occasions
[17:09] - Jesus' Example of Prayer
[18:47] - Intercessory Prayer
[20:17] - A Life of Prayer
[21:42] - Practices to Enhance Prayer Life
[23:04] - Periods of Prayer and Fasting
[24:31] - Periodic Retreats for Prayer
[25:52] - Living a Life of Prayer
[27:28] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 6:18 - "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."
2. Matthew 6:9-10 - "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.'"
3. Colossians 1:9-10 - "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 6:18, what are the different types of prayers and requests we are encouraged to make? How often should we pray? [06:58]
2. In Matthew 6:9-10, what are the first two priorities Jesus teaches us to focus on in prayer? [09:41]
3. What does Paul ask the believers to pray for in Colossians 1:9-10? How does this relate to living a life that pleases God? [14:21]
4. How did the pastor describe his personal experience with prayer during his early teens? What impact did it have on his life? [01:26]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "pray in the Spirit" as described in Ephesians 6:18? How does this differ from other forms of prayer? [06:58]
2. How does recognizing God's sovereignty at the beginning of our prayers, as taught in Matthew 6:9-10, shape the rest of our prayer life? [09:41]
3. Why is it important to seek God's will in our prayers, even when our desires are unmet or our prayers seem unanswered? [12:47]
4. How does interceding for others, as Paul encourages in Ephesians 6:18, contribute to unity within the body of Christ? [20:17]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current prayer life. How often do you pray, and what types of prayers do you typically offer? How can you incorporate more "praying in the Spirit" into your routine? [06:58]
2. Think about a recent time when you prayed for something specific. How did you approach God in that prayer? Did you start by acknowledging His sovereignty and seeking His will? How might this change your approach to future prayers? [09:41]
3. Have you ever experienced a season of unmet desires or unanswered prayers? How did you handle it? What steps can you take to trust in God's will during such times? [12:47]
4. Identify one person in your life who could benefit from your prayers. How can you make interceding for them a regular part of your prayer life? [20:17]
5. The pastor mentioned several practices to enhance our prayer life, such as daily prayers, prayer and fasting, and periodic retreats. Which of these practices can you commit to this week, and how will you implement it? [21:42]
6. How can you create a habit of seeking God's guidance and instructions in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to listen more attentively to His voice? [21:42]
7. Reflect on the pastor's personal testimony about his mother's unwavering faith and prayer life. How can you draw inspiration from this story to strengthen your own prayer life and reliance on God? [01:26]
Devotional
Day 1: Direct Access to God Through Prayer
Prayer is a powerful means of communication with God, made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This direct access is not mediated by any human but is a direct line to the Father. Through prayer, we nurture our relationship with God, allowing us to understand His heart and receive His instructions. This relationship transforms our lives, aligning our desires and actions with God's will, leading to a life that honors Him. When we pray, we are not just speaking into the void; we are engaging in a divine conversation that has the power to change us from the inside out.
Prayer is an invitation to experience God's presence and to be transformed by it. It is through this intimate communication that we can truly know God and be known by Him. As we spend time in prayer, we begin to see our lives and the world around us through His eyes, gaining a deeper understanding of His love, grace, and purpose for us. This transformation is not just about changing our circumstances but about changing our hearts to align with His will. [02:58]
Ephesians 2:18 (ESV): "For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father."
Reflection: How can you make time today to engage in a meaningful conversation with God, acknowledging His presence and seeking His guidance for your life?
Day 2: Praying in the Spirit
Praying in the Spirit means allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and shape our prayers. It is not about eloquence but about surrender and connection to God. This kind of prayer focuses on seeking God's will above our own desires, leading to a deeper relationship with Him and a life that honors Him. When we pray in the Spirit, we are inviting the Holy Spirit to intercede on our behalf, to align our prayers with God's will, and to empower us to live according to His purposes.
This type of prayer requires a deep connection and surrender to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and seeking His will above all else. It is about letting go of our own agendas and desires and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us in prayer. As we do this, we begin to see the power of prayer in our lives, not just in terms of answered requests but in the transformation of our hearts and minds to reflect God's will. [08:25]
Romans 8:26-27 (ESV): "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to surrender your own desires and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers today?
Day 3: Jesus' Model of Prayer
Jesus provided a model for prayer that starts with recognizing God's sovereignty and moves towards seeking His will. This pattern helps us align our priorities with God's, transforming our requests to reflect His desires. Even in times of unmet desires and unanswered prayers, we are called to trust in God's will and continue to seek His guidance. Jesus' model of prayer, as seen in the Lord's Prayer, begins with adoration and recognition of God's holiness, followed by a submission to His will, and then presenting our needs and requests.
This model teaches us to prioritize God's kingdom and His will in our prayers. It reminds us that prayer is not just about asking for what we want but about aligning our hearts with God's purposes. Even when our prayers seem unanswered, we can trust that God is working for our good and His glory. This trust in God's sovereignty and goodness is the foundation of a strong and vibrant prayer life. [09:41]
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 Jesus' model of prayer into your daily prayer routine, focusing on God's sovereignty and will before presenting your requests?
Day 4: Interceding for Others
Paul emphasizes the importance of interceding for one another, maintaining unity in the body of Christ. Praying for others helps us grow in our love and concern for the body of Christ, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. Intercessory prayer is a powerful way to support and uplift our brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as to seek God's intervention in their lives. It is an expression of our love and care for others, as we bring their needs and concerns before God.
Interceding for others also helps us to shift our focus from our own needs to the needs of those around us. It fosters a sense of unity and solidarity within the body of Christ, as we stand together in prayer. This practice not only benefits those we pray for but also strengthens our own faith and deepens our relationship with God. As we intercede for others, we become more attuned to God's heart and His desire for us to love and support one another. [20:17]
1 Timothy 2:1 (ESV): "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people."
Reflection: Who in your life needs your prayers today? Take a moment to intercede for them, asking God to meet their needs and to work in their lives.
Day 5: Enhancing Our Prayer Life
To grow in our prayer life, we can practice daily prayers, engage in periods of prayer and fasting, and take periodic retreats to spend time alone with God. These practices help us deepen our intimacy with God, align our lives with His will, and experience His guidance and strength in our daily lives. Daily prayer helps us to stay connected to God and to seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives. Periods of prayer and fasting allow us to focus more intently on God and to seek His will with greater clarity.
Periodic retreats provide an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and to spend extended time in God's presence. These practices are not about following a set of rules but about cultivating a deeper relationship with God. As we make time for these practices, we open ourselves up to the transformative power of prayer and to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. [23:04]
Mark 1:35 (ESV): "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to enhance your prayer life, whether through daily prayer, fasting, or setting aside time for a personal retreat?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Prayer gives us access to God. Through Christ's death on the cross, we were afforded this access that we can go directly to God. Because Jesus is the only way to the Father. You do not have to go through a pastor or pay anyone to gain this access. This access was paid for a long time ago. And it wasn't even a partial payment. No, it was all inclusive. He paid plus the tip. All you just need to do is believe that Jesus paid it all and you have access to God." [02:58] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "A godly life should be what we are in pursuit of in this life. Especially as you mature as a believer, you will recognize that there are so many blessings predicated on a righteous life. Prayer gives you access to God. Prayer nurtures our relationship with God. And that transforms the way we live. And this is what we should all be striving for." [04:13] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Praying in the spirit means our prayers are being inspired and they are being shaped by the Holy Spirit. His leading is what guides your prayer as you trust in the spirit, as you trust his power to activate that prayer. It is not about how neatly your words are arranged or how eloquent you sound when speaking it. It's about how surrendered and connected you are to God." [08:25] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus in teaching the disciples to pray, he gave us this fantastic pattern of prayer that not only outlines and shapes our priorities but also teaches us to pray in the spirit. I believe you know when you read Matthew chapter 6 verse 9 it says our father in heaven hallowed be your name. We begin with a recognition and acknowledgement of the sovereignty of God." [09:41] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus Christ prayed on all occasions with all kinds of prayers. We have permission that we can pray all kinds of prayers and requests. The prayer of a righteous person are powerful and effective. Ephesians 6 says 18 and pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests and then Paul says with this in mind be a lot and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." [18:47] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "You see, we talk about prayer. We pray. We listen to others pray. But what is prayer? You see, a few things about prayer. Prayer gives us access to God. Through Christ's death on the cross, we were afforded this access that we can go directly to God. Because Jesus is the only way to the Father. You do not have to go through a pastor or pay anyone to gain this access. This access was paid for a long time ago. And it wasn't even a partial payment. No, it was all inclusive. He paid plus the tip. All you just need to do is believe that Jesus paid it all and you have access to God. And prayer is one of the ways we nurture our relationship with God. So you don't just have access to Him. Prayer nurtures our relationship with God. There is fellowship. And you don't just have access to Him. There is fellowship. And you begin to understand what is in His heart. You get instructions from Him. And since as a believer, you have His Spirit in you, He influences the way you live." [02:58] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Praying in the spirit begins with the worship focusing on God and his nature that's where we start. The next priority that we see in this pattern of praise that your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven and this is this is where it gets hard for us because we become impatient we lose focus and and we just struggle because often we want to tell God what we want as fast as possible in and out I do that you know ATM machine think of it I just want to get in and get what I want in this age of technology I just want to tap on heaven and receive my needs as soon as possible and and while at it God I I will really appreciate regular updates on the delivery of my blessing you know keep me updated like I want to know when is it coming you know and how is it coming but no this this part is about God God what do you want what is what is your will you're not praying that the will of God be expressed through your life and and this is where we have to battle with our own desires and it is hard and I know it is hard because for the last seven months you know uh we've been praying for a breakthrough as a family and it hasn't come unfortunately the details are sensitive so I I won't share much but honestly I have despaired and and I think I'm a little bit so about that right now as you grow in maturity you will learn that even when you live a godly life it doesn't mean that God will answer all your prayers the way you want him to he will hear all my prayers he sometimes he'll just not give me the answers that I'm looking for and many struggle with prayer because of the disappointments that come from unmet desires or what we classify as unanswered prayers so this sermon is also for me because I am experiencing the weight of this subject right now." [12:47] (119 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Paul is a perfect example because in the last couple of verses in this passage he he asks for the believers to pray for him and he asks for the believers to pray for him he could have asked for prayer for the release from imprisonment remember he's writing this while he's still in prison maybe he would have even asked for provision for something else but he asks them to pray that he would boldly make known the mystery of the gospel his focus was on his responsibility as an ambassador of the gospel which God had called him to you're saying I want to become an expression of the kingdom of heaven in spite of my needs that's what your will be done in my life God God give me the knowledge of your will because knowledge of God's will is key to living a life that pleases him in every way in fact look at the prayer that Paul makes over God's people in Colossae in Colossians chapter 1 verse 9 he says we continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the spirit gives so that you may live a life of peace and of the Lord and please him in every way bearing fruit in every good work growing in the knowledge of God the knowledge of his will leads you to live a life worthy of the Lord and that pleases him in every way and you become successful because now you're producing fruit as you continue to grow in the knowledge of God and the cycle continues you're producing fruit you know and you're growing in the knowledge of God in my life you're saying Lord let your will be done because where you find God's will there his kingdom is and God likes to set up camp where his kingdom is and you'll see this throughout scripture." [14:21] (107 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Praying in the spirit begins by submitting ourselves to the sovereignty of God and allowing the Holy Spirit to shape our will and desires it is not about how eloquent my words are or how you hear someone pray but how surrendered I am to that to in that moment you can quote the most scriptures but if your spirit is not submitted to the Lord then your prayers are in vain submission of our spirit to God influences our desires our and shapes even our minds and transforms even our hearts Paul says and pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests now Paul talks about the the when and the war now now we can pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers why because we are praying in the right way we are praying in the spirit and it's not about us but about God James 4 talks about when you ask you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives that you may spend what you get on your pleasures you do not have because you do not ask God in the right way could it be that you do not know what God would want and how the spirit wants to lead you could it be that all you are concerned about is what you want and so you do not receive may we allow the Holy Spirit to shape our prayers in the right way you can pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers there's there's no one way of praying you know you can sing you can shout you can you can pray in a group you can pray individual prayers you can do silent prayer all kinds of friends you can kneel you can walk the key is to just pray on the condition that your heart your mind your soul your body are postured right spiritually." [15:49] (103 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I want to give you a few practices that can help take your life of prayer to the next level and I just need you to pick one not many just pick one that you can commit to maybe you've been praying but what is the thing that will take you to the next level uh for some of us we just need to start with practicing daily prayers practice daily prayers get back to prayer starting in the morning and throughout the day time alone with God let us be careful that we do not value our convenience our comforts more than our time with God may God give us the boldness to fight back the temptations to indulge in the comforts of this world many of us have been blessed with with cars switch off the music in your car and talk to God use those moments to invite the spirit to interrogate your life what uh scriptures like Psalms 139 such me God and and know my heart trust me and know my anxious thought see if there's any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting these are the moments of prayer it's not just about asking for things that you need instead of seeking affirmation from men and women we begin to seek that from the Lord and this is what forms your prayer time you can start by asking God Lord what am I doing well that I need to keep doing tell me about it just show me what I'm doing wrong and and have mercy on me Lord show show me where am I missing it with my life this is what begins to form your prayer life am I on the right track God am I doing the things that you're asking me to do help me God what are you up to today and how can I be a part of that tell me what you're up to today tell me who you are blessing today and how how can you provide through me how can you make me a blessing to someone who I'm going to meet today and and this is why even starting in the morning is very crucial so that you set the time in your eyes the heavenly frequency so that you can receive instructions and directions from God so practice daily prayer." [21:42] (121 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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