WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.580 I really hope you're enjoying this autumn series. I think it's inspiring, the Christian atheist. 00:00:06.360 --> 00:00:13.099 And this week, this teaching really cuts to the heart of where we are as Christians. 00:00:13.480 --> 00:00:19.719 And when you believe in God, but you don't believe in prayer. 00:00:21.339 --> 00:00:26.359 There was a student who came out of a geography exam and realizing the mistakes he'd made, 00:00:26.359 --> 00:00:30.420 prayed, please God, let Paris be the capital of Turkey. 00:00:31.980 --> 00:00:38.560 It's prayer, what is prayer actually like for you? Because I'm not going to mess around this morning. 00:00:38.939 --> 00:00:45.920 Let's challenge, where are we with prayer this morning? Hopefully, it's not as cringy as this 00:00:45.920 --> 00:00:49.420 lad who has to meet his in-laws for the first time. 00:00:49.420 --> 00:00:53.439 I said grace in many a dinner table. 00:00:56.359 --> 00:01:00.359 It's... 00:01:00.359 --> 00:01:03.100 Okay. 00:01:06.099 --> 00:01:09.920 Oh, dear God. 00:01:11.980 --> 00:01:13.480 Thank you. 00:01:13.480 --> 00:01:24.880 You are such a good God to us, a kind and gentle and accommodating God. 00:01:24.879 --> 00:01:31.879 And we thank you, oh, sweet, sweet Lord of hosts, for the... 00:01:34.619 --> 00:01:42.879 ...smorgasbord you have so aptly lain at our table this day and each day... 00:01:42.879 --> 00:01:44.879 ...by day... 00:01:45.879 --> 00:01:48.879 ...day by day... 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:50.879 ...by day... 00:01:50.879 --> 00:01:51.879 Amen. 00:01:51.879 --> 00:01:52.879 Amen. 00:01:52.879 --> 00:01:53.879 Amen. 00:01:53.879 --> 00:01:57.879 Oh, dear Lord, three things we pray. 00:01:57.879 --> 00:01:59.619 To love thee more dearly. 00:01:59.619 --> 00:02:01.619 To see thee more clearly. 00:02:01.620 --> 00:02:04.400 To see thee more clearly. 00:02:04.400 --> 00:02:08.599 To follow thee more nearly. 00:02:10.360 --> 00:02:11.680 Day by day. 00:02:12.360 --> 00:02:13.460 By day. 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:13.840 Amen. 00:02:14.200 --> 00:02:14.480 Amen. 00:02:15.360 --> 00:02:17.099 Oh, Greg, that was lovely. 00:02:17.939 --> 00:02:18.800 Thank you. 00:02:18.800 --> 00:02:21.580 That was interesting. 00:02:24.580 --> 00:02:28.100 If you were cringing with that, that's okay. 00:02:28.600 --> 00:02:29.420 That's fine. 00:02:29.500 --> 00:02:30.280 But it's a prayer. 00:02:30.960 --> 00:02:35.980 And this sense of Christians should believe in the power and relation of prayer. 00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:36.980 Because why? 00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:38.780 Because Jesus told us to do it. 00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:40.460 And it's that simple. 00:02:40.640 --> 00:02:44.920 Jesus told us and showed us that we should pray as part of the communication. 00:02:44.919 --> 00:02:49.879 And we need to believe in that power of prayer. 00:02:50.759 --> 00:02:58.739 In this book, The Christian Atheist, a pastor once asked his church to pray that God would shut down a neighborhood bar. 00:02:59.139 --> 00:02:59.939 It was notorious. 00:03:00.719 --> 00:03:02.659 Full of people that shouldn't be there. 00:03:02.779 --> 00:03:04.299 It obviously upset the local church. 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:12.079 And the whole church gathered for an evening prayer meeting, pleading with God to rid the neighborhood of the evils of this bar. 00:03:12.080 --> 00:03:17.800 A few weeks later, lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground. 00:03:18.920 --> 00:03:25.560 Having heard about the church's prayer crusade, the bar owner promptly sued the church. 00:03:26.120 --> 00:03:28.140 It had to be in the States, didn't it? 00:03:28.500 --> 00:03:38.280 When the court date finally arrived, the bar owner passionately argued that God struck his bar with lightning because of the church members' prayers. 00:03:39.180 --> 00:03:41.080 The pastor backtracked. 00:03:41.080 --> 00:03:45.680 Brushing off the accusations, he admitted that the church had prayed. 00:03:46.640 --> 00:03:51.660 But he also affirmed that no one in his congregation really expected anything to happen. 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:59.520 The judge leaned back in his chair, a mix of amusement and perplexity on his face. 00:04:00.260 --> 00:04:01.560 Finally, he spoke. 00:04:01.920 --> 00:04:04.100 I can't believe what I'm hearing. 00:04:04.660 --> 00:04:10.380 Right in front of me is a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer and a pastor who doesn't. 00:04:11.080 --> 00:04:16.879 You see, we tackled this in men's group the other night. 00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:23.600 So many Christians that I know, me included, have often treated God a bit like a cashpoint machine. 00:04:23.600 --> 00:04:29.660 We put in something, but we expect something out straight away. 00:04:29.660 --> 00:04:35.300 And often we expect more than we've put in because we have invested. 00:04:35.740 --> 00:04:38.680 My goodness, we have come to church here on Sunday morning, Lord. 00:04:39.040 --> 00:04:46.580 Therefore, you should answer our prayer immediately just in the way in which we have expected. 00:04:46.579 --> 00:04:48.599 And that's often it, isn't it? 00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:49.800 It's relationship. 00:04:51.479 --> 00:04:53.300 And that's what we're talking about with prayer. 00:04:53.579 --> 00:04:58.180 How much have we invested in that relationship with God? 00:04:59.099 --> 00:05:06.740 How much have we actually invested in that one-to-one talking and living and being? 00:05:06.740 --> 00:05:11.740 Martin Luther said, prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. 00:05:12.300 --> 00:05:14.699 It is laying hold of his willingness. 00:05:15.860 --> 00:05:20.100 In that sense that God actually wants to get involved in what we're doing, 00:05:20.439 --> 00:05:23.019 but our resistance to allow him to do that. 00:05:24.360 --> 00:05:28.439 This is a God who longs for, longs to connect with him. 00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:30.800 And it says in our reading this morning, rejoice. 00:05:31.660 --> 00:05:32.819 Rejoice always. 00:05:33.319 --> 00:05:34.540 Pray continually. 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:37.259 Is that our experience? 00:05:38.379 --> 00:05:39.319 24-7? 00:05:40.160 --> 00:05:42.300 Give thanks in all circumstances. 00:05:43.579 --> 00:05:46.439 For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 00:05:46.740 --> 00:05:52.279 A few years back, I laid in a hospital bed for about two weeks, 00:05:53.100 --> 00:05:55.339 just thanking God that I was there. 00:05:55.339 --> 00:05:55.459 Prayer. 00:05:56.659 --> 00:06:00.759 Because for so many of us, other people in this world don't even have that option. 00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:03.459 And just to lay there and actually say, 00:06:03.799 --> 00:06:07.679 thank you, I am in the right place, and I am surrounded by the right people, 00:06:07.879 --> 00:06:09.979 is a pretty good prayer at that time. 00:06:11.779 --> 00:06:14.339 The thing is, God's will for us is to pray continually. 00:06:15.039 --> 00:06:18.699 We know that continually means what that means in our culture. 00:06:20.620 --> 00:06:24.939 Our electricity 24-7, our gas, our water. 00:06:25.339 --> 00:06:27.719 Everything else 24-7, our healthcare. 00:06:28.419 --> 00:06:32.639 We know that it's there for us 24-7. 00:06:33.599 --> 00:06:36.939 And yet our experience of God, often our relationship, 00:06:37.399 --> 00:06:39.259 is we just need him when it's A&E. 00:06:40.419 --> 00:06:41.819 That is it, isn't it? 00:06:42.159 --> 00:06:44.939 Suddenly, it's just that moment that we need, 00:06:45.179 --> 00:06:48.179 and we focus on God when it's our want. 00:06:48.180 --> 00:06:54.300 In our experience, you know, we are an instantaneous world, aren't we now? 00:06:54.900 --> 00:06:58.019 Our culture expects immediate results. 00:06:58.740 --> 00:06:59.980 In fact, if we complain, 00:07:00.560 --> 00:07:03.680 if we don't get the service we want that we expect, 00:07:04.460 --> 00:07:05.980 we're upset. 00:07:07.319 --> 00:07:12.340 And sometimes we need to understand that we are in a relationship with God, 00:07:12.339 --> 00:07:16.119 and it's not a demand and receive culture. 00:07:19.079 --> 00:07:22.159 When I choose a book to read, it's often a biography. 00:07:22.619 --> 00:07:24.819 I love hearing about people's lives, 00:07:25.039 --> 00:07:26.839 what they do, where they lived, 00:07:26.939 --> 00:07:27.859 how they were schooled, 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:29.459 how they got to where they were, 00:07:30.019 --> 00:07:32.359 maybe their life story, their divorces. 00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:34.019 Do I know them? 00:07:34.019 --> 00:07:37.339 No, I don't know them. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:40.060 If you walked up to somebody in the street and said, 00:07:40.519 --> 00:07:42.659 Hi, Alfred, they're stalking. 00:07:43.120 --> 00:07:45.779 It would be, I don't know them, 00:07:46.099 --> 00:07:47.899 but they don't know me either. 00:07:48.879 --> 00:07:52.579 And essentially, our relationship with God 00:07:52.579 --> 00:07:55.259 needs to be about an everyday, 00:07:56.120 --> 00:07:58.299 in and out, fun, relationship, 00:07:58.719 --> 00:07:59.859 talking, chatting, 00:08:00.439 --> 00:08:02.599 just being with the Lord, 00:08:02.600 --> 00:08:05.680 not making it just one big event, 00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:06.700 now and again. 00:08:10.520 --> 00:08:14.580 Many people sadly know that the breakdown of a relationship 00:08:14.580 --> 00:08:20.840 comes when we stop talking about the everyday things. 00:08:21.700 --> 00:08:23.220 When we stop talking, 00:08:23.340 --> 00:08:24.580 when we stop conversing, 00:08:25.140 --> 00:08:28.540 when we just stop chatting and being together. 00:08:30.020 --> 00:08:32.420 You know, when encouragement, 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:35.560 and gratitude and thank yous 00:08:35.560 --> 00:08:37.960 in the everyday go out of the window 00:08:37.960 --> 00:08:40.800 and we just exist. 00:08:41.899 --> 00:08:44.500 You see, prayer is a relationship and not a formula, 00:08:44.920 --> 00:08:47.180 but God knows our thoughts. 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:49.700 So, if God knows our thoughts, 00:08:51.040 --> 00:08:52.659 why do we need to tell him? 00:08:52.659 --> 00:08:57.480 I don't know about you, 00:08:57.699 --> 00:08:59.860 my kids are grown up now, 00:09:00.740 --> 00:09:02.259 but there was teenage years, 00:09:02.699 --> 00:09:04.379 if you're going through teenage years, 00:09:04.799 --> 00:09:06.240 additional prayers for you. 00:09:06.779 --> 00:09:09.839 But you would find out that in teenage years, 00:09:10.500 --> 00:09:13.579 your children would want to come and talk to you 00:09:13.579 --> 00:09:15.519 at the most inappropriate times. 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:18.019 It was always 10 o'clock, 00:09:18.460 --> 00:09:20.299 11 o'clock or 12 o'clock, 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:21.279 when they'd come in, 00:09:21.539 --> 00:09:23.860 that they would want to sit at the bottom of your bed 00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:25.059 and talk to you. 00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:27.240 Would you turn them away? 00:09:27.740 --> 00:09:28.259 No! 00:09:28.720 --> 00:09:31.059 I've been craving for this conversation 00:09:31.059 --> 00:09:32.299 for ages, 00:09:32.299 --> 00:09:35.740 but it happens to be on their terms 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:37.099 and we welcome it. 00:09:37.319 --> 00:09:37.859 The thing is, 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:38.719 I know, 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:40.439 I know deeply, 00:09:40.599 --> 00:09:40.839 deeply, 00:09:40.959 --> 00:09:42.559 deeply that my children love me. 00:09:42.939 --> 00:09:44.620 How upset I would be 00:09:44.620 --> 00:09:46.339 if they didn't tell me. 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:49.419 And to get that on the end of a text, 00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:50.819 on the end of a message, 00:09:50.919 --> 00:09:52.039 to get that from somebody 00:09:52.039 --> 00:09:53.059 at the end of a phone call 00:09:53.059 --> 00:09:53.839 from your kids and say, 00:09:54.099 --> 00:09:54.479 oh dad, 00:09:54.579 --> 00:09:55.059 love you, 00:09:55.979 --> 00:09:57.179 is so important. 00:09:57.359 --> 00:09:59.779 If we're not in that relationship with God, 00:09:59.939 --> 00:10:01.179 of talking to him, 00:10:01.179 --> 00:10:02.719 of telling him that we love him, 00:10:02.979 --> 00:10:04.699 of telling him that we're there for him, 00:10:04.919 --> 00:10:07.379 of telling him that we want to be part 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:08.979 and deeply in this relationship, 00:10:09.399 --> 00:10:10.939 then I would suggest to you, 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:12.219 it's not a relationship. 00:10:13.739 --> 00:10:15.239 And I think that was my issue 00:10:15.239 --> 00:10:16.979 for many years growing up in the church, 00:10:17.219 --> 00:10:18.359 as though I told God 00:10:18.359 --> 00:10:20.099 what I thought he needed to do, 00:10:20.319 --> 00:10:22.799 what I thought he needed to do now, 00:10:23.059 --> 00:10:24.559 and when he needed to do it, 00:10:25.219 --> 00:10:28.139 rather than of actually just hanging out with God 00:10:28.139 --> 00:10:29.199 in his wisdom. 00:10:29.200 --> 00:10:33.020 Many of us live with that image of prayer 00:10:33.020 --> 00:10:33.860 in our lives, 00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:36.120 of eyes together, 00:10:36.640 --> 00:10:37.920 hands closed, 00:10:38.040 --> 00:10:39.280 and that's great, 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:43.340 but that it just has to be on a Sunday. 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:47.280 I met with a lovely lady in my curacy once, 00:10:47.540 --> 00:10:50.080 and it was a great conversation, 00:10:50.259 --> 00:10:51.680 I think we sort of met at the door, 00:10:51.800 --> 00:10:52.800 and we were just chatting, 00:10:52.920 --> 00:10:53.259 and I said, 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:55.879 do you enjoy sort of evening prayer, 00:10:56.059 --> 00:10:56.419 compliment, 00:10:56.580 --> 00:10:58.200 it's one of my favorite things, 00:10:58.480 --> 00:10:59.620 at the end of the day, 00:11:00.120 --> 00:11:02.200 just to just come together with God, 00:11:02.259 --> 00:11:03.679 and just chat about the day, 00:11:03.919 --> 00:11:04.700 and it's brilliant. 00:11:04.799 --> 00:11:06.639 And she threw me this look, 00:11:07.240 --> 00:11:07.919 and she said, 00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:09.519 young man, 00:11:09.580 --> 00:11:11.299 I come to church one hour a week, 00:11:11.340 --> 00:11:12.819 on a Sunday to say my prayers, 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:14.220 and that is enough for me, 00:11:14.259 --> 00:11:15.340 and for God as well. 00:11:15.340 --> 00:11:15.840 Oh. 00:11:19.160 --> 00:11:19.600 Phew. 00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:23.139 You see, 00:11:24.300 --> 00:11:25.259 Jesus died, 00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:26.139 rose again, 00:11:26.200 --> 00:11:26.740 and ascended. 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:28.720 The Holy Spirit came for all people 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:29.840 to empower, 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:30.940 and enable us, 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:31.680 equip us, 00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:32.540 and enthuse us, 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:33.759 and excite us 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:35.320 to have this relationship. 00:11:35.320 --> 00:11:38.220 And woe to us, 00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:39.920 if we don't take up that relationship, 00:11:40.460 --> 00:11:43.120 of having that 24-7 conversation, 00:11:43.700 --> 00:11:44.520 that comes, 00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:45.940 and that he loves us for, 00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:47.460 and we love him for. 00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:48.740 And, 00:11:49.420 --> 00:11:52.379 that's the other thing. 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:54.940 Lord, 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:55.520 I want this, 00:11:55.640 --> 00:11:56.260 I want that. 00:11:56.660 --> 00:11:56.960 You know, 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:58.840 it's not a Father Christmas moment. 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:01.580 God hears us, 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:02.360 he knows us, 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:03.600 we can talk to him, 00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:05.580 but it's so important to listen. 00:12:06.840 --> 00:12:08.040 I wouldn't be here, 00:12:08.159 --> 00:12:09.800 stood here in front of a church today, 00:12:09.960 --> 00:12:11.639 if I hadn't listened, 00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:13.620 and been made to listen, 00:12:13.860 --> 00:12:14.980 for six weeks. 00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:17.240 We need to listen. 00:12:17.820 --> 00:12:19.060 Pete Gregg was caught up, 00:12:19.180 --> 00:12:19.620 Pete Gregg, 00:12:19.920 --> 00:12:21.000 our 24-7 prayer, 00:12:21.060 --> 00:12:22.060 that's going on in Clevedon, 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:22.580 at the moment, 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:24.200 came out of very much, 00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:26.100 this movement of 24-7 prayer, 00:12:26.340 --> 00:12:27.040 of Pete Gregg. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:28.860 And Pete Gregg tells this great story, 00:12:29.160 --> 00:12:30.860 of when he had to stop, 00:12:31.040 --> 00:12:31.740 and listen. 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:33.540 And what God can do, 00:12:33.959 --> 00:12:35.039 when we actually do that. 00:12:35.819 --> 00:12:36.219 Thanks. 00:12:37.819 --> 00:12:38.259 So, 00:12:38.319 --> 00:12:39.419 I don't know if you remember, 00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:41.360 when that Icelandic volcano, 00:12:41.559 --> 00:12:42.159 erupted, 00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:43.319 and it grounded, 00:12:43.459 --> 00:12:44.399 all the aeroplanes. 00:12:44.419 --> 00:12:45.959 I got trapped in Chicago, 00:12:46.579 --> 00:12:47.919 and I was sitting there, 00:12:47.959 --> 00:12:48.779 getting really bored, 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:49.599 really frustrated, 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:50.620 just wanting to get home, 00:12:50.699 --> 00:12:51.639 to my kids. 00:12:52.219 --> 00:12:53.439 And then I suddenly thought, 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:55.059 isn't everything, 00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:56.199 meant to work together for good, 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:57.279 for those who love God? 00:12:57.360 --> 00:12:58.099 And so maybe, 00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:59.379 God's got some purpose, 00:12:59.459 --> 00:13:00.579 in me being stranded here. 00:13:00.580 --> 00:13:01.580 So I actually prayed, 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:02.240 and said, 00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:02.960 God, 00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:04.680 what do you want to do, 00:13:04.680 --> 00:13:05.360 with my time, 00:13:05.420 --> 00:13:06.020 while I'm here? 00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:07.940 And different friends, 00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:08.700 around America, 00:13:08.940 --> 00:13:09.740 very kindly, 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:10.639 invited me, 00:13:10.700 --> 00:13:11.920 to go and do all sorts of things, 00:13:12.040 --> 00:13:12.960 see all sorts of people. 00:13:13.040 --> 00:13:13.660 But I prayed, 00:13:13.659 --> 00:13:15.259 and I really felt like, 00:13:15.339 --> 00:13:16.620 I needed to go and see my friend, 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:17.559 Joe Stanky, 00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:18.779 who was living in Madison, 00:13:18.959 --> 00:13:20.179 Wisconsin at the time. 00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:22.939 And so I emailed him, 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:23.240 I said, 00:13:23.319 --> 00:13:23.500 Joe, 00:13:23.579 --> 00:13:24.480 can I come and sleep, 00:13:24.559 --> 00:13:25.419 on your couch, 00:13:25.959 --> 00:13:26.319 tomorrow? 00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:28.120 I guess it's like, 00:13:28.199 --> 00:13:28.439 five, 00:13:28.539 --> 00:13:30.039 six hour bus ride away. 00:13:30.779 --> 00:13:32.159 And Joe replied, 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:32.519 going, 00:13:32.899 --> 00:13:34.120 that's incredible Pete, 00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:35.959 I've just hit, 00:13:36.039 --> 00:13:37.639 a really major crisis, 00:13:38.199 --> 00:13:39.740 and my wife just said to me, 00:13:39.839 --> 00:13:40.480 who do you wish, 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:41.659 was sitting on your couch, 00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:42.079 right now, 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:42.939 that you could talk to? 00:13:42.940 --> 00:13:44.320 Those were her exact words. 00:13:44.760 --> 00:13:45.880 And I just said to her, 00:13:46.160 --> 00:13:47.160 I wish Pete was here, 00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:48.340 but that's crazy. 00:13:48.620 --> 00:13:49.760 He's never been to my house, 00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:50.840 and he's in England. 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:52.620 And within a few hours, 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:53.380 I've emailed, 00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:54.260 out of the blue, 00:13:54.640 --> 00:13:55.000 saying, 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:56.340 Joe, 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:57.860 I feel like I need to come and sleep, 00:13:57.900 --> 00:13:58.600 on your couch. 00:13:59.040 --> 00:14:00.360 And so I turned up there, 00:14:00.560 --> 00:14:01.540 in Joe's living room, 00:14:01.580 --> 00:14:03.300 like a man on a mission from God, 00:14:03.660 --> 00:14:05.400 aware that God does make, 00:14:05.400 --> 00:14:07.400 all things work together for good, 00:14:07.640 --> 00:14:09.260 and that when we take time in prayer, 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:10.080 to listen, 00:14:10.700 --> 00:14:12.720 God directs our parts. 00:14:12.940 --> 00:14:16.780 He is faithful, 00:14:17.520 --> 00:14:18.560 and he will do it. 00:14:19.820 --> 00:14:22.820 And I think my immaturity in prayer, 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:25.220 and whether you resonate with me in this, 00:14:25.640 --> 00:14:26.940 was that actually, 00:14:27.320 --> 00:14:29.640 sometimes I used to get upset, 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:33.060 that God hadn't answered my prayer. 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:35.659 I think in my maturity, 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:37.239 I find out now, 00:14:37.359 --> 00:14:39.119 that God hasn't answered my prayer, 00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:40.419 in the way in which, 00:14:40.619 --> 00:14:42.279 I expected him to do it. 00:14:43.119 --> 00:14:44.779 And Bill Hybels was very helpful, 00:14:45.219 --> 00:14:46.599 when he talked about prayer, 00:14:46.659 --> 00:14:47.139 in his book, 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:48.419 Too Busy Not to Pray. 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:51.739 And it talks about slowing down, 00:14:51.859 --> 00:14:53.359 sometimes to hear God. 00:14:54.359 --> 00:14:55.559 And he uses this, 00:14:55.559 --> 00:14:57.139 if the request is wrong, 00:14:57.579 --> 00:14:58.619 God says no. 00:14:59.659 --> 00:15:02.959 And some of us don't like to hear that no sometimes. 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:05.479 We're used to getting it our own way. 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:08.199 And yet sometimes God definitely says no, 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:09.639 and I am so pleased now, 00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:11.459 that when I hear God's no, 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:13.759 because I think it was, 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:15.579 I think it was somebody's wife, 00:15:16.239 --> 00:15:17.679 Billy Graham's wife, 00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:18.379 she said, 00:15:18.479 --> 00:15:20.139 if I hadn't heard God's no, 00:15:20.339 --> 00:15:21.879 I'd have married the wrong man, 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:22.939 several times over. 00:15:23.739 --> 00:15:25.939 And I thought that was so honest of her. 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:30.359 And it's good to hear God's no sometimes, 00:15:30.439 --> 00:15:31.699 and just suck it up and say, 00:15:32.079 --> 00:15:33.620 okay, that's not for me. 00:15:33.719 --> 00:15:34.599 Well, what is it then? 00:15:35.079 --> 00:15:35.659 What is it? 00:15:36.579 --> 00:15:38.479 Sometimes when the timing is wrong, 00:15:38.599 --> 00:15:39.639 God says slow. 00:15:40.179 --> 00:15:40.959 Slow up. 00:15:41.099 --> 00:15:41.859 Take some time. 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:42.839 Take some wisdom. 00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:44.479 Pray with other people. 00:15:44.819 --> 00:15:46.359 There's nothing more powerful, 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:47.879 than praying with other people, 00:15:48.159 --> 00:15:49.800 and hearing what God has to say 00:15:49.800 --> 00:15:52.180 through someone that he's brought alongside you. 00:15:52.800 --> 00:15:54.060 And that is so helpful, 00:15:54.440 --> 00:15:55.519 to slow up. 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:57.180 And when you're wrong, 00:15:57.779 --> 00:15:59.419 God says grow up in it. 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:01.100 Grow through it. 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:04.800 That is such a place of maturity and prayer 00:16:04.800 --> 00:16:06.779 in Christian life and discipleship, 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:08.460 to just grow through it. 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:10.399 As tough as it is, 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:11.879 but to get to that point. 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:14.600 And then if the request is in line with his purposes, 00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:15.180 it's right. 00:16:15.179 --> 00:16:16.739 And God says go. 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:18.859 But then when God says go, 00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:20.919 so many of us step back and say, 00:16:21.199 --> 00:16:23.879 whoa, no thank you. 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:27.219 Yet the one who is faithful, 00:16:27.979 --> 00:16:28.959 he will do it. 00:16:29.339 --> 00:16:32.699 And he will equip you and empower you to do that. 00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:35.639 Experience in our relationships. 00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:39.139 So how is your relationship with God this morning? 00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:42.419 How is your communication? 00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:45.620 How is your prayer life? 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:47.600 What does that look like? 00:16:47.699 --> 00:16:50.460 What do you chat to God when you're out for a walk, 00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:51.960 when you're doing the washing up, 00:16:52.819 --> 00:16:55.480 when you're doing your housework, 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:57.199 when you're at work, 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.059 when you're traveling, 00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:59.100 wherever you are? 00:16:59.319 --> 00:17:01.000 What does that look like? 00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:05.480 What does your hands-free communication look like together? 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:09.319 What did you chat and communicate with God about this morning 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:11.299 when you were on your way to church, 00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:12.240 when you got up, 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:14.180 when you took the dog out, 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:15.299 whatever you were doing? 00:17:15.579 --> 00:17:17.420 What did that look like? 00:17:18.380 --> 00:17:19.039 You know how, 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.839 what do you say? 00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:22.740 What did he say to you? 00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:24.759 What do you sense that he was saying? 00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:26.940 What did you sense that he was saying 00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:29.440 in your waking moment? 00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:33.660 When he asks you to do something 00:17:33.660 --> 00:17:34.980 and prompts you to do it, 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:38.779 do we not believe that he will empower you? 00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:40.960 Because he will. 00:17:42.580 --> 00:17:45.340 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:47.400 When I hear someone say, 00:17:47.580 --> 00:17:50.080 I'm going to do this because, 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.360 or whatever, 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:53.480 I can't do that. 00:17:54.660 --> 00:17:57.220 Imagine you're saying that to him face to face. 00:17:57.220 --> 00:18:01.059 And I often get this wonderful picture 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:02.860 of God just smiling back at me 00:18:02.860 --> 00:18:04.940 and looking at me and saying, 00:18:05.360 --> 00:18:06.059 do you know what, Clive? 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:07.779 You know we can, don't you? 00:18:08.339 --> 00:18:09.339 You know we can. 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:12.839 Kate this morning said 00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:14.880 that we had a challenge to our church. 00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:16.240 It was 10 years ago. 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:18.039 And would we make a difference 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:19.620 to young people in our community? 00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:22.600 You know, 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:24.900 if ever there has been an answer of prayer 00:18:24.900 --> 00:18:25.960 for this church, 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:27.579 that is it 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:29.440 and a continuing answer to prayer. 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.960 So as I come into land, 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:36.079 I sense 00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:38.200 more and more 00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:40.600 to encourage each other 00:18:40.600 --> 00:18:42.360 and build each other up in prayer. 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:44.259 Don't wait. 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:45.440 Just pray. 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:47.019 If it's now, 00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:47.579 you know we have, 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:48.240 people say, 00:18:48.380 --> 00:18:49.140 oh prayer ministry 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:49.819 and we think, 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:51.319 oh it's got to be something good. 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:52.980 It's got to be something large. 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:54.160 It's got to be something crisis. 00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:55.580 No it hasn't. 00:18:56.400 --> 00:18:58.240 Just go and pray with people. 00:18:58.920 --> 00:18:59.900 Go and be with them. 00:19:00.100 --> 00:19:00.940 Soak in prayer. 00:19:01.400 --> 00:19:02.480 Listen, be there. 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:04.720 Just maybe, 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:06.180 just offer now. 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:07.100 Maybe just chat. 00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:08.000 I mean you don't have to use, 00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:11.720 if you're new to church, 00:19:11.940 --> 00:19:14.640 if you are new to the Christian faith, 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:16.680 please don't think 00:19:16.680 --> 00:19:18.300 that by using holy words, 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:19.960 it's some kind of opinion 00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:21.500 longer into prayer. 00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:24.039 Just talk as you talk 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:26.420 and relate as we relate 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:27.819 because that's the way 00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:28.980 that he'll speak to us. 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:29.579 Thank you. 00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:30.220 Thank you. 00:19:30.340 --> 00:19:30.420 Thank you.