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Sermon Notes

Matthew 6 / Joshua 1

Introduction

Jump into the study:

  • Draw the Circle – devotional available in the lobby ($10)
  • Join groups that are meeting Wednesday night at 7 (both men’s/women’s groups)/ Thursday 10am (ladies)

Drawing the Circle is about PRAYER.

  • Prayer that is willing to circle the promises of God
  • Prayer that dreams
  • Prayer that doesn’t give up
  • Prayer that believes in the God of the impossible, who works in big and small ways.

Drawing a circle is for emphasis (highlight what’s important, what needs attention)

  1. When you pray (Matthew 6)
  • Pray specifically (ie. The Lord’s prayer)
  • Babbling (v.7) – no believing, just repetition
  • Our building: Circling God’s promise

I Samuel 7:10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed.

If you pray to God regularly, irregular things will happen on an regular basis

– Mark Batterson

 Where you place your feet (Joshua 1)

“every place you set your foot, as I promised Moses”…

2 Corinthians 1:20 For no matter how many promises, God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

  • While circling the promises of God is a must, we must pray God’s promises in God’s will and for God’s glory.

What promises of God are you asking Him to fulfill in your life?

  • The Practice of Prayer
  • #40 is not magical, but it is biblical.
  • The purpose of the forty-day prayer challenge is for each of us to create the habit of prayer.
  1. Pray with persistence (Mt. 7:7)

“Ask, (lit. keep on asking), seek (keep on seeking) Knock (keep on knocking)

  1. Persistent Prayer requires a place and time
  • In Mt. 6: When you pray go into to your room
  • Where is my place of prayer?
  • Early believers had regular times for prayer each day.
  • The Jewish people pray morning, afternoon, and evening prayers
  1. Prayer thrives in community

–  The early believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…and to  prayer” (Acts 2:42 NIV).

  • The outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 2:4)
  • Acts 9/10 Peter and Cornelius
  • Find a prayer partner