Transformative Prayer: Daily Connection with God
Summary
In the sermon, I emphasized the importance of prayer as an invitation to a relationship with God that has the potential to impact how we live, work, and play every day. I highlighted that prayer is not just about growing a church or building a program, but about inviting the presence and power of God into our lives. I also stressed that if our desire is for our children to be captivated by the presence and power of the Living God, or if we want to make our workplaces better and serve the greater good, we will want to pray. Furthermore, I pointed out that if our desire is to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus, we will want to pray, and Jesus gives us instruction on how to do this.
In the second part of the sermon, I discussed the pitfalls of religious activity and the importance of motive in our actions. I explained that Jesus warns us of the poison that can infect our prayer, which shows up in the hypocrite who seeks validation from others rather than from God. I also encouraged the congregation to ask God questions and yield to His will over our own. Finally, I invited the congregation to be intentional in regularly praying in secret and shutting out distractions, and to see prayer as a conversation with God, speaking to Him and listening to Him.
Key Takeaways:
- Prayer is not just about religious activity, but about inviting the presence and power of God into our lives ([23:34]).
- Our motive in prayer should be to glorify God, not ourselves, and to seek validation from God, not from others ([34:07]).
- We should be intentional in regularly praying in secret and shutting out distractions ([50:04]).
- Prayer is a conversation with God, where we speak to Him and listen to Him ([50:47]).
- We should ask God questions and yield to His will over our own in prayer ([48:39]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:1 - Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. #!!31:19!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What does Matthew 6:1 say about the motivation behind our good deeds?
2. How does this verse challenge the way we typically think about doing good deeds?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to practice righteousness in front of others to be seen by them?
2. How does this verse relate to the concept of prayer and our relationship with God?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a time when you did a good deed primarily to be seen by others? How does Matthew 6:1 challenge you to rethink your motivations?
2. How can you ensure that your prayers and good deeds are primarily for God and not for the approval of others?
3. What is one specific way you can practice righteousness this week without seeking recognition from others?
4. How can you incorporate prayer into your daily routine in a way that is genuine and not just for show?
5. Can you think of a specific situation where you can apply the principle of Matthew 6:1 in your workplace or school?
Devotional
Day 1: The Intersection of Prayer and Everyday Life
Prayer is not just a spiritual practice, but an invitation to a relationship with God that impacts how we live, work, and play every day. It's the intersection where our spiritual life meets our everyday life, where the power and presence of God show up in all the places we live, work, and play every day. [07:34]
Colossians 4:2 - "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
Reflection: How can you make prayer a more integral part of your everyday life?
Day 2: The Desire for God's Presence
If our desire is for the power and the presence of God to show up in our lives, then we will pray. This desire goes beyond just wanting to grow a church or build a program, it's about wanting the presence and power of God to be evident in our lives. [24:24]
Psalm 27:8 - "My heart says of you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, LORD, I will seek."
Reflection: How does your desire for God's presence influence your prayer life?
Day 3: The Power of Prayer in Parenting
If your desire is for your children to be captivated by the presence and the power of the Living God, you will want to pray. Prayer is a powerful tool in parenting, not just for the well-being of our children, but for their spiritual growth and development. [25:15]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Reflection: How can you incorporate prayer into your parenting?
Day 4: Prayer and Work
If your desire is to make your workplace a place where people thrive and what you produce serves the greater good, you'll want to pray. Prayer can transform our work from just a job to a calling, a place where we can glorify God. [26:03]
Colossians 3:23 - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."
Reflection: How can prayer transform your perspective on your work?
Day 5: The Desire to be Transformed
If your desire is to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus, to live a life with Him, by Him, through Him, in Him, you will want to pray. Prayer is a powerful tool in our spiritual transformation, helping us to become more like Jesus. [26:52]
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 has prayer helped you in your journey of becoming more like Jesus?
Quotes
1. "We all long for validation. That's not a bad thing. But why am I so compelled to perform and strive and live and lead from places of insecurity and fear and pride? Why is that still in me?" - 37:04
2. "God, what do you want me to want? God, how would you have me pray today? God, who do you want me to pause and talk to in the school cafeteria or at work? What cubicle would you have me go by today? Would you put somebody on my mind, would you put somebody on my heart?" - 48:39
3. "The emphasis of Jesus in this sermon is not an either or. The emphasis of Jesus is on motive. Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good deeds and then glorify your father in Heaven. The motivation there is to show God's greatness not ours, to glorify God not ourselves." - 34:07
4. "Prayer is not a formula. It is a friendship with God. Secret prayer is a guard against poisonous prayer. My prayers can easily become performances if my private prayer life doesn't exceed my public prayer life." - 41:15
5. "Jesus gives us an invitation to secrecy in our prayer because prayer is not a formula for success. It's protection for our souls. That secret prayer life protects my soul. It protects me from myself." - 43:36
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