Transformative Power of Prayer: One Person at a Time

Devotional

Day 1: Prayer as Participation in God’s Work

Prayer is not just a private, powerless act; it is an invitation to participate with God in what He is doing in the world and in our own hearts. When we pray, we are not simply speaking into the void or performing a religious ritual, but we are aligning ourselves with God’s heart and opening ourselves to be used by Him. Sometimes, God answers our prayers by activating us—calling us to be the hands and feet that bring about the very change we are seeking. Rather than seeing prayer as background noise, consider it as the launch code for God’s movement in your life and in the world. [03:11]

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (ESV)
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Reflection: When you pray today, ask God not only to act but to show you how He might want to use you as part of the answer to your own prayers. What step of obedience could you take in response to what you’re praying for?

Day 2: Praying for All—Even Those We Struggle With

God calls us to pray for everyone, including those in authority, those we disagree with, and even those we would rather avoid. This kind of prayer stretches us beyond our comfort zones and challenges us to see others as God sees them. When we pray for people we struggle with, God often changes our hearts, growing compassion and humility within us. Our prayers are not limited to those we like or agree with; they are meant to encompass all people, reflecting God’s desire for everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. [20:44]

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV)
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Reflection: Who is one person you find difficult to pray for? Ask God to soften your heart and pray specifically for that person by name today.

Day 3: Jesus, Our Mediator and the Power of Intercession

There is one God and one mediator between God and humanity—Jesus Christ, who gave Himself as a ransom for all. Jesus stands in the gap for us, and as His followers, we are invited to join Him in intercession, standing in the gap for others. Our prayers are not just wishful thinking; they are powerful because they are rooted in the finished work of Christ. When we intercede, we participate in Jesus’ ongoing ministry of reconciliation, bringing heaven and earth together and inviting others into the loving arms of God. [35:31]

1 Timothy 2:5-6 (ESV)
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

Reflection: Who in your life needs someone to stand in the gap for them? Take time today to intercede for that person, trusting that Jesus is also interceding for them.

Day 4: The Humbling and Forming Power of Prayer

Prayer is not just about solving problems or getting what we want; it is about communion with God that humbles and forms us. Supplication humbles us by reminding us of our need, prayer makes us worshipful as we place Jesus in His rightful place, intercession grows our compassion, and thanksgiving cultivates gratitude. Even when we don’t feel like praying or being grateful, practicing these forms of prayer shapes our hearts and aligns us with God’s purposes. [27:01]

James 4:10 (ESV)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to humble yourself before God today? Bring that need to Him in prayer, trusting that He welcomes your honesty and dependence.

Day 5: The Power of Focusing on One

While God’s heart is for all people, real change often begins when we focus our prayers and love on just one person. We may not be able to reach everyone, but each of us can reach one. By asking God to show us our “one”—the person He is calling us to pray for, love, and invite—we participate in His mission in a tangible way. The world changes not through celebrity or platform, but through ordinary believers praying by name for ordinary people and watching what God does. [44:09]

Luke 15:4-7 (ESV)
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

Reflection: Who is your “one”—the person God is putting on your heart to pray for and reach out to this week? Write their name down and begin praying for them by name each day.

Sermon Summary

Disappointment and doubt often creep in when prayers seem to go unanswered or when the world’s problems feel too big for our small acts of faith. Yet, the invitation is to see prayer not as background noise or a last resort, but as the very means by which God works in and through us. Sometimes, the most significant work God does is not in the world “out there,” but in the transformation and focus He brings to our own hearts. Prayer is not just a private exercise; it is a partnership with God, aligning our hearts with His and often activating us to become part of the answer to our own prayers.

We are called to pray for all people—friends, enemies, those in authority, and those we’d rather avoid. This is not just a spiritual discipline but a radical act of love and humility. Paul’s instruction to Timothy to offer supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone is a call to participate in God’s desire for all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Each type of prayer forms us: supplication humbles us, prayer makes us worshipful, intercession grows our compassion, and thanksgiving cultivates gratitude even when others are blessed.

The reality is that we live in a spiritual battleground, not just a love story. There is an “air war” in the spiritual realm and a “ground war” in our daily lives. We ask God to move in the unseen, to open eyes and hearts, while we remain faithful to speak, act, and love in Jesus’ name. The world does not change through celebrity or platform, but through ordinary believers praying by name for ordinary people—one at a time.

This season, the challenge is simple but profound: Who is your one? Who is the person God is placing on your heart to pray for, to love, to invite into the life of Christ? Rather than being overwhelmed by the needs of the world, focus on the one God has given you. Write their name down, pray for them, and include them in your life. The church becomes a place of transformation when each of us takes up this humble, persistent, and loving work. God’s heart is for all, and He invites us to join Him, one person at a time.

Key Takeaways

1. Prayer is Participation, Not Passivity Prayer is not merely a private ritual or a way to soothe our anxieties; it is an invitation to participate with God in His work. When we pray, we are not just asking God to act—we are often being prepared to act ourselves. God frequently turns our prayers back on us, calling us to be the answer to the very needs we bring before Him. [03:11]
2. The Air War and the Ground War There is a spiritual reality that undergirds our daily lives. While we pray for God to move in the unseen—to lift spiritual blindness and break through deception—we are also called to be faithful on the ground, speaking and acting in love. True transformation happens when we combine intercession in the spiritual realm with tangible action in our relationships and communities. [08:42]
3. The Scope and Shape of Prayer Paul’s call to pray for all people, including those in authority and those we struggle to love, stretches us beyond our comfort zones. Each form of prayer—supplication, intercession, thanksgiving—shapes our hearts: humbling us, making us worshipful, growing our compassion, and cultivating gratitude. Prayer is not just about solving problems; it is about being formed into the likeness of Christ. [21:11]
4. Ultimate Motives Over Ulterior Motives Loving others enough to share Christ is not about manipulation or hidden agendas. The ultimate motive is genuine love—a desire for others to experience restoration with their Creator. Our relationships should not hinge on whether someone responds to the gospel, but our love should be deep enough that we long for their good, even as we remain faithful friends regardless of their response. [40:21]
5. The Power of One While God’s heart is for all, our calling is often to focus on one. The world changes not through grand gestures but through ordinary believers praying persistently for one person, loving them, and inviting them into the life of Christ. When we each take responsibility for our “one,” the church becomes a place where God’s extraordinary work is done through ordinary faithfulness. [42:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:38] - Wrestling with the Value of Prayer
[01:56] - God’s Work Begins in Us
[03:11] - Prayer as Activation
[04:35] - Love Story Set in a War
[05:26] - The Air War and the Ground War
[06:09] - Whose Kingdom Are We Building?
[08:42] - Spiritual Realities in the Pacific Northwest
[09:53] - Who Is Your One?
[11:59] - Inviting, Not Scaring
[16:35] - Praying for All People
[21:11] - The Four Types of Prayer
[28:59] - The Fruit of Prayer: Godliness and Dignity
[32:44] - God’s Heart for All
[35:31] - Jesus, Our Mediator and Model
[38:18] - Ultimate Motives in Evangelism
[42:29] - The Power of Praying for One
[45:17] - Becoming a Praying Community
[46:19] - Communion and Invitation to Christ

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Timothy 2:1-7 (ESV) — 1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Observation Questions

According to Paul in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, what kinds of prayers does he urge believers to offer, and for whom should these prayers be made?
In the sermon, what is meant by the “air war” and the “ground war” when it comes to prayer and action? [[05:26]]
What does Paul say is God’s desire for all people in verses 3-4?
The sermon describes four types of prayer mentioned in the passage. What are they, and how does the pastor briefly define each one? [[21:11]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul emphasizes praying for “all people,” including those in authority and even those we might not like? How does this challenge our usual patterns of prayer? [[18:44]]
The sermon says that prayer is not just a private exercise but a partnership with God that often activates us to become part of the answer. What does it mean for prayer to “activate” us, and how might that look in real life? [[03:11]]
The pastor talks about “ultimate motives” versus “ulterior motives” in loving and praying for others. What is the difference, and why does it matter in our relationships? [[40:21]]
How does the idea of focusing on “your one” (one person God puts on your heart) help make the call to pray for all people more practical and personal? [[42:29]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to see prayer as participation, not just passivity. When you pray for someone or something, do you ever sense God nudging you to take action? Can you share a time when prayer led you to do something practical? [[03:11]]
Think about the “air war” (praying for God to move in the unseen) and the “ground war” (acting in love in daily life). Which one comes more naturally to you, and which one do you tend to neglect? How could you grow in the area that’s harder for you? [[08:42]]
Paul urges us to pray for all people, including those we struggle to love or those in authority. Is there someone in your life or in leadership you find it hard to pray for? What would it look like to start praying for them this week? [[18:44]]
The sermon describes four types of prayer: supplication (asking for needs), prayer (worship/relationship), intercession (standing in the gap), and thanksgiving (gratitude). Which type do you practice most? Which one do you want to grow in, and how could you start? [[21:11]]
The pastor asks, “Who is your one?”—the person God is placing on your heart to pray for, love, and invite into the life of Christ. Who might that be for you? What is one step you can take this week to pray for them or include them in your life? [[42:29]]
The sermon warns against having “ulterior motives” in relationships but encourages “ultimate motives” of genuine love. How can you make sure your care for others is motivated by love and not just by a desire to “get them to church” or “win them over”? [[40:21]]
The pastor suggests writing down the name of your “one” and praying for them regularly. Are you willing to do this? What might keep you from it, and how can the group support you in this commitment? [[43:01]]

Sermon Clips

So next time you want to avoid somebody, say, jesus, would you change my heart? And would you do something in their life so that I don't want to keep avoiding them. Just use all of those little things, like, I don't like that person. I want to move away from that person. I think this is. And use that as a signal to say, oh, this is one of the. Everyone I'm supposed to be praying for. This person supposed to be asking God to do something. And we know that when we ask him to do it. He does change our hearts, right? Any of you ever prayed for someone and then your heart got changed all of a sudden? That's disturbing, isn't it? But it's good. [00:20:35] (34 seconds) #PrayerHumblesAndForms

Prayer isn't just problem solving. It's. It's communion with God. It forms us. If we're asking for something, which I hate to do, it humbles us because you find yourself in need. I hate asking. You should just know, yeah, I'm the worst. Supplication makes us humble. And man, I need humble. I need to be humble. I've had this. God's faced this down with me over the years. He's like, well, there's two ways to get humble. You can do it or I can do it, which sounds a lot like humiliation. So humble yourself under his mighty hand that he may in due time lift you up. Right? Like, okay, I'm just, okay. I actually have needs. I actually, you know, and so just say it, say it to God. He's not asking you to be self sufficient or have the self confidence that is touted as the most important thing. How about God confidence? Like, yeah, he'll do it, he'll do it. I'm in need, but he'll do it. [00:25:45] (72 seconds) #RadicalExclusiveInvitation

So peaceful, quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way. This should be the case that someone can dislike you for the name of Jesus and still respect you, that you're living in alignment with what you say you believe. That's integrity, right? Say, yeah, I don't like that person. I don't like that message. But he does live it out. I don't like it when she talks about Jesus all the time. But she does care for her neighbor. She does pray for those who persecute her. She does the Jesus things. I don't like it, but I gotta respect that. I think that's part of the dignity. [00:29:57] (39 seconds) #UnconditionalFriendship

So dial it in, right? Say to the Father, in the name of the Son, by the Spirit, I come before you. In case there's any ambiguity, I'm talking about Jesus, the Christ of Nazareth, who came in the flesh because there's some confusion about who Jesus is. So, yes, it's radically exclusive. Jesus saves, and that's it. But the invitation is global as well as personal, whether you're an outcast or an insider. [00:37:10] (30 seconds) #HumbleFaithInAction

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