Bathwater, Week 1: Prayer

Message Title: “PRAYER” Prayer = communication with God The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18-19 (NLT) Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:5:17 (NIV) What is the “Bathwater” of Prayer? Ignorance ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV) The worst thing you can do when it comes to prayer is to expect someone else to do it for you. Pride So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come close to God, and God will come close to you. James 4:7-10 (NLT) Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:7-10 (NLT) Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. James 4:7-10 (NLT) Shame So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.  This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)  So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT) What are the benefits of prayer? Prayer ALIGNS our Hearts Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV) Prayer has the power to REALIGN your heart. Prayer BRINGS us Close Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord… Jeremiah 29:12-14 (NIV) Prayer CULTIVATES our Faith …If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT) Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 (NIV) “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:5-15 (NIV) Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:5-15 (NIV)  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:5-15 (NIV) For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:5-15 (NIV) P – PRAISE R – REPENT A – ASK Y – YIELD