Today, we begin a new message series entitled “Praying with Jesus.” In this series, we’re going to be talking about one of the essential activities of a believer, the topic of prayer. Prayer is communicating with God, the creator of the universe. Prayer is two-way communication, prayer is conversation, prayer is talking with God.
Many people struggle with prayer. They feel like they should be praying more, but other things get in the way, they forget, they get tired and their prayer lives suffer. I believe that the main reason that people struggle with prayer is because of unanswered prayer. If people were completely honest, the reason they don’t pray more is that they’re not sure it really works. If you’re not sure something really works, then why bother to do it more. Of course, if you’re really in a pickle, you’ll pray, because it just might work and it sure can’t hurt.
What I believe that God wants to teach us in this series, is how to pray prayers that get answered. If you’re praying prayers that get answered, you’re going to get excited and you’re going to pray more and see more answers. There are many reasons for unanswered prayer, but let’s begin with one found in
James 4:3 (NIV) When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
Let me paraphrase “ When you pray, your prayers are not answered, because your requests are selfish, it’s all about you.” In fact, that’s how many people view prayer. Prayer is simply trying to get something I want from God. God is simply like a cosmic vending machine, put in a prayer and expect an answer. So, if God is not a vending machine, let’s not treat Him like one in prayer. Rather than asking for what we want, how about asking for what Jesus wants.
That’s what God wants to teach us in this series “Praying with Jesus.” Not praying at Jesus, but praying with Jesus. Did you know that Jesus is in heaven praying for you?
Romans 8:34 (NIV) Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
If we can learn to join our prayers with the prayers of Jesus, those are the kind of prayers that will get answered. In this message series, we’re going to be looking at Jesus’ teaching concerning prayer and expanding on that teaching from other passages in the Bible.
Today, our message is entitled “Talking with Your Father.” That’s what prayer is all about, talking with your heavenly Father. Prayer is about building a relationship with your Father, talking with Him and listening to Him. In fact, prayer is more about pleasing your heavenly Father than pleasing yourself.