Aug 19, 2018
Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Romans 12:12b
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2
“ . . . pray without ceasing . . .” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“ . . . be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12b
GOD’S INVITATION . . .
Prayer is God’s invitation to enter into His presence.
Everything flows from the presence of God.
“You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
MY NEED . . .
Genuine prayer is admitting to God that you desperately need Him.
“ . . . for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5b
“I lift my eyes up to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2
MY WORK . . .
Prayer is work because pressing into Jesus requires pushing against the enemy.
“Satan’s greatest fear is the presence of God. When God shows up in power, Satan must flee—not just walk away, but run. So he continually tempts us to do anything that will abort God’s presence.” Bill Elliff, The Presence-Centered Church
Satan has a way of making the moment seem more appealing than God’s presence.
“And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” Genesis 3:8
What may be keeping you from pressing into the presence of God is your pursuit of the garden but not the God of the garden.
What may be keeping you from desiring to press into the presence of God is your shame.
“Jesus knows the battle. He fought it all the way to the end. And he defeated the monster every time.” John Piper
GOD’S PROMISE . . .
The diligent work of prayer is never wasted. (Revelation 8:1-5)