Beginning a new series, Sacred Pursuit, with “Prayer”
As we dive into this new series, our aim is for us as a church to grow closer to God. We will cover the practices that will help encourage a closer relationship with Him. Please feel free to use this tool and communicate your views, questions, and experiences, and give encouragement and feedback to those who have posted.
This Sunday Brian Zehr, who served for 15 years and was one of the founding pastors at Ginger Creek, will be joining us. He will start our series by taking a look at Prayer. No matter where you are in your walk with Christ, Prayer can help bring you closer in an intimate relationship with God.
For more information about this series, please visit gingercreek.org.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself before we begin:
- How do I feel about communicating with God through prayer?
- How should I pray? And what should I pray about?
- How can I incorporate prayer into my personal relationships with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, ect?
- Why is corporate prayer so effective?
Here are a few Scriptural verses for this week’s message. Read them over and reflect on them. How do these verses affect your perception of prayer? What does God say about Prayer?
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciplines.” -John 15:5-8
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” -Jeremiah 33:3
“I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble.” -Psalm 142:1-2
“Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. ‘Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’” -Mark 14:35-36
I am relatively new in my faith, but I have found that prayer has helped me develop a stronger relationship with Christ. I used to find that prayers seemed a bit like a to-do list – a wish list of sorts. But now I see that Prayer is a way of communicating with God. Just as a father does not want to only hear about a child’s wants (but still cares what they are) God wants to hear my concerns but he also wants to have conversations with me.
Another thing I used to struggle with was not having my prayers “answered”. I used to think God was not listening. That’s why I love the verse above (from Mark) that reminds me that it’s not MY will, but GOD’s will.
This coming series is a great follow-up series to “One Month to Live.” Now that we are living lives with purpose, we can find out how to utilize these tools.
I think Brian Zehr saw the pitch, and confidently hit it out of the park today. Ointment prayer is a thing I am inclined to do and have in the past treated God like a vending machine… put in a prayer and out comes a candy bar.
Although as I have grown as a christian over the years, it’s gotten better, but old habits die hard. It’s hard to feel a partnership with those who hold your life in their hands (bosses, parents etc.), and I find it a challenge to see God as a loving part of my life who molds me through trials and tribulations everyday. I can totally relate with Brian’s stories but I cannot hold a candle to his candor and openness. I will look at prayer in a whole new way after today!
Now if the Cubs can only have Brian to help them with their prayers we may really have a reason to wait for next year!
Thanks all involved… and God Bless.
P.S. Brian said that there are ton’s of golf courses in heaven, That means hell is kinda the same but you can’t bring your clubs!
I am so glad that Ginger Creek is doing a series that begins with prayer. I really think that prayer is a life-line to God that, if severed can cause severe brain damage. The renewed mind of Christ that comes from reading the word needs the breath of prayer to keep it growing and maturing. I have been through seasons where I didn’t pray much and life got so stale with God, even when I continued to read His word. Praying for others really helps my perspective on my own issues come into focus and helps me to avoid being self-centered or overwhelmed with the cares of life. I also think that when small groups share how God answers personal prayers, it builds our faith and helps us to remember that nothing is impossible with God and His way is always the best way. The drama, message and songs today really inspired me to want to pray more and become more disciplined in how and when I pray. Thanks for sharing your talents and gifts to help equip us all to pray more fervently!
Great job Brian! I was nice to see you again yesterday. Thank you for your insight and inspiration!
So things are good? Pray and thank Him! You’re confused? Pray for wisdom, understanding and patience. In a trial? Pray for strength and peace. So we should pray at all times. Why is it so hard to slow down and do that? Why do we have to remember to pray? God I pray that YOU put in each of us the hunger to spend time with You.