Sunday Sermon Starter 1-2-12

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Last week for our sermon starter we started a four part series used for ushering in a new year called “iResolve.” At this time of year it is natural for people to set goals for the coming year, particularly in areas they may have considered weaknesses in the past. While we certainly do not want to think of ourselves as weak in any part of our spirituality, reality dictates that we often are. Thus it is good for us to examine these aspects of our lives and see how we can improve. This week’s installment looks into the nature of our prayer lives and seeks to determine how we can improve our prayer lives in the year to come:

Title: iResolve to Pray without Ceasing

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Main Point: More than any soul who has ever lived Jesus displayed what it truly meant to pray without ceasing – His life was given to prayer: He prayed at His immersion (Luke 3:21), He prayed regularly throughout His ministry (Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; 6:12; 9:28-29; 22:32; John 17), He prayed when in the valley of the shadow of death (Matthew 26:36-42), and He even prayed on the cross (Luke 23:34). Prayer is such an important and foundational necessity in our lives but so often we grow neglectful. What pointers does the Bible provide for how to either improve or overhaul our prayer lives so that they are as rich as was Jesus’?

Discussion Points:
1. Pray Secretly – Public prayer is essential in our public worship, but they should not constitute the entirety of our prayer lives. At the same time we should never pray outwardly seeking the praise of men. Jesus’ advice is as pertinent as ever: Matthew 6:5-6 – if we will pray in secret we will be rewarded openly.

2. Pray Believingly – Do you pray with anticipation or skepticism? The prayer of anticipation expects it to be answered in some way but the prayer of the skeptic is a prayer of doubt. Mark 11:22-24 – God will not bless the doubtful heart.

3. Pray Abidingly – As we pray outwardly our lives inwardly must reflect the will of God for whose blessing we seek. Peter reminds us that His ears are only open to the prayers of the righteous (1 Peter 3:12). John 15:7-8 – our lives and petitions must be found in accordance to His will for the expectation of them being answered.

4. Pray Directly – With men we can hide our true intent with smooth words because of man’s inability to see inward. However, God knows the thoughts and intents of the heart regardless of how we try to sugarcoat things. Hebrews 4:14-16 – we can come boldly in prayer not because of any inherent righteousness but because of the power of Jesus’ sacrifice and His impact on our lives.

5. Pray Effectually – Prayer is inherently powerful because of the One who made prayer possible, who mediates, and who hears. When prayer is put to use that power is evidently set forth. James 5:16 – the effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous avails much (effectual, fervent – “energy, power”).

What a blessing prayer is to our lives! How could we possibly neglect such a gift? But we do. Let’s resolve in the coming year to improve our prayers lives with God to strengthen our relationship and our faith.

-Andy Brewer

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