Transformative Power of Prayer in Believer's Life
Summary
In today's service, we explored the profound significance of prayer in the life of a believer, drawing from Philippians 4 and the example of Jesus. Prayer is not merely a transactional act where we present our requests to God, expecting something in return. Instead, it is a relational practice that deepens our communion with God, aligns us with His will, and transforms our hearts and minds. The Apostle Paul encourages us to rejoice always, to let our graciousness be known, and to present our requests to God with thanksgiving. This attitude of joy and gratitude is essential as we approach God in prayer.
We delved into the question of why Jesus, being God, prayed. Jesus' prayer life was not primarily about asking for things but about maintaining a deep, intimate relationship with the Father. His prayers demonstrated dependence on God, obedience to His will, and a desire to glorify Him. Jesus often withdrew to solitary places to pray, showing us the importance of setting aside time to connect with God. His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane exemplifies submission to God's will, even in the face of immense suffering.
Prayer is a struggle for many of us because our flesh resists reliance on God. We often find ourselves distracted or feeling inadequate in our prayer life. Yet, prayer is a mark of grace and the Spirit's work in us. It is through prayer that we express our dependence on God, confess our sins, and seek His protection. As Oswald Chambers noted, prayer is not preparation for the greater work; it is the greater work itself.
Jesus provided a model for prayer in the Lord's Prayer, which includes adoration, surrender, dependence, confession, and seeking protection. This model helps us focus on glorifying God, aligning our will with His, and relying on Him for our needs. By following this pattern, we cultivate a prayer life that is relational and transformative.
Key Takeaways:
- Joy and Gratitude in Prayer: Philippians 4 encourages us to rejoice always and approach God with thanksgiving. This attitude of joy and gratitude is crucial in our prayer life, as it shifts our focus from our circumstances to the goodness and faithfulness of God. [34:39]
- Prayer as Relationship, Not Transaction: Jesus' prayer life was centered on His relationship with the Father, not on getting things from God. Our prayers should reflect a desire to know God more deeply and align our hearts with His will, rather than merely seeking answers to our requests. [39:01]
- Dependence and Obedience: Prayer demonstrates our dependence on God and our willingness to obey His will. Jesus modeled this in His prayer in Gethsemane, showing us the importance of submitting our desires to God's greater plan. [52:22]
- The Struggle of Prayer: Our flesh resists prayer because it requires reliance on God. Despite our struggles and distractions, prayer is a mark of grace and a vital part of our spiritual growth. We must persevere in prayer, trusting that God can work through our imperfect efforts. [42:04]
- The Greater Work of Prayer: Oswald Chambers reminds us that prayer is the greater work. It is not just preparation for action but the action itself. Through prayer, we engage in the spiritual battle, build our relationship with God, and align ourselves with His purposes. [01:02:49]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[33:32] - Introduction to Engaging Faith
[34:06] - The Basics of Christianity
[34:39] - Rejoice in the Lord
[35:54] - Key Verse: Philippians 4:6
[36:45] - Attitude of Joy in Prayer
[37:53] - Why Did Jesus Pray?
[39:01] - Transactional vs. Relational Prayer
[40:44] - The Struggle of Prayer
[42:04] - The Flesh vs. Prayer
[43:15] - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane
[45:54] - The Humanity of Jesus in Prayer
[47:30] - Reliance on God
[49:01] - Communion with God
[51:19] - Dependence and Obedience
[54:03] - Glorification Through Prayer
[57:08] - The Lord's Prayer Model
[01:02:49] - Prayer as the Greater Work
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Philippians 4:4-7
- Matthew 26:36-44
- John 17:1-5
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Philippians 4:4-7, what are the attitudes we should have when we approach God in prayer? How does this passage suggest we handle our worries? [35:54]
2. In the sermon, it was mentioned that Jesus often withdrew to pray. What does Matthew 26:36-44 reveal about Jesus' prayer habits and His relationship with the Father? [43:15]
3. How does John 17:1-5 illustrate Jesus' purpose in prayer, particularly in terms of glorification? What does this passage tell us about Jesus' relationship with God? [54:03]
4. The sermon discussed the struggle of prayer due to our flesh resisting reliance on God. What are some examples given in the sermon that illustrate this struggle? [42:04]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does the Apostle Paul emphasize joy and gratitude in prayer according to Philippians 4:4-7? How might this attitude affect a believer's prayer life? [35:54]
2. The sermon highlighted Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. What does this prayer teach us about submission to God's will, even in difficult circumstances? [45:54]
3. How does the relational aspect of prayer, as demonstrated by Jesus, differ from a transactional approach? Why is this distinction important for believers? [39:01]
4. In what ways does Jesus' prayer in John 17 serve as a model for glorifying God through prayer? How can believers incorporate this into their own prayer lives? [54:03]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current prayer life. Do you approach God with joy and gratitude, as encouraged in Philippians 4:4-7? What changes can you make to cultivate these attitudes in your prayers? [35:54]
2. Jesus demonstrated dependence on God through prayer. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to rely on God. How can you intentionally bring this area to God in prayer this week? [51:19]
3. The sermon mentioned the struggle of staying focused during prayer. What specific distractions do you face when praying, and what strategies can you implement to minimize these distractions? [46:51]
4. Consider the relational aspect of prayer. How can you deepen your relationship with God through prayer, rather than focusing solely on requests? What steps will you take to make your prayer life more relational? [39:01]
5. Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane showed submission to God's will. Is there a situation in your life where you need to submit your desires to God's greater plan? How can you pray for strength to do so? [45:54]
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of glorifying God in prayer. How can you incorporate adoration and glorification into your daily prayers? What specific praises can you offer to God this week? [54:03]
7. Oswald Chambers stated that "prayer is the greater work." How can you prioritize prayer in your daily routine, recognizing it as a vital part of your spiritual growth? What practical steps will you take to make prayer a consistent practice? [01:02:49]
Devotional
Day 1: Joyful Gratitude in Prayer
Prayer is a profound practice that goes beyond simply asking for things; it is a way to cultivate a heart of joy and gratitude. Philippians 4 encourages believers to rejoice always and approach God with thanksgiving, regardless of their circumstances. This attitude shifts the focus from personal struggles to the goodness and faithfulness of God. By maintaining a joyful and grateful heart, believers can experience a deeper connection with God, allowing His peace to guard their hearts and minds. This approach to prayer transforms it from a mere ritual into a life-giving relationship with the Creator. [34:39]
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:4-6, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How can you intentionally shift your focus from the difficulty to God's faithfulness and goodness in your prayers today?
Day 2: Relational Prayer Over Transactional Requests
Prayer is not a transactional act where believers present their requests to God, expecting something in return. Instead, it is a relational practice that deepens communion with God and aligns believers with His will. Jesus' prayer life exemplified this relational aspect, as He sought to maintain a deep, intimate relationship with the Father. His prayers were not primarily about asking for things but about glorifying God and aligning His heart with the Father's will. By focusing on knowing God more deeply, believers can transform their prayer life into a meaningful relationship rather than a list of requests. [39:01]
"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your recent prayers. Are they more focused on requests or on building a relationship with God? How can you shift your prayers to be more relational today?
Day 3: Dependence and Obedience in Prayer
Prayer is a demonstration of dependence on God and a willingness to obey His will. Jesus modeled this in His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He submitted His desires to God's greater plan, even in the face of immense suffering. This act of submission highlights the importance of aligning personal desires with God's will and trusting in His greater plan. By following Jesus' example, believers can learn to surrender their own desires and embrace God's purpose for their lives, even when it requires sacrifice and obedience. [52:22]
"And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'" (Matthew 26:39, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to submit to God's will? How can you practice surrendering this area to Him in prayer today?
Day 4: Persevering Through the Struggle of Prayer
Prayer can be a struggle because the flesh resists reliance on God. Distractions and feelings of inadequacy often hinder believers from engaging in meaningful prayer. However, prayer is a mark of grace and a vital part of spiritual growth. Despite the struggles, believers are encouraged to persevere in prayer, trusting that God can work through their imperfect efforts. By acknowledging the struggle and choosing to rely on God's strength, believers can overcome the barriers to a vibrant prayer life and experience the transformative power of prayer. [42:04]
"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." (Romans 8:26, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a distraction or feeling of inadequacy that often hinders your prayer life. How can you address this obstacle and persevere in prayer today?
Day 5: The Greater Work of Prayer
Oswald Chambers reminds believers that prayer is the greater work, not just preparation for action but the action itself. Through prayer, believers engage in the spiritual battle, build their relationship with God, and align themselves with His purposes. This perspective elevates the significance of prayer, emphasizing its role as a powerful tool for spiritual growth and transformation. By prioritizing prayer as the greater work, believers can experience the fullness of God's presence and power in their lives, impacting both their personal journey and the world around them. [01:02:49]
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison." (Colossians 4:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you prioritize prayer as the greater work in your daily routine? What specific steps can you take to engage more deeply in prayer today?
Quotes
1) "I think if you go at prayer with just the idea that it's just a transactional thing, I think you're going to have a real difficult time. Because here's the reality, is that God does answer prayers, but he answers them the way that he sees fit to answer them. And that's why we're called to pray according. According to God's will. Because if we're praying according to our will, we don't really know what God is doing in the context of everything that's going on. Timothy Keller, he tells us that if we knew all the things that Jesus knew, if we knew all the things that God knew, the prayers that we would pray would be very, very different. And so we're admonished to pray according to the will of God." [40:02] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "I don't know about you, but I'm always disappointed at my prayer life. When I look at my prayer life, I'm convinced that I am not matching up to what my prayer life should look like. And I think that if we were honest with ourselves, we could probably say the same thing, that our prayer life doesn't really match up to what we probably envision a prayer life should look like. And the reality is, is that we are. We're broken. We're fallen. We operate in the flesh. We are drawn by the flesh. We are at war with the flesh. And the last thing the flesh wants to do is rely on God. And so we have a problem that's there. We're fundamentally prone towards anything that has to do with a reliance on God. And prayer is one of those things." [41:36] (43 seconds)
3) "Prayer is important because it's important to Jesus. So when we ask that question of why did Jesus pray? Well, it was important to Jesus. And if it's important to Jesus, we also should take on this life of prayer. As difficult as it can be sometimes, as much as we bungle it, according to J.C. Ryle, as much as we fall short of what prayer should look like, it is still something that we should strive for and something that we should pray for. We should tap into if for any other reason than it was important to Jesus to do. Jesus, who was God, he was the son of God. He was God in the flesh." [42:40] (37 seconds)
4) "If you're not praying, then you are quietly confident that time, money, and talent are all that you need. Isn't that powerful? And yet here we are, we struggle so hard to pray. Just like the disciples, we struggle so hard to pray. Yet prayer is important. It shows that we are relying on God, not the things of this world. And the reality is, is that we in this culture, in our culture, we have so many crutches, so many things that we can rely on outside of God. That it makes it very, very difficult. I think that that's why God talked about the difficulty of a rich person. Jesus, in a lot of his messages, when he's talking to the Pharisees and the Sadducees and the people of Israel, often he talked about how money could be an evil. And the reason it could be is because it was a crutch. It was something that you would rely on other than God." [47:30] (50 seconds)
5) "Jesus prayed to demonstrate communion with God. In other words, he used prayer as a way to build up a relationship with God. Luke chapter 5, verse 16, he says, yet he often withdrew to a deserted place and prayed. You'll see many places in scripture where Jesus would walk away from the disciples and go pray. There'd be times when the disciples would ask, where is Jesus? And they would find him praying. There were a lot of times when he would minister to the crowds, the big crowds that were following him. And he would finally tell his disciples, I've got to get away. I've got to get away. And I've got to spend time with my heavenly father. He would use those opportunities to commune with God." [49:01] (37 seconds)
6) "Jesus prayed to demonstrate his dependence on God. We just talked about all these other things that we tend to put our trust in, time and talent and money and all sorts of other crutches. But what Jesus wanted to demonstrate is that he needed to depend on God. And that's where we've got to get to. We've got to get to a place where we depend on God. You know, we can live in the joys and the highs of life, and we can think on the positive things of God. But if we don't learn to depend on God in the midst of our joy and our sorrows, we're going to struggle. We see that John 5, 19 said this, Jesus replied, Jesus was totally dependent on God. He saw that he couldn't do anything of his own strength and his own power." [50:28] (60 seconds)
7) "Jesus prayed to demonstrate glorification to God. In other words, he used prayer as a mechanism to glorify God. We see that in John chapter 17. John chapter 17, by the way, is a great chapter on prayer. If you want to read about prayer and having a heart of prayer, go home this week and read John chapter 17. But verses 1 through 5, it says this, Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven and said, Father, the hour has come. Glorify your son so that the son may glorify you. Since you have given him authority over all people so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him. This is, eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent, Jesus Christ." [54:03] (49 seconds)
8) "Prayer does not fit us for the greater work. Prayer is the greater Prayer does not fit us. In other words, we're not praying to have strength to do the greater work. From Oswald's perspective, prayer is the greater work. That is the matter. So once again, Philippians 4, 4 through 9, rejoice in the Lord, always. Again, I will say rejoice, rejoice. Let's not fear taking our petitions before God. Let's not get so caught up in the transactional aspect of, Lord, if I ask for this and you give me this, that is a part of prayer. But at the end of the day, prayer is transactional, yes, but relational even more so when we look at it through the lens of why Jesus prayed. When we pray, we're praying to build a relationship with God and we're winning the battle when we're in prayer." [01:02:49] (61 seconds)
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