"I will run in the path "I will run in the path of your commandsof your commands

for you have for you have set my heart free"set my heart free"

- Psalm 119:32 (NIV)- Psalm 119:32 (NIV)

Mark 1:Mark 1:

A Disciple loves God passionately…A Disciple loves God passionately…

Mark 2:Mark 2:

A Disciple loves the A Disciple loves the Word of God…Word of God…

Which leads to freedom from religion and the rules of men

Homework Last Week- Psalm 19 and 119

"I will run in the path "I will run in the path of your commandsof your commands

for you have for you have set my heart free"set my heart free"

- Psalm 119:32 (NIV)- Psalm 119:32 (NIV)

When has GodWhen has GodAnswered Prayer?Answered Prayer?

God wants more for usGod wants more for usThan we want for usThan we want for us

God wants to do more in this ValleyGod wants to do more in this ValleyThan is currently being doneThan is currently being done

What What wouldwould God do God doThat he has That he has notnot done done

IfIf his people prayed? his people prayed?

Mark 3:Mark 3:

A Disciple has a deep, dominant prayer lifeA Disciple has a deep, dominant prayer life

Mark 3:Mark 3:

A Disciple has a deep, dominant prayer lifeA Disciple has a deep, dominant prayer life

One that:One that:InformsInforms

Mark 3:Mark 3:

A Disciple has a deep, dominant prayer lifeA Disciple has a deep, dominant prayer life

One that:One that:InformsInforms

TransformsTransforms

Mark 3:Mark 3:

A Disciple has a deep, dominant prayer lifeA Disciple has a deep, dominant prayer life

One that:One that:InformsInforms

TransformsTransformsEmpowersEmpowers

Mark 3:Mark 3:

A Disciple has a deep, dominant prayer lifeA Disciple has a deep, dominant prayer life

One that:One that:InformsInforms

TransformsTransformsEmpowersEmpowers

Works MiraclesWorks Miracles

Mark 3:Mark 3:

A Disciple has a deep, dominant prayer lifeA Disciple has a deep, dominant prayer life

One that:One that:InformsInforms

TransformsTransformsEmpowersEmpowers

Works MiraclesWorks MiraclesChanges LivesChanges Lives

I don'tI don't

I fall far shortI fall far short

Jesus|Jesus|PrayedPrayed

……great crowds gathered to hear him…

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed- Luke 5:15-16

Jesus|Jesus|PrayedPrayed

… …great crowds gathered to hear him…

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed- Luke 5:16

Greater spiritual output= More time alone in prayer

Jesus|Jesus|PrayedPrayed

The busier he gotThe busier he gotThe more he prayedThe more he prayed

Jesus|Jesus|PrayedPrayed

""Dear Me, I pray to Me that I might have a good day as I heal people in My Name…"

Who, being in very nature God,Who, being in very nature God,did not consider equality with God did not consider equality with God

something to be grasped,something to be grasped,but made himself nothing,but made himself nothing,

taking the very nature of a servant…taking the very nature of a servant…- Philippians 2

Kenosis- Ultimate ServantChanges our understanding of the cross

Without him Without him wewe can do nothing… can do nothing…

Kenosis= Like Us!

"I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself;

he can do only what he sees his Father doing"

- John 5:19

Kenosis= Like Us!

"I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself;

he can do only what he sees his Father doing"

- John 5:19

So Jesus prays!- Hard, Regularly, as a Way of Life

Jesus|Jesus|PrayedPrayed

Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

Jesus|Jesus|PrayedPrayed

Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

When morning came, he called his disciples to him

and chose twelve of them- Luke 6:12-13

Jesus|Jesus|PrayedPrayed

Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

When morning came, he called his disciples to him

and chose twelve of them- Luke 6:12-13

Bigger the Decision=More Time Spent in Prayer

Jesus|Jesus|PrayedPrayed

Big Decisions=??

Jesus|Jesus|PrayedPrayed

Jesus…took Peter, John and James with him and

went up onto a mountain to pray

Communally, to Teach through Example

Jesus|Jesus|PrayedPrayed

As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as

bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah,

appeared in glorious splendor- Luke 9:28-31

Teach through Example= Transfiguration

Jesus|Jesus|PrayedPrayed

Prayer= Miracles

Jesus|Jesus|PrayedPrayed

Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on

account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.”

When he had said these things, he cried out

with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out”- John 11:41-43

Jesus|Jesus|PrayedPrayed

Banner Prayers to Kindle Faith

Jesus|Jesus|PrayedPrayed

“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will”

- Matthew 26:39

When struggling with obedience

He became obedient to death, He became obedient to death, even death on the crosseven death on the cross

- Phil. 2

When struggling with obedienceJesus struggled with the Father in PrayerJesus struggled with the Father in Prayer

Jesus|Jesus|PrayedPrayed

When I struggle with following God= Prayer?

Jesus|Jesus|PrayedPrayed

One day Jesus was praying One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. in a certain place. When he finished, When he finished,

one of his disciples said to him, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray”“Lord, teach us to pray”

- Luke 11- Luke 11

Prayer that does nothingPrayer that does nothingDoesn't spawn a desire for imitationDoesn't spawn a desire for imitation

Jesus|Jesus|Prayed Prayed

Alone Alone ooften

With others

Around others

Mark 3:Mark 3:

A Disciple has a deep, dominant prayer lifeA Disciple has a deep, dominant prayer life

That:That:InformsInforms

TransformsTransformsEmpowersEmpowers

Works MiraclesWorks MiraclesChanges LivesChanges Lives

Prayer for you is either cold comfortPrayer for you is either cold comfort

Or world-changing Or world-changing Dialogue with GodDialogue with God

Prayer is either Prayer is either cold comfortcold comfort

Or world-changing Or world-changing Dialogue with GodDialogue with God

Is it ritual?Is it ritual?Is it repetition?Is it repetition?

Is it because I have to?Is it because I have to?Is it only when I have a need?Is it only when I have a need?

World-changing World-changing Dialogue Dialogue with Godwith God

- Does it cause me to - Does it cause me to take action take action and exercise faithand exercise faith??

- Does it - Does it change me change me and others?and others?- Does it give me - Does it give me wisdomwisdom??

- Does it glorify God?- Does it work miracles?

Why bother to pray?Why bother to pray?

…for your Father knows what you need before you ask him

- Matthew 6:8

Water-gun PrayersWater-gun Prayers

“…when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in

the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they

have received their reward in full.

Motive Matters

BFG Firepower PrayersBFG Firepower Prayers

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door

and pray to your Father, who is unseen.

Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret,

will reward you."

Why bother to pray?Why bother to pray?

Your Father…will reward you

Answered Prayer

<God wants us to ask <God wants us to ask so that we can learn to Trust>so that we can learn to Trust>

Water-gun Prayers Water-gun Prayers

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans,

for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him

- Matthew 6:5-8

My view of God and my works vs. His grace

Why bother to pray?Why bother to pray?

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive,

that your joy may be full - John 16:24

Receiving brings Joy God wants his people to have FULL joy

Ask, and you will receive…

It's OK to pray for yourself and your needs!

(It's not OK not to- Jesus is the sacrifice, not us)

Why bother to pray?Why bother to pray?

You do not have, because you do not ask God

- James 4:2

Because if I don't ask, I won't have

You do not have, because you do not ask God

- James 4:2

God invites and directs us to ask Him

God invites and directs us to ask HimWhy?

Recognizes God is the sourceChanges what we ask for

Checks our motives at the doorGives us joy

If I can't ask God for itThat's a great indicator

That it's something I don't need

Mark 3:Mark 3:

A Disciple has a deep, A Disciple has a deep, dominantdominant prayer life prayer life

It directs my desires It directs my desires And helps form me as a discipleAnd helps form me as a disciple

Why bother to pray?Why bother to pray?

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything

according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—

we know that we have what we asked of him

- 1 John 5:14-15

Why bother?Why bother?

Prayer lines us up with his will

Prayer can do anything God can do

MOUNTAIN DO (and other hyperboles)

Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this

mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes

that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.

Eyes, Hands and Horses

MOUNTAIN DO (and other hyperboles)

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it,

and it will be yours

Prayer moves the hand of God

Water-gun PrayersWater-gun PrayersBecome BFG Firepower Prayers Become BFG Firepower Prayers

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so

that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins

- Mark 11:22-26

What Makes Prayer as Powerless as a Water-gun?ater-gun?

Unforgiveness (Matt. 6:15)Willful, unconfessed sin (Psalm 66:18)

Lack of faith (James 1:6-7)Wrong motives (James 4:3)

How you treat your spouse (1 Peter 3:7)

What Makes Prayer BFG World-Changing?

Based on Scripture (1 John 5:14)Continual and Persistent (Luke 18:1)

In Faith (Mark 11:24)To Glorify God (Matthew 5:16, John 8:29)

In agreement with others (Matt. 18:19-20)

Mark 3:Mark 3:

A Disciple has a deep, dominant prayer lifeA Disciple has a deep, dominant prayer life

That:That:InformsInforms

TransformsTransformsEmpowersEmpowers

Works MiraclesWorks MiraclesChanges LivesChanges Lives

Mark 3:Mark 3:

Sharpen Your AxeSharpen Your Axe

What a man is on his knees before God, that he is, and nothing more- Robert Murray McCheyne

Homework!Homework!

Pray through the Book of EphesiansPray through the Book of Ephesiansthis weekthis week

Pray for Greater Things!Pray for Greater Things!

Expect God to direct you and to work Expect God to direct you and to work in and through you as you prayin and through you as you pray