When Great Things Happen
February 10, 2008
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Text: Luke 11:1-13
To-do lists? Daily activities - natural (eat), learned (banjo), life changing – Have you learned activity that has changed your life? As Disciples? Prayer! God will teach us “to pray.” This one activity that will change your life! In prayer great things happen!
Jesus gives us the why and the way to pray!
1) Life lines up in Prayer!
V1-4 - Jesus teaches us that prayer will line up our lives!
Our father - what joy! His will - what hope -His provision - our need – His grace - our relationships - To err is human, to forgive Divine - His guidance - our walk - Gentle Shepherd
I need him every day!
How the real person comes out after the first meeting
2) Faith acts up in prayer
V5-9 - God does not have to be cajoled out of bed! A) Because of who God is - I will be bold and shameless! You have confidence - God will answer! 1 John 5:14-15
God is willing, are you wailing?
”I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” - Proverbs 8:17
Truth - you have not because you ask not! Take God at his word (strong and courageous) and act up in faith!
How we as parents want so bad for our children - Same with God
3) God shows up in prayer
V 11-13 - God gives the best gift -Himself! The Holy Spirit!
Receive more than I asked for! God Himself! Wisdom – Guidance – strength – revival –cleansing – holiness - When God shows up you will never be the same!
Then as you go God keeps showing up!
”But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." - Acts 1:8
Conclusion
Why does God delay – Prayer - An activity that you do?
1) Spiritual Warfare - but the answer could be on the way - Daniel 10
2) God could be molding you - preparing you for a task or a test
3) God may be humbling you - Pride must be eliminated! Holiness!
4) God is waiting for faith - “Our blessed affluence not our blessed assurance!”
5) That the answer we receive may be prized when we receive it
6) For the benefit of those watching
7) That he might give us the best, not what is adequate.
Jesus gives us the why and the way to pray! Great things will happen! Pray!