Notes:
Prayer can be powerful, but also confusing. John 14:13-14
You are not the main character of the story! God is the main character. God does not exist to serve US, but we exist to serve and glorify Him.
The purpose of prayer ISN'T to get God to do our will. It's to know GOD, so we can do HIS Will.
God is not a button to be pushed, but a relationship to be pursued.
Never build your theology around a single verse plucked out of context. Use the Bible to interpret the Bible.
So, why didn't God answer my prayer? (I DON’T KNOW. As your pastor, that’s above my pay grade.)
4 possibilities:
Maybe you have a broken relationship. Hindering your intimacy with God. Mark 11:24-25, Matthew 5:24, 1 Peter 3:7, "if thou are a jerketh, God might not answer your prayers."
Wrong motives. Selfish prayers.
Maybe you don’t believe God will do it. You’re lacking faith. Mark 9:22-24. Matthew 9:22. Luke 7:50. Matthew 9:29-30. Faith matters. But God is still God. We don’t out our faith in FAITH, we put our faith in GOD.
Maybe God has something different. It's just not God's will. 1 John 5:14-15.
"His grace is sufficient for me" His power is made perfect in my weakness and brokenness.
God may have something different in mind for you. Not always better, just different.
Then WHY pray?
The purpose of prayer is relational. It’s to get to know God. To know Him intimately so we can know His will.
It’s reminder that you are not in control, and it keeps you close to the One who is.
If you find yourself in a prayer slump, what do you do? Keep on praying.
Even if He doesn’t, I still believe. My faith is not in a “what”, always in a “who”.
Discussion:
Was is your main takeaway from this message?
Have you ever found yourself in a prayer slump? What got you out of it?
How would you answer, if an unbelieving friend asked you why you pray?
What do you think it means to let the Bible interpret the Bible?
What’s your current prayer routine look like? When and how often do you pray to God?
What has God been teaching you lately?
This month, let’s try out some different kinds of prayer practices! Use this holiday time to think about what Jesus has done, specifically, why He came, and what difference it makes it your life. Try a few of these at home this month: