Jim Moss - February 9, 2025
Part 3: Devoted to Prayer
Feb. 9th, 2025 Devoted to Prayer Self-reliance is often celebrated as a mark of success and maturity in our culture today Acts 2:42-44 The Believers Form a Community 42All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. When we prioritize self-reliance, we miss out on the richness of what God intended and designed for us to experience. James 1:22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. Philippians 2:3-5 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset of Christ Jesus. Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another. Postures of prayer: I should pray I must pray Our Rhythms: Engage Push Exhaustion Jesus Rhythms: Engage Withdraw Refill George Muller “I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord... but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man may be nourished. I saw that the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the reading of the Word of God and to meditation of it.” John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Isaiah 37:14 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. 15And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you, he will never let the righteous be shaken. 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Matthew 26 (Garden of Gethsemane) Jesus gave God his feelings Jesus gave God his desires Jesus gave God his trust Prayer isn’t a play to be good, it’s a place to be honest 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 16Always be joyful. 17Never stop praying. 18Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. The Welcoming Prayer by Father Thomas Keating Welcome, welcome, welcome. I welcome everything that comes to me today because I know it's for my healing. I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions, persons, situations, and conditions. I let go of my desire for power and control. I let go of my desire for affection, esteem, approval and pleasure. I let go of my desire for survival and security. I let go of my desire to change any situation, condition, person or myself. I open myself to the love and presence of God and God's action within. Amen.