WEBVTT

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 If you have ever had a safe deposit box at a bank, you know that in order to access it, you've got to have two keys, the bank's key and your key.

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 Have you ever stopped and thought that there are two keys required to access the power of God?

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 The first key is the Holy Spirit.

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 God has given us the gift of His Spirit to empower us to live the Christian life the way that He intends, the way that He has worked in us to enable us, the way that He calls us and instructs us in His Word to live it.

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 Charles Spurgeon, the great preacher in the 1800s in England, he explains how dependent all of us are on the Holy Spirit.

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 He says, without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing.

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 We are as ships without wind.

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 We are useless.

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 We need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

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 The second key to accessing the power of God is prayer.

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 God has given us the gift of prayer to access His power.

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 The New Testament scholar D.A. Carson points out how the Apostle Paul stressed the importance of prayer as he wrote letters to many churches.

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 Here's what he said.

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 Paul recognizes that the true power for effective ministry and life transformation comes from God in response to prayer.

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 You know from your own experience that meaningful prayer doesn't always happen, even when we want it to.

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 It's not easy.

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 In fact, a lot of times prayer is a struggle for most Christians.

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 More often than we want to admit, when we pray, we feel distant from God, don't we?

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 We don't really always enjoy being close to Him, feeling close to Him.

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 We feel powerless at times, even as we pray, over the sin habits in our lives, the sin nature, the sinful desires, the temptations that come our way.

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 We feel powerless instead of being confident.

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 As Paul said, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

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 Let's just be real honest about this matter of prayer.

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 How often do we bow our heads and talk to God and we're really mostly concerned about getting things from Him than we are being in His presence and enjoying that time with Him as our Heavenly Father.

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 If you're tired of that, if you're tired of a joyless and meaningless spiritual life and prayer life, I've got good news for you today.

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 God wants to empower you.

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 He wants to empower you with His Spirit.

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 He wants you to access that power with prayer.

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 And He wants to do this in such a way that you will bring glory to Him.

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 You will make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people you live with, work with, all people in your life.

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 And God wants to revitalize you personally, spiritually as well.

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 Let's look at how God does this this morning.

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 The first thing I want us to note is really a review.

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 Power for living the Christian life comes from the Holy Spirit.

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 The only way that we can kill sin, get rid of it, eliminate it from our lives, and develop Christian character,

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 and then effectively serve God as He calls us, is through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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 Now that's what we looked at two weeks ago.

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 We spent the entire time looking at how God has given us His Spirit to live within us,

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 to teach us, to equip us, to comfort us, to convict us, to empower us to live a Christian life.

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 So we're not going to go back to that today.

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 What I want us to focus on this morning is point number two.

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 Power for living the Christian life is most often accessed through prayer.

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 Power for living the Christian life is more often than not accessed through prayer.

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 Now I want to be clear about this.

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 God is not confined to working in our lives only in response to our prayers.

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 God is sovereign.

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 God can do whatever He wants to do whenever He wants to do it.

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 God is not enabled by anything we do.

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 God also is not limited by anything that we do not do.

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 But there is a principle found in Scripture that God normally works in response to the prayers of His people.

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 And I want us to look at one passage of Scripture that is a great example of God answering the prayers of His people in great power.

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 Read with me if you would from the book of Acts, chapter 4, verses 23 through 31.

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 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and elders had said to them.

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 That's describing Peter and John.

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 They had been preaching.

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 People's lives had been changed.

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 A man had been healed.

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 People had been saved.

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 Many people had been saved.

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 Well, the Jewish authorities hated that.

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 The Jewish authorities arrested Peter and John.

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 They threatened them.

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 They tried to intimidate them.

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 Then they let them go.

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 Peter and John, look at it again, verse 23.

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 They went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and elders had said to them.

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 And when they heard it, that is their friends, not just the other apostles,

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 but Christians of all walks of life who were there with them, their friends.

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 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said,

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 Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them,

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 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,

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 why did the Gentiles rage and the people's plot in vain?

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 The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed.

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 And that's a quote from Psalm 2.

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 But they understand that was a prophecy about Jesus.

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 We continue on, verse 27.

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 For truly in this city, there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus,

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 whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,

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 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

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 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,

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 while you stretch out your hand to heal.

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 And signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

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 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken,

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 and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

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 That was powerful prayer that resulted in a powerful answer from God.

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 Let's look at it.

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 This passage reveals some of the characteristics of powerful prayer.

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 First, prayer should be focused on God.

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 All of our prayers.

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 A lot of times we're just thinking about ourselves,

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 or we're just thinking about someone, or a certain situation,

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 especially in a time of crisis.

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 But all of our prayers need to be focused on God as theirs was in this case.

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 These Christians were focused on God as they addressed Him as sovereign Lord in verse 24.

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 This describes a ruler, a ruler of unchallenged power,

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 that idea of a sovereign Lord.

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 What they're doing here is they're acknowledging God's absolute power and authority

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 over everyone and everything,

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 including those religious leaders who had threatened them,

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 who had told them they could no longer preach in the name of Jesus.

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 Addressing God in prayer like this,

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 it honored God,

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 and that's the number one goal.

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 But it also,

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 when we address God like this,

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 when we honor Him like this,

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 it helps us to keep what's going on around us in perspective.

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 No matter what's going on,

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 we have an audience with Almighty God when we pray.

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 He is really and truly sovereign.

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 He is in control.

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 They also, as they prayed,

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 acknowledged some aspects of His sovereignty.

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 I want you to note with me,

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 they pointed out how God created all things in verse 24.

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 They pointed out how God controls all things in verses 25 through 27.

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 When they quoted that Old Testament prophecy that was pointing to Jesus,

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 then they talked about how it was fulfilled in the crucifixion of Jesus.

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 But note again, in verse 26,

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 everything happened according to God's predetermined plan.

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 It says to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

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 No matter what, God's in control.

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 Even when people are doing things to hurt you,

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 as they were these apostles,

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 God is at work.

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 God is going to use it in some way for His glory,

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 for your good, for other people's good.

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 It may be hard.

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 There may be suffering involved.

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 We've got to trust our sovereign God.

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 He didn't just create everything.

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 He continues to control everything.

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 There's one other thing they pointed out.

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 God has a purpose for everything.

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 We see that again in verse 28.

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 Now, what I want us to think about is we look at how they are praying,

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 how they address God,

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 how they rehearse who God is,

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 what God has and is doing.

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 They know God personally.

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 They're not just speaking words.

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 There is no formality here.

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 They are having a conversation with their holy God,

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 sovereign God, their heavenly Father.

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 Now, I want you to think.

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 Do your prayers reveal that when you talk to God,

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 it's a personal relationship?

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 There's personal fellowship going on.

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 You know, many people who write about prayer emphasize that the primary purpose of prayer

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 is to have fellowship with God,

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 to enjoy being in His presence.

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 Professor from Southeastern Seminary, John Hammett,

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 he describes it like this.

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 Prayer is not exclusively or primarily about getting things from God.

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 It is about enjoying and growing in intimacy and fellowship with God.

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 D.A. Carson,

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 effective prayer is the fruit of a relationship with God,

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 not a technique for acquiring His blessings.

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 So let's think about it.

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 Is your prayer time,

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 is your being with God,

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 with your head bowed, eyes closed,

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 or driving down the road,

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 just talking to Him,

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 is your prayer time more about being with God,

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 enjoying Him,

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 having a conversation with Him,

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 or is your prayer time times

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 mostly about getting things from Him?

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 Our greatest need in life and in prayer

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 is to know God better,

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 to be able to draw close to Him in real fellowship.

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 Our real need is to know Him and love Him more and more every day,

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 to understand His purpose,

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 to understand His will as revealed in Scripture.

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 Everything about our Christian lives,

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 everything about prayer,

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 flows out of our personal relationship with God.

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 Now,

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 how do we do that?

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 How do we develop this kind of relationship with God?

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 How do we draw close to Him and know Him?

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 Well, it's no secret.

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 God has given us two primary ways

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 to develop a relationship with Him.

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 Prayer and Bible study.

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 The Christians in Acts 4 that we're reading about,

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 they had a real relationship with God

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 that they had developed

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 by spending time with Him in prayer

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 and by studying His Word.

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 For them, it was just the Old Testament.

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 Their prayer, look at it again,

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 their prayer shows

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 they know a lot about God.

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 And they learned it.

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 They didn't even have scrolls.

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 They didn't have their own Bible.

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 They learned it from hearing.

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 They learned from being taught

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 the Old Testament Scriptures.

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 They knew a lot about God.

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 And more important,

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 or just as important,

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 it is just as important,

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 they knew God personally

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 because they'd spent time with Him,

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 talking to Him,

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 listening to Him

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 as they pray,

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 as they listen to His Word.

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 What do your prayers reveal

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 along this line?

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 Do your prayers reveal

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 that you know a good bit about God

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 that's come from your study of His Word

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 personally, in church, wherever?

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 Does your prayer life reveal

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 a knowledge of God

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 that you have gained

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 through the study of His Word?

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 And then,

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 does your prayer life indicate

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 that you do know Him personally?

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 If people overhear you praying,

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 where are they going to come away thinking,

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 you're having a conversation

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 with someone you know,

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 your Heavenly Father?

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 John Piper describes

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 what's going on here

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 in Acts chapter 4 like this.

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 He says,

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 it is remarkable

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 that these Christians

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 take five verses

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 to tell God who He is

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 and two verses

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 to ask what they want from Him.

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 Now, God does not need

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 to be told who He is,

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 but Christians need to know

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 who He is,

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 and precisely in their prayers,

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 they need to know

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 and confess

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 that He is the kind of God

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 who can and will

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 answer their prayers.

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 In essence,

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 what they are doing

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 in verses 24 through 28

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 is hallowing God's name

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 before they pray,

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 Thy kingdom come.

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 These Christians are praying

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 as Jesus taught them.

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 They're praying the model prayer,

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 as we sometimes say,

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 the Lord's prayer.

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 Their focus is on God,

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 on His kingdom,

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 and on His will.

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 If we're serious

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 about wanting to experience

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 God's presence

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 and God's power

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 as we pray,

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 we've got to learn

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 to pray like this.

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 Prayer should be focused

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 on God personally.

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 But that's not all.

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 Prayer should be focused

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 on God's purposes as well.

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 We see that

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 in verses 29 and 30.

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 I want you to note

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 in verse 29,

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 as they pray,

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 they've just come

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 from those Jewish officials

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 who have threatened them,

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 intimidated them.

00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:55.299
 You cannot preach anymore,

00:17:55.539 --> 00:17:56.399
 threatening them

00:17:56.399 --> 00:17:57.480
 with bodily harm.

00:17:59.139 --> 00:18:00.899
 They do not come

00:18:00.899 --> 00:18:02.259
 and pray and say,

00:18:02.379 --> 00:18:05.139
 Lord, rescue us,

00:18:05.659 --> 00:18:06.579
 deliver us.

00:18:06.919 --> 00:18:07.759
 Look at what they say.

00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:08.799
 They said,

00:18:09.319 --> 00:18:11.899
 look upon their threats.

00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:17.080
 What's going on?

00:18:18.280 --> 00:18:19.420
 They come together,

00:18:19.540 --> 00:18:20.259
 they're praying,

00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:22.200
 and instead of saying,

00:18:22.280 --> 00:18:23.280
 Lord, you get them.

00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:24.620
 Look what they did to us,

00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:25.640
 your servants.

00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:27.580
 They just said,

00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:29.080
 look upon their threats.

00:18:29.400 --> 00:18:30.000
 Now let me say,

00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.880
 it would not have been wrong

00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:33.280
 for them to have asked God

00:18:33.280 --> 00:18:34.259
 to deliver them,

00:18:34.340 --> 00:18:35.640
 to spare them from suffering.

00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:37.600
 Paul did that at times.

00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:39.640
 Nothing wrong with it.

00:18:39.640 --> 00:18:41.380
 But for some reason,

00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:43.400
 that's not what they asked for.

00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:46.259
 Maybe what they're doing

00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:47.140
 in this statement,

00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.820
 look upon their requests.

00:18:50.120 --> 00:18:51.580
 Maybe as they are focusing

00:18:51.580 --> 00:18:53.600
 on the fact that God is sovereign,

00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:55.980
 they're just going to trust Him.

00:18:56.860 --> 00:18:58.060
 They're just going to rest

00:18:58.060 --> 00:19:00.480
 in God doing what's best

00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:02.980
 in their situation

00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:06.880
 to accomplish His purpose.

00:19:08.380 --> 00:19:08.680
 Now,

00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:10.799
 they did make requests of God.

00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:11.460
 Look next.

00:19:11.860 --> 00:19:12.779
 They asked God

00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:13.500
 to enable them

00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:14.900
 to be bold witnesses.

00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:15.779
 Verse 29,

00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:16.799
 And now,

00:19:16.920 --> 00:19:17.120
 Lord,

00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:18.900
 look upon their threats

00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:20.400
 and grant to your servants

00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:21.620
 to continue to speak

00:19:21.620 --> 00:19:22.240
 your word

00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.420
 with all boldness

00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:24.920
 while you stretch out

00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:25.880
 your hand to heal,

00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.519
 and signs and wonders

00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:28.180
 are performed

00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:28.839
 through the name

00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:29.799
 of your holy servant,

00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:30.539
 Jesus.

00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:33.379
 Notice what they prayed for.

00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:35.680
 Not safety,

00:19:36.639 --> 00:19:37.139
 but they prayed

00:19:37.139 --> 00:19:38.319
 for the power

00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:39.119
 and ability

00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:41.599
 to boldly,

00:19:42.059 --> 00:19:42.799
 effectively

00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:45.240
 preach the word of God,

00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.920
 preach the gospel.

00:19:48.139 --> 00:19:48.839
 Think about that.

00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:51.180
 They were living

00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:52.980
 under difficult times,

00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:54.519
 tough circumstances,

00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:56.519
 but they did not pray

00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:57.819
 for easier circumstances.

00:19:58.440 --> 00:19:59.259
 What they're actually

00:19:59.259 --> 00:20:00.039
 praying for

00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:01.200
 is the ability

00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:02.400
 to be faithful

00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:04.639
 in the midst of

00:20:04.639 --> 00:20:06.900
 those difficult circumstances.

00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:11.059
 Are your requests

00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:13.400
 similar to that?

00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:15.500
 Or,

00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:17.460
 if you're honest,

00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:19.980
 are most of your requests

00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:20.559
 to God

00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:22.619
 to make your life easier?

00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:25.659
 to make your life

00:20:25.659 --> 00:20:27.619
 less painful?

00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:31.139
 Are most of your prayer requests

00:20:31.139 --> 00:20:32.159
 basically selfish?

00:20:33.239 --> 00:20:33.939
 Think about it.

00:20:34.899 --> 00:20:35.839
 Many years ago,

00:20:35.879 --> 00:20:36.719
 a young lady

00:20:36.719 --> 00:20:38.519
 wanted to talk to me

00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:39.759
 about her job situation.

00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:43.239
 As we were going

00:20:43.239 --> 00:20:43.839
 to get together

00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:44.439
 and talk,

00:20:45.439 --> 00:20:46.939
 I thought of her

00:20:46.939 --> 00:20:47.619
 as a very mature

00:20:48.139 --> 00:20:49.939
 Christian young woman.

00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:52.160
 She had been involved

00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:53.000
 in college

00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:54.340
 and campus ministries,

00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:55.900
 leading Bible studies

00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:56.900
 and things of this nature.

00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.600
 She had been involved,

00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.340
 was involved

00:20:59.340 --> 00:21:00.340
 in the life of the church,

00:21:00.840 --> 00:21:01.880
 involved in teaching

00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:03.080
 women's studies.

00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:05.700
 When we got together,

00:21:06.920 --> 00:21:07.740
 she told me

00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:08.660
 that she was working

00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.299
 in an office

00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:10.500
 with two other women

00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:12.400
 who were not Christians.

00:21:13.580 --> 00:21:15.500
 They were very worldly.

00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.360
 She said that

00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:18.340
 the way they talked,

00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:20.139
 the way they acted

00:21:20.139 --> 00:21:21.579
 made her feel

00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:22.959
 terribly uncomfortable.

00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:24.980
 But they didn't mistreat her.

00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:26.039
 They didn't abuse her.

00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:27.740
 It was just the way

00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.480
 they were.

00:21:29.159 --> 00:21:30.579
 It was just who they are.

00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:34.399
 And they were fine

00:21:34.399 --> 00:21:35.039
 with her.

00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:37.839
 But their ungodly lifestyle

00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:38.879
 just made her feel

00:21:38.879 --> 00:21:40.740
 very, very uncomfortable.

00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:43.199
 She didn't like working there.

00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:45.039
 She asked me,

00:21:45.179 --> 00:21:46.199
 what do you think?

00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:48.600
 Well, I tried to encourage her

00:21:48.600 --> 00:21:50.279
 that God had her there

00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:51.100
 for a purpose.

00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:52.920
 I pointed out,

00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:53.120
 you know,

00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:54.100
 they're not doing,

00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.500
 saying anything to you.

00:21:55.580 --> 00:21:56.480
 They're treating you fine.

00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.680
 I encouraged her.

00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:01.140
 Think about it.

00:22:01.580 --> 00:22:02.779
 God has you,

00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:03.819
 a mature,

00:22:04.059 --> 00:22:04.819
 committed Christian,

00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:06.700
 there in that little office

00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:08.720
 with two unbelieving women.

00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:10.860
 He wants you

00:22:10.860 --> 00:22:12.019
 to be a witness to them.

00:22:13.080 --> 00:22:14.240
 And just the way you live,

00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:15.420
 the way you interact with them.

00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:17.960
 And he,

00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:19.259
 if I think he'll be faithful,

00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:21.259
 prayerful,

00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:21.740
 careful,

00:22:21.839 --> 00:22:22.500
 look for opportunities.

00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.660
 He may even give you

00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:24.099
 the opportunity

00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:25.079
 to share the gospel

00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:26.039
 with them,

00:22:26.120 --> 00:22:27.680
 probably one at a time.

00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:30.920
 She seemed to be okay

00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:31.400
 with that.

00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:33.240
 We prayed

00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:35.779
 that God would give her

00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.620
 the ability

00:22:36.620 --> 00:22:38.740
 to relate well to them

00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:41.839
 and be a faithful witness

00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:43.339
 before them

00:22:43.339 --> 00:22:45.200
 and look for the opportunity

00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:45.960
 to share the gospel

00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:46.460
 with them.

00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:47.900
 Well,

00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:48.700
 you know what happened?

00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:51.019
 A few weeks later,

00:22:51.140 --> 00:22:52.099
 she just quit.

00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:55.120
 She just quit.

00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:58.319
 And her response was,

00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:01.099
 I just felt so uncomfortable

00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:02.400
 being in that office

00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:03.960
 with those unbelieving women.

00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:07.140
 The truth was,

00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.779
 she was more concerned

00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:11.759
 with being comfortable

00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:14.539
 than with being faithful.

00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:16.660
 She was more concerned

00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:19.340
 with personal comfort,

00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:21.180
 being at ease

00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.259
 where she worked,

00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:24.180
 than she was being used

00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:24.960
 by God

00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:27.200
 to be a faithful witness

00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:27.900
 to two women

00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:28.759
 who may not have had

00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:30.079
 anyone else in their life

00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:32.699
 to shine the light

00:23:32.699 --> 00:23:34.379
 of Jesus Christ.

00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:36.500
 What about you?

00:23:37.699 --> 00:23:39.099
 Are your prayers

00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:40.399
 more about seeking

00:23:40.399 --> 00:23:41.519
 your will

00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:43.939
 or God's will?

00:23:45.839 --> 00:23:47.779
 It's certainly not wrong

00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:49.480
 to pray for things

00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.639
 like your health,

00:23:51.439 --> 00:23:52.379
 your job,

00:23:52.939 --> 00:23:54.379
 things going on at school.

00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:57.419
 If we are parents,

00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:58.579
 grandparents,

00:23:58.579 --> 00:24:01.279
 we pray for our children's success

00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:03.839
 in many areas of life,

00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:04.639
 academically,

00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:06.419
 athletically,

00:24:06.699 --> 00:24:07.539
 with music,

00:24:07.639 --> 00:24:08.519
 things of this nature.

00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:11.879
 Those things are part

00:24:11.879 --> 00:24:14.460
 of a healthy Christian's prayer life.

00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.939
 But what's the focus?

00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:18.779
 What's the top priority

00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:21.539
 when it comes to your prayer life?

00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:25.200
 Jesus taught us,

00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:27.379
 be more concerned

00:24:27.379 --> 00:24:28.859
 with God

00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:30.619
 than ourselves.

00:24:31.659 --> 00:24:32.920
 Be more concerned

00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:34.119
 about His will

00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:35.279
 than our own will.

00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:37.279
 And that's what we see here

00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:38.259
 in Acts 4

00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:40.159
 that these Christians

00:24:40.159 --> 00:24:40.839
 were doing.

00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:43.779
 We need to pray more

00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:46.779
 for God to empower us

00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:49.339
 to develop Christian character,

00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:52.019
 to be able to overcome

00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:53.859
 sinful habits,

00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:56.459
 to resist temptation,

00:24:57.459 --> 00:24:59.579
 to be faithful witnesses.

00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:02.939
 Those are some of the priorities

00:25:02.939 --> 00:25:04.379
 that every Christian

00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:06.459
 needs to have in prayer.

00:25:07.459 --> 00:25:09.019
 We also need to make requests

00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:09.740
 like this

00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:11.019
 for the other people

00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.539
 in our lives

00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:12.379
 that we pray for,

00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:14.399
 including our children,

00:25:15.439 --> 00:25:15.939
 including those

00:25:15.939 --> 00:25:17.399
 who are closest to us.

00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:19.340
 What do you pray

00:25:19.340 --> 00:25:20.040
 for your children?

00:25:21.080 --> 00:25:21.780
 Is it just

00:25:21.780 --> 00:25:22.660
 that they be healthy?

00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:24.780
 That they do well in school?

00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.640
 That they not get into trouble?

00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.780
 That they make friends?

00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:29.160
 That they make the right friends?

00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:30.980
 That they do well in sports

00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:32.300
 or whatever they're interested in?

00:25:33.800 --> 00:25:34.860
 What do you pray

00:25:34.860 --> 00:25:37.620
 the most about

00:25:37.620 --> 00:25:38.980
 when it comes to praying

00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.759
 for your children?

00:25:41.800 --> 00:25:43.560
 How often do you really pray

00:25:43.560 --> 00:25:45.080
 as they're growing up

00:25:45.080 --> 00:25:47.160
 for their salvation?

00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:50.780
 For God to work in their lives

00:25:50.780 --> 00:25:51.340
 to help them

00:25:51.340 --> 00:25:53.160
 to have an awareness

00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:54.200
 of their sin,

00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:55.740
 their need for a Savior?

00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:57.680
 How much are you

00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:59.320
 talking to them about Jesus,

00:25:59.540 --> 00:26:00.100
 who He is,

00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:01.440
 what He's done for us,

00:26:02.120 --> 00:26:03.400
 how He can save us?

00:26:04.580 --> 00:26:06.240
 If your children are Christians,

00:26:06.620 --> 00:26:07.980
 your grandchildren are Christians,

00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:09.560
 do you pray

00:26:09.560 --> 00:26:10.600
 that they would develop

00:26:10.600 --> 00:26:11.920
 Christ-like character,

00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:14.320
 that they would be concerned

00:26:14.320 --> 00:26:16.920
 about living a godly life

00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:18.160
 and pleasing God

00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:20.259
 more than anything else?

00:26:23.880 --> 00:26:25.300
 The way we pray,

00:26:26.360 --> 00:26:27.720
 our actions

00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:30.100
 reveal just what

00:26:30.100 --> 00:26:32.180
 we consider most important

00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:33.180
 in our lives

00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:34.759
 and in the lives

00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:36.140
 of the people we pray for.

00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:40.320
 Now, accessing God's power

00:26:40.320 --> 00:26:41.120
 in our lives,

00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:43.160
 it involves prayer

00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:44.340
 that's primarily focused

00:26:44.340 --> 00:26:44.920
 on God

00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:46.640
 and God's purposes.

00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:49.060
 And that's the kind

00:26:49.060 --> 00:26:49.720
 of prayer

00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:51.920
 that we can expect God

00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:52.960
 to answer

00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:54.220
 in a powerful way.

00:26:54.560 --> 00:26:55.560
 Let's look at the next point.

00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:57.000
 Prayer is answered

00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.980
 with God's power

00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:58.759
 in verse 31.

00:26:58.759 --> 00:27:00.559
 And when they had prayed,

00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:01.700
 the place in which

00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:02.759
 they were gathered together

00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:03.400
 was shaken

00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:05.200
 and they were all filled

00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:06.019
 with the Holy Spirit

00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:07.500
 and continued to speak

00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.259
 the Word of God

00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:09.200
 with boldness.

00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:10.640
 Now, note how God

00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:11.539
 answered their prayers.

00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:14.220
 The place where they were praying

00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:15.640
 was shaken.

00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:16.920
 It could have been

00:27:16.920 --> 00:27:17.500
 an earthquake.

00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:19.400
 It could have been

00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:20.039
 something like

00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:21.480
 powerful thunder.

00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:23.400
 I felt our house

00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:24.880
 shake at times

00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:25.700
 in some of these

00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:26.759
 terrible storms

00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.839
 over the years.

00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:30.620
 There was some kind

00:27:30.620 --> 00:27:32.480
 of supernatural event

00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:33.279
 that took place

00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.480
 to let these Christians

00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:36.299
 know that God

00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:36.819
 is heard

00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:37.779
 and God is answering

00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:38.200
 the prayer.

00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:39.120
 He is with them

00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:40.079
 in a powerful,

00:27:40.400 --> 00:27:42.000
 supernatural kind of way.

00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:43.799
 But look also,

00:27:44.360 --> 00:27:45.059
 they were filled

00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:45.920
 with the Holy Spirit

00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:47.480
 and empowered

00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:48.779
 to speak the Word

00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.480
 of God

00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.480
 with boldness.

00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:52.900
 that's what

00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:53.880
 they were praying for

00:27:53.880 --> 00:27:55.839
 and God answered

00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:56.460
 that prayer.

00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:58.279
 The point

00:27:58.279 --> 00:27:59.380
 that I want to make here

00:27:59.380 --> 00:28:01.000
 is that God

00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.480
 answers prayers

00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:04.700
 according to His purpose.

00:28:06.120 --> 00:28:07.660
 God answers prayers.

00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:09.880
 Prayers prayed

00:28:09.880 --> 00:28:11.500
 according to His purpose.

00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.819
 So just think about it.

00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:15.360
 Is God answering

00:28:15.360 --> 00:28:16.279
 my prayers?

00:28:17.099 --> 00:28:17.940
 Now keep in mind

00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:19.759
 that we talk about

00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:20.920
 God answering prayers

00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:22.120
 He does more

00:28:22.120 --> 00:28:22.680
 than just answer

00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.640
 our prayers yes.

00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:26.039
 Sometimes God,

00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:28.200
 His answer

00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:29.700
 to the most godly Christian,

00:28:30.620 --> 00:28:32.420
 the most humble request

00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:34.019
 is no.

00:28:34.860 --> 00:28:35.779
 The Apostle Paul

00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:37.180
 is probably the best example

00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:37.779
 of that.

00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:40.240
 Paul had a problem

00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:41.980
 that he referred to

00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:43.320
 as a thorn in his flesh.

00:28:44.320 --> 00:28:44.740
 It may have been

00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:46.140
 some kind of physical problem.

00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:46.720
 Some people think

00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.800
 he may have had malaria,

00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:49.880
 may have had eyesight trouble

00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:50.900
 as a result of that.

00:28:51.560 --> 00:28:52.980
 He prayed that God

00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:53.640
 would remove

00:28:53.640 --> 00:28:54.440
 that thorn

00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:55.280
 from his flesh.

00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:56.920
 He asked God

00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:58.180
 to do that three times

00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:58.800
 he tells us

00:28:58.800 --> 00:28:59.740
 in 2 Corinthians

00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:00.760
 chapter 12.

00:29:01.880 --> 00:29:03.020
 But God's answer

00:29:03.020 --> 00:29:04.200
 was a direct

00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:05.280
 no.

00:29:06.280 --> 00:29:07.280
 And God's explanation

00:29:07.280 --> 00:29:07.800
 was

00:29:07.800 --> 00:29:09.480
 in 2 Corinthians 12

00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:10.580
 my grace

00:29:10.580 --> 00:29:11.260
 is sufficient

00:29:11.260 --> 00:29:12.160
 for you

00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:13.820
 for my power

00:29:13.820 --> 00:29:15.080
 is made perfect

00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:16.480
 in weakness.

00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.379
 God wanted

00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:19.579
 to use Paul

00:29:19.579 --> 00:29:22.139
 in a powerful way

00:29:22.139 --> 00:29:24.759
 with whatever

00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.679
 that was

00:29:25.679 --> 00:29:27.059
 that made him

00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:27.500
 weaker.

00:29:28.179 --> 00:29:29.460
 That was God's plan.

00:29:29.879 --> 00:29:30.679
 That was how God

00:29:30.679 --> 00:29:31.659
 was going to use Paul

00:29:31.659 --> 00:29:33.539
 and Paul accepted that.

00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:35.119
 Paul even goes on

00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:35.599
 to talk about

00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:37.279
 glorying in the fact

00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:39.679
 that God would use him

00:29:39.679 --> 00:29:40.359
 in such a way.

00:29:41.879 --> 00:29:43.079
 Sometimes God answers

00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:43.759
 our prayers

00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.339
 no.

00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:45.939
 Sometimes though

00:29:45.939 --> 00:29:46.460
 God answers

00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:47.139
 our prayer

00:29:47.139 --> 00:29:48.199
 wait

00:29:48.199 --> 00:29:50.179
 not now.

00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:52.220
 It may be

00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:52.779
 the times

00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:53.240
 not right.

00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:53.539
 It may be

00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:54.059
 that you're

00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:54.639
 not right.

00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:54.960
 It may be

00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:55.919
 the circumstances

00:29:55.919 --> 00:29:56.960
 may not be right.

00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:58.599
 So when we talk

00:29:58.599 --> 00:29:59.079
 about God

00:29:59.079 --> 00:30:00.039
 answering prayers

00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:01.379
 sometimes

00:30:01.379 --> 00:30:02.179
 he answers

00:30:02.179 --> 00:30:02.740
 our prayer

00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.319
 yes.

00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.179
 Sometimes

00:30:04.179 --> 00:30:04.859
 he answers

00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:05.179
 no.

00:30:05.659 --> 00:30:06.019
 Sometimes

00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:06.939
 he answers

00:30:06.939 --> 00:30:07.720
 wait.

00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:10.439
 As Christians

00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:12.700
 we can trust

00:30:12.700 --> 00:30:13.680
 our Heavenly

00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:14.140
 Father

00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:15.799
 he knows

00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:16.480
 what's best

00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.120
 in our life

00:30:17.120 --> 00:30:18.700
 and he's

00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.320
 going to so

00:30:19.320 --> 00:30:19.880
 work

00:30:19.880 --> 00:30:21.680
 to accomplish

00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:24.160
 what will be

00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:24.759
 best

00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:26.080
 in terms of

00:30:26.080 --> 00:30:26.500
 our

00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:28.320
 serving his

00:30:28.320 --> 00:30:28.799
 purpose

00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:30.519
 doing what

00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:31.460
 he has

00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:32.160
 called us

00:30:32.160 --> 00:30:33.160
 designed us

00:30:33.160 --> 00:30:34.059
 intend for us

00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:34.440
 to do.

00:30:35.620 --> 00:30:35.759
 You know

00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:36.519
 Jesus made it

00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:37.320
 clear in one

00:30:37.320 --> 00:30:38.080
 of his teachings

00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:39.099
 that God

00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:39.759
 really does

00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:40.359
 like

00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:41.259
 enjoy

00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:42.519
 answering

00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:43.500
 his people's

00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:43.839
 prayers.

00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:44.939
 This is found

00:30:44.939 --> 00:30:45.439
 in Matthew

00:30:45.439 --> 00:30:46.500
 chapter 7

00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.779
 beginning in

00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:48.399
 verse 9

00:30:48.399 --> 00:30:49.779
 Jesus said

00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:51.039
 which of you

00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:52.119
 if his son

00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:53.119
 asks for bread

00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:53.980
 will give him

00:30:53.980 --> 00:30:54.519
 a stone

00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:55.519
 or if he

00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:56.119
 asks for a

00:30:56.119 --> 00:30:56.579
 fish will

00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:56.819
 give him

00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:57.379
 a snake

00:30:57.379 --> 00:30:58.519
 if you

00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:59.079
 then though

00:30:59.079 --> 00:30:59.480
 you are

00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:00.000
 evil know

00:31:00.000 --> 00:31:00.279
 how to

00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:00.779
 give good

00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.279
 gifts to

00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:01.919
 your children

00:31:01.919 --> 00:31:02.960
 how much

00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:03.899
 more will

00:31:03.899 --> 00:31:04.500
 your Father

00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:04.980
 in Heaven

00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:05.679
 give good

00:31:05.679 --> 00:31:06.279
 gifts to

00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:06.960
 those who

00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:07.879
 ask Him

00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:09.940
 God

00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:10.540
 desires

00:31:10.540 --> 00:31:11.440
 to give

00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:13.400
 God

00:31:13.400 --> 00:31:13.880
 desires

00:31:13.880 --> 00:31:14.520
 to bless

00:31:14.520 --> 00:31:14.780
 His

00:31:14.780 --> 00:31:15.260
 children

00:31:15.260 --> 00:31:17.100
 what we

00:31:17.100 --> 00:31:17.380
 need to

00:31:17.380 --> 00:31:17.700
 learn

00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:18.900
 is to

00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:19.420
 pray in

00:31:19.420 --> 00:31:19.880
 a way

00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:20.560
 that shows

00:31:20.560 --> 00:31:21.220
 we honor

00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:21.660
 God

00:31:21.660 --> 00:31:23.200
 that we're

00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:23.760
 more concerned

00:31:23.760 --> 00:31:24.420
 about Him

00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:24.920
 than His

00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:25.680
 blessings

00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:27.780
 you know

00:31:27.780 --> 00:31:28.040
 when we

00:31:28.040 --> 00:31:28.420
 look at

00:31:28.420 --> 00:31:29.120
 the prayers

00:31:29.120 --> 00:31:29.720
 of Christians

00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:30.280
 in the Bible

00:31:30.280 --> 00:31:32.860
 we see

00:31:32.860 --> 00:31:33.440
 that they

00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:34.140
 often

00:31:34.140 --> 00:31:36.380
 they pray

00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:36.920
 differently

00:31:36.920 --> 00:31:37.600
 than we do

00:31:37.599 --> 00:31:40.139
 they were

00:31:40.139 --> 00:31:41.419
 focused more

00:31:41.419 --> 00:31:41.899
 on God

00:31:41.899 --> 00:31:42.579
 than they

00:31:42.579 --> 00:31:42.759
 were

00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.299
 themselves

00:31:43.299 --> 00:31:45.399
 they had

00:31:45.399 --> 00:31:46.039
 a relationship

00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:46.719
 with God

00:31:46.719 --> 00:31:48.079
 that just

00:31:48.079 --> 00:31:48.839
 comes out

00:31:48.839 --> 00:31:50.219
 in the way

00:31:50.219 --> 00:31:50.759
 they talk

00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:51.159
 to Him

00:31:51.159 --> 00:31:52.799
 the way

00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:54.119
 they interact

00:31:54.119 --> 00:31:54.579
 with Him

00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:55.500
 in prayer

00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:57.419
 when we look

00:31:57.419 --> 00:31:58.119
 at their prayers

00:31:58.119 --> 00:31:59.119
 not just Acts 4

00:31:59.119 --> 00:31:59.899
 but many prayers

00:31:59.899 --> 00:32:00.539
 in the New Testament

00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:01.879
 these people

00:32:01.879 --> 00:32:02.319
 are focused

00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:02.980
 on serving

00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:04.079
 God's purpose

00:32:04.079 --> 00:32:06.599
 not their own

00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:09.459
 if we want

00:32:09.459 --> 00:32:09.899
 to be people

00:32:09.899 --> 00:32:11.000
 who experience

00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:11.500
 power

00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:12.879
 as we pray

00:32:12.879 --> 00:32:13.740
 experience

00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:15.000
 powerful answers

00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.779
 from God

00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:17.179
 we need to learn

00:32:17.179 --> 00:32:17.539
 to pray

00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:18.159
 like Jesus

00:32:18.159 --> 00:32:18.980
 taught us

00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:20.419
 in Matthew

00:32:20.419 --> 00:32:21.199
 chapter 6

00:32:21.199 --> 00:32:21.859
 the Lord's

00:32:21.859 --> 00:32:22.079
 prayer

00:32:22.079 --> 00:32:22.579
 the model

00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:22.959
 prayer

00:32:22.959 --> 00:32:24.019
 and

00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:25.079
 the way

00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:25.619
 that these

00:32:25.619 --> 00:32:26.139
 Christians

00:32:26.139 --> 00:32:27.059
 in Acts 4

00:32:27.059 --> 00:32:29.399
 model for us

00:32:29.399 --> 00:32:30.599
 the right way

00:32:30.599 --> 00:32:31.019
 to pray

00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:32.980
 I want to

00:32:32.980 --> 00:32:33.599
 encourage you

00:32:33.599 --> 00:32:35.879
 make a commitment

00:32:35.879 --> 00:32:37.400
 to spend time

00:32:37.400 --> 00:32:37.879
 with God

00:32:37.879 --> 00:32:38.639
 every day

00:32:38.639 --> 00:32:39.160
 in prayer

00:32:39.160 --> 00:32:42.299
 and as you do

00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:43.839
 don't think

00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:44.920
 about forms

00:32:44.920 --> 00:32:46.160
 and formalities

00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:47.299
 think of your

00:32:47.299 --> 00:32:47.900
 prayer time

00:32:47.900 --> 00:32:48.779
 as talking

00:32:48.779 --> 00:32:49.259
 to God

00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:50.539
 as fellowship

00:32:50.539 --> 00:32:50.920
 with Him

00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:51.480
 communion

00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:51.960
 with Him

00:32:51.960 --> 00:32:52.799
 as a conversation

00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:53.299
 with Him

00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:55.879
 make your prayer

00:32:55.879 --> 00:32:56.980
 more God

00:32:56.980 --> 00:32:57.519
 centered

00:32:57.519 --> 00:32:59.420
 than self

00:32:59.420 --> 00:32:59.779
 centered

00:32:59.779 --> 00:33:02.139
 read the

00:33:02.139 --> 00:33:02.639
 prayer of

00:33:02.639 --> 00:33:02.920
 Jesus

00:33:02.920 --> 00:33:03.359
 in Matthew

00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:03.740
 6

00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.180
 the model

00:33:04.180 --> 00:33:04.599
 prayer

00:33:04.599 --> 00:33:06.059
 to see

00:33:06.059 --> 00:33:07.039
 the priorities

00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:08.779
 that ought to

00:33:08.779 --> 00:33:09.200
 be in our

00:33:09.200 --> 00:33:09.660
 prayers

00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:12.740
 seek God's

00:33:12.740 --> 00:33:13.899
 glory first

00:33:13.899 --> 00:33:15.099
 always

00:33:15.099 --> 00:33:17.579
 seek God's

00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:18.119
 purposes

00:33:18.119 --> 00:33:19.879
 before your

00:33:19.879 --> 00:33:20.240
 own

00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:22.259
 it's important

00:33:22.259 --> 00:33:22.799
 to pray about

00:33:22.799 --> 00:33:23.319
 everything in

00:33:23.319 --> 00:33:23.899
 our lives

00:33:23.899 --> 00:33:25.519
 don't hear this

00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:25.920
 prayer

00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:27.019
 this sermon

00:33:27.019 --> 00:33:27.519
 and think

00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:27.980
 I'm talking

00:33:27.980 --> 00:33:28.500
 about we should

00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:29.160
 never ask God

00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:29.580
 for anything

00:33:29.580 --> 00:33:30.180
 we should

00:33:30.180 --> 00:33:32.640
 but in the

00:33:32.640 --> 00:33:33.800
 proper time

00:33:33.800 --> 00:33:35.240
 our focus

00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:36.019
 is on God

00:33:36.019 --> 00:33:37.279
 knowing Him

00:33:37.279 --> 00:33:38.259
 drawing close

00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:38.720
 to Him

00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:39.779
 having fellowship

00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:40.259
 with Him

00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:41.340
 seeking His

00:33:41.340 --> 00:33:41.660
 will

00:33:41.660 --> 00:33:42.300
 seeking to

00:33:42.300 --> 00:33:43.100
 please Him

00:33:43.100 --> 00:33:44.120
 and with that

00:33:44.120 --> 00:33:44.580
 mindset

00:33:44.580 --> 00:33:45.580
 that heart

00:33:45.580 --> 00:33:46.960
 He's going to

00:33:46.960 --> 00:33:47.580
 help us to know

00:33:47.580 --> 00:33:48.320
 what we should

00:33:48.320 --> 00:33:48.860
 ask for

00:33:48.860 --> 00:33:50.960
 what we don't

00:33:50.960 --> 00:33:51.740
 need to ask

00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:52.100
 for

00:33:52.100 --> 00:33:53.600
 He'll help us

00:33:53.600 --> 00:33:54.100
 to pray

00:33:54.100 --> 00:33:55.900
 more accurate

00:33:55.900 --> 00:33:56.580
 prayers

00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:58.319
 prayers

00:33:58.319 --> 00:33:58.399
 prayers

00:33:58.399 --> 00:33:59.000
 that we can

00:33:59.000 --> 00:33:59.500
 expect

00:33:59.500 --> 00:34:00.480
 real answers

00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:00.859
 to

00:34:00.859 --> 00:34:02.359
 you know

00:34:02.359 --> 00:34:02.879
 some people

00:34:02.879 --> 00:34:03.240
 have found

00:34:03.240 --> 00:34:03.699
 it helpful

00:34:03.699 --> 00:34:05.139
 to use

00:34:05.139 --> 00:34:06.000
 the acrostic

00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:07.679
 acts

00:34:07.679 --> 00:34:09.480
 A-C-T-S

00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:11.139
 to help them

00:34:11.139 --> 00:34:11.900
 to guide them

00:34:11.900 --> 00:34:12.559
 in their prayers

00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:13.699
 A stands

00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:14.500
 for adoration

00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:15.840
 we begin our

00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:16.360
 prayer time

00:34:16.360 --> 00:34:17.380
 praising God

00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:18.299
 worshiping Him

00:34:18.299 --> 00:34:19.179
 loving Him

00:34:19.179 --> 00:34:20.239
 see His

00:34:20.239 --> 00:34:20.799
 confession

00:34:20.800 --> 00:34:22.060
 as we draw

00:34:22.060 --> 00:34:22.620
 into God's

00:34:22.620 --> 00:34:23.160
 presence

00:34:23.160 --> 00:34:24.220
 as we realize

00:34:24.220 --> 00:34:24.900
 His holiness

00:34:24.900 --> 00:34:25.600
 and purity

00:34:25.600 --> 00:34:26.680
 we're going

00:34:26.680 --> 00:34:27.160
 to be

00:34:27.160 --> 00:34:28.100
 made aware

00:34:28.100 --> 00:34:28.840
 of our sin

00:34:28.840 --> 00:34:29.180
 we're going

00:34:29.180 --> 00:34:29.720
 to be convicted

00:34:29.720 --> 00:34:30.300
 of sin

00:34:30.300 --> 00:34:30.860
 and we need

00:34:30.860 --> 00:34:31.560
 to confess it

00:34:31.560 --> 00:34:32.640
 be honest

00:34:32.640 --> 00:34:33.280
 with God

00:34:33.280 --> 00:34:34.860
 adoration

00:34:34.860 --> 00:34:35.460
 confession

00:34:35.460 --> 00:34:36.560
 thanksgiving

00:34:36.560 --> 00:34:38.180
 we have much

00:34:38.180 --> 00:34:39.300
 to thank God

00:34:39.300 --> 00:34:40.680
 for every day

00:34:40.680 --> 00:34:41.360
 at the top

00:34:41.360 --> 00:34:41.920
 of the list

00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:42.860
 is the life

00:34:42.860 --> 00:34:43.360
 He has given

00:34:43.360 --> 00:34:44.019
 us in Christ

00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.780
 the forgiveness

00:34:44.780 --> 00:34:45.860
 of our sins

00:34:45.860 --> 00:34:47.220
 last

00:34:47.220 --> 00:34:48.160
 adoration

00:34:48.160 --> 00:34:49.260
 confession

00:34:49.260 --> 00:34:50.180
 thanksgiving

00:34:50.179 --> 00:34:51.219
 and supplication

00:34:51.219 --> 00:34:52.619
 that's making

00:34:52.619 --> 00:34:53.279
 your request

00:34:53.279 --> 00:34:53.799
 to God

00:34:53.799 --> 00:34:55.139
 talking to Him

00:34:55.139 --> 00:34:56.000
 about needs

00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:56.699
 in your life

00:34:56.699 --> 00:34:57.559
 needs in other

00:34:57.559 --> 00:34:58.500
 people's lives

00:34:58.500 --> 00:35:00.559
 I want to

00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:01.259
 encourage you

00:35:01.259 --> 00:35:04.419
 make time

00:35:04.419 --> 00:35:05.219
 to pray

00:35:05.219 --> 00:35:06.879
 personally

00:35:06.879 --> 00:35:08.599
 make time

00:35:08.599 --> 00:35:09.039
 to pray

00:35:09.039 --> 00:35:10.019
 with your family

00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:11.719
 you may feel

00:35:11.719 --> 00:35:12.219
 uncomfortable

00:35:12.219 --> 00:35:13.039
 doing that

00:35:13.039 --> 00:35:14.419
 it just takes

00:35:14.419 --> 00:35:15.239
 practice

00:35:15.239 --> 00:35:16.539
 and if you feel

00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:16.940
 uncomfortable

00:35:16.940 --> 00:35:17.539
 right now

00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:19.000
 get your family

00:35:19.000 --> 00:35:19.460
 together

00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:20.320
 and pray

00:35:20.320 --> 00:35:20.880
 the Lord's

00:35:20.880 --> 00:35:21.119
 prayer

00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:21.559
 together

00:35:21.559 --> 00:35:23.059
 read it

00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:23.559
 from Matthew

00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:24.519
 chapter 6

00:35:24.519 --> 00:35:25.679
 but get

00:35:25.679 --> 00:35:26.039
 together

00:35:26.039 --> 00:35:26.340
 with your

00:35:26.340 --> 00:35:26.800
 family

00:35:26.800 --> 00:35:28.619
 talk to God

00:35:28.619 --> 00:35:29.480
 together

00:35:29.480 --> 00:35:30.559
 talk about

00:35:30.559 --> 00:35:30.940
 God

00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:31.460
 together

00:35:31.460 --> 00:35:32.740
 pray

00:35:32.740 --> 00:35:33.599
 together

00:35:33.599 --> 00:35:35.099
 read His

00:35:35.099 --> 00:35:35.599
 Word

00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:36.440
 together

00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:38.539
 final thought

00:35:38.539 --> 00:35:40.780
 what we saw

00:35:40.780 --> 00:35:41.199
 a while ago

00:35:41.199 --> 00:35:41.840
 from D.A.

00:35:41.900 --> 00:35:42.240
 Carson

00:35:42.240 --> 00:35:43.619
 listen

00:35:43.619 --> 00:35:45.619
 effective prayer

00:35:45.619 --> 00:35:47.139
 prayer is the fruit

00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:48.480
 of a relationship

00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:49.359
 with God

00:35:49.359 --> 00:35:51.079
 not a technique

00:35:51.079 --> 00:35:52.299
 for acquiring

00:35:52.299 --> 00:35:53.179
 His blessings

00:35:53.179 --> 00:35:57.259
 make your prayers

00:35:57.259 --> 00:35:59.380
 conversations

00:35:59.380 --> 00:36:00.259
 with God

00:36:00.259 --> 00:36:01.819
 enjoy

00:36:01.819 --> 00:36:04.739
 being with God

00:36:04.739 --> 00:36:06.359
 in prayer

00:36:06.359 --> 00:36:08.139
 would you bow

00:36:08.139 --> 00:36:09.000
 with me

00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:10.039
 Father

00:36:10.039 --> 00:36:12.599
 work in every

00:36:12.599 --> 00:36:13.500
 one of us

00:36:13.500 --> 00:36:14.960
 to give us

00:36:14.960 --> 00:36:15.579
 a desire

00:36:15.579 --> 00:36:17.619
 to experience

00:36:17.619 --> 00:36:18.159
 the kind of

00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:18.819
 prayer we've been

00:36:18.819 --> 00:36:19.219
 looking at

00:36:19.219 --> 00:36:19.719
 this morning

00:36:19.719 --> 00:36:22.219
 give us

00:36:22.219 --> 00:36:23.119
 Father a desire

00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:23.679
 to know

00:36:23.679 --> 00:36:24.259
 you better

00:36:24.259 --> 00:36:25.639
 to draw

00:36:25.639 --> 00:36:26.339
 closer to

00:36:26.339 --> 00:36:26.659
 you

00:36:26.659 --> 00:36:29.000
 to feel

00:36:29.000 --> 00:36:29.739
 your presence

00:36:29.739 --> 00:36:30.579
 and your love

00:36:30.579 --> 00:36:32.819
 to be able

00:36:32.819 --> 00:36:33.480
 to call you

00:36:33.480 --> 00:36:33.920
 Father

00:36:33.920 --> 00:36:34.639
 and know

00:36:34.639 --> 00:36:36.819
 that we are

00:36:36.819 --> 00:36:37.519
 your children

00:36:37.519 --> 00:36:40.679
 Father I pray

00:36:40.679 --> 00:36:42.259
 that you'll

00:36:42.259 --> 00:36:43.299
 convict us

00:36:43.299 --> 00:36:45.539
 of our

00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:46.339
 failure to

00:36:46.339 --> 00:36:46.659
 pray

00:36:46.659 --> 00:36:48.940
 and convict

00:36:48.940 --> 00:36:49.559
 us of our

00:36:49.559 --> 00:36:50.579
 sins of just

00:36:50.579 --> 00:36:51.759
 praying selfish

00:36:51.759 --> 00:36:52.359
 prayers

00:36:52.359 --> 00:36:54.679
 just reading

00:36:54.679 --> 00:36:55.519
 off lists

00:36:55.519 --> 00:36:56.139
 to you

00:36:56.139 --> 00:36:57.679
 to the

00:36:57.679 --> 00:36:58.259
 neglect

00:36:58.259 --> 00:37:00.699
 of enjoying

00:37:00.699 --> 00:37:02.079
 being with

00:37:02.079 --> 00:37:02.419
 you

00:37:02.419 --> 00:37:05.539
 Lord I

00:37:05.539 --> 00:37:05.960
 pray

00:37:05.960 --> 00:37:07.379
 that you'll

00:37:07.379 --> 00:37:07.919
 help each

00:37:07.919 --> 00:37:08.419
 person

00:37:08.420 --> 00:37:10.340
 to make

00:37:10.340 --> 00:37:10.940
 sure that

00:37:10.940 --> 00:37:11.340
 there's a

00:37:11.340 --> 00:37:12.240
 time every

00:37:12.240 --> 00:37:12.680
 day

00:37:12.680 --> 00:37:13.599
 that they

00:37:13.599 --> 00:37:15.099
 set aside

00:37:15.099 --> 00:37:15.579
 for you

00:37:15.579 --> 00:37:16.099
 make an

00:37:16.099 --> 00:37:16.519
 appointment

00:37:16.519 --> 00:37:17.180
 with you

00:37:17.180 --> 00:37:19.159
 to just

00:37:19.159 --> 00:37:19.860
 be before

00:37:19.860 --> 00:37:20.200
 you

00:37:20.200 --> 00:37:21.000
 to talk

00:37:21.000 --> 00:37:21.559
 to you

00:37:21.559 --> 00:37:22.780
 to listen

00:37:22.780 --> 00:37:23.280
 to you

00:37:23.280 --> 00:37:24.280
 with an

00:37:24.280 --> 00:37:24.920
 open Bible

00:37:24.920 --> 00:37:26.400
 an open

00:37:26.400 --> 00:37:26.960
 heart

00:37:26.960 --> 00:37:29.920
 in Jesus

00:37:29.920 --> 00:37:30.360
 name we

00:37:30.360 --> 00:37:30.700
 pray

00:37:30.700 --> 00:37:32.000
 Amen

00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:32.739
 church

00:37:32.739 --> 00:37:35.920
 Amen

00:37:35.920 --> 00:37:36.619
 Amen

00:37:37.820 --> 00:37:38.820
 Amen

00:37:38.820 --> 00:37:39.280
 Amen

00:37:39.280 --> 00:37:40.900
 Amen