Thoughts on Prayer

I am preaching Sunday on “Prayer”….

There are literally libraries full of books on prayer.  So there is no shortage of resources ~ many of them are as deep as they are broad.

Over the last 7 years, I have taught the basics of prayer at GVCC.

I started by teaching the Lord’s Prayer and moving on to 

hindrances to prayer and all the “thou shalt's” and “thou shalt not's” 

about prayer.

So for a couple weeks, I have been attempting to ascertain why most of us never get past the basics of prayer. 

Let me ask you this, “Has your prayer life grown deeper ~ closer to God in the last 5 years? The last 10 years? Or has it remained EXACTLY the same for as long as you can remember?” 

When was the last time you EXPERIENCED GOD ~ 

when you were ALONE in prayer???? 

Better yet, “WHY is this so hard to talk about?” 

Let me take a shot at why this end of the pond is so muddy. 

Normally adjusted married folk, don’t openly discuss the intimacies of their marriage relationship in public.  WHY?  Because it is no one’s business ~ there is a reason it is called “intimate”. 

My point is this: The intimacies of a healthy married relationship is nothing compared to the intimacies of a healthy relationship with Almighty God. 

Think about this, a relationship with our Creator who knows exactly how we are wired ~ our every thought ~ our every desire ~ our every motive ~ our every inclination ~ our every priority…. Is taking intimacy to uncharted waters. 

So to stand in front of a group of people and freely chat about my relationship with my Creator is…. uncomfortable. 

But that is my God given CHALLENGE for Sunday. 

Attempt to build a bridge that allows people to walk closer to their God ~ who loves them and desires an unrestricted full access relationship based on pure love.

No pressure….

There’s a reason most sermons you hear on prayer are “ought-to” types and not “how-to” counsel. So stick around and see how Sunday turns out.  I'm more curious as you. 

¹⁴ And we are confident

that he hears us

whenever we ask

for anything that pleases him.

¹⁵ And since we know he hears us

when we make our requests,

we also know that he will

give us what we ask for.”

1 John 5:14-15