True Power: Connecting with God Through Prayer
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the concept of true power and how it manifests in our lives as believers. We began by considering who we might think of as the most powerful people in the world—whether it's national leaders, athletes, or even our own fathers. However, the real power lies with those who are connected to God. This connection is most evident when we gather in prayer and worship, aligning ourselves with God's eternal kingdom, which will outlast all earthly empires.
We revisited the story of King Jehoshaphat from 2 Chronicles 20, who faced a vast army and admitted his powerlessness, choosing instead to focus on God. Jehoshaphat's prayer was a model of what we call "praying in the middle voice," a concept that involves participating in God's already ongoing action rather than trying to initiate or passively wait for it. This type of prayer acknowledges that God has a plan and invites us to join in His work.
We also looked at Mary, the mother of Jesus, who exemplified this middle voice prayer by accepting God's plan for her life despite the immense challenges it posed. Her response, "I am the Lord's servant," shows a willingness to participate in God's work, even when it involves personal sacrifice.
Jesus Himself prayed in this manner, especially in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He submitted to God's will despite the impending suffering. This kind of prayer is not just about asking for things but about aligning ourselves with God's will and being ready to act as part of His plan.
We are called to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. This continuous connection with God allows us to be part of His work in the world. It's a dangerous way to pray because it often involves us in the answers to our own prayers, but it is also the most powerful position we can take.
### Key Takeaways
1. True Power Lies in Connection with God: The most powerful people are those who are connected to God through prayer and worship. This connection transcends all earthly power and aligns us with God's eternal kingdom. [39:16]
2. Praying in the Middle Voice: This form of prayer involves participating in God's ongoing action rather than initiating or passively waiting. It acknowledges that God has a plan and invites us to join in His work. [47:51]
3. Mary's Example of Participation: Mary accepted God's plan for her life despite the immense challenges it posed. Her response, "I am the Lord's servant," shows a willingness to participate in God's work, even when it involves personal sacrifice. [55:17]
4. Jesus' Submission in Prayer: Jesus exemplified middle voice prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, submitting to God's will despite the impending suffering. This kind of prayer is about aligning ourselves with God's will and being ready to act as part of His plan. [57:16]
5. Continuous Connection with God: We are called to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. This continuous connection with God allows us to be part of His work in the world and often involves us in the answers to our own prayers. [59:48]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[39:16] - True Power Lies in Connection with God
[40:40] - The Eternal Kingdom of God
[41:37] - Jehoshaphat's Prayer
[42:36] - Revisiting 2 Chronicles 20
[43:34] - God's Plan and Our Participation
[44:21] - Worship and Prayer Lead the Battle
[45:03] - God's Ambush and Victory
[46:05] - Understanding the Middle Voice
[46:54] - Prayer as Participation
[47:51] - Praying in the Middle Voice
[48:47] - Listening to God
[49:35] - Avoiding Hasty Actions
[50:09] - The Importance of Prayer
[50:55] - Fighting Against Satan's Attacks
[51:45] - Jim Cimbala on Fervent Prayer
[52:34] - The Power of Prayer
[53:20] - Mary's Example of Participation
[54:35] - The Crisis Mary Faced
[55:17] - Mary's Willingness to Participate
[56:00] - The Impact of Mary's Participation
[56:39] - Making Your Life Matter
[57:16] - Jesus' Submission in Prayer
[58:04] - The Danger and Power of Middle Voice Prayer
[58:57] - God's Joint Project with Us
[59:48] - Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks Continually
[01:00:22] - Choosing Joy and Giving Thanks
[01:01:11] - The River of Joy
[01:02:32] - Joy in All Circumstances
[01:03:08] - Thankfulness in All Circumstances
[01:04:18] - God's Purpose in Tribulation
[01:04:54] - Praying Continually
[01:05:19] - Continuous Connection with God
[01:06:20] - Testing and Holding onto God's Word
[01:07:21] - Staying Connected with God
[01:08:21] - The Power of Connection
[01:09:32] - The Privilege of Prayer
[01:10:02] - A House of Prayer
[01:10:33] - Prayers as a Beautiful Offering
[01:11:03] - God's Promises in Prayer
[01:11:35] - Practical Prayer Tips
[01:12:04] - Morning, Noon, and Night Prayers
[01:12:34] - Praying for Others
[01:13:02] - Thanking God at Night
[01:13:36] - Joining in Prayer
[01:14:06] - Monthly Prayer Times
[01:14:37] - Responding to God's Invitation
[01:15:09] - Partnering with God
[01:15:40] - Praying with Jehoshaphat, Mary, and Jesus
[01:16:08] - The Power of Connection
[01:16:46] - Continuous Prayer
[01:22:24] - Blessing and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 2 Chronicles 20:6-12 - Jehoshaphat's Prayer
2. Luke 1:38 - Mary's Response to God's Plan
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks Continually
### Observation Questions
1. What did King Jehoshaphat do when he faced a vast army, according to 2 Chronicles 20:6-12?
2. How did Mary respond to the angel's message in Luke 1:38?
3. What are the three continuous actions Paul calls believers to in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is Jehoshaphat's prayer in 2 Chronicles 20 considered a model of "praying in the middle voice"? [43:34]
2. How does Mary's response, "I am the Lord's servant," demonstrate her willingness to participate in God's plan despite personal sacrifice? [55:17]
3. What does it mean to "rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances," and how can these actions align us with God's will? [59:48]
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Jehoshaphat's prayer, how can you focus on God when you feel powerless in a difficult situation? [42:36]
2. Mary accepted God's plan for her life despite the challenges. Can you think of a time when you had to accept a difficult situation as part of God's plan? How did you respond? [55:17]
3. Jesus submitted to God's will in the Garden of Gethsemane. How can you practice submitting to God's will in your daily prayers, especially when facing tough decisions? [57:16]
4. The sermon mentioned that praying in the middle voice often involves us in the answers to our own prayers. Can you identify a prayer in your life where you felt called to be part of the solution? [58:04]
5. Paul calls us to rejoice, pray, and give thanks continually. What practical steps can you take to incorporate these actions into your daily routine? [59:48]
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of continuous connection with God. What are some specific ways you can maintain this connection throughout your day? [01:05:19]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to engage in "middle voice" prayer and participate in God's ongoing work? [47:51]
Devotional
Day 1: True Power Lies in Connection with God
True power is not found in earthly status or achievements but in a deep, abiding connection with God. This connection is cultivated through prayer and worship, aligning us with God's eternal kingdom, which surpasses all worldly power. When we gather in prayer and worship, we tap into a power that transcends all earthly empires and aligns us with God's eternal purposes. This connection is the source of true strength and influence in the life of a believer. [39:16]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel powerless? How can you invite God into these areas through prayer and worship to experience His true power?
Day 2: Praying in the Middle Voice
Praying in the middle voice means participating in God's ongoing action rather than trying to initiate or passively waiting for it. This form of prayer acknowledges that God has a plan and invites us to join in His work. It is a dynamic and active way of praying that aligns us with God's will and purposes. By praying in this manner, we become co-laborers with God, participating in His divine plan and experiencing His power in our lives. [47:51]
Romans 8:26-27 (ESV): "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. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."
Reflection: How can you shift your prayer life from asking God to do things for you to asking how you can participate in what He is already doing?
Day 3: Mary's Example of Participation
Mary, the mother of Jesus, exemplified middle voice prayer by accepting God's plan for her life despite the immense challenges it posed. Her response, "I am the Lord's servant," shows a willingness to participate in God's work, even when it involves personal sacrifice. Mary's example teaches us the importance of saying "yes" to God's plans, trusting that His purposes are greater than our own. Her willingness to participate in God's work brought about the greatest miracle of all— the birth of Jesus. [55:17]
Luke 1:38 (ESV): "And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God calling you to participate in His work? How can you respond with the same willingness and trust as Mary?
Day 4: Jesus' Submission in Prayer
Jesus exemplified middle voice prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, submitting to God's will despite the impending suffering. This kind of prayer is about aligning ourselves with God's will and being ready to act as part of His plan. Jesus' submission to God's will, even in the face of great personal cost, teaches us the importance of surrendering our own desires and plans to God's greater purposes. By following Jesus' example, we learn to trust in God's wisdom and goodness, even when it leads us through difficult circumstances. [57:16]
Matthew 26:39 (ESV): "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.'"
Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you need to submit to God's will, even if it involves personal sacrifice? How can you follow Jesus' example of trust and obedience?
Day 5: Continuous Connection with God
We are called to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. This continuous connection with God allows us to be part of His work in the world and often involves us in the answers to our own prayers. Maintaining a constant connection with God through prayer and thanksgiving keeps us aligned with His purposes and sensitive to His leading. It is through this ongoing relationship with God that we experience His presence and power in our daily lives. [59:48]
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a habit of continuous prayer and thanksgiving in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to stay connected with God throughout the day?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The most powerful person in the world, other than God, are the people who are connected to God. Together or throughout life in their homes. I love these old pictures that the man praying, the woman praying. You've seen those. The persons who are connected to the God of all power are the ones who have the most power in all the world." [39:16] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The most powerful people in the world are the people of God, when they're connected to God, praying to God. Because someday, not only will all those other empires have bit the dust, but it's very, very likely that the USA will be no more. And Canada will be no more. And Great Britain will be no more. And Russia will be no more. And China will be no more. But God's people always will be. Because the Kingdom of God is for forever." [40:40] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Don't be discouraged. Don't be afraid. God is with you. Let's continue on from where we left off then last week. After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying, Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever." [44:21] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "As God's people praise, as we petition God, God goes to work. God calls on us to worship and to pray, and then he goes to work on this plan. The Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated." [45:03] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "How do we fight against Satan's attacks coming against our neighbors and Satan's attacks coming against us? King Jehoshaphat, he didn't just come up with a plan on his own. He did go to God. And then when he heard God speak, and then he starts participating." [50:55] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The wisest place, the wisest action, and the most powerful position we could take is to have our eyes focused on God." [42:36] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Prayer in the middle voice means I am an active participant, but the action did not begin. It began with me. I'm joining the action of another. I'm joining the action of God who is already at work." [47:51] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Some of us are facing incredibly difficult situations. Maybe it's a family member or a distant relative that's just kind of off the rails. Maybe you're off the rails. Maybe you've got a situation going on financially. You just have no clue how in the world you're going to get this taken care of. Maybe it's an addiction you're fighting. Maybe it's some other thing that all of a sudden hits. It's like this enemy comes against you. He's like, I don't know where this came from. I don't know why this came. But God, what are we doing here?" [48:47] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you call me into it by way of some kind of message. By way of an emergency or by way of some kind of a revelation. I want to pray with Jehoshaphat. I want to pray with Mary. I want to pray with Jesus." [57:16] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Praying in the middle voice like that is a dangerous way to pray. Because if you pray like that, it's very, very, very likely that God is going to involve you in the answers to your own prayers. Because when you pray submitted like that, God has a habit of employing us to answer our own prayers." [58:04] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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