Living a Life of Prayer and Generosity
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound significance of integrating prayer into our daily lives, not as an isolated event but as a continuous lifestyle. We began by discussing the concept of "Kingdom Builders," a special initiative that allows us to extend our generosity beyond the tithe, supporting various ministries like Jumpstart Ministries. This ministry, led by Joanne Sweeney and her husband Steve, is a testament to the power of community outreach, as they engage in sidewalk Sunday school and other activities to bless children and families in Chandler. Our support through Kingdom Builders is not just a financial contribution; it is a spiritual investment in transforming lives both locally and globally.
Transitioning into our series on prayer, we emphasized the importance of leading our lives with prayer, making it our first response rather than a last resort. The key theme was "practicing His presence," recognizing that God's presence is always with us, and learning to live in constant communion with Him. Prayer is not merely a scheduled activity but a lifestyle, a continuous dialogue with God throughout our day. We explored various scriptures that encourage us to pray without ceasing, highlighting the need for a state of constant readiness to engage with God.
We also delved into the power of one-sentence prayers, drawing inspiration from Jesus' own brief yet impactful prayers. These prayers, born out of a deep relationship with God, can be woven into the fabric of our daily routines, whether in moments of gratitude, need, or intercession. The essence of this practice is to cultivate a heart that is perpetually attuned to God's presence, allowing His Spirit to guide and empower us in every situation.
Finally, we extended an invitation to those who may not yet have a personal relationship with Jesus, emphasizing the universal need for a Savior. Through a simple prayer of repentance and faith, we can experience the transformative grace of God, entering into a life of purpose and eternal hope.
Key Takeaways:
- Generosity as Worship: Kingdom Builders is an opportunity to extend our worship through generosity, supporting ministries like Jumpstart that impact lives locally and globally. Our giving is not just financial; it is a spiritual investment in God's kingdom. [42:47]
- Prayer as a Lifestyle: Prayer should be a continuous lifestyle, not an isolated event. By practicing His presence, we learn to engage with God throughout our day, making prayer our first response rather than a last resort. [46:43]
- Power of One-Sentence Prayers: Inspired by Jesus' brief yet powerful prayers, we can incorporate one-sentence prayers into our daily routines, allowing God's presence to permeate every moment and situation. [51:46]
- Continuous Communion with God: Scriptures encourage us to pray without ceasing, maintaining a state of constant readiness to engage with God. This ongoing dialogue strengthens our relationship with Him and aligns our hearts with His will. [56:36]
- Invitation to Salvation: Every person has a universal need for a Savior. Through Jesus' sacrifice, we can experience forgiveness and enter into a life of purpose and eternal hope. This invitation is open to all who seek a relationship with God. [01:21:28]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Upcoming Events
- [05:00] - Kingdom Builder Sunday
- [10:00] - Introduction to Jumpstart Ministries
- [15:00] - Joanne Sweeney's Testimony
- [20:00] - The Power of Generosity
- [25:00] - Lead with Prayer Series
- [30:00] - Practicing His Presence
- [35:00] - Prayer as a Lifestyle
- [40:00] - One-Sentence Prayers
- [45:00] - Continuous Communion with God
- [50:00] - Invitation to Salvation
- [55:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
- [01:00:00] - Announcements and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 16:8 - "I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."
2. Colossians 1:9 - "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."
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
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Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the phrase "I have set the Lord always before me" in Psalm 16:8, and how does it relate to the idea of practicing God's presence? [49:10]
2. In Colossians 1:9, Paul mentions that he has not stopped praying for the church. What does this continuous prayer indicate about his relationship with the church and with God? [49:10]
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between prayer as an event and prayer as a lifestyle? [47:55]
4. What examples of one-sentence prayers from Jesus' life were mentioned in the sermon, and what do they teach us about the power of brief prayers? [01:05:10]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "practicing His presence" change the way believers might approach their daily routines and interactions? [46:43]
2. What might be the challenges and benefits of integrating one-sentence prayers into daily life, as suggested in the sermon? [51:46]
3. How does the sermon suggest that generosity, as seen in the Kingdom Builders initiative, is a form of worship and spiritual investment? [42:47]
4. In what ways does the sermon invite individuals to consider their personal relationship with Jesus, and why is this considered a universal need? [01:21:28]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current prayer habits. How can you transition from viewing prayer as an event to making it a continuous lifestyle? What specific changes can you implement this week? [47:55]
2. Identify a moment in your daily routine where you can incorporate a one-sentence prayer. What will that prayer be, and how do you hope it will impact your day? [01:05:10]
3. Consider the concept of "practicing His presence." How can you remind yourself of God's presence throughout your day, especially during challenging times? [46:43]
4. Think about a time when you relied on prayer as a last resort. How can you make prayer your first response in similar situations in the future? [46:43]
5. How can you participate in the Kingdom Builders initiative or similar acts of generosity in your community? What steps will you take to make this a part of your worship? [42:47]
6. Reflect on the invitation to salvation mentioned in the sermon. If you have already accepted this invitation, how can you share this message with someone in your life who may not know Jesus? [01:21:28]
7. Choose one of the Bible passages from the reading section. How does it speak to your current life situation, and what action can you take to apply its message this week?
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined:
Day 1: Generosity as Spiritual Investment
Generosity is more than a financial transaction; it is a spiritual act of worship that invests in God's kingdom. Through initiatives like Kingdom Builders, individuals have the opportunity to extend their generosity beyond the tithe, supporting ministries that impact lives both locally and globally. Jumpstart Ministries, led by Joanne and Steve Sweeney, exemplifies the power of community outreach, engaging in activities that bless children and families. By contributing to such causes, believers are not only providing financial support but are also participating in a spiritual investment that transforms lives and furthers God's work in the world. [42:47]
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally view your acts of generosity as spiritual investments in God's kingdom today?
Day 2: Prayer as a Continuous Lifestyle
Prayer is not meant to be an isolated event but a continuous lifestyle that permeates every aspect of our lives. By practicing His presence, believers learn to engage with God throughout their day, making prayer their first response rather than a last resort. This ongoing dialogue with God strengthens the relationship with Him and aligns the heart with His will. Scriptures encourage believers to pray without ceasing, maintaining a state of constant readiness to engage with God. This practice transforms prayer from a scheduled activity into a lifestyle of continuous communion with the Creator. [46:43]
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical way you can incorporate prayer into your daily routine to make it a continuous lifestyle?
Day 3: The Power of One-Sentence Prayers
Inspired by Jesus' brief yet powerful prayers, believers can incorporate one-sentence prayers into their daily routines. These prayers, born out of a deep relationship with God, can be woven into the fabric of daily life, whether in moments of gratitude, need, or intercession. The essence of this practice is to cultivate a heart that is perpetually attuned to God's presence, allowing His Spirit to guide and empower in every situation. By embracing the simplicity and power of one-sentence prayers, believers can maintain a constant connection with God throughout their day. [51:46]
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a moment in your daily routine where you can incorporate a one-sentence prayer. What would that prayer be?
Day 4: Continuous Communion with God
Scriptures encourage believers to pray without ceasing, maintaining a state of constant readiness to engage with God. This ongoing dialogue strengthens the relationship with Him and aligns the heart with His will. By practicing continuous communion with God, believers learn to live in constant awareness of His presence, allowing His Spirit to guide and empower them in every situation. This practice transforms prayer from a scheduled activity into a lifestyle of continuous communion with the Creator, fostering a deeper relationship with Him. [56:36]
"Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: How can you remind yourself to maintain a continuous dialogue with God throughout your day?
Day 5: Invitation to Salvation
Every person has a universal need for a Savior, and through Jesus' sacrifice, individuals can experience forgiveness and enter into a life of purpose and eternal hope. This invitation is open to all who seek a relationship with God. By accepting this invitation through a simple prayer of repentance and faith, individuals can experience the transformative grace of God and begin a journey of spiritual growth and fulfillment. This call to salvation is a reminder of the profound love and grace that God extends to all humanity. [01:21:28]
"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." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: If you have not yet accepted the invitation to salvation, what is holding you back from taking this step today? If you have, how can you share this invitation with someone else?
Quotes
"And so the challenge for us is to lead our lives, to let prayer be the thing that leads us and guides us. And so we've been looking at that throughout the course of this series, and how do we practically make that happen? So today I want to share another, I believe, very practical step to help us grow in our prayer lives. And I want to call it this. I want everyone to repeat this after me. I want you to say, practice his presence. Practice his presence." [00:46:04] (28 seconds)
"Prayer is not an event. It should be a lifestyle for us. And I want to look at some passages of Scripture today that help us to understand this idea that prayer should be something that we are doing on a regular basis. Not just once in a while. Not just an event. Not even just once a day in our devo time. That's important, yes. Our daily quiet time, yes. But it's out of that. The depth of that relationship. The depth of God that we can be praying prayers all day long." [00:48:21] (28 seconds)
"And I want you to, to circle that word devote, because if you look it up in the original language, it's a, I'm going to try to pronounce it correctly. This is what it is. It's proskaterio, proskaterio is, is the word in, in Greek. And this is what it means to continue or for it to be a continuous act to persevere. Or this, I love this. It's a state of constant readiness. That's what he's saying. I want you to be at a state where you are constantly ready." [00:51:32] (32 seconds)
"I believe that praying in the Holy Spirit is one of the most powerful ways that we as Christians can pray. And here's why. Because when you're praying in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit actually is praying through you. Jot this reference down. It's not in your notes, but I want you to jot it down. It's Romans chapter 8 and it's verse 26. Romans 8, 26. You can go and you can read it later, but it talks about there are times in our lives when we don't know how to pray." [00:54:03] (28 seconds)
"That is the most powerful thing that we can do, is pray in the Spirit. Because we're praying, God, I want your plan. God, I want your purpose. God, I want your design. God, whatever's in your heart, I want it released into the earth right now. You're praying the very heart of God, because the Spirit of God is interceding through you. And so he says, you should do this on all occasions, okay? Always be alert, always keep on praying." [00:55:42] (22 seconds)
"Some translations put it this way, pray without ceasing. Don't ever stop. In fact, the Greek word there is adiliptos, adiliptos. And it literally means this. So if you break it down, the main word, the root word of adiliptos is this, dilipio, and it means to have gaps or intervals or spaces. So you have gaps or you have time frames in between. But when you put the prefix a in front of it, adiliptos, it means that you have time frames in between." [00:56:24] (37 seconds)
"those are just some examples but think about how we could go through the course of our day and on a regular basis without long gaps without long spaces or intervals in between we just throughout the course of the day as the spirit of God will remind us we're just offering up these one sentence prayers God touch me God heal me God help me God direct me throughout the course of our day he's just waiting I believe he's just waiting for us to turn to him in prayer but again these prayers they can't be the extent of our prayer life these prayers need to flow out of a relationship with God we're having our time on a regular basis maybe it's in the morning or it's in the evening that you're getting into the word and you're spending time praying and it's out of that depth out of that relationship that you're crying out to God continually throughout the day" [01:15:33] (62 seconds)
"There's one need that every person in the entire world has and that need is this we all need a savior every one of us doesn't matter who you are or where you live you need a savior and here's why because every one of us as human beings have sinned we've all sinned we've all done things that are wrong things that are contrary to the heart of God and here's the thing about God God is holy and God is righteous which means that sin can't be in his presence and that creates a problem because if we've all sinned and we hope someday that we're going to be able to be with God in heaven well we can't because we're carrying this sin that we've committed we're all sinners and so we try to figure okay how am I going to fix this and so we try to think well I'm going to try to do more good in my life and we're all sinners more good deeds than sin and maybe the scale will tip in my favor and when I see God when I stand before God there's more good stuff that I've done than the bad the problem is the bad is still there you've not dealt with the sin you've lived a good life but there's still sin how do you deal with the sin because sin can't be in the presence of God and that's why God sent his son Jesus Jesus came he lived a perfect life he didn't sin and he didn't sin and therefore he qualified to step in and basically pay the penalty of sin that we deserve that's why he went to the cross that's why he was crucified that's why he suffered that's why he bled that's why he died he was paying the price the penalty for my sin and your sin and he basically says listen I've paid the price and I'm willing to cover your sin I'm willing to forgive it and completely remove it if you'll just ask me I'm not going to force my love on you I'm not going to force my grace on you I'm not going to force mercy on you but I've paid the price so that your sins can be forgiven but you need to invite me into your life you need to ask me to be your savior and I will save you from the penalty of your sin see we all need a savior and the only way for us to actually deal with our sin is to allow Jesus to forgive it allow his death on the cross to cover it and so today I want to make sure that everybody in the room has had an opportunity to invite Jesus into their hearts to make Jesus their savior friend if you've not done that you need a savior you need a savior and I want to give you an opportunity today to pray a prayer with me in just a moment I'm going to lead the church in a prayer and I want to give you an opportunity" [01:15:33] (168 seconds)
"I just want to pray that God will help us to grow in our prayer lives. And again, that prayer would not be an event, but it would truly become a lifestyle for all of us. So that's our heart. That's our prayer that throughout the course of this year, that this will be a year and a season of growth. And prayer is one of those areas that we can all grow in. All right. So let me pray for you. God, I pray for each person here today. God, I thank you for your word and the instruction of your word and how it encourages us to pray continually at all times, without gaps, without seasons or timeframes where we are skipping, without intervals. God, I pray. Pray that you'd help us just on a regular basis be praying, crying out to you, lifting up our voice with these one-sentence prayers, just constantly communicating with you throughout the course of our day. So God, grow us as men and women of God so that we can be praying at a more regular pace." [01:24:30] (59 seconds)
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