WEBVTT 00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:11.820 Well, good evening folks, as has already been said, my name is Alistair. I have the privilege of being the assistant pastor here at the church and the privilege of tackling this very difficult topic for us this evening. 00:00:12.359 --> 00:00:21.219 Now, if any of you know me well, you'll know that I love a good book. I read quite a lot. And recently I was reading this book called Joy in the Sorrow. 00:00:21.719 --> 00:00:28.940 And in this book, you hear stories of how people have been through some horrible situations in life. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.460 And yet they still cling to their faith in Jesus Christ. 00:00:34.480 --> 00:00:39.719 In this book, you hear stories of parents losing a child at one year old. 00:00:40.620 --> 00:00:51.859 You hear stories of husbands losing wives, wives losing husbands, of families broken by the horrible reality and suddenness of death. 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:56.060 And all the while praying that God would intervene. 00:00:56.060 --> 00:01:05.439 All the while thinking, how on earth does this fit into God's good plan for his people? 00:01:07.420 --> 00:01:13.060 One of the testimonies in this book is of a boy born with a body riddled with illness. 00:01:14.099 --> 00:01:18.379 For the first 10 years of his life, it was doubtful whether he would survive. 00:01:18.379 --> 00:01:24.379 And after many operations and many hospital visits, he was able to go home. 00:01:25.619 --> 00:01:32.679 But people prayed and prayed and prayed for this young man to be healed of his ailments. 00:01:32.879 --> 00:01:37.459 So that he could live a normal life and enjoy life to the full. 00:01:37.459 --> 00:01:40.279 But all to no avail. 00:01:42.219 --> 00:01:46.439 Sure, the boy was able to go home and survive and he's a little bit older now. 00:01:47.319 --> 00:01:50.519 But the reality is that his life expectancy isn't long. 00:01:53.119 --> 00:01:55.319 His body is failing him. 00:01:55.319 --> 00:01:59.019 Even after so many people prayed for him. 00:01:59.039 --> 00:02:01.339 And you can imagine, can't you, in that situation. 00:02:02.199 --> 00:02:07.759 That after every single amen that was said, the parents and the boy were crying out. 00:02:08.819 --> 00:02:10.000 It doesn't matter. 00:02:11.400 --> 00:02:13.259 I'm not seeing a change. 00:02:13.879 --> 00:02:14.859 I'm not healed. 00:02:16.019 --> 00:02:17.639 Is God even listening? 00:02:18.019 --> 00:02:19.419 Does he care for me? 00:02:19.419 --> 00:02:26.879 Or maybe they were thinking, well, if God is sovereign and this is God's will for him to be sick, 00:02:27.519 --> 00:02:28.819 why bother praying at all? 00:02:33.219 --> 00:02:37.179 Those are the difficult questions that many of us have wrestled with. 00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:40.519 And maybe you're still wrestling with them this evening. 00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:45.179 And that's the difficult question that we have before us this evening. 00:02:45.299 --> 00:02:48.039 Do my prayers make any difference? 00:02:48.039 --> 00:02:50.359 It is a real question. 00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:53.159 It is a raw question. 00:02:53.599 --> 00:02:58.879 Because many of us ask this question in the midst of storms. 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:03.939 When we've got times of fiery trials. 00:03:06.439 --> 00:03:08.340 In times of immense suffering. 00:03:08.560 --> 00:03:10.879 And it is asked with hope in our eyes. 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:14.079 Please, let there be a difference. 00:03:14.080 --> 00:03:20.720 And it's a question that involves how we respond to the sovereignty of God. 00:03:20.920 --> 00:03:25.040 How we deal with God being in control and Lord over all things. 00:03:27.100 --> 00:03:32.140 But before we can deal with this question, we need to ask two fundamental questions first. 00:03:32.300 --> 00:03:33.100 What is prayer? 00:03:33.980 --> 00:03:35.300 And what do I pray for? 00:03:35.300 --> 00:03:42.360 And only once we have an answer to these questions, will we be able to tackle this tough question before us. 00:03:43.420 --> 00:03:47.500 But let me start by saying that prayer does change things. 00:03:48.300 --> 00:03:49.880 It absolutely does. 00:03:49.879 --> 00:03:56.960 Because often in my own experience, I have found that prayer, whilst it may not change the situation I'm praying about. 00:03:57.519 --> 00:04:01.400 It certainly changes my heart and my perception of what God is doing. 00:04:01.879 --> 00:04:07.180 Because it makes me run to God and depend on Him. 00:04:07.180 --> 00:04:11.879 So if all else is forgotten, that remains. 00:04:13.260 --> 00:04:20.500 That through prayer, we have the privilege of entering the throne room of God Almighty and calling Him Father. 00:04:22.400 --> 00:04:24.199 That is enough for a reason to pray. 00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:28.800 So let's dive in and ask that first question. 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:31.019 What is prayer? 00:04:31.019 --> 00:04:38.139 Now in the busyness of life, the temptation is to reel off a shopping list style prayer, isn't it? 00:04:39.719 --> 00:04:44.519 We get so distracted that we end up telling God all the things we want Him to do. 00:04:44.579 --> 00:04:49.819 And it's normally followed by exactly the way we want Him to fix our lives. 00:04:52.199 --> 00:04:55.659 But prayer is much more than us telling God what we want. 00:04:56.879 --> 00:05:00.740 We shouldn't treat God the way children treat Santa Claus. 00:05:01.019 --> 00:05:07.079 John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim's Progress, said this about prayer. 00:05:08.079 --> 00:05:16.919 Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God through Christ 00:05:16.919 --> 00:05:23.240 in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit for such things as God has promised. 00:05:24.060 --> 00:05:30.659 Or according to His word for the good of the church with submission in faith to the will of God. 00:05:31.019 --> 00:05:43.620 At its most simplistic form, prayer is when a sinful but redeemed human being speaks with a holy and perfect God. 00:05:43.620 --> 00:05:48.040 The Bible is how God speaks to us. 00:05:48.399 --> 00:05:56.399 In it we see His word revealed so that we can know Him and respond to Him rightly and call Him Father. 00:05:57.899 --> 00:06:02.420 So in the Bible He communicates with us and in prayer we communicate with God. 00:06:02.420 --> 00:06:10.480 And the Bible tells us that the aim of every Christian is to grow in their likeness of Jesus Christ. 00:06:11.379 --> 00:06:15.100 It's the process that we call sanctification. 00:06:16.540 --> 00:06:18.280 Becoming more like Him every day. 00:06:18.279 --> 00:06:26.979 And prayer is one of the means that God by His grace has given us to help us in that growth, 00:06:27.119 --> 00:06:29.679 in that process of becoming more like Jesus. 00:06:30.059 --> 00:06:36.019 It is our way of expressing our utter dependency on Christ. 00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:39.919 So prayer is not a shopping list. 00:06:42.240 --> 00:06:45.359 But it is the times when we speak to God and praise Him. 00:06:46.039 --> 00:06:48.740 For the almighty and powerful God that He is. 00:06:48.799 --> 00:06:52.839 We give Him honour, worship and thanks. 00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:55.680 Because He has called us and set us apart. 00:06:55.819 --> 00:06:59.259 He has taken us from being dead in our sins and trespasses. 00:06:59.719 --> 00:07:01.719 To being alive in Christ. 00:07:01.720 --> 00:07:07.300 When we look back over our lives and see how God has done that. 00:07:07.800 --> 00:07:09.700 Taken us from darkness to light. 00:07:10.700 --> 00:07:14.500 We can't help but thank God and praise Him. 00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:14.960 Can we? 00:07:17.180 --> 00:07:19.940 Prayer also reminds us that everything we own. 00:07:21.200 --> 00:07:22.140 Everything we are. 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:25.800 Everything we can see and touch belongs to God. 00:07:27.980 --> 00:07:29.520 Everything comes from Him. 00:07:29.519 --> 00:07:35.399 And when we remember that, there will be no end to our bowing down with thanksgiving to Him. 00:07:38.279 --> 00:07:40.159 And by God's grace we can do that. 00:07:41.579 --> 00:07:46.379 Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we can come before God and pray to Him. 00:07:46.799 --> 00:07:48.259 Give Him praise and thanks. 00:07:48.379 --> 00:07:49.620 Give Him honour and worship. 00:07:49.859 --> 00:07:51.379 Confess our sins. 00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:57.039 And, yes, bring our needs before a God who loves us and who listens to us. 00:07:57.040 --> 00:08:01.819 Prayer is ours communicating with our great Father in heaven. 00:08:04.580 --> 00:08:07.819 So there should be no such thing as a non-praying Christian. 00:08:09.260 --> 00:08:11.740 The reformer Martin Luther famously said, 00:08:11.840 --> 00:08:16.540 To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. 00:08:16.540 --> 00:08:28.800 Prayer is not a nice option that we can choose to take up and stop as we please. 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:31.000 But it is required. 00:08:32.879 --> 00:08:35.919 And we'd expect that of a healthy relationship, wouldn't we? 00:08:36.019 --> 00:08:36.940 Good communication. 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:45.899 Imagine how my wife Sabina would feel if I came home from work one day and I just sat at the dinner table and all night, 00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:46.940 I didn't say a word to her. 00:08:47.139 --> 00:08:48.940 I just stared at her and listened. 00:08:48.940 --> 00:08:51.980 Or think of the other extreme. 00:08:52.360 --> 00:08:55.380 I open the door and before I've even taken my jacket off, 00:08:55.980 --> 00:08:59.120 I've rushed into how my day was. 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:01.920 The ups and downs and difficulties and joys. 00:09:02.920 --> 00:09:07.180 And then I go sit in front of the TV and I turn it on and as Sabina's in the other room, 00:09:07.260 --> 00:09:10.160 I'm screaming at her all of the things I want her to do 00:09:10.160 --> 00:09:12.780 and how exactly I want her to fix them. 00:09:14.440 --> 00:09:15.940 Because that will suit me better. 00:09:15.940 --> 00:09:19.380 How do you think she'd feel? 00:09:22.340 --> 00:09:25.280 Now we can laugh and have fun. 00:09:26.320 --> 00:09:30.120 But in reality, how often do we treat God exactly like that? 00:09:31.980 --> 00:09:35.500 How often do we simply ignore prayer at the one extreme 00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:42.920 or give God our shopping list of requests for that day on the other extreme? 00:09:45.940 --> 00:09:47.120 Prayer is not magic. 00:09:48.460 --> 00:09:51.520 God is not our own personal blessing dispenser 00:09:51.520 --> 00:09:55.340 who has to grant every single desire of our hearts. 00:09:57.560 --> 00:10:00.800 Prayer should be leading us to run to God, 00:10:00.900 --> 00:10:02.740 to give Him thanks and praise Him 00:10:02.740 --> 00:10:05.440 and ask for His will to be done. 00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:11.980 Every Christian should want to pray and communicate with their wonderful Savior. 00:10:12.780 --> 00:10:14.020 And if we don't, 00:10:14.920 --> 00:10:16.620 then there is a problem in our hearts. 00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:21.500 And when that is the focus of our prayers, 00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:23.080 that God would be glorified, 00:10:23.760 --> 00:10:28.840 then the question we have about whether or not they make a difference 00:10:28.840 --> 00:10:30.620 almost becomes secondary. 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:36.519 Because our main concern is that we are growing in the likeness of Jesus Christ 00:10:36.519 --> 00:10:39.740 and living in a way that glorifies God. 00:10:41.820 --> 00:10:45.620 So that is a really important backdrop to the answer of, 00:10:45.779 --> 00:10:47.200 do my prayers make any difference? 00:10:47.379 --> 00:10:48.139 What is prayer? 00:10:49.600 --> 00:10:53.399 And so if prayer is communication between the Christian and God, 00:10:53.399 --> 00:10:56.120 the next question is, what do I pray for? 00:10:56.120 --> 00:11:03.879 I think the first thing to know is that no amount of praying 00:11:03.879 --> 00:11:07.440 can twist God's arm or change His mind. 00:11:08.700 --> 00:11:12.740 There are things that He has agreed in eternity that will come to pass 00:11:12.740 --> 00:11:15.379 and nothing, nothing will stop them. 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:20.940 For example, every Christian in the world could gather in one place 00:11:20.940 --> 00:11:24.820 and pray that the Lord Jesus Christ would not return. 00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:27.960 And it would not make a difference in the slightest. 00:11:28.840 --> 00:11:31.800 Because God has ordained that it would happen. 00:11:32.280 --> 00:11:35.620 That Jesus will return as the Bible makes abundantly clear. 00:11:38.520 --> 00:11:40.600 Could someone just get the back door, please? 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:45.320 There are a number of places that we could turn to in Scripture 00:11:45.320 --> 00:11:48.000 where we find examples of prayer. 00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:49.720 And we can use them as guides 00:11:49.720 --> 00:11:53.600 or even as prayers that we recite together as a church family. 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:56.740 So for example, you have the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6 00:11:56.740 --> 00:12:02.460 or Romans 15, Ephesians 1, Philippians 1, Colossians 1. 00:12:02.659 --> 00:12:06.139 And we could go on and on of all the prayers in Scripture. 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:10.220 And in each of those passages, we find a prayer life 00:12:10.220 --> 00:12:13.840 that I think will be radically different from the one we are living out. 00:12:13.840 --> 00:12:18.800 You'll find petitions for spiritual maturity. 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:22.280 Prayers for God to be glorified, 00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:24.040 for Christians to be built up, 00:12:24.100 --> 00:12:26.040 for the church to be faithful, 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:29.940 for teachers to remain faithful to God's Word 00:12:29.940 --> 00:12:31.500 and firm in their convictions, 00:12:31.680 --> 00:12:34.160 and for God to be the center of all things. 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:39.539 But tonight, I'd like to turn your attention to Ephesians 3. 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:42.819 And it would be helpful if you have that passage open in front of you. 00:12:43.439 --> 00:12:45.719 Ephesians 3, verses 14 to 21. 00:12:45.839 --> 00:12:48.699 I've chosen this passage because in it, 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:53.339 we see the Apostle Paul's prayer for the Christians in Ephesus. 00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:58.000 And because I am so challenged by this prayer, 00:12:58.960 --> 00:13:03.660 and how in reality my prayer is absolutely nothing compared to this standard. 00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:08.180 So in these verses, Paul has two petitions, 00:13:08.360 --> 00:13:10.879 and you'll see those in verses 16 and 18, 00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:14.759 that the Christians in Ephesus would have power. 00:13:16.100 --> 00:13:20.660 But he isn't praying that they would have some kind of electrical boost, 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:23.740 or mystical force running through their veins 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:25.839 to carry them through the struggles of life. 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:30.860 He isn't asking that God would make them into the Duracell bunnies 00:13:30.860 --> 00:13:32.719 that we see advertised on TV, 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:34.839 who can run longer than any other battery. 00:13:39.959 --> 00:13:44.480 This isn't just so that they can be seen as good Christian folks. 00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:49.620 Paul prays all of this in light of God's glory. 00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:55.219 That these Christians would see God's glory revealed in their own lives, 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:56.759 and praise Him for it. 00:13:58.539 --> 00:14:03.779 So Paul's desired result for his first petition is seen in verse 17. 00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:07.159 That Christ may dwell in their hearts. 00:14:07.620 --> 00:14:10.659 Meaning that Christ would be the unchangeable, 00:14:10.860 --> 00:14:13.500 immovable factor in the life of the Christian, 00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:15.500 and that they would grow in Him. 00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:21.980 which will result in a life that is wholly dedicated to praising God. 00:14:24.980 --> 00:14:29.259 And then Paul's desired result for his second petition in verse 18, 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:32.200 is that Christians would grasp how high, 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.740 how wide, 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:34.759 how deep, 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:38.320 and how all-encompassing the love of Christ is. 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:42.460 that they would see that it is beyond, 00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:44.660 far beyond human comprehension. 00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:49.220 That's what Paul is praying for these Christians. 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:52.740 When was the last time you prayed that for somebody? 00:14:55.460 --> 00:14:58.440 Being honest, I think my prayer life is nowhere near this. 00:14:58.440 --> 00:15:03.380 And notice how Paul ends his prayer. 00:15:03.680 --> 00:15:05.100 In verses 20 to 21, 00:15:05.200 --> 00:15:07.180 the very reason for his praying, 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:10.600 is so that God would be glorified. 00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:17.960 And so he breaks into this magnificent praise of God, 00:15:18.080 --> 00:15:21.060 who can do immeasurably more than we can even ask, 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:22.460 or even think. 00:15:26.139 --> 00:15:27.779 Friends, that is who we're praying to. 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:31.100 God is not some distant, 00:15:31.920 --> 00:15:32.480 far-off, 00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:33.379 cold-hearted, 00:15:33.580 --> 00:15:34.340 deaf deity, 00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:36.399 but He is our Father. 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:41.139 And the focus of our prayer should be His glory. 00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:47.459 We should be praying to see the glory of God in each other's lives, 00:15:47.579 --> 00:15:49.720 so that we can point each other to God, 00:15:49.939 --> 00:15:50.799 to Christ, 00:15:50.919 --> 00:15:52.379 and praise His holy name. 00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:54.840 Praying that way, 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:58.340 praying for the things that Scripture tells us to, 00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:01.199 will keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. 00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:05.559 It will keep the glory of God as our main focus, 00:16:05.559 --> 00:16:06.419 an aim in life, 00:16:06.479 --> 00:16:07.379 and it will mean, 00:16:07.979 --> 00:16:09.299 that we want our prayers, 00:16:09.579 --> 00:16:12.539 to be in accordance with the will of God. 00:16:14.339 --> 00:16:16.739 Now we don't know the entirety of God's will. 00:16:17.719 --> 00:16:19.099 Sure, we know some things, 00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:21.199 that have been revealed to us in the Bible. 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:24.079 That God will build His church, 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:26.599 and the gates of hell will not prevail against her. 00:16:28.559 --> 00:16:31.919 That sinners will be called from darkness to light, 00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:34.459 and that Jesus Christ will return. 00:16:38.599 --> 00:16:40.099 We don't know when that will happen. 00:16:41.159 --> 00:16:44.039 But we're called to pray for people to hear the gospel. 00:16:45.779 --> 00:16:47.759 We're called to build each other up, 00:16:47.819 --> 00:16:49.099 and we're called to witness, 00:16:50.339 --> 00:16:52.959 and be witnesses of the glory of God. 00:16:53.079 --> 00:16:55.259 Therefore, pray these things, 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:59.720 and see God's name lifted above every other name. 00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:03.559 So if that is what prayer is, 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:06.279 and if that is what we should pray for, 00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:08.640 then we come to our final question of, 00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:10.700 does it make a difference? 00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:15.420 Why would we ask this question? 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:21.379 Maybe because our prayers are going unanswered, 00:17:21.380 --> 00:17:23.500 or we think they're going unanswered. 00:17:24.880 --> 00:17:27.640 Maybe because we believe in the sovereignty of God, 00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:30.060 and are trying to reconcile in our minds, 00:17:30.280 --> 00:17:33.000 how our petitions and prayer requests, 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:35.160 fit with God's sovereignty. 00:17:35.800 --> 00:17:37.400 It's a good question to ask. 00:17:38.840 --> 00:17:40.500 Or maybe you're asking this question, 00:17:40.560 --> 00:17:41.340 because you're hurting. 00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:45.680 This is a real question, 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:48.840 and often people ask it when they're struggling. 00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:52.660 Often, as Christians, 00:17:52.840 --> 00:17:56.100 we pray for some very difficult situations. 00:17:57.860 --> 00:18:00.980 Sometimes it can feel that our prayers do go unanswered, 00:18:01.120 --> 00:18:03.860 and that can be tremendously difficult. 00:18:06.340 --> 00:18:09.820 But the important thing is how we respond in those situations. 00:18:11.340 --> 00:18:14.720 How do we respond when God, in His sovereignty, 00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:17.080 doesn't seem to be answering our prayer? 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:20.599 Does it make us run away from God, 00:18:20.659 --> 00:18:22.799 because we didn't get what we wanted? 00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:25.699 Or does it make us run to Him, 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.980 and depend on Him, 00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:29.079 because He knows what's best for us? 00:18:32.139 --> 00:18:33.799 It's also important to recognize, 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.559 that when people ask this question, 00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:38.099 they're asking it from a good place. 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:40.099 And by that, I mean, 00:18:40.179 --> 00:18:41.460 that they're asking the question, 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:43.439 from the position of being a Christian, 00:18:43.619 --> 00:18:44.779 and trusting in God. 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:48.799 And in His sovereignty. 00:18:50.139 --> 00:18:51.019 Now maybe you're thinking, 00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:51.700 well, Alistair, 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:54.200 how is our understanding of the sovereignty of God 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:54.940 a good thing, 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:56.720 when it comes to our prayer lives? 00:18:58.559 --> 00:18:59.539 Well, it's important, 00:18:59.619 --> 00:19:00.379 because in prayer, 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:03.220 we are throwing ourselves on the God of the universe, 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:05.099 who is almighty, 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:06.660 who is powerful, 00:19:07.019 --> 00:19:08.319 who can work wonders, 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.399 and who is good, 00:19:09.819 --> 00:19:10.460 and faithful, 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.519 and trustworthy. 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:15.559 I personally find, 00:19:15.619 --> 00:19:16.420 the sovereignty of God, 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:17.480 such a relief, 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:19.879 because it means, 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:21.660 that things don't happen, 00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:23.319 based on my prayer life. 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:24.740 And thank goodness for that. 00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:28.200 I know that God is in control, 00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:29.960 so the hinges of the universe, 00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:32.480 are not fixed on my prayer life. 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:34.400 How much of a mess, 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:35.119 would the world be, 00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:36.019 if that were the case? 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:40.119 The sovereignty of God, 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:41.319 shouldn't make us question, 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:43.359 the importance of our prayers. 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:46.220 But it should give us, 00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:48.480 a greater reason to adore God. 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:50.960 Because we have the privilege, 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:51.819 by His goodness, 00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:52.700 grace, 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:53.319 and mercy, 00:19:53.319 --> 00:19:54.559 to come before Him, 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:55.859 and praise Him, 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:56.859 and thank Him, 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:57.759 for all He has done. 00:19:59.879 --> 00:20:01.279 Once we come to God, 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:02.720 with that attitude, 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:04.559 and that understanding, 00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:06.720 of what prayer is, 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:07.860 that it is not just, 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:09.339 a shopping list of needs, 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:11.039 but we trust God, 00:20:11.100 --> 00:20:11.920 because He is sovereign, 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:12.960 then our question, 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:13.980 of whether or not, 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:15.299 our prayers make a difference, 00:20:15.600 --> 00:20:16.579 becomes secondary, 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:17.880 because our focus, 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:19.039 is the glory of God. 00:20:21.640 --> 00:20:23.059 But we do need to be honest, 00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:23.920 about this question, 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:26.220 and say that we, 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:28.519 really will never know, 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.559 how prayer, 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:30.440 and God's sovereignty, 00:20:30.620 --> 00:20:31.240 work together. 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:32.319 Yes, 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:33.480 many of us do have, 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:35.059 the joys of answered prayer. 00:20:36.380 --> 00:20:37.160 Some of us, 00:20:37.180 --> 00:20:38.059 will have our prayers, 00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:38.940 answered in a way, 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.900 that we didn't expect. 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:41.900 And some of us, 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:42.759 will have a long, 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:43.980 long list, 00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:45.539 of prayers, 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:47.200 that seem to be unanswered. 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:50.559 But what remains, 00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:52.059 is that we trust, 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:53.079 in a good God. 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:54.880 And He commands us, 00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:55.380 to pray, 00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:56.680 and all of His commands, 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:58.099 are for our own good. 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.220 That is why, 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:00.880 that we can trust, 00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:01.700 and rely on Him. 00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:04.880 Because of His nature, 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:06.740 as a wonderful Father, 00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:07.839 and a great Savior. 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:11.039 We also need to recognize, 00:21:11.259 --> 00:21:13.140 that it isn't necessarily wise, 00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:14.000 to speculate, 00:21:14.339 --> 00:21:15.000 why prayers, 00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:16.120 aren't being answered. 00:21:18.620 --> 00:21:19.460 There are, 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:20.600 certain indications, 00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:21.460 why prayers, 00:21:21.559 --> 00:21:22.480 could be hindered, 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.180 in scripture. 00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:25.360 And we do need to be real, 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:26.460 and question, 00:21:26.580 --> 00:21:27.320 our own hearts, 00:21:27.360 --> 00:21:28.019 and motives, 00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:29.100 for why we're praying, 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:30.060 certain things. 00:21:30.700 --> 00:21:31.799 And we need to see, 00:21:31.880 --> 00:21:32.840 if our lives, 00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:34.140 match up with our words. 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:37.620 But the main thing, 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:38.620 is to rest in God, 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:39.380 because friends, 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.440 He is God, 00:21:40.820 --> 00:21:41.720 and we are not. 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:44.799 He is the almighty, 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:45.720 powerful God, 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.660 who has a plan, 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.200 and purpose, 00:21:47.299 --> 00:21:48.120 for all things. 00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:49.379 And He knows, 00:21:49.419 --> 00:21:50.179 the whole story, 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:51.339 from beginning to end. 00:21:53.419 --> 00:21:55.019 We only get a short snippet, 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:55.399 of that, 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.199 in this world. 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:59.139 But I can still see, 00:21:59.219 --> 00:22:00.219 questions out there, 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.000 on your minds. 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:03.199 About how prayer works, 00:22:03.199 --> 00:22:04.039 and I'd like to just, 00:22:04.139 --> 00:22:05.099 give you two examples, 00:22:05.399 --> 00:22:05.500 that, 00:22:06.239 --> 00:22:07.119 to show us, 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:08.239 how our prayers, 00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:09.299 are both important, 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:11.259 and necessary. 00:22:12.339 --> 00:22:12.819 Regardless, 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.079 of the outcome, 00:22:14.159 --> 00:22:14.879 of the situation. 00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:17.059 So the first example, 00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:18.179 is how our prayers, 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:20.000 is about our prayers, 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:20.579 of confession, 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:21.879 and how as Christians, 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.720 they are always, 00:22:24.419 --> 00:22:25.079 always, 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:26.179 an answered prayer. 00:22:27.859 --> 00:22:29.079 Every single day, 00:22:29.159 --> 00:22:30.399 we go out into life, 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:31.419 in this broken world, 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:32.039 and we sin. 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:34.099 We feel crushed, 00:22:34.679 --> 00:22:35.460 and burdened, 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:36.240 by temptation. 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:37.759 We fail, 00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:39.379 and we disobey, 00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.119 God's words. 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:42.720 Therefore, 00:22:42.899 --> 00:22:43.440 every day, 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:44.179 we run back, 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.299 to our heavenly Father, 00:22:45.419 --> 00:22:45.659 and say, 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:45.879 God, 00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:46.559 I am sorry, 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:48.019 I have sinned, 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:48.599 again, 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:49.819 and again, 00:22:50.139 --> 00:22:50.839 and again. 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:53.099 And the wonderful news, 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.399 is that every single day, 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.559 we pray that prayer, 00:22:55.619 --> 00:22:56.359 of confession. 00:22:57.319 --> 00:22:58.200 Jesus says, 00:22:58.579 --> 00:22:59.039 paid. 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:02.319 Prayer answered. 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.879 Sin gone. 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:07.359 Isn't that mind-blowing, 00:23:07.659 --> 00:23:08.539 wonderful news? 00:23:09.419 --> 00:23:10.539 That there is always, 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.480 an answered prayer, 00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:12.579 every single day, 00:23:12.659 --> 00:23:14.019 because we stand here, 00:23:14.159 --> 00:23:14.500 forgiven. 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:17.539 Now, 00:23:17.579 --> 00:23:18.039 let me give you, 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:18.779 another example, 00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:20.680 of this question, 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:21.920 from my own personal life, 00:23:22.319 --> 00:23:23.599 and see how, 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:25.119 I've come to realize, 00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:27.059 that regardless, 00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:28.200 of whether my prayers, 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:29.000 are answered or not, 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:30.019 I can trust God. 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:32.279 So in 2013, 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:34.420 in the October, 00:23:34.660 --> 00:23:35.859 I began to have, 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:37.000 a severe, 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:38.400 constant migraine. 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:39.859 The doctors, 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:41.019 can't understand it, 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:42.200 medication, 00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:43.400 doesn't help. 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:45.319 And it means, 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:45.940 that I am in, 00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:47.259 constant severe pain, 00:23:47.619 --> 00:23:48.259 every minute, 00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:48.980 of every day. 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:50.339 And it affects my life, 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:50.859 quite a lot. 00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:52.400 This means, 00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:53.180 I can't sleep. 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.599 I'm always tired. 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.440 I'm always in agony, 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.539 and I am suffering. 00:23:59.119 --> 00:24:00.319 Every single day, 00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:01.379 since that began, 00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:02.660 I have prayed, 00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.259 for healing. 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:04.960 Sabina, 00:24:05.139 --> 00:24:05.579 my wife, 00:24:05.619 --> 00:24:05.960 has prayed, 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:06.339 for healing. 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.019 My family, 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:07.500 have prayed, 00:24:07.579 --> 00:24:07.920 for healing. 00:24:08.080 --> 00:24:09.100 And many Christians, 00:24:09.320 --> 00:24:10.220 have prayed, 00:24:10.340 --> 00:24:10.800 for healing. 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.940 But nothing has changed. 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:13.360 In fact, 00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:13.840 it's actually, 00:24:13.840 --> 00:24:14.779 just got worse. 00:24:16.860 --> 00:24:18.180 Have I asked myself, 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:18.920 do my prayers, 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.940 make any difference? 00:24:20.800 --> 00:24:21.759 Or asked God, 00:24:21.880 --> 00:24:22.720 why are you not, 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.279 healing me, 00:24:23.340 --> 00:24:24.039 from this suffering? 00:24:24.820 --> 00:24:25.700 Well of course I have. 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:27.140 I'd be lying, 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:28.220 if I said I haven't. 00:24:29.580 --> 00:24:31.060 But the reality is, 00:24:31.060 --> 00:24:31.900 that this illness, 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:33.160 may never go away. 00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:34.740 And so I have, 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:35.400 two options. 00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:36.880 One, 00:24:36.880 --> 00:24:38.420 I can let this, 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:39.860 make me angry at God, 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:40.520 and cry out, 00:24:40.580 --> 00:24:41.100 injustice. 00:24:44.080 --> 00:24:45.300 Or I can make it, 00:24:45.760 --> 00:24:46.820 force me to run, 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:48.140 into the hands of my Savior, 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:49.280 who gives me strength, 00:24:49.360 --> 00:24:50.180 to live life. 00:24:52.760 --> 00:24:53.200 Friends, 00:24:53.280 --> 00:24:54.020 the second option, 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:54.740 is far better, 00:24:55.260 --> 00:24:56.720 and far more freeing, 00:24:56.820 --> 00:24:57.260 in life. 00:24:57.259 --> 00:25:07.279 having that second response, 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:10.099 requires a change, 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:11.079 of heart, 00:25:11.140 --> 00:25:12.000 which comes from, 00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:13.200 a result of trusting, 00:25:13.359 --> 00:25:13.799 in God. 00:25:14.379 --> 00:25:15.619 Because only he knows, 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.180 what's best. 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:17.339 He knows the reason, 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:17.819 why. 00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:19.940 And somehow, 00:25:20.359 --> 00:25:21.140 he knows, 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:22.420 that this will glorify him. 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:26.060 One of the biggest things, 00:25:26.060 --> 00:25:26.920 that my prayers, 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:27.840 over these last, 00:25:27.840 --> 00:25:29.340 six years of suffering, 00:25:29.420 --> 00:25:29.900 have done, 00:25:30.080 --> 00:25:31.720 is change my heart, 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.940 in response, 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:34.039 to this whole situation. 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:37.660 And the reality is, 00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:39.060 that if I stop, 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:39.940 praying for healing, 00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:42.160 then somehow, 00:25:42.340 --> 00:25:42.779 somehow, 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:44.400 I have this messed up idea, 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:45.519 that I'm strong enough, 00:25:45.840 --> 00:25:47.060 to live without God. 00:25:47.300 --> 00:25:48.340 That I can do it, 00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:49.019 by myself. 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.460 Friends, 00:25:51.619 --> 00:25:52.859 if we answer the question, 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.539 do my prayers, 00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:54.240 make a difference, 00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:54.519 with, 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.440 well God is sovereign, 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.539 therefore I don't need, 00:25:57.639 --> 00:25:58.019 to pray. 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:00.440 That's what we're saying. 00:26:01.379 --> 00:26:02.019 We're saying, 00:26:02.139 --> 00:26:03.079 that we don't need God, 00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:03.740 and we can do it, 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.519 by ourselves. 00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:06.379 And that is, 00:26:06.379 --> 00:26:07.279 categorically, 00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:08.680 not true. 00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:12.180 Even after, 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:13.279 such a long period, 00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:13.839 of suffering, 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:14.819 in my own life, 00:26:15.180 --> 00:26:15.779 it seems, 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:16.400 that my prayers, 00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:17.059 unanswered. 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.000 It doesn't mean, 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.859 that I give up praying. 00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:23.339 It means, 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.519 that I try to live, 00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:26.000 as best I can, 00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:26.980 in my situation, 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:28.140 to praise God, 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:29.240 and glorify Him, 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:31.019 in every way I can. 00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:32.900 And I leave, 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:34.019 the outcome to Him. 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:35.799 Because He, 00:26:36.160 --> 00:26:36.640 is the one, 00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.579 who knows what He's doing. 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:39.859 He is in control, 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.539 and He knows, 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.460 why this is happening. 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:43.000 And maybe, 00:26:43.140 --> 00:26:43.880 there will be a day, 00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:45.259 where I understand it all. 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:48.319 And even if there isn't, 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:50.079 it doesn't matter, 00:26:50.140 --> 00:26:50.480 because, 00:26:50.619 --> 00:26:52.319 it's for His glory. 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.960 And I'm called to trust, 00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:55.819 and glorify Him, 00:26:55.859 --> 00:26:56.380 in everything. 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:58.059 The good times, 00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:59.559 and the bad times. 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:01.859 This illness, 00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:03.339 has been used, 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:03.920 in my life, 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:04.500 to teach me, 00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:05.559 that wonderful truth, 00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:06.079 that Graham, 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:07.039 ended his sermon, 00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:08.000 with a few weeks ago, 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:08.839 in Ecclesiastes. 00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:10.480 That quote, 00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:11.460 from Charles Spurgeon, 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:11.980 that says, 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:13.079 I've learned, 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:14.339 to kiss the waves, 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:15.660 that throw me, 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:17.579 up against the rock of ages. 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:20.960 Our trials, 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:22.019 and our sufferings, 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:22.720 that remain, 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.880 unanswered prayers, 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:24.660 in our lives, 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.480 are an invitation, 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:27.000 for us, 00:27:27.120 --> 00:27:28.240 to trust, 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:29.180 and depend, 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:30.140 more on God. 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:31.860 They are not a reason, 00:27:31.860 --> 00:27:32.740 for us to turn, 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.799 and walk away from Him. 00:27:36.120 --> 00:27:37.360 So do my prayers, 00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:38.039 make a difference? 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:38.880 Yes. 00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:41.800 God is sovereign, 00:27:42.520 --> 00:27:43.600 and His plan, 00:27:43.800 --> 00:27:44.580 will not change, 00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:45.460 but the things, 00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:46.540 will change, 00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:47.720 according to His will, 00:27:47.800 --> 00:27:48.920 and by His grace, 00:27:49.360 --> 00:27:50.060 we're involved, 00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:50.820 in that somehow. 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.340 God's sovereignty, 00:27:54.540 --> 00:27:55.260 means that He is, 00:27:55.600 --> 00:27:56.120 working things, 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:57.780 according to His purpose, 00:27:58.060 --> 00:27:59.080 and our prayer, 00:27:59.080 --> 00:27:59.540 should be, 00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:00.500 that that happens, 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.740 that His will, 00:28:02.840 --> 00:28:03.180 is done. 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.400 No one ever, 00:28:06.540 --> 00:28:07.780 had a deeper understanding, 00:28:08.060 --> 00:28:08.860 of God's sovereignty, 00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:09.640 than Jesus, 00:28:10.840 --> 00:28:11.240 and yet, 00:28:11.300 --> 00:28:12.060 no one ever prayed, 00:28:12.140 --> 00:28:12.960 more than He did. 00:28:14.840 --> 00:28:15.740 Even as Jesus, 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.640 sat and prayed, 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:18.020 in the garden of Gethsemane, 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:18.360 God, 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:19.500 if this be possible, 00:28:19.660 --> 00:28:20.460 take this cup, 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.300 away from me. 00:28:22.900 --> 00:28:23.920 He still bowed, 00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:24.220 His head, 00:28:24.280 --> 00:28:25.140 to the Father's will, 00:28:25.260 --> 00:28:26.420 and walked to the cross, 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.240 and was crucified. 00:28:29.760 --> 00:28:31.340 And because of that death, 00:28:32.080 --> 00:28:33.880 because of His resurrection, 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:36.220 we now have the privilege, 00:28:36.300 --> 00:28:37.820 of coming unhindered, 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:39.579 before the throne of God, 00:28:40.179 --> 00:28:41.159 bringing Him, 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:42.240 our adoration, 00:28:43.379 --> 00:28:44.240 our confession, 00:28:45.419 --> 00:28:46.439 our thanksgiving, 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:48.119 and our prayer requests, 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:50.359 to a God who loves us, 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:53.659 to a God who listens to us, 00:28:53.659 --> 00:28:55.240 because of Jesus Christ, 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:57.399 the perfect Lamb of God, 00:28:57.619 --> 00:28:58.759 who takes away, 00:28:58.759 --> 00:29:00.179 the sins of the world. 00:29:00.180 --> 00:29:02.420 Let's pray together. 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:05.880 Father, 00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:06.420 we thank you, 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.220 that your word, 00:29:08.299 --> 00:29:09.360 tells us, 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:10.539 the wonderful truths, 00:29:10.600 --> 00:29:11.380 of who you are. 00:29:13.140 --> 00:29:14.060 And we thank you, 00:29:14.120 --> 00:29:14.840 for all the commandments, 00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:15.620 that we find, 00:29:15.660 --> 00:29:16.220 in your word, 00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:16.740 and we know, 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:17.600 that they are good. 00:29:20.360 --> 00:29:20.759 Father, 00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:21.420 help us, 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:22.860 in our times of difficulty, 00:29:22.860 --> 00:29:24.060 to pray. 00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:26.680 Help us, 00:29:26.820 --> 00:29:27.259 in times, 00:29:27.340 --> 00:29:28.740 when things are going well, 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.480 to pray. 00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:33.480 And help our prayers, 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:35.259 revolve around, 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:36.779 and be for your glory, 00:29:37.539 --> 00:29:38.240 for the growth, 00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:39.059 of your kingdom, 00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:41.039 and for the renown, 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:42.039 of your Son, 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:43.160 Jesus Christ, 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.579 in whose holy, 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:45.559 and precious name, 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.019 we pray. 00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:47.279 Amen.