EVER WONDER WHY…?

• Jesus said, “…I will build my church…” (Matthew 16:18), making it clear that the Church is God’s.
• The first church is what we must measure ourselves by; we’re to be devoted to all the first church was devoted to.

WHY WE PRAY?

• Jesus taught us to engage in with our Creator, Savior, and King. (Luke 11:1 & Matthew 28:20)
• Prayer our hearts, minds, and wills towards God.

EVER WONDER WHY… WE GET TOGETHER TO PRAY?

• “He said to them, ‘It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer…”’” (Matthew 21:13)
• “And they devoted* themselves to… prayers.” (Acts 2:42)
• *proskartereō (pros-kar-ter-eh’-o): to be devoted to, constantly diligent in, to adhere closely to1

LET’S DO IT!

o Private conversation

o Still and silent

o Together with others

o Over others

WE WILL BE DEVOTED TO PRAYER BY…

Matthew 21:12-15 12And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13He said to them,”It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” 14And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple,”Hosanna to the Son of David!”they were indignant…

• Integrity before Lord
• Confessing corruption, criticalness, self-righteousness, etc.
• “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”(Matthew 5:3)
• Sinner first, sinned against second

WE WILL BE DEVOTED TO PRAYER BY…

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

• We are not consumers, we are worshippers.
• “Be still, and know that I am God.”(Psalm 46:10)
• In the book of Psalms, “Selah” is used 71 times. It means to pause, reflect, take to heart/mind, think about.

WE WILL BE DEVOTED TO PRAYER BY…

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19Do not quench the Spirit.

• Thank Jesus for what His body and blood mean to you.
• Praise God for how He has cared for you, protected you, guided you, helped you, been merciful to you, etc.

WE WILL BE DEVOTED TO PRAYER BY…

1 Timothy 2:1-4 1First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

WE WILL BE DEVOTED TO PRAYER BY…

Isaiah 56:6-8 6“And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant—7these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” 8The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.”

• Our offerings support His work through His church out into the world.
• God is patient in returning because He wants none to be lost. (2 Peter 3:9)
• We, the church, are God’s representing. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:

Passages to consider: Luke 11:1-13, 18:1-8; Acts 4:23-31; Hebrews 4:14-16

1. How did the sermon challenge and encourage you about prayer?

2. Read Luke 18:1-8 and Acts 4:23-31. What are several things Jesus taught His followers about prayer? A) What do you see about how Jesus’ disciples practiced prayer?

3. How would you explain prayer to someone not familiar with the idea of prayer? A) What would you want them to understand about prayer?

4. What has been your experience of praying together with others? A) How has it been different than praying alone? B) Share what has been beneficial (and any challenges).

5. When do you engage in prayer? When do you engage in prayer with others? A) What would help you grow in your personal prayer life and praying with others?

6. What is God showing you about being devoted together? A) How is this series impacting how you engage at services or answering questions you have wondered?