WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.879 We have been spending time in the book of Ephesians, 00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:07.839 and we're closing out a little piece on the armor of God. 00:00:08.019 --> 00:00:12.300 So we're in Ephesians 6, verses 10-20 this morning. 00:00:12.700 --> 00:00:15.419 We're going to be focusing on verses 18-20. 00:00:16.820 --> 00:00:19.940 And all along here, we have been learning that we have an enemy, 00:00:20.120 --> 00:00:21.219 that the devil is real. 00:00:22.839 --> 00:00:25.580 And though he's already been defeated at the cross, 00:00:27.580 --> 00:00:29.640 Jesus triumphed over him. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.579 Through his death and resurrection. 00:00:32.820 --> 00:00:36.719 God put all things under the feet of our King Jesus, 00:00:36.939 --> 00:00:39.439 including the devil and his demons. 00:00:40.359 --> 00:00:42.159 Even though that's true, he's still on the run. 00:00:42.219 --> 00:00:44.420 He's on the prowl, 1 Peter 5.8. 00:00:45.740 --> 00:00:47.719 And he's looking to do us ill. 00:00:49.299 --> 00:00:49.900 Doubt. 00:00:51.120 --> 00:00:52.859 Distraction. Distortion. Division. 00:00:55.079 --> 00:00:56.859 Deceptive tactics to destroy. 00:00:56.859 --> 00:01:03.679 Anyway, in Ephesians 6, verses 10-14, 00:01:04.099 --> 00:01:05.840 four times we're told to stand. 00:01:06.739 --> 00:01:07.480 Stand firm. 00:01:08.140 --> 00:01:09.980 Remember, Ephesians is all about walking. 00:01:10.120 --> 00:01:11.439 Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk. 00:01:12.079 --> 00:01:13.159 Walk. Live your life. 00:01:13.280 --> 00:01:14.640 Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk. 00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:16.879 Walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel. 00:01:17.019 --> 00:01:17.840 Walk, walk, walk. 00:01:17.840 --> 00:01:19.340 Ephesians 6, 10. 00:01:20.060 --> 00:01:20.480 Stand. 00:01:21.400 --> 00:01:22.280 Take a stand. 00:01:23.659 --> 00:01:26.600 Stand firm against the schemes of our enemy. 00:01:29.020 --> 00:01:31.240 And God has provided strength for us 00:01:31.240 --> 00:01:32.579 to stand firm. 00:01:33.300 --> 00:01:35.040 This armor. 00:01:35.040 --> 00:01:40.760 And Paul very intentionally chooses battle imagery. 00:01:41.180 --> 00:01:44.620 We are in a spiritual guerrilla warfare. 00:01:45.660 --> 00:01:47.080 And in order to stand firm, 00:01:47.140 --> 00:01:48.400 we've got to put the armor on. 00:01:49.640 --> 00:01:51.360 We've got to put on the belt of truth 00:01:51.360 --> 00:01:53.400 that Christ is everything. 00:01:53.640 --> 00:01:54.520 It's all about Him. 00:01:54.900 --> 00:01:56.020 That's the truth of the matter. 00:01:57.620 --> 00:01:59.060 We've got to buckle on 00:01:59.060 --> 00:02:01.240 the breastplate of righteousness. 00:02:01.239 --> 00:02:03.599 We've got to call to mind by prayer 00:02:03.599 --> 00:02:06.919 that yes, my sin has been imputed to Christ 00:02:06.919 --> 00:02:08.439 and Christ's righteousness 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:09.919 has been imputed to me. 00:02:10.060 --> 00:02:11.840 I'm completely forgiven 00:02:11.840 --> 00:02:14.319 and totally accepted in God's sight. 00:02:15.319 --> 00:02:15.699 Amen. 00:02:15.699 --> 00:02:15.840 Amen. 00:02:19.919 --> 00:02:21.120 I lace up 00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:25.219 the high top cleats 00:02:25.219 --> 00:02:26.939 of the Gospel of peace 00:02:26.939 --> 00:02:28.400 that make me immovable. 00:02:29.599 --> 00:02:30.859 God is for me. 00:02:31.980 --> 00:02:32.939 In Christ. 00:02:33.939 --> 00:02:35.360 I take up the shield of faith 00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:35.900 and with it, 00:02:36.040 --> 00:02:39.180 I intercept and extinguish 00:02:39.180 --> 00:02:41.240 the fiery darts of the evil one 00:02:41.240 --> 00:02:42.500 looking to divide us. 00:02:42.840 --> 00:02:44.620 He's looking to aim into gaps 00:02:44.620 --> 00:02:45.520 into our unity. 00:02:46.320 --> 00:02:48.160 The unity we have in Christ. 00:02:51.260 --> 00:02:52.740 We've been given this helmet. 00:02:54.640 --> 00:02:56.140 The helmet of salvation. 00:02:56.540 --> 00:02:58.500 And it's God saying to us, 00:02:58.680 --> 00:02:59.660 you are mine, 00:02:59.780 --> 00:03:00.740 you are mine, 00:03:00.740 --> 00:03:01.800 you are mine, 00:03:01.920 --> 00:03:02.879 you are mine, 00:03:02.939 --> 00:03:03.820 and when it's on, 00:03:03.939 --> 00:03:04.340 we say, 00:03:04.480 --> 00:03:05.740 I am yours. 00:03:07.900 --> 00:03:08.379 Saved. 00:03:10.860 --> 00:03:11.260 Forever. 00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:15.280 And then finally, 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:16.420 we take up that living, 00:03:16.640 --> 00:03:16.960 lethal, 00:03:17.120 --> 00:03:18.140 and legendary sword 00:03:18.140 --> 00:03:18.840 of the Spirit, 00:03:19.040 --> 00:03:19.980 the Word of God. 00:03:20.360 --> 00:03:21.700 It's all about Christ. 00:03:23.200 --> 00:03:24.360 It's all about Christ. 00:03:24.480 --> 00:03:24.719 I mean, 00:03:24.780 --> 00:03:25.520 He wielded it. 00:03:25.520 --> 00:03:27.240 And now we wield it, 00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:28.860 and we cut to pieces 00:03:28.860 --> 00:03:30.120 destructive deceptions 00:03:30.120 --> 00:03:30.840 of the devil. 00:03:33.420 --> 00:03:34.460 Armor on. 00:03:35.500 --> 00:03:35.920 Now, 00:03:36.820 --> 00:03:37.439 imagine, 00:03:38.260 --> 00:03:40.760 Woodman's on a Saturday morning. 00:03:41.760 --> 00:03:43.140 Talk about a war zone. 00:03:43.139 --> 00:03:48.059 One of the sisters from our church 00:03:48.059 --> 00:03:48.919 is there. 00:03:49.039 --> 00:03:50.319 She's pulled up in her minivan, 00:03:50.759 --> 00:03:53.099 and she has three kids under four. 00:03:54.839 --> 00:03:56.699 She gets out of the minivan, 00:03:56.919 --> 00:03:58.679 and she is decked out 00:03:58.679 --> 00:04:00.739 in the armor of God 00:04:00.739 --> 00:04:02.199 from head to toe. 00:04:02.199 --> 00:04:05.919 She's pushing that Woodman's cart, 00:04:06.079 --> 00:04:06.879 kids hanging off 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:07.979 at like a jungle gym, 00:04:08.879 --> 00:04:09.839 and as she's going down 00:04:09.839 --> 00:04:11.060 the cereal aisle, 00:04:11.479 --> 00:04:14.399 you see her mouth moving. 00:04:15.699 --> 00:04:17.079 You think she's looking for Cheerios. 00:04:17.180 --> 00:04:17.939 You think she's reading 00:04:17.939 --> 00:04:19.259 kind of nutritional charts. 00:04:19.699 --> 00:04:20.319 But you know what she's doing? 00:04:21.240 --> 00:04:21.899 She's praying. 00:04:24.279 --> 00:04:25.180 I-94, 00:04:25.439 --> 00:04:26.199 Wednesday morning, 00:04:26.500 --> 00:04:27.079 southbound. 00:04:27.719 --> 00:04:28.659 A middle-aged man 00:04:28.659 --> 00:04:30.560 squeezed into his Honda Civic. 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:33.600 decked out in armor. 00:04:36.300 --> 00:04:37.839 And as you drive by him, 00:04:37.879 --> 00:04:39.180 you notice that his lips are moving. 00:04:40.699 --> 00:04:42.600 He's on a direct line to heaven. 00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:46.980 Student walking down the hallway 00:04:46.980 --> 00:04:47.920 of Tremper High School. 00:04:49.079 --> 00:04:49.939 Maybe it's not Tremper. 00:04:50.040 --> 00:04:50.939 Maybe it's Bradford 00:04:50.939 --> 00:04:52.360 or Indian Trail. 00:04:53.180 --> 00:04:53.620 Harborside. 00:04:54.420 --> 00:04:54.860 Lakeview. 00:04:54.980 --> 00:04:55.779 Maybe it's not high school. 00:04:55.860 --> 00:04:56.660 Maybe it's middle school. 00:04:57.220 --> 00:04:57.620 Lance. 00:04:58.379 --> 00:04:58.800 Washington. 00:04:58.980 --> 00:04:59.240 Lincoln. 00:04:59.240 --> 00:05:00.800 Christian Life School. 00:05:00.920 --> 00:05:01.960 Maybe it's not a school. 00:05:02.060 --> 00:05:02.980 Maybe you're homeschooled. 00:05:02.980 --> 00:05:03.980 You're walking down the hallway 00:05:03.980 --> 00:05:05.319 in your house. 00:05:07.420 --> 00:05:08.360 But you're a student 00:05:08.360 --> 00:05:09.600 with your armor on. 00:05:09.660 --> 00:05:10.360 And if you were to walk 00:05:10.360 --> 00:05:11.780 by this student, 00:05:11.939 --> 00:05:13.500 you couldn't help but notice 00:05:13.500 --> 00:05:15.000 that they're saying something 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:16.019 under their breath. 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:17.259 And they're not gossiping. 00:05:17.939 --> 00:05:19.759 They're making supplication. 00:05:20.980 --> 00:05:22.699 They are asking God 00:05:22.699 --> 00:05:23.620 for boldness 00:05:23.620 --> 00:05:25.540 to walk in their school 00:05:25.540 --> 00:05:28.060 for the glory of Jesus. 00:05:28.060 --> 00:05:33.600 If you would look at Ephesians 6, 00:05:33.920 --> 00:05:35.660 18-20, 00:05:35.760 --> 00:05:36.439 we read this. 00:05:37.860 --> 00:05:39.480 Praying at all times in the Spirit 00:05:39.480 --> 00:05:41.220 with all prayer and supplication 00:05:41.220 --> 00:05:42.240 to that end, 00:05:42.360 --> 00:05:44.340 keep alert with all perseverance, 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:46.320 making supplication for all the saints. 00:05:47.460 --> 00:05:48.240 And also for me, 00:05:48.320 --> 00:05:49.860 that words may be given to me 00:05:49.860 --> 00:05:51.300 in opening my mouth boldly 00:05:51.300 --> 00:05:53.040 to proclaim the mystery of the Gospel 00:05:53.040 --> 00:05:55.040 for which I am an ambassador in chains, 00:05:55.700 --> 00:05:56.980 that I may declare it boldly 00:05:56.980 --> 00:05:58.560 as I ought to speak. 00:05:59.340 --> 00:06:01.800 In order for us as Christians 00:06:01.800 --> 00:06:03.360 of Christ the King Church 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:06.200 to stand firm against the devil's scheming, 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:08.700 we must pray. 00:06:10.280 --> 00:06:13.360 We must pray. 00:06:15.939 --> 00:06:17.080 There's five points 00:06:17.080 --> 00:06:18.680 I want you to see this morning. 00:06:18.680 --> 00:06:23.280 The last four are right out of the text, 00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:25.560 but here are the five points. 00:06:26.280 --> 00:06:26.560 First, 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:28.540 we must pray with all of our hearts. 00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:29.720 Second, 00:06:30.040 --> 00:06:31.500 we must pray all the time. 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:32.460 Third, 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:35.100 we must pray all kinds of prayers. 00:06:35.780 --> 00:06:36.060 Fourth, 00:06:36.340 --> 00:06:38.420 we must pray with all perseverance. 00:06:38.759 --> 00:06:39.259 And fifth, 00:06:39.680 --> 00:06:42.500 we must pray for all the saints. 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:43.300 Why? 00:06:44.680 --> 00:06:46.840 To experience God's spiritual strengthening 00:06:46.839 --> 00:06:48.099 so that we can stand firm 00:06:48.099 --> 00:06:49.179 against the schemes of the devil. 00:06:49.919 --> 00:06:50.879 United we stand. 00:06:55.779 --> 00:06:56.719 Let's stand firm. 00:06:56.839 --> 00:06:59.579 Let's pray with all our hearts. 00:06:59.579 --> 00:07:00.599 What is prayer? 00:07:03.799 --> 00:07:05.799 Prayer is not complicated. 00:07:06.459 --> 00:07:07.579 It's actually very simple. 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:09.639 What prayer is, 00:07:09.659 --> 00:07:13.339 is simply entrusting your soul to God. 00:07:13.339 --> 00:07:14.599 Oftentimes, 00:07:14.959 --> 00:07:17.419 prayer is a verbal communication 00:07:17.419 --> 00:07:21.119 of our hearts' trust in God. 00:07:21.979 --> 00:07:23.579 And it comes in many forms. 00:07:24.859 --> 00:07:27.039 But what I want you to think about this morning 00:07:27.039 --> 00:07:28.599 as we get going here is this. 00:07:29.199 --> 00:07:32.939 Prayer is depending on God. 00:07:33.799 --> 00:07:36.239 Prayer is the way we trust God. 00:07:36.719 --> 00:07:39.359 Prayer is the way that we cry out to God. 00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:41.340 And so, 00:07:41.660 --> 00:07:42.580 prayerlessness 00:07:42.580 --> 00:07:47.040 is independence from God. 00:07:48.199 --> 00:07:50.819 It's a lack of trust in God. 00:07:51.819 --> 00:07:55.060 A lack of ongoing dependence on Him. 00:07:55.139 --> 00:07:56.080 And if you're like me, 00:07:56.819 --> 00:07:57.540 I am, 00:07:57.780 --> 00:08:00.860 I'm tempted to self-sufficiency. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:05.780 My prideful tendency to self-sufficiency 00:08:05.779 --> 00:08:08.539 will make me prayerless. 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:09.859 Because essentially, 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:11.139 I'm trusting in myself. 00:08:13.519 --> 00:08:14.839 So what prayer is, 00:08:14.859 --> 00:08:18.319 is essentially trusting actively 00:08:18.319 --> 00:08:19.279 in our God. 00:08:21.079 --> 00:08:22.019 Calling out to Him 00:08:22.019 --> 00:08:23.259 over and over and over again. 00:08:23.859 --> 00:08:24.179 That little, 00:08:24.359 --> 00:08:25.659 this first point is 00:08:25.659 --> 00:08:26.699 pray with all your heart. 00:08:26.779 --> 00:08:28.379 And if you replace that word pray 00:08:28.379 --> 00:08:29.159 with trust, 00:08:29.619 --> 00:08:32.039 it's trust God with all your heart. 00:08:32.199 --> 00:08:34.139 Like Proverbs chapter 3, 00:08:34.139 --> 00:08:34.939 5 and 6. 00:08:35.899 --> 00:08:37.399 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. 00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:39.679 And lean not on your own understanding. 00:08:39.799 --> 00:08:40.679 But in all your ways, 00:08:40.779 --> 00:08:41.360 acknowledge Him 00:08:41.360 --> 00:08:42.919 and He will make straight your paths. 00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:45.879 Pray to your God with all your heart. 00:08:46.019 --> 00:08:47.600 Lean not on your own understanding. 00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:49.279 Trust Him. 00:08:50.460 --> 00:08:51.120 Trust Him. 00:08:55.539 --> 00:08:56.740 As we trust God, 00:08:56.819 --> 00:08:58.319 what we will find 00:08:58.320 --> 00:09:01.440 is that God, 00:09:02.120 --> 00:09:02.879 as we pray, 00:09:03.060 --> 00:09:04.360 refocuses us. 00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:06.480 As we pray, 00:09:06.580 --> 00:09:08.100 He reframes us. 00:09:08.680 --> 00:09:09.660 As we pray, 00:09:09.740 --> 00:09:11.440 He is able to revive us. 00:09:11.980 --> 00:09:12.820 As we pray, 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:14.940 He's able to restrain us. 00:09:18.900 --> 00:09:19.780 Are you praying? 00:09:23.020 --> 00:09:24.800 Are you actively trusting God? 00:09:24.799 --> 00:09:28.319 Are you seeking Him? 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:34.099 The second thing I want you to see 00:09:34.099 --> 00:09:35.919 is we're to pray all the time. 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:38.259 We see that right in this passage. 00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:39.399 Verse 18. 00:09:39.579 --> 00:09:41.179 Praying at all times 00:09:41.179 --> 00:09:42.059 in the Spirit. 00:09:42.319 --> 00:09:45.299 Praying at all times. 00:09:45.779 --> 00:09:46.099 Now, 00:09:46.899 --> 00:09:49.259 we all have regular times of prayer. 00:09:50.439 --> 00:09:51.319 I mean, as a church, 00:09:51.439 --> 00:09:51.979 this morning, 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:53.479 we've already prayed multiple times. 00:09:53.480 --> 00:09:56.940 Our small groups pray 00:09:56.940 --> 00:09:57.980 every time they get together. 00:10:00.560 --> 00:10:01.860 Families get together and pray. 00:10:01.980 --> 00:10:03.060 If you're a family like mine, 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:04.320 we pray for all of our meals. 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:06.320 Sometimes it's just rub-a-dub-dub, 00:10:06.379 --> 00:10:07.039 thanks for the grub, 00:10:07.100 --> 00:10:07.720 and dive in. 00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:14.840 But often on mornings, 00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:16.220 we pray together as a family 00:10:16.220 --> 00:10:17.300 and we entrust ourselves 00:10:17.300 --> 00:10:18.220 to God for the day. 00:10:20.980 --> 00:10:21.980 It's really simple. 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:26.639 And then there's this thing 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:28.779 called private prayers. 00:10:30.539 --> 00:10:32.240 Personally praying to God. 00:10:35.879 --> 00:10:37.940 Private praying is part of a 00:10:37.940 --> 00:10:40.000 spiritual wartime mentality. 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:40.779 Here's why. 00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:44.060 We need to pray all the time 00:10:44.060 --> 00:10:45.759 because the battle is raging all the time. 00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:50.939 We must be vigilant in our praying. 00:10:53.100 --> 00:10:54.740 Personal praying, 00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:57.860 a vibrant personal prayer life 00:10:57.860 --> 00:11:01.740 will help you stand firm 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:03.200 against the devil. 00:11:06.200 --> 00:11:06.779 This morning, 00:11:06.860 --> 00:11:07.899 I really want to help you 00:11:07.899 --> 00:11:09.480 with this. 00:11:09.919 --> 00:11:11.519 I want to get concrete. 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:14.220 So here's a suggestion 00:11:14.220 --> 00:11:17.379 of how to pray 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:19.039 throughout your day. 00:11:21.379 --> 00:11:22.439 Beginning your day 00:11:22.439 --> 00:11:23.939 with private prayer. 00:11:25.379 --> 00:11:26.939 Trusting God from the get-go. 00:11:27.299 --> 00:11:29.299 Starting your first inclination 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:30.059 towards Him. 00:11:30.620 --> 00:11:31.899 Maybe you pray through the armor. 00:11:32.259 --> 00:11:33.519 May you call to mind 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:35.419 that first belt of truth 00:11:35.419 --> 00:11:37.399 that today it's all about Jesus. 00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:37.539 Jesus. 00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:39.419 That's who I'm living for. 00:11:43.220 --> 00:11:44.360 I'm not sure what your 00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:45.659 beginning of your day is like 00:11:45.659 --> 00:11:47.699 if you have a calendar 00:11:47.699 --> 00:11:48.459 on your phone 00:11:48.459 --> 00:11:50.819 or if you have a calendar 00:11:50.819 --> 00:11:51.620 or a schedule 00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:53.519 that you keep pen and paper 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:55.000 or if you keep it up 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:55.559 in your head 00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:56.379 and you just know 00:11:56.379 --> 00:11:57.600 what's going to happen that day. 00:11:58.139 --> 00:11:59.299 But can I encourage you 00:11:59.299 --> 00:12:00.340 to start your day this way? 00:12:01.340 --> 00:12:02.439 Take a couple minutes 00:12:02.440 --> 00:12:04.300 and pray through your day. 00:12:05.460 --> 00:12:06.580 Just think about 00:12:06.580 --> 00:12:07.840 what's going to happen today 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:10.560 and you entrust yourself 00:12:10.560 --> 00:12:12.160 in this day to God. 00:12:13.160 --> 00:12:14.780 You're looking to Him. 00:12:15.660 --> 00:12:17.940 You are laying it before Him. 00:12:19.460 --> 00:12:20.860 Begin your day 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:22.480 with private prayer 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:23.700 and then throughout the day 00:12:23.700 --> 00:12:25.760 pray. 00:12:26.820 --> 00:12:28.580 It's kind of like urban warfare. 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:30.440 It's kind of like going 00:12:30.440 --> 00:12:31.480 to house to house. 00:12:31.480 --> 00:12:33.820 Kind of situation to situation. 00:12:34.580 --> 00:12:35.620 Appointment to appointment. 00:12:35.800 --> 00:12:36.820 Phone call to phone call. 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:38.120 Email to email. 00:12:38.920 --> 00:12:40.019 One after the other. 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:40.600 And you're kind of 00:12:40.600 --> 00:12:42.139 covering everything with prayer. 00:12:42.920 --> 00:12:44.720 You're laying down prayer cover. 00:12:46.440 --> 00:12:47.720 Oh God, I got this meeting. 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:49.580 I'm about to walk into it. 00:12:49.620 --> 00:12:50.200 Lord, I don't know 00:12:50.200 --> 00:12:50.879 what's going to happen 00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:51.980 but whatever happens, God, 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:53.740 may I be a light for you. 00:12:54.200 --> 00:12:55.220 May I be wise. 00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:56.279 May I be gracious. 00:12:56.899 --> 00:12:58.860 May I be truthful 00:12:58.860 --> 00:12:59.800 and honest. 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:01.759 God, I'm entrusting myself 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:02.659 to you now 00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:03.759 as I walk into this meeting. 00:13:04.699 --> 00:13:06.639 Or, God, I know this meeting 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:07.659 is going to be antagonistic. 00:13:07.859 --> 00:13:09.019 God, would you help me 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:10.259 to respond in such a way 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:11.579 that's forgiving 00:13:11.579 --> 00:13:12.579 and tender and gracious. 00:13:14.579 --> 00:13:16.259 God, as you pick up your phone. 00:13:16.659 --> 00:13:17.519 God, this is going to be 00:13:17.519 --> 00:13:18.279 a hard phone call. 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:19.000 I pray that, Lord, 00:13:19.059 --> 00:13:19.639 you would help me 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:20.479 make this phone call 00:13:20.479 --> 00:13:22.379 and preserve the unity 00:13:22.379 --> 00:13:23.839 that you've purchased in Christ. 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:26.759 as you're typing out an email. 00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:29.160 Oh God, I pray that this email 00:13:29.160 --> 00:13:32.160 would find this person 00:13:32.160 --> 00:13:33.240 or these people, 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:33.940 that this would be 00:13:33.940 --> 00:13:35.280 a blessing to them. 00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:37.620 That it would build, 00:13:38.180 --> 00:13:39.280 it wouldn't tear down. 00:13:42.700 --> 00:13:43.960 God, as my family 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:45.560 relaxes this afternoon, 00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:47.879 would you help us 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:49.220 to relax in such a way 00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:49.860 that honors you? 00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:54.820 You're just kind of praying 00:13:54.820 --> 00:13:56.180 from one thing to the next. 00:13:57.100 --> 00:13:58.360 Praying at all times. 00:13:59.460 --> 00:14:00.460 Essentially, you're saying this. 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:01.159 Oh God, help me. 00:14:01.300 --> 00:14:02.039 Help me, help me. 00:14:02.460 --> 00:14:03.080 Help me, help me. 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:03.580 Help me with this. 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:04.080 Help me with that. 00:14:04.180 --> 00:14:04.620 Help me with this. 00:14:04.680 --> 00:14:05.240 Give me strength. 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:05.860 Give me strength. 00:14:07.639 --> 00:14:08.440 Close of the day. 00:14:09.620 --> 00:14:10.720 You're laying down on your bed. 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:12.440 Thank God for your day. 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.639 Thank God for what 00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:14.399 He's done that day. 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:16.180 Thank God for His faithfulness 00:14:16.180 --> 00:14:16.560 to you. 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:18.220 Thank God for specific ways 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:19.740 He has met you 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:20.740 and sustained you. 00:14:21.080 --> 00:14:21.980 And then you sleep 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:23.180 the sleep of the Beloved. 00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:24.560 Psalm 4.8 00:14:24.560 --> 00:14:25.879 In peace, 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:27.120 I will both lie down 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:27.620 and sleep 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:29.500 because you make me 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:30.340 dry inside you. 00:14:31.039 --> 00:14:32.039 God, I trust you. 00:14:33.659 --> 00:14:34.580 Now this is throughout 00:14:34.580 --> 00:14:35.180 the day, right? 00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:39.259 What happens when you 00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:40.000 wake up in the middle 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:40.320 of the night? 00:14:41.340 --> 00:14:42.259 What happens if you 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:43.120 can't fall asleep 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:44.320 because you're anxious? 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:47.379 Well, you pray. 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:50.220 Sometimes you need to 00:14:50.220 --> 00:14:50.980 sleep with your helmet 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:51.879 of salvation on. 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:55.100 Reminding yourself 00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:56.059 again and again 00:14:56.059 --> 00:14:58.100 that I am yours. 00:14:59.059 --> 00:15:00.059 I am yours. 00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:01.279 God, you're for me. 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:02.860 God, make straight 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:03.460 these paths. 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:06.840 Here's something 00:15:06.840 --> 00:15:07.379 that happens 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:07.980 on a somewhat 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:09.179 frequent basis here. 00:15:10.820 --> 00:15:12.100 God wakes somebody up. 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:14.659 God wakes somebody up 00:15:14.659 --> 00:15:16.439 by putting someone else 00:15:16.439 --> 00:15:17.199 on their mind 00:15:17.199 --> 00:15:18.980 at 3 a.m. 00:15:21.219 --> 00:15:21.939 You awake, 00:15:22.699 --> 00:15:23.219 awaken, 00:15:23.419 --> 00:15:24.059 and there's someone 00:15:24.059 --> 00:15:24.919 on your mind. 00:15:26.419 --> 00:15:27.259 You're being prompted 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:28.199 by the Spirit of God 00:15:28.199 --> 00:15:28.899 to pray for them. 00:15:30.159 --> 00:15:31.120 Maybe you don't know what, 00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:33.219 but you lay it down. 00:15:33.980 --> 00:15:34.639 You lay down, 00:15:34.699 --> 00:15:34.899 cover. 00:15:35.719 --> 00:15:36.219 Oh God, 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:37.199 I pray for this person 00:15:37.199 --> 00:15:37.579 right now. 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:38.219 I don't know why. 00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:39.299 I don't know the circumstances, 00:15:39.480 --> 00:15:39.779 but God, 00:15:39.819 --> 00:15:40.720 would you strengthen them? 00:15:41.319 --> 00:15:41.759 Would you give them 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:42.259 what they need? 00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:42.860 Help them. 00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:46.060 So regular times of prayer. 00:15:47.220 --> 00:15:47.940 We're to pray 00:15:47.940 --> 00:15:48.960 all the time. 00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:49.779 Now, could you imagine 00:15:49.779 --> 00:15:50.700 us as a church 00:15:50.700 --> 00:15:51.879 if we're praying 00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:52.879 more and more frequently 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:53.500 like that? 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:54.500 Do you know what happens? 00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:56.800 God moves. 00:16:01.440 --> 00:16:02.139 I'm not sure 00:16:02.139 --> 00:16:02.860 if you noticed this, 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:03.620 but there's a little 00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:07.360 prepositional phrase 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:08.100 that we're to pray 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:08.740 all the time 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:09.580 in the Spirit. 00:16:09.580 --> 00:16:10.659 Did you guys notice that 00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:11.820 in verse 18? 00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:14.100 In the Spirit. 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:16.320 He's not speaking of 00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:18.039 praying in tongues. 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:19.320 It's not what he's 00:16:19.320 --> 00:16:20.100 talking about there. 00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:21.960 What he's talking about 00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:22.399 is this. 00:16:23.180 --> 00:16:23.840 Paul is saying 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:25.480 pray all the time 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:26.320 with prayers 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:27.220 that are prompted 00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:28.000 and guided 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:29.259 by the Holy Spirit. 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:31.700 Prayers that are directed 00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:32.720 by the third person 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:33.279 of the Trinity. 00:16:34.279 --> 00:16:35.360 Prayers that are 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:36.960 being prompted 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:39.120 by God living in you 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:40.200 and seeking to unite 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:41.080 us together 00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:41.879 as a church. 00:16:43.660 --> 00:16:44.720 Pray in the Spirit. 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:48.780 These are upwards 00:16:48.780 --> 00:16:50.620 and outwards 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.180 prayers. 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:52.680 Prayers that are 00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:54.120 seeking to glorify Christ. 00:16:54.520 --> 00:16:55.080 Prayers that are 00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:55.700 seeking good 00:16:55.700 --> 00:16:56.420 for others. 00:16:58.340 --> 00:16:59.139 Here's some examples 00:16:59.139 --> 00:16:59.780 of prayers 00:16:59.780 --> 00:17:01.000 not in the Spirit. 00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:01.580 Ready? 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:04.180 Lord, give me 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:05.019 a ton of money 00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:05.740 so that I can get 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:06.759 a ton of stuff. 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:07.079 Amen! 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:07.340 Amen! 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:10.699 It's not of the Spirit. 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:11.439 It's of the flesh. 00:17:13.619 --> 00:17:15.220 Lord, keep my wife 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:16.019 from finding 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:16.480 out about 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:17.480 about my secret. 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.740 It's not of the Spirit. 00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:22.619 It's of the flesh. 00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:25.799 Lord, would you just 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:26.599 bail me out this 00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:27.399 one last time 00:17:27.399 --> 00:17:28.000 and I'll give you 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:28.419 anything! 00:17:31.199 --> 00:17:32.399 It's not of the Spirit. 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.639 Here's examples 00:17:33.639 --> 00:17:35.099 of praying in the Spirit. 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:37.439 Lord, I confess. 00:17:37.679 --> 00:17:38.279 I confess. 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:39.279 I spoke 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:40.319 in anger. 00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:42.399 I confess. 00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:43.240 God, help me. 00:17:43.639 --> 00:17:44.679 I need to love 00:17:44.679 --> 00:17:45.419 this person. 00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:47.579 Lead me. 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.079 Strengthen me. 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:51.179 Lord, provide wisdom 00:17:51.179 --> 00:17:51.839 for my son. 00:17:51.959 --> 00:17:52.559 Provide wisdom 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:53.219 for my wife, 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:53.779 for my husband, 00:17:53.879 --> 00:17:54.359 my friend. 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:55.899 God, unite us 00:17:55.899 --> 00:17:56.719 as a church. 00:17:56.720 --> 00:18:00.920 If your praying 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:01.400 is marked 00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:01.940 by the fruit 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:02.440 of the Spirit, 00:18:03.100 --> 00:18:04.019 love, joy, peace, 00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:04.779 patience, kindness, 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:06.100 goodness, gentleness, 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:06.680 faithfulness, 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:07.319 and self-control. 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:08.680 If your praying 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:09.160 is marked 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:10.039 by the fruit 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:10.539 of the Spirit, 00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:11.259 you know what? 00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:11.819 You're praying 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:12.559 in the Spirit. 00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:15.319 You're praying 00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:15.819 in prayers 00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:17.019 prompted and guided 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:18.279 by the Spirit 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:18.819 of God. 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.360 You know what? 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:22.480 Praying in the Spirit 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.240 is another way 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:23.740 of saying 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:25.200 we're depending 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:25.980 on our God. 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:28.200 our prayers 00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:28.900 are dependent 00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:29.599 on God. 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.539 So the question 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:32.960 we will need 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:33.860 to ask is this. 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:37.259 Are you praying 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:37.759 with greater 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.640 and greater frequency? 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.860 Praying all times. 00:18:42.900 --> 00:18:44.079 And are you praying 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:44.839 in the Spirit? 00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:47.960 Are your prayers 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:48.480 prompted 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.920 and guided 00:18:49.920 --> 00:18:51.480 by the Spirit 00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:51.980 of God? 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:54.120 When we pray 00:18:54.120 --> 00:18:54.660 like that, 00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:57.340 God builds. 00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:58.920 God unites. 00:19:00.560 --> 00:19:01.259 He pours out 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:01.660 His Spirit 00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:02.000 in greater, 00:19:02.120 --> 00:19:02.580 greater measure. 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:04.500 So, 00:19:05.620 --> 00:19:06.040 we're to pray 00:19:06.040 --> 00:19:06.560 all the time 00:19:06.560 --> 00:19:07.040 in the Spirit. 00:19:07.620 --> 00:19:08.560 The third point is 00:19:08.560 --> 00:19:09.160 we're to pray 00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:10.300 all kinds of prayers. 00:19:12.040 --> 00:19:12.380 Do you know 00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:13.279 who Bubba Gump is? 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:16.599 from the movie 00:19:16.599 --> 00:19:17.359 Forrest Gump? 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:20.099 There's this one 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:20.720 scene in the movie 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:21.200 where Bubba 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:21.940 is listing out 00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:22.960 the various kinds 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:23.500 of shrimp 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:23.960 and ways 00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:24.779 to prepare shrimp. 00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:25.139 You know 00:19:25.139 --> 00:19:25.579 what I'm talking 00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:25.859 about. 00:19:27.139 --> 00:19:28.000 Barbecue shrimp, 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:30.220 popcorn shrimp, 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:32.759 shrimp stir fry, 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.359 and he goes on 00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:34.920 and on and on 00:19:34.920 --> 00:19:35.680 for like a minute. 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:38.279 There are all kinds 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:38.799 of prayers 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.660 and ways to pray. 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:43.120 Prayers of adoration 00:19:43.120 --> 00:19:44.380 where we adore 00:19:44.380 --> 00:19:45.000 our God. 00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:47.080 Prayers of thanksgiving. 00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:47.860 We give thanks. 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:49.440 Prayers of lament 00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:51.519 where we pour out 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:52.180 our hearts. 00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:53.120 That can get kind of 00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:53.900 messy and uncomfortable. 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:55.400 But we're being 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:56.180 honest with God. 00:19:58.380 --> 00:19:59.320 Prayers of confession. 00:19:59.540 --> 00:20:00.300 Prayers of petition. 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.600 Prayers of supplication. 00:20:02.060 --> 00:20:02.460 Then there are 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:03.259 corporate prayers. 00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:04.380 There are small group prayers. 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:05.400 There are family prayers. 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.160 Private prayers. 00:20:06.540 --> 00:20:08.120 There are standing up prayers. 00:20:08.120 --> 00:20:09.560 There are sitting down prayers. 00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:11.320 There are kneeling prayers. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:13.640 There are hands raised prayers. 00:20:13.800 --> 00:20:15.900 There are hands folded prayers. 00:20:16.080 --> 00:20:18.800 There are closed eye prayers. 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:20.980 And then there's the open eye prayer. 00:20:21.120 --> 00:20:21.920 Do you know what I'm talking about? 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:26.620 There are shouted prayers. 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:29.519 And there are sung prayers. 00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:31.840 There are whispered prayers. 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:33.080 And of course, 00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:34.700 there are the unspoken prayers. 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:39.140 What all these prayers have in common 00:20:39.140 --> 00:20:43.319 is communicating one's soul's dependence 00:20:43.319 --> 00:20:45.680 on God. 00:20:47.120 --> 00:20:48.340 If you're born again, 00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:50.660 you're going to want to pray. 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:54.000 The Spirit of God in you 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:55.799 is compelling you to pray. 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:56.500 Cry out, 00:20:56.620 --> 00:20:57.240 Abba, Father. 00:20:57.340 --> 00:20:58.200 Romans chapter 8. 00:20:58.200 --> 00:21:02.539 There are different kinds of prayers 00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:04.039 for different seasons of life 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:05.640 and different states of souls. 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:08.759 That's what makes the Psalms 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:10.920 so sweet to Christians. 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:14.900 The Psalms are a collection of prayers. 00:21:15.580 --> 00:21:17.180 A variety of prayers. 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:21.340 All aimed at God. 00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:24.339 So what we see here 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:25.619 in Ephesians 6 is this. 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.980 Praying at all times in the Spirit 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:30.119 with all prayer 00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:32.240 and supplication. 00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.099 To that end, 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.439 keep the Lord with all perseverance 00:21:34.439 --> 00:21:35.980 making supplication. 00:21:36.139 --> 00:21:37.119 So we're to pray 00:21:37.119 --> 00:21:38.240 all kinds of prayers, 00:21:38.379 --> 00:21:39.279 but there's one kind of prayer 00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:40.579 Paul kind of narrows in on. 00:21:40.919 --> 00:21:42.879 And that's that word supplication. 00:21:43.799 --> 00:21:45.480 Do you guys use the word supplication 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:46.119 every day? 00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:50.899 What is this supplication? 00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:52.320 Well, the key word in it, 00:21:52.380 --> 00:21:53.400 it's the word supply. 00:21:53.800 --> 00:21:56.200 See the words supply and supplication? 00:21:57.080 --> 00:21:58.580 And so when we make supplication 00:21:58.580 --> 00:21:59.100 for one another, 00:21:59.220 --> 00:22:01.060 we're asking God to supply a need. 00:22:02.140 --> 00:22:04.140 We're asking God to meet a need. 00:22:05.580 --> 00:22:08.519 To bring comfort or courage or clarity. 00:22:10.040 --> 00:22:11.780 And so there are many different kinds of prayers 00:22:11.780 --> 00:22:13.680 and many different ways to pray, 00:22:14.040 --> 00:22:15.759 but what we're being exhorted to here 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:19.240 is to make supplication for one another. 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:21.960 To make supplication for yourself, 00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:24.279 to make supplication for others. 00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:27.519 To ask God to meet needs. 00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:30.859 I want to help you this morning 00:22:30.859 --> 00:22:33.420 in a way to make supplication 00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:34.559 for yourself and others. 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:37.680 So I want to show you a way to pray 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:41.460 that combines both praying 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:42.559 and reading your Bible. 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:43.920 And in order to do that, 00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:45.539 I need you to turn to Psalm 86. 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:47.839 So would you turn there please? 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:50.159 What I'm about to show you is, 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:52.579 the fancy name is 00:22:52.579 --> 00:22:55.139 Prayerful Meditation of Scripture. 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:58.299 I call it 00:22:58.299 --> 00:23:01.319 making David's prayer my own. 00:23:02.579 --> 00:23:03.940 So if you turn to Psalm 86, 00:23:04.599 --> 00:23:06.700 I want to show you a way 00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:09.659 to make supplication for yourself 00:23:09.660 --> 00:23:12.580 that combines both reading your Bible 00:23:12.580 --> 00:23:13.259 and praying. 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:17.000 And so what we'll essentially do is, 00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:19.620 we'll swing the sword of the Spirit 00:23:19.620 --> 00:23:21.140 by praying in the Spirit. 00:23:23.660 --> 00:23:25.220 Is everybody in Psalm 86? 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:29.040 There's the title, 00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:30.400 Great is Your Steadfast Love. 00:23:30.800 --> 00:23:31.600 And then it says, 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:32.600 A Prayer of David. 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.460 Do you see that? 00:23:34.340 --> 00:23:35.759 Here's what you need to do in your mind. 00:23:36.400 --> 00:23:37.740 You need to cross out David 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.660 and put in your name. 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:40.940 So what we're going to do here 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:42.940 is make a prayer of David 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:44.220 into a prayer of Mike 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:45.559 or a prayer of Ginny 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:47.819 or a prayer of Katie 00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:49.799 or a prayer of Jasmine or Matt. 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.859 So that's what we're going to do here. 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:53.079 Another way to think about it is this. 00:23:53.700 --> 00:23:54.779 Think about this prayer 00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:56.640 as a jacket that David is wearing. 00:23:57.380 --> 00:23:58.240 And what we're going to do 00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:59.299 is we're going to take off 00:23:59.299 --> 00:24:00.620 this jacket of Psalm 86 00:24:00.620 --> 00:24:01.519 off David 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:02.500 and we're going to put 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:04.039 our own body into it. 00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:05.200 We're going to make it our own. 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.900 This is going to become ours. 00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:08.920 And so I'm just going to show you 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:10.160 a way to do this 00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:12.220 in order to equip you 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:13.040 and serve you 00:24:13.040 --> 00:24:14.400 and how to make supplication 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:15.080 for yourself. 00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:16.840 You ready? 00:24:17.860 --> 00:24:18.800 Here's all it is. 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:20.940 You start reading. 00:24:22.840 --> 00:24:23.900 Incline your ear, O Lord, 00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:24.560 and answer me 00:24:24.560 --> 00:24:26.320 for I am poor and needy. 00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:28.420 And then you pray. 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.660 God, I am poor and needy. 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:34.480 I can't get through today. 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:37.559 I'm dependent on you. 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:39.940 Apart from you, 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:40.539 I can do nothing. 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:42.860 You have the strength 00:24:42.860 --> 00:24:43.599 that I need to do. 00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:45.740 Without you, 00:24:46.620 --> 00:24:47.480 I'm vulnerable. 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.380 Without you, 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:50.579 I'm unable. 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:51.980 I'm limited. 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:53.480 I'm a creature. 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:55.380 I need your help. 00:24:57.120 --> 00:24:57.980 It goes on to say, 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:58.700 preserve my life 00:24:58.700 --> 00:24:59.299 for I'm godly, 00:24:59.380 --> 00:25:00.099 savior, servant, 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:00.860 who trusts in you. 00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:01.640 You are my God. 00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:02.100 There's the helmet 00:25:02.100 --> 00:25:02.759 of salvation. 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:05.000 You are my God. 00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:07.200 I belong to you. 00:25:08.300 --> 00:25:09.100 I'm yours. 00:25:10.560 --> 00:25:11.180 Verse 4, 00:25:11.280 --> 00:25:12.040 gladden the soul 00:25:12.040 --> 00:25:12.560 of your servant 00:25:12.560 --> 00:25:13.300 for to you, O Lord, 00:25:13.340 --> 00:25:14.300 do I lift up my soul. 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:14.759 O God, 00:25:14.820 --> 00:25:16.200 make my soul happy today. 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:18.480 And you know 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.340 where I find happiness? 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:20.360 I find my happiness 00:25:20.360 --> 00:25:21.140 in Christ 00:25:21.140 --> 00:25:22.240 that he's imputed 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:24.040 his righteousness to me. 00:25:27.040 --> 00:25:27.940 Praise be to God. 00:25:27.940 --> 00:25:31.799 Verse 8, 00:25:32.100 --> 00:25:33.039 there is none like you 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:34.059 among the gods, O Lord, 00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:35.500 nor are there any works 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.340 like yours. 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:37.320 Jesus, 00:25:37.420 --> 00:25:38.360 it's all about you. 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:41.220 You alone are God. 00:25:42.580 --> 00:25:43.519 And so here we are. 00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:45.400 Within one minute, 00:25:46.360 --> 00:25:47.140 we have 00:25:47.140 --> 00:25:49.820 offered ourselves 00:25:49.820 --> 00:25:50.500 to the Lord, 00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:51.940 made supplication 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:52.940 for ourselves, 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:55.880 using Scripture, 00:25:56.120 --> 00:25:57.160 prayers that are already 00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:57.740 in our Bibles. 00:25:58.860 --> 00:26:00.259 It's a very satisfying, 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.000 helpful way 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:02.900 to make supplication 00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:03.480 for yourself. 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:05.100 And then making supplication 00:26:05.100 --> 00:26:05.700 for others. 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:07.740 In the book of Ephesians alone, 00:26:07.840 --> 00:26:08.840 in Ephesians chapter 1, 00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:10.000 in Ephesians chapter 3, 00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:12.140 there are prayers 00:26:12.140 --> 00:26:13.440 Paul prays 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:15.360 for this Ephesian church. 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:17.380 And then in Colossians chapter 1, 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.660 there's another prayer. 00:26:18.800 --> 00:26:19.519 He prays 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.600 for the Colossian church. 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.259 And you know 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:21.960 what he's praying for? 00:26:23.100 --> 00:26:24.800 He prays for strength 00:26:24.800 --> 00:26:25.759 for these churches. 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:28.079 And so when it comes 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:29.160 to praying for one another, 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:30.480 let's pray that God 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:31.539 would strengthen us 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.640 with his might. 00:26:34.079 --> 00:26:35.160 We can pray these prayers. 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.779 I'm guessing some of it, 00:26:37.879 --> 00:26:39.940 I've prayed Ephesians 3 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:41.160 for many of you, 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:43.879 that God would, 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.220 by his Spirit, 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:47.099 strengthen your inner man, 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:48.299 that Christ would dwell 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:49.319 in your heart 00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:50.579 by faith, 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:52.119 that you would know 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:53.559 the love of God 00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:54.659 in Christ Jesus 00:26:54.659 --> 00:26:56.159 and you would be filled 00:26:56.159 --> 00:26:57.219 with the fullness of God. 00:26:58.839 --> 00:26:59.819 What a joy it is 00:26:59.819 --> 00:27:01.219 to pray that to each other. 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:05.119 So let me ask you a question. 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:05.799 Are you praying 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.619 all kinds of prayers? 00:27:08.479 --> 00:27:09.959 Are you making supplication 00:27:09.959 --> 00:27:11.039 for yourself and others? 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:11.719 Are you swinging 00:27:11.719 --> 00:27:12.899 the sword of the Spirit 00:27:12.899 --> 00:27:15.259 by praying in the Spirit? 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:18.940 Fourth point, 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:20.240 we are to pray 00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:22.839 with all perseverance. 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.599 We are to pray 00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:25.920 with all perseverance. 00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:31.680 We read this in verse 18. 00:27:37.120 --> 00:27:38.100 Praying at all times 00:27:38.100 --> 00:27:38.640 in the Spirit 00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:39.240 with all prayer 00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:40.120 and supplication, 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.960 to that end, 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:43.279 keep alert 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:44.820 with all perseverance. 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:45.660 To that end, 00:27:46.660 --> 00:27:46.980 praying, 00:27:47.820 --> 00:27:48.940 making supplication. 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.759 To that end, 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.360 persevere. 00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:55.340 Stay alert. 00:27:56.360 --> 00:27:57.240 That word, 00:27:57.640 --> 00:27:58.200 those words, 00:27:58.360 --> 00:27:59.120 keep alert, 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:01.440 mean to be watchful. 00:28:04.080 --> 00:28:05.240 In Mark 14, 00:28:05.320 --> 00:28:06.200 it's very interesting. 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.720 This is the same thing 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.960 Jesus tells His disciples 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:11.259 in the Garden of Gethsemane. 00:28:12.300 --> 00:28:13.120 Stay awake. 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:13.940 Keep alert. 00:28:14.300 --> 00:28:15.740 Pray that you might not 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.759 be led into temptation. 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.700 The Spirit's willing, 00:28:18.820 --> 00:28:19.620 but the flesh is weak. 00:28:21.060 --> 00:28:21.860 Stay awake. 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.600 Keep alert. 00:28:23.080 --> 00:28:24.140 Be watchful. 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:26.160 I have this thing, 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:26.900 I call it 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:29.100 PASTAR. 00:28:29.520 --> 00:28:30.960 P-A-S-T-A-R. 00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:32.580 It's like radar. 00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:34.020 It's, 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.720 you become aware 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.120 of something. 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:36.820 There's a blip 00:28:36.820 --> 00:28:37.640 that comes up 00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:37.980 and you're like, 00:28:38.080 --> 00:28:38.400 okay, 00:28:38.780 --> 00:28:40.920 I need to pray for that. 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:43.000 I need to be aware 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:43.320 of that. 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:43.780 I need to 00:28:43.780 --> 00:28:45.960 maybe bring God's Word 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:46.560 to bear on that 00:28:46.560 --> 00:28:47.000 for someone. 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:50.940 but it's a watchfulness 00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:52.240 and PASTAR 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:52.920 is not limited 00:28:52.920 --> 00:28:53.920 to PASTAR's. 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:55.559 If you're a Christian, 00:28:55.680 --> 00:28:56.539 you've got PASTAR. 00:28:58.920 --> 00:28:59.480 Watchfulness. 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.819 Being aware of others. 00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:04.619 Knowing other people's needs. 00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:08.099 Being alert 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:09.420 against the schemes 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:10.299 of the devil. 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:13.319 But what we're told here 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:14.639 is that we're to keep alert 00:29:14.639 --> 00:29:16.279 with all perseverance. 00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:17.680 It's telling us 00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:18.980 how we are to 00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:20.019 stay awake. 00:29:20.180 --> 00:29:21.119 How we are to 00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:22.220 keep alert. 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:24.399 Persevering prayer 00:29:24.399 --> 00:29:25.659 protects us 00:29:25.659 --> 00:29:26.720 from falling prey 00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:27.399 to the devil. 00:29:28.399 --> 00:29:29.319 Persevering prayer 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:30.240 protects us 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:31.119 from falling prey 00:29:31.119 --> 00:29:32.359 to the devil. 00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:35.119 So we pray aware 00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:37.180 and we persevere 00:29:37.180 --> 00:29:38.279 in our praying. 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:39.920 It does take effort. 00:29:40.619 --> 00:29:41.940 It does take concentration. 00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:43.299 It does take 00:29:43.299 --> 00:29:44.359 ongoing dependence. 00:29:45.379 --> 00:29:46.440 But here's the effect. 00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:48.500 God uses it 00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.220 to build us. 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:51.220 Help us to trust Him. 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:53.940 So we persevere 00:29:53.940 --> 00:29:54.519 in our praying 00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:55.259 for each other. 00:29:56.399 --> 00:29:56.960 When someone, 00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:57.720 a couple's going 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.619 through a hard spot 00:29:58.619 --> 00:29:59.160 in their marriage, 00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:00.099 we persevere 00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:01.059 in praying for them. 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.539 Pray it all the way through. 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.359 We pray 00:30:05.359 --> 00:30:07.059 in a persevering way 00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:07.500 for people 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:08.440 with hardened hearts. 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:09.500 We pray it 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.279 all the way through. 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:12.240 We pray. 00:30:12.380 --> 00:30:12.920 We ask. 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.440 I'm going 00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:14.319 for provisions 00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:15.799 over and over 00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:16.519 and over again. 00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:17.859 We persevere. 00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:19.819 When I was in high school, 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:20.920 I went on a short-term 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:21.420 mission trip 00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:22.720 to the Dominican Republic. 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:25.319 And it turns out 00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:25.859 when we got there, 00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:26.980 I didn't know this 00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:27.920 until I got there. 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:30.960 And it was the thing 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:32.019 that stuck. 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:35.220 There was a man 00:30:35.220 --> 00:30:35.839 who had been praying 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:36.640 for 10 years 00:30:36.640 --> 00:30:38.500 that God would send 00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:38.920 a team 00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:39.920 to help build 00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:40.600 an orphanage 00:30:40.600 --> 00:30:41.360 because there was 00:30:41.360 --> 00:30:42.579 a need to care 00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:43.420 for orphans 00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:44.519 in Santa Domingo. 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.500 And lo and behold, 00:30:46.620 --> 00:30:47.019 here I am, 00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:47.880 a junior in high school. 00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:48.680 I show up 00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:50.840 and I meet this man 00:30:50.840 --> 00:30:51.920 who's been praying, 00:30:52.380 --> 00:30:54.340 persevering in his prayers 00:30:54.340 --> 00:30:56.160 for 10 years. 00:30:57.360 --> 00:30:58.080 Nelson Medina. 00:30:59.080 --> 00:31:00.500 It struck me. 00:31:02.820 --> 00:31:03.580 Persevering. 00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:06.799 What persevering prayers 00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:07.640 can reveal 00:31:07.640 --> 00:31:09.440 is our motives. 00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:12.299 It can show us 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:13.680 why we're really praying. 00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:15.060 They can purify. 00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:17.840 What persevering prayer 00:31:17.840 --> 00:31:18.660 also produces 00:31:18.660 --> 00:31:20.340 is unity. 00:31:21.340 --> 00:31:22.180 When we're able 00:31:22.180 --> 00:31:23.080 to say to one another, 00:31:24.080 --> 00:31:24.299 brother, 00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:25.160 I'm praying for you. 00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:26.420 I'm in it with you. 00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:27.259 I'm praying daily 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:28.340 for you regarding this. 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:30.519 Over two years, 00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:31.400 brother, 00:31:31.580 --> 00:31:32.900 I'm praying for you. 00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:35.580 Stay in time, brother. 00:31:35.660 --> 00:31:35.980 I'm praying. 00:31:39.160 --> 00:31:40.000 Are you praying? 00:31:41.060 --> 00:31:42.200 Are you watchful 00:31:42.200 --> 00:31:42.759 in your prayers? 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:44.779 Are you persevering 00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:45.299 in your prayers? 00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.820 The last thing, 00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:48.640 last point is 00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:49.120 we are to pray 00:31:49.120 --> 00:31:49.960 for all the saints. 00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:52.700 We must pray 00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:53.340 for each other. 00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:53.960 We see that 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:56.200 at the end of verse 18, 00:31:56.640 --> 00:31:57.920 making supplication 00:31:57.920 --> 00:31:59.259 for all the saints. 00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:00.560 Now, I don't know 00:32:00.560 --> 00:32:01.240 about you 00:32:01.240 --> 00:32:02.960 what your experience is, 00:32:03.080 --> 00:32:04.960 but there can be 00:32:04.960 --> 00:32:06.980 a lack of meaningful prayer 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:08.920 when we gather together, 00:32:09.220 --> 00:32:10.420 especially in our small groups. 00:32:11.640 --> 00:32:12.779 And this lack 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:13.599 is not a lack 00:32:13.599 --> 00:32:14.119 of willingness 00:32:14.119 --> 00:32:15.319 to pray for each other. 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:17.960 It's a lack of willingness 00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:18.879 to share our lives 00:32:18.879 --> 00:32:19.440 with each other. 00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:22.660 Not wanting to be 00:32:22.660 --> 00:32:24.119 fully honest. 00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:25.099 Not willing to 00:32:25.099 --> 00:32:26.599 bring struggles. 00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:27.960 Have you ever been 00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:28.720 in a small group 00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:29.460 when the prayer, 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:30.819 time to pray at the end, 00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:31.839 leader asks me, 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:33.399 anybody have any prayer requests? 00:32:33.400 --> 00:32:35.200 And there's someone 00:32:35.200 --> 00:32:35.780 who says, 00:32:36.780 --> 00:32:37.100 everybody, 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:37.820 would you pray? 00:32:38.580 --> 00:32:39.220 Would you pray 00:32:39.220 --> 00:32:40.120 for my great aunt? 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:42.300 She's got just horrific breath, 00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:43.460 and it's just dividing 00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:44.000 the family. 00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:45.860 It's chewing us up. 00:32:47.180 --> 00:32:48.259 Pray, move in her heart 00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:49.480 that she would brush her teeth. 00:32:49.580 --> 00:32:50.580 Lord, please! 00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:54.600 So you're hearing that, 00:32:55.140 --> 00:32:56.360 and it doesn't sit. 00:32:56.359 --> 00:32:59.259 It's dissatisfying. 00:33:00.819 --> 00:33:01.579 Because everybody 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:02.519 in the room knows 00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:05.039 that there are things 00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:06.299 that this person's 00:33:06.299 --> 00:33:06.959 dealing with 00:33:06.959 --> 00:33:09.059 that are more significant 00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:09.979 and closer to home 00:33:09.979 --> 00:33:10.679 than what they're sharing. 00:33:16.379 --> 00:33:17.419 We can be unwilling 00:33:17.419 --> 00:33:17.979 to share. 00:33:22.159 --> 00:33:23.259 And there is a group 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:23.939 of people ready 00:33:23.939 --> 00:33:24.740 and eager to pray. 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:27.279 We've been all 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:28.019 in that situation, 00:33:28.140 --> 00:33:28.599 haven't we? 00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:30.799 Having something 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.799 on our hearts to share, 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:34.720 but reluctant, 00:33:35.079 --> 00:33:35.500 embarrassed, 00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:36.640 maybe too prideful. 00:33:39.079 --> 00:33:40.740 We need to humble ourselves 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:43.160 in order to effectively 00:33:43.160 --> 00:33:45.480 pray for each other. 00:33:46.799 --> 00:33:47.720 In order to know 00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:48.500 each other well, 00:33:48.859 --> 00:33:49.779 we've got to be willing 00:33:49.779 --> 00:33:51.940 to open our lives up 00:33:51.940 --> 00:33:52.500 to one another. 00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:56.380 God will unite us 00:33:56.380 --> 00:33:57.799 as we humble ourselves 00:33:57.799 --> 00:33:59.799 and pray meaningfully 00:33:59.799 --> 00:34:00.519 for one another. 00:34:01.620 --> 00:34:02.700 So when we talk about 00:34:02.700 --> 00:34:03.980 praying for all the saints, 00:34:04.620 --> 00:34:05.720 there's a step 00:34:05.720 --> 00:34:06.539 where we need to be 00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:08.059 willing to be prayed for. 00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:14.480 We need to entrust ourselves 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.119 to one another 00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:16.039 and to God. 00:34:18.780 --> 00:34:20.320 We've been sending out 00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:21.360 a weekly prayer update 00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:21.920 as a church, 00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:23.119 usually on Tuesdays, 00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:24.579 and the purpose of it 00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:25.599 is really to be praying 00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:26.519 for one another, 00:34:26.699 --> 00:34:28.159 to build each other up, 00:34:28.739 --> 00:34:30.619 to make supplication 00:34:30.619 --> 00:34:31.219 for one another, 00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:32.440 to know what's going on 00:34:32.440 --> 00:34:33.319 in each other's lives. 00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:34.839 It's just a little way 00:34:34.839 --> 00:34:35.440 to do that. 00:34:37.659 --> 00:34:38.599 I'm encouraging you 00:34:38.599 --> 00:34:39.579 to take advantage of it. 00:34:41.199 --> 00:34:42.519 In verses 19 and 20, 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:46.279 Paul specifically asks 00:34:46.279 --> 00:34:46.880 for prayer 00:34:46.880 --> 00:34:48.799 and it's very instructive. 00:34:48.800 --> 00:34:52.300 What's most interesting 00:34:52.300 --> 00:34:54.400 is what he asks for. 00:34:55.039 --> 00:34:56.240 And so let me just say this. 00:34:56.340 --> 00:34:56.940 Do you remember 00:34:56.940 --> 00:34:59.039 Paul is writing in prison, 00:34:59.519 --> 00:35:00.160 house arrest, 00:35:00.400 --> 00:35:02.140 he's writing in Rome, 00:35:02.700 --> 00:35:03.980 he's literally chained 00:35:03.980 --> 00:35:05.160 to a Roman soldier. 00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:06.300 That's verse 20 00:35:06.300 --> 00:35:06.900 while you read 00:35:06.900 --> 00:35:08.100 an ambassador in chains. 00:35:11.800 --> 00:35:13.700 And it's very interesting 00:35:13.700 --> 00:35:14.580 what he requests. 00:35:15.760 --> 00:35:17.260 He doesn't ask for comfort. 00:35:17.260 --> 00:35:20.160 He asks for boldness. 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:21.980 Do you know 00:35:21.980 --> 00:35:22.720 what he was waiting for? 00:35:24.060 --> 00:35:25.000 He was waiting 00:35:25.000 --> 00:35:26.480 to go before Caesar 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:30.260 to give reason 00:35:31.020 --> 00:35:31.880 for the hope 00:35:31.880 --> 00:35:32.680 that was in him. 00:35:34.100 --> 00:35:35.340 And so he prays, 00:35:35.380 --> 00:35:36.400 he asks the Ephesians, 00:35:36.500 --> 00:35:37.640 he does this with Colossians, 00:35:37.760 --> 00:35:38.740 he does it across 00:35:38.740 --> 00:35:39.400 all of his letters 00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:41.460 to ask people to pray 00:35:41.460 --> 00:35:42.260 that he would have boldness 00:35:43.000 --> 00:35:44.480 to proclaim 00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:46.080 to the powers that be 00:35:46.079 --> 00:35:48.739 that Christ is risen 00:35:48.739 --> 00:35:51.000 and that Christ is reigning 00:35:51.000 --> 00:35:53.179 and that Christ is calling 00:35:53.179 --> 00:35:54.940 all to him in repentance. 00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:58.940 He prays for boldness 00:35:58.940 --> 00:36:00.860 because he's mission-minded. 00:36:02.460 --> 00:36:04.900 He asks for boldness 00:36:04.900 --> 00:36:05.900 because he's got 00:36:05.900 --> 00:36:08.299 a spiritual wartime mentality. 00:36:08.300 --> 00:36:12.500 If the apostle 00:36:12.500 --> 00:36:14.420 is willing to ask 00:36:14.420 --> 00:36:15.220 for prayer, 00:36:16.780 --> 00:36:18.280 we must too. 00:36:20.200 --> 00:36:21.800 So are we wise enough 00:36:21.800 --> 00:36:23.100 to know our own need 00:36:23.100 --> 00:36:24.060 for God's strength? 00:36:24.960 --> 00:36:26.480 Are we humble enough 00:36:26.480 --> 00:36:29.460 to ask our friends 00:36:29.460 --> 00:36:30.460 to pray for us? 00:36:32.460 --> 00:36:33.980 To pray for boldness? 00:36:35.260 --> 00:36:36.600 So here are two questions. 00:36:36.599 --> 00:36:36.739 Friends, 00:36:38.039 --> 00:36:38.900 when was the last time 00:36:38.900 --> 00:36:40.079 you asked another Christian 00:36:40.079 --> 00:36:42.299 to pray for something 00:36:42.299 --> 00:36:44.259 that was near to your heart? 00:36:45.279 --> 00:36:45.940 In other words, 00:36:46.460 --> 00:36:47.299 when was the last time 00:36:47.299 --> 00:36:48.259 you asked someone 00:36:48.259 --> 00:36:49.839 to pray for something 00:36:49.839 --> 00:36:51.500 that was risky for you? 00:36:53.940 --> 00:36:55.019 When was the last time 00:36:55.019 --> 00:36:55.980 you asked another Christian 00:36:55.980 --> 00:36:58.380 to pray for boldness 00:36:58.380 --> 00:36:59.480 for you? 00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:00.940 To witness? 00:37:04.039 --> 00:37:04.980 Paul is modeling 00:37:04.980 --> 00:37:05.980 something for us here. 00:37:06.599 --> 00:37:07.619 Not only does he 00:37:07.619 --> 00:37:08.759 models praying 00:37:08.759 --> 00:37:09.659 for the saints, 00:37:09.819 --> 00:37:10.480 Ephesians 1, 00:37:10.559 --> 00:37:11.259 Ephesians 3, 00:37:12.259 --> 00:37:13.259 he's modeling 00:37:13.259 --> 00:37:14.719 asking for prayer 00:37:14.719 --> 00:37:15.759 from the saints 00:37:15.759 --> 00:37:18.019 to be strengthened, 00:37:19.339 --> 00:37:20.639 to stand firm. 00:37:22.380 --> 00:37:23.900 I'd like to ask you all 00:37:23.900 --> 00:37:25.819 on behalf of Samir and Daniel, 00:37:26.739 --> 00:37:28.460 would you be praying for us? 00:37:28.679 --> 00:37:29.500 We're not apostles, 00:37:29.839 --> 00:37:30.500 we're just elders. 00:37:30.500 --> 00:37:33.320 Would you pray for us? 00:37:34.179 --> 00:37:35.039 That we be bold, 00:37:36.179 --> 00:37:36.739 wise, 00:37:36.940 --> 00:37:37.300 gracious, 00:37:37.519 --> 00:37:37.940 focused, 00:37:38.360 --> 00:37:39.039 mission-minded. 00:37:42.519 --> 00:37:43.360 In conclusion, 00:37:44.780 --> 00:37:46.019 we're to pray 00:37:46.019 --> 00:37:46.760 with all of our heart, 00:37:46.880 --> 00:37:47.900 we're to pray all the time, 00:37:47.980 --> 00:37:48.880 we're to pray all kinds 00:37:48.880 --> 00:37:49.380 of prayers, 00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:51.320 specifically supplication, 00:37:51.440 --> 00:37:52.119 we're to pray 00:37:52.119 --> 00:37:52.880 with perseverance 00:37:52.880 --> 00:37:53.679 all the way through, 00:37:53.800 --> 00:37:54.599 we're to pray 00:37:54.599 --> 00:37:55.420 for all the saints, 00:37:55.480 --> 00:37:56.699 we're to ask for prayer. 00:37:56.699 --> 00:38:00.139 But I want to close 00:38:00.139 --> 00:38:00.839 by pointing you 00:38:00.839 --> 00:38:02.079 to Ephesians 3, 00:38:02.279 --> 00:38:03.539 verses 19-20. 00:38:04.639 --> 00:38:05.299 Actually, 20. 00:38:07.519 --> 00:38:08.599 Paul just prayed 00:38:08.599 --> 00:38:10.259 for the Ephesians, 00:38:10.439 --> 00:38:11.319 and he says this, 00:38:13.319 --> 00:38:14.359 Now to him who is able 00:38:14.359 --> 00:38:15.599 to do far more abundantly 00:38:15.599 --> 00:38:16.779 than all that we ask 00:38:16.779 --> 00:38:17.159 or think, 00:38:17.219 --> 00:38:18.299 according to the power 00:38:18.299 --> 00:38:20.000 at work within us, 00:38:20.619 --> 00:38:21.779 to him be the glory 00:38:21.779 --> 00:38:22.480 in the church 00:38:22.480 --> 00:38:23.359 and in Christ Jesus 00:38:23.359 --> 00:38:24.379 throughout all generations 00:38:24.379 --> 00:38:25.019 forever and ever. 00:38:25.339 --> 00:38:26.279 Our God is able 00:38:26.280 --> 00:38:28.880 our God is mighty. 00:38:29.840 --> 00:38:31.000 Our God is powerful. 00:38:32.120 --> 00:38:33.980 And so we stand firm 00:38:33.980 --> 00:38:34.900 against the schemes 00:38:34.900 --> 00:38:35.480 of the devil 00:38:35.480 --> 00:38:37.960 by praying together. 00:38:39.240 --> 00:38:40.920 We must pray. 00:38:42.519 --> 00:38:43.640 And it's united 00:38:43.640 --> 00:38:44.540 that we stand. 00:38:44.900 --> 00:38:46.160 Let me pray for that. 00:38:55.160 --> 00:38:56.060 God in heaven, 00:38:56.280 --> 00:38:59.840 would you help us 00:38:59.840 --> 00:39:00.280 to pray? 00:39:00.880 --> 00:39:01.740 Would you help us 00:39:01.740 --> 00:39:03.200 to express our dependence 00:39:03.200 --> 00:39:03.820 on you 00:39:03.820 --> 00:39:05.540 and our interdependence 00:39:05.540 --> 00:39:06.360 with each other 00:39:06.360 --> 00:39:08.260 by praying more and more? 00:39:09.019 --> 00:39:09.720 God, I pray 00:39:09.720 --> 00:39:11.360 that you'd give us courage 00:39:11.360 --> 00:39:12.660 in opening our lives 00:39:12.660 --> 00:39:13.340 with one another, 00:39:14.000 --> 00:39:15.260 that we would be willing 00:39:15.260 --> 00:39:16.440 to entrust ourselves 00:39:16.440 --> 00:39:17.320 in such a way 00:39:17.320 --> 00:39:19.240 that we would be praying 00:39:19.240 --> 00:39:20.300 more and more meaningfully 00:39:20.300 --> 00:39:20.940 for one another. 00:39:21.900 --> 00:39:22.700 God, we know 00:39:22.700 --> 00:39:23.800 that the enemy of our souls 00:39:23.800 --> 00:39:25.260 does not want us praying, 00:39:25.260 --> 00:39:27.160 does not want us 00:39:27.160 --> 00:39:28.080 depending on you. 00:39:29.180 --> 00:39:29.640 So God, 00:39:29.720 --> 00:39:31.000 would you give us 00:39:31.000 --> 00:39:32.039 a heart 00:39:32.039 --> 00:39:33.680 to pray more and more 00:39:33.680 --> 00:39:35.980 for the name of Jesus? 00:39:36.980 --> 00:39:37.320 Amen. 00:39:37.320 --> 00:39:37.519 Amen.