The Transformative Power of Prayer and Change

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning with God's Desires for Transformation

When the world around us does not align with God's desires, it should stir in us a desire for change and a reliance on God's mercy, ability, and power to recreate reality. This realization is the first step towards transformation. [12:45] This is not a passive process, but an active engagement with God's will, seeking His kingdom first in all things.

Bible Passage: Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Reflection: How can you actively seek God's kingdom in your daily life? Can you identify one area in your life that does not align with God's desires and think of a specific step you can take towards transformation?

Day 2: Building Relationship with God through Prayer

Prayer is not about informing God of our needs, but rather about building a relationship with Him. It is a means of engaging with God, setting aside our own priorities and selfishness, and aligning our thoughts with His ideas and mindset. [25:30] This intimate connection with God initiates a transformative process within us, aligning us more closely with His will.

Bible Passage: James 4:8 - "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with God through prayer? Can you think of a specific way to set aside your own priorities and align your thoughts with God's ideas and mindset?

Day 3: The Transformative Power of Prayer

The power of prayer is real and unexplainable. It not only affects us individually but also works its way out through us as the hands and feet of Christ, enabling us to change the world around us and see things from God's perspective. [38:15] This transformative power is not limited to our personal lives but extends to the world around us.

Bible Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - "Pray without ceasing."

Reflection: How have you experienced the transformative power of prayer in your life? Can you think of a specific way that your prayers could impact the world around you?

Day 4: Unity in the Lord's Prayer

The Lord's Prayer is significant as it provides a framework for us to connect with God. When the congregation speaks these words together, it helps them to connect in worship, emphasizing the importance of unity and the representation of the body of Christ. [45:00] This shared experience of prayer fosters a sense of community and shared purpose.

Bible Passage: Ephesians 4:3 - "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Reflection: How does the Lord's Prayer foster a sense of unity in your congregation? Can you think of a specific way to promote unity in your church community?

Day 5: Embracing Change through Prayer

The power of prayer brings about change, and as humans, we should embrace the idea of change and align ourselves with God's desires. Praying for God's desires and will to be manifested in the world reflects the perfection of who He is. [52:30] This willingness to change and align with God's will is a testament to our faith and trust in Him.

Bible Passage: Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Reflection: How can you embrace change in your life through prayer? Can you identify one specific area in your life where you need to align more closely with God's desires?

Sermon Summary

The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of recognizing when the world around us does not align with God's desires. This realization should lead us to a desire for change and a reliance on God's mercy, ability, and power to recreate reality. The pastor, Brent Ritter, introduces himself and engages with the congregation in a lighthearted manner, mentioning his new shoes and a comment about looking younger. He expresses his excitement about discussing prayer and acknowledges that it is often overlooked or not fully understood. He admits that prayer has been a personal struggle for him throughout his 30-40 years as a Christian.

The pastor emphasizes the importance of prioritizing love over being right. He encourages the congregation to focus on being loving and generous, rather than holding onto grudges or material possessions. He also references the concept of dying to oneself in order to be born into eternal life, surrendering selfishness and vanity before God. The pastor then reflects on the reality of being a Jew in the world and the transformation that Jesus brought to one's relationship with God. He compares this transformation to the story of the Velveteen Rabbit, where the desire to be real all the time is emphasized.

The pastor focuses on Jesus' teachings about prayer, specifically addressing the issue of hypocrisy. Drawing from Matthew's own experience as a former hypocrite, Jesus instructs his followers not to pray in order to be seen by others. Instead, he encourages them to pray in secret, emphasizing the importance of sincerity and authenticity in prayer. The pastor acknowledges that some people may question the need for prayer since God already knows their hearts, but emphasizes that prayer is not about informing God of our needs, but rather about building a relationship with Him.

The pastor discusses the life and beliefs of a figure from the 1500s who is considered the father of The Franciscan monks and the patron saint of animals. He highlights that this figure believed in the redemption of all creation by God, including animals, and preached about their importance. The pastor then encourages the congregation to reflect on a prayer, specifically focusing on the lines that address various aspects of the world such as hatred, injury, doubt, despair, darkness, sadness, and anxiety. The pastor acknowledges the challenges faced by individuals in these areas, particularly mentioning the rise of suicide and the darkness of addiction.

The pastor concludes by emphasizing the importance of seeking God's will and connecting with Him in order to bring about change in our lives and in the world. He encourages the congregation to reflect on how they can align themselves with God's will when faced with hatred and injustice. The pastor also introduces the concept of guided prayer as a means to experience a new reality and a fresh perspective on the world. The congregation is encouraged to experiment with different prayer practices in the upcoming weeks, with the hope that it will enrich their lives and lead to a deeper experience of God's love.

Key Takeaways

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Sermon Clips

1. "When God is guiding us to look at the world around us and say here is what we see and this does not line up with what God desires for this world, we begin to find ourselves drawn to change, drawn to God's mercy, God's ability, God's power to recreate that reality." [30:09]

2. "God is redeeming this world and he's doing it in us and he's doing it through us. His kingdom is on the move and coming when his people align themselves to this type of mindset, that we are on this journey to be in a new change, in a new god-based reality about how we see the world now." [30:53]

3. "We should not be concerned with being right more than we are with being loving, for it is in giving that we receive." [37:06]

4. "Jesus was presenting a model for them and it was a way to engage their hearts, their mouths, their Spirits with the god of the universe, their father. It was close, it was personal, and it was intimate in that way." [19:21]

5. "The moment that we decide that we are going to engage God for something, God has immediately changed us because we have set our own priorities, selfishness, and humanity aside." [28:01]

6. "As we begin to change, we begin to change the world around us and see with God's perspective. These moments allow the Holy Spirit to guide us into a new understanding." [28:47]

7. "Your kingdom, your rule, your reign, your authority, your decisions, your thoughts, all of that come into our lives. Your will, your desire, what you ordained." This statement underscores the surrender and submission to God's divine plan and purpose, acknowledging His sovereignty over our lives. [23:31]

8. "We're asking for [God's] viewpoint to be here and now in our lives... the intimate father who I love and know as my dad... You Are Holy, you are honored Beyond... you carry more weight than anything else in my life." [24:56]

9. "We want to see [God's will] happen in this place... that is the depth of just the two lines that we begin with... that's the heartbeat of hopefully who we are coming alive in the world." [26:16]

10. "Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed Be Your Name. Your Kingdom Come, your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven." This line from the Lord's prayer reminds us to honor and revere God, recognizing His holiness and sacredness. [21:42]

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