Mt Pleasant :: Randy Forrester: Prayer and the Friendship of God
Manage episode 422693397 series 3191679
Bible Study
Don't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon:
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Sermon Notes
Growing in faith means growing in prayer. Scripture gives ample teaching on what mature prayer looks like. From Psalm 25, we learn:
- Prayer is Lifting Up Our Souls to God
- V. 1: "To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul"
- This requires trust that God is real and he cares about us
- Prayer is bringing the real me (my soul - my life) into the presence of a real God who really cares
- We Can Ask God for Guidance
- V. 4-5: "Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me"
- Before listing off our requests, which are based on how we view a situation, we might seek first God's perspective
- Asking for God's guidance requires humility (we don't know everything) and patience
- We Can Ask God for Mercy
- V. 6: "Remember your mercy, O Lord"
- Confession is a personal practice of prayer that brings freedom, not condemnation
- We Can Ask God for His Presence
- V. 16: "Turn to me and be gracious to me"
- When the troubles of our hearts are "enlarged" what we need most is God's presence
- In Christ and by the Spirit, God is always with us, even if we don't feel it
- Prayer's Reward is the Friendship of God
- V. 14: "The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him"
- The highest reward of personal prayer to God is not answered prayers (though God does answer prayers!), but a deeper friendship with the Lord
Sermon Application
Discussion Questions:
- Do you like to pray? Why or why not?
- What is the last thing you requested of God in prayer?
- Read Isa 55:8-9. Why is this verse important when we seek God's guidance?
- Can you still ask for God's mercy if you can't think of specific sins to confess?
- Give of an example of the Lord "turning to you" in a time of distress? What happened? What did it feel like?
- Would you describe your relationship with the Lord as a friendship?
Questions?
Do you have a question about today’s sermon? Email Randy Forrester (
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