Sunday Morning Worship
May 6, 2012
Series: “iLife”
Today: “iPray”
Scripture: Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Mark 14:38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Intro: The original iMac computer was released in 1998 .
A. This month’s theme: It’s not about the internet, but it is about making life in Christ very personal .
B. The key is making our prayers effective .
I. EFFECTIVE PRAYER TAKES DISCIPLINE .
A. Prayer is not the goal ; it’s a means to a goal.
B. The goal of prayer is to carry less burdens and have more of God’s joy in our lives.
II. EFFECTIVE PRAYER IS FULL OF THANKSGIVING .
A. Philippians 4:6 instructs us to present our requests to God with thanksgiving .
B. Effective pray-ers naturally rejoice in the Lord because they have no reason to be anxious .
Conclusion: Jesus tells a parable (Luke 18:1-8) to challenge His followers to pray and not give up .
A. He is a judge that is righteous ; His answers will always be fair and right.
B. He is a judge who cares deeply for people.
C. He is a judge who answers quickly – (Luke 18:8).
D. Last statement Jesus makes in this story: Will He find faith on earth?
* Effective prayer takes faith.