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Grace | Pray Ephesians 3:14-15

June 5, 2022

Ephesians 3:14-15

Pray

Richard Foster in his book, “Celebration of Discipline,” wrote: “To pray is to change. If we are unwilling to change, then we will abandon prayer and a noticeable characteristic of our lives.”

Christ had made it possible for them to approach God with freedom and confidence.

  1. Do you have a reason to pray?

Note: vs. 15 “…from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.”

The church is a family with God as its Father.

What do you think of when you hear the word family?

“Our Father who is in heaven…” Matthew 6:9

That role signifies his power, authority, love, and commitment to his family.

Why do you pray?

  • It is a cry for help?
  • A desire to be close to God?
  • Is it a longing in your soul to have someone pay attention to you?

Do you see it as a conversation between you and God your Father?

Prayer isn’t:

  • A direct line to the bank of God
  • A position of authority on our part
    • We don’t command God to do something
  • A place where we drive the narrative
    • God listens and we carry the conversation

Prayer is a two way conversation with God your Father.

  • It is acknowledging who he is
    • Your Father who is in heaven
    • The supreme God of the universe
    • Your life support system

It is our honor to be in his presence.

Paul wrote: “I kneel before the Father.”

Our Father is Holy, Righteous, and Perfect.

  • Psa. 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.”

Prayer is to be in everything we do.

  • Are you sick…pray
  • Stressed…pray
  • Overwhelmed with life…pray
  • Difficulties in your family…pray
  • Marriage issues…pray
  • Afraid of what the world is doing…pray

Prayer is the avenue whereby we can be in touch with our Father.

Paul said in verses 12-13 that we can come to our Father with freedom and confidence.

  • Freedom to be honest with him
  • Confident that he will listen

Note: 1 Peter 5:6-7 TLB 

Prayer is being willing to change.

  • Change your anxiety to hope
  • Change your fears to trust
  • Change your hate to forgiveness

You cannot hate your enemy when you are praying for them.

Remember, prayer is being close to the One who loves you no matter what you tell him.

Take away:

  1. Pray
  • Just pray
  1. Pray
  • Talk to your Father 
  1. Pray
  • Allow his love to change your heart

 


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