We have a big God! I have a puny prayer-life!

We have a big God!

I have a puny

prayer-life!

When Jesus Prayed...① Keep it personal

Mark 14:36And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

When Jesus Prayed...② Make it a priority

Mark 1:35In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.

When Jesus Prayed...② Make it a priority

Luke 6:12It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.

When Jesus Prayed...③ Give it undivided attention

Luke 5:16But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

When Jesus Prayed...③ Give it undivided attention

“I can be active and pray; I can work and pray; but I cannot be busy and pray. I cannot be inwardly rushed, distracted, or dispersed…. Usually, for [prayer] to happen there must be a deliberate withdrawal from the noise of the day, a disciplined detachment from the insatiable self.”Eugene Peterson

When Jesus Prayed...④ Ask boldly

Matthew 21:22“And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Why Doesn’t God Always Say “Yes”?• because I’m asking for something evil

James 4:3You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

Why Doesn’t God Always Say “Yes”?• because I’m asking for something evil• because I’m walking in sin

1 John 3:21-22Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.

Why Doesn’t God Always Say “Yes”?• because I’m asking for something evil• because I’m walking in sin• because “no” leads to my greater good

Why Doesn’t God Always Say “Yes”?2 Corinthians 12:7-9...to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Why Doesn’t God Always Say “Yes”?• because I’m asking for something evil• because I’m walking in sin• because “no” leads to my greater good

Romans 8:28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Why Doesn’t God Always Say “Yes”?• because I’m asking for something evil• because I’m walking in sin• because “no” leads to my greater good• because I haven’t persevered in asking

(Luke 18)

To Pray Like Jesus...① Keep it personal② Make it a priority③ Give it undivided attention④ Ask boldly⑤ Be obedient, submissive, and persistent