January 9, 2005
"The Heart of Prayer"
"The Greatest Adventure"—Part 1
Luke 18:1
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
—Ephesians 3:20-21
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must never give up.
—Luke 18:1 (NLT)
1. The Christian's most valuable characteristic: A heart yielded to God.
God blesses those who realize their need for him...
—Matthew 5:3 (NLT)
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life... and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him... fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out... God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
—Romans 12:1-2 (MSG)
2. The Christian's most valuable lesson: Victory comes from God, not our own abilities.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
—Psalm 20:7
"God can do more with a defeated Moses than He can with a slick, powerful Moses in Egypt."
(Sammy Tippit)
This is the fate of those who trust in themselves... death will feed on them... But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself.
—Psalm 49:13-15
He gives us more and more strength to stand... As the Scriptures say, "God sets himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the humble."
—James 4:6 (NLT)
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
—Philippians 4:13
"Humility is an indispensable requisite of true prayer."
(E. M. Bounds)
3. The Christian's most valuable encounter: Coming into the presence of God.
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
—Jeremiah 29:12-13
God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
—Matthew 5:8 (NLT)
"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
—Isaiah 6:5-8
I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him.
—Philippians 3:7-9 (NLT)
Lifework
This afternoon, we each have the opportunity to bring our plans and prayer concerns before the Lord and partake in His Holy Communion. I encourage you to prepare your heart in advance. There is no need to come if you believe you can live this year on your own power. As we come, we must recognize our desperate need of God, humble ourselves, seek His cleansing, and be ready for Him to answer prayer.
Family Communion 3:00-6:00 PM
Prayer: Dear God, I yield my heart to you. Help me to trust in your strength and not my own. I want to see you in my life and walk near to you in this new year. This is my heart's desire. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Putting Prayer into Practice—Week 1
Personal and Small Group Study
Getting Started: Read Luke 18:1-14
- When you were in High School, what did it take to be part of the "in crowd"? What was a guaranteed way to be "out"?
- Share a time when you saw God answer prayer in a significant way?
Digging Deeper
- If Jesus told this story today, which group of people would be the "Pharisee"? Which group would be the "tax collector"? What would be the Pharisee's prayer?
- How do you feel about the Pharisee in the story? Why do you think the Pharisee acted this way?
- How do you feel about the tax collector in the story? Why do you think the tax collector acted the way he did?
- With "10" being everything and "1" being nothing, rate how much of your own problems you could share with the Pharisee? How much of your own problems could you share with the tax collector?
- If the tax collector came to your small group, how would he be received? If the Pharisee showed up at your group, how would he be received?
- What reason do you have for receiving one person differently than another? What would it take for you to receive either person into your group? (Patience, thick skin, compassion, tough-love, etc.?)
Applying It To My Life
- In what attitude or manner do I approach God in prayer? Am I being casual about sin in my life, without regard for God's holiness?
- Do I think I can get God to hear my prayers by doing good deeds- or do I come to Him through Christ alone?
- Right now, considering your attitudes toward others, why do you hope God will accept you?
- In what area of your life do you need to grow in humility?