Faith Habits: Prayer

Prayer is often treated as a last resort, a spiritual panic button, or a way to get what we want. In this message in our Faith Habits series, on Prayer, Pastor Jo helps us see prayer the way Jesus does: as the language of relationship, intimacy, and partnership with God.Beginning with the desire for mentors and trusted voices, we are reminded that there is no one who knows us better than God Himself. From there, we step into Matthew 6 as Jesus dismantles performance‑based prayer and gives us a simple, profound pattern in the Lord’s Prayer. We explore how prayer starts by re‑orienting our hearts to a good Father who is close, holy, and able, before we ever bring our list of needs.Along the way, Pastor Jo contrasts transactional, competitive prayer with the invitation to communion. He shows how praying “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” leads us to pay attention to what God is already doing and to pray in line with His heart. We hear how habits, repetition and community help build “prayer muscles” in a culture of distraction, and how even a simple breathing prayer, “Abba, I belong to You”, can anchor us in God’s presence throughout the day.The message finishes with a practical call: start where you are, for as long as you honestly can, and let God grow a lifelong habit of prayer. Whether you are new to prayer, feeling dry, or longing for deeper intimacy, this episode will help you take your next step in becoming a person of continual conversation with God.We discuss:Prayer as a two‑way conversation and expression of relationshipThe Lord’s Prayer as an orienting pattern, not just a formal liturgyGod as a good Father who is holy, close, and attentiveAligning our desires with God’s kingdom and willMoving from transactional prayer to partnership with GodBuilding faith habits through small, consistent stepsOvercoming distraction and cultivating continual prayerPractising prayer in community and intercession for othersBible verses referenced or alluded to:Matthew 6:5‑13John 10 Zechariah 10:11 Thessalonians 5:16‑18Psalm 27Inspired by John Mark Comer's 'Practicing the Way'. CONNECT WITH RIVERLIFE CHURCH HERE ATInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/riverlifebaptistchurchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiverlifeBaptistChurchWebsite: https://riverlifechurch.org.au