How to Pray

Acts 1:8

We are Gifted to Shine the Light

Matthew 5:14-16

**Shine by Attitude, Attention, Affection, and Action:** Discover how our inner thoughts, focus, loves, and deeds can radiate Christ's light, influencing those around us through the integrity of our lives.

We are Gifted to Share our Story

John 4:39

**Share Your Story:** Your personal encounter with Christ is powerful. From life before knowing Jesus, to meeting Him, and the transformative aftermath—your story is a powerful testament to God's love and grace.

We are Gifted to Speak the Gospel

Mark 16:15

**Speak the Gospel:** Learn the essence of the Gospel message—God's love, our separation by sin, Jesus' saving grace, and the decision we all face. This sermon equips you to share these truths clearly and confidently, making eternal differences in listeners' lives.

🔍 Explore the profound truths about the omnipresent Trinity. Dive into the scriptural journey as we explore the role of the Holy Spirit in pivotal moments of the Gospels. Witness the divine plan unfolding as the angel declares the miraculous conception of Jesus through the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:31-35). Experience the Holy Spirit's impact on John the Baptist's ministry and the joyous encounter between Mary and Elizabeth (Luke 1:41, Luke 3:15-16).

👣 Learn how the Holy Spirit leads us in the right direction, following Jesus' example in the wilderness (Luke 4:1). Discover the transformative power of childlike faith and joy, as Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, praises the Father for revealing profound truths to the humble (Luke 10:21).

💧 Quench your thirst for God with the Holy Spirit, symbolized as living water, as Jesus invites all who are thirsty to come and drink (John 7:37-39). Be reminded of Jesus' teachings as the Holy Spirit becomes our Advocate, guiding us in understanding and application (John 14:26).

🗣️ Uncover the Holy Spirit's role in guiding our words and empowering our witnessing. Explore how the Spirit teaches us what to say in crucial moments (Luke 12:12). Embrace the Great Commission as Jesus entrusts us with the authority to make disciples, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20).

📖 Join us as we explore the profound teachings of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 in understanding the divine inspiration of Scripture, and its role in hearing from God. 

⚓ Next, we work through the question, “In addition to Scripture, does God speak today?” Uncover the two extreme opinions on God's communication today - Cessationism and Biblical Neglect - and understand our stance: Scripture is our foundation, and we believe God still speaks through the Holy Spirit. 

👂 Do you have ears to hear? Are you spiritually alive? Do you desire communion with God? Luke 8:14-15 warns against distractions like worry, riches, and pleasures that may hinder spiritual fruitfulness. 

❤️ Zechariah 7:11-12 depicts the consequences of refusing to listen, emphasizing the importance of a tender heart. Begin your journey today, just as Samuel did in 1 Samuel 3:10, by saying, "Speak, your servant is listening." 

🙏 What is Prayer?
The Westminster Shorter Catechism from 1647 defines prayer as "an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.” Louie Giglio beautifully describes prayer as a steady state of awareness that shifts earthly perspectives, plans, and purposes as heaven becomes visible on earth. Simply put, prayer is communication and communion with Almighty, Triune God.

🌟 Praying According to God's Will
Uncover the importance of aligning our prayers with God's will, avoiding the pitfalls of hypocrisy and empty words. Learn from the ultimate prayer-warrior, Jesus, and understand the heart behind genuine prayers.

🕊️ Intimacy and Respect
Explore the intimacy and respect inherent in addressing God as "Our Father in heaven." Discover prayer’s power in healing the father wound and embracing the same Father who helped Jesus, assuring us of His guidance and support.

🌍 Bringing Heaven to Earth
Unlock the meaning behind "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Learn how to align with God's kingdom above earthly concerns, political affiliations, and personal ambitions.

🍞 Daily Dependence on God
Acknowledge your dependence on God with "Give us this day our daily bread,” recognizing that God supplies our needs beyond material blessings.

💔 Forgiveness and Breaking Barriers
Explore the connection between forgiving others and receiving forgiveness, breaking the barrier of bitterness. Learn how bitterness can act as a barrier to unlocking the abundant life God has for us.

🛡️ Resisting Temptation and Spiritual Warfare
Learn to pray against temptation and deliverance from evil. Learn how Jesus handled  piritual warfare depicted in Matthew 4 and gain insights from 1 Peter 5:8-11 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

🙌 Vertical and Horizontal Movements
Discover the vertical and horizontal movements in prayer, focusing on God first and then personal concerns. Embrace the transformative power of prayer as you pray up, pray in, and pray out.

Let's come together as a church family to embrace the transformative power of prayer, following the guidance of Scriptures in John 14:13 and James 5:16. Join us in this spiritual journey of building faith through the profound art of prayer.

🌟 GRACE Discover the foundational role of grace – an undeserved favor and free gift that starts your eternal life. Explore how grace builds your abundant life through powerful verses like Romans 3:23 and 1 Corinthians 15:10. Let's cultivate a deep recognition of God's activity in our lives. 

🔍 FAITH Define faith anchored in truth with Hebrews 11:1. Understand the significance of faith acting like God is telling the truth, grounded in a substantial foundation. We'll explore 1 Peter 1:3 and learn how faith, when rooted in a solid foundation, leads to a real and meaningful experience with God. 

🙌 OBEDIENCE Ephesians 2:8 lays the groundwork for understanding that obedience flows from faith. We'll debunk misconceptions about the relationship between faith and obedience, emphasizing how faith creates obedience. Be inspired to focus on faith, knowing that obedience authenticates your faith. 

💓 Feelings Explore the role of feelings in faith, as we discuss how some people feel their way to faith. Uncover the importance of keeping our eyes on Jesus, as Hebrews 12:2 teaches. Prepare for a 21-day journey of fasting, praying, and reading your Bible, creating an opportunity for life-changing experiences. 

🙏 Are you ready for a transformative journey? Join us as we embark on a 21-day challenge of Building Faith. Let's pray big prayers, support one another, and seek positive life changes together.