This summer, Pastor Chris started a sermon series on prayer - one of the essential foundations of a successful Christian life.  Each week, this page will be updated with notes from this series.  All of the messages can be heard on our sermon page.

Week 1: Prayer is not…

  • …a religious exercise to earn “holy points”
  • …only for church leaders
  • …a routine or formula
  • …a one-sided endeavour
  • …a shopping trip
  • …magic
  • …drudgery
  • …conquering God’s reluctance, but taking hold of his willingness

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place.  When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”          - Luke 11:1

The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray because they saw that his praying was different than the prayers of the religious leaders and actually produced powerful results.  They didn’t ask to be taught to be great teachers, miracle workers or how to be kind, but how to pray; they connected all the things that Jesus did in public ministry to his life of prayer.  None of us ever arrive, so let us continue to ask the Lord to teach us to pray.

Week 2: Prayer is…

  • …talking to God
  • …listening to/receiving from God
  • …speaking with God

This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one,  for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.        – Matt 6:9-13

Most people are comfortable with the concept of prayer as talking to God.  Life abounds when we begin to practice the discipline of listening for God’s voice in response to our prayers.  Ruling, reigning and transforming this world comes when we begin to speak with God – praying His will – and give the Holy Spirit material to ride upon and work with in this realm.

Week 3: Speaking with God

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him.              – 1 John 5:14-15

God’s Will can be seen by looking at the life of Jesus.  His will includes seeing:

  • Lost people saved (Luke 19:10, John 3:17 and 2 Peter 3:9)
  • Sick people healed (Matt 8, Matt 11:4-5 and Matt 9:35)
  • Demon possessed/oppressed people set free (Matt 9:32-33, Luke 4:33-36 and Luke 4:41)
  • People come to know Him (Eph 1:17 and 1 Cor 8:3)

Week 4: Purposes of Prayer

“The great tragedy of life is not the unanswered prayer, but the unoffered prayer.”    -F.B. Meyer

There are many reasons why God calls us to pray, but four of the main purposes for prayer are:

  • …to release His will into the earth
  • …intercession (praying for others)
  • …communion with God
  • …to get help

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.  May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.  May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings.  Selah.  May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.  We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.  May the LORD grant all your requests.           -Psalm 20:1-5