Go to fbcpc.com to hear the sermon by Brother Brain.
“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace.” Matthew 6:6 MSG
I like the simplicity and down-to-earthness of how the Message translation transformed Matthew 6:6. Now, don’t stop praying throughout the day wherever you are (I hope you do). Pray with your eyes open, eyes closed, while driving, before you speak, before you make a decision, for others, etc. It’s just that we all need some one-on-one time with our Very Best Friend, Jesus, and have some real time with God.
If you’ve followed me long enough you know that I am a huge believer in prayer and a prayer warrior.
Just last week when I wrote a journal entry titled, “Parenting…Just Breathe and Pray” I felt such peace and relief over a situation when I cried out to God and laid it all down at His feet. I literally CRIED out to God. God’s got this!
Well, today my pastor, Dr. Brian Stowe , began a sermon series regarding prayer. I was “Amen”ing and shaking my head in agreement the whole time. I would like to share some quotes and information with you that he shared with us:
- Don’t pray for show; pray to know.
- “No man can do a great and enduring work for God who is not a man of prayer.” E.M. Bounds.
- Prayer is an unstoppable force
- Be real and relevant when you pray.
- Pray to please the Father, not those around you.
- “It is not the length of prayer, but the strength of prayer that prevails with God…God is not impressed with words, but with the genuine outcry of a needy heart.” KJV Bible Commentary, Nashville Thomas Nelson.
- Pastor Stowe jokingly began to say “Heavenly Santa” before changing it to “Heavenly Father”…stressing that God isn’t Santa…He doesn’t give us what we want, but He gives us what we need.
- We pray, not to fulfill our duty, but to fuel our devotion.
- As we continue to pray for certain needs/concerns, God bends our wills to align with His plan.
He ended the sermon with two challenges for us to be consistent with for eight weeks. I would like to encourage you to do these two challenges as well: (these are word for word, but same idea)
1. Have a focused time of prayer. Find the time, make the time, to have a chat with God. Keep it personal and away from distractions.
2. Keep a prayer journal/log.
I pray that you will enjoy soaking up The Son every moment of each day. –Stephanie