Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” – Matthew 26:36-39 ESV
“I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me! When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted.” – Psalm 77:1-2 NLT
“O Lord, how long will You forget me? Forever? How long will You look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day?” – Psalm 13:1-2 NLT
“Only a fool says there is not God.” Psalm 14:1 ESV
Pray Consistently
“And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.” – Luke 22:39 ESV
“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place” – Matthew 6:6 MESSAGE
Pray Vulnerably
And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” – Mark 14:33-34 ESV
Pray to your Father
“Abba Father”
“Everyone prays. The difference when a Christian prays is that they climb into the arms of their Father.” – John Dawson
“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in heaven…” – Matthew 6:7-9 MESSAGE
Pray in Faith
“Abba, Father, everything is possible for You.”
“If the first temptation when we suffer is to isolate ourselves from our friends,
the second is to question the Father’s love, and the third is to doubt His power. By downgrading our expectations in prayer, we attempt to protect ourselves from the heartache of dashed hopes.” – Pete Greig
“Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” – Matthew 21:22 ESV
God’s World
God’s War
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:12 ESV
God’s Will
“We shall come one day to a heaven where we shall gracefully know that God’s great refusals were sometimes the true answers to our truest prayers.” – P. T. Forsyth
Pray surrendered
“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” – Luke 22:42 ESV
“…God who desires all people to be saved” – 1 Timothy 2:3-4 ESV
I want to see a mighty flood of justice” – Amos 5:24 ESV
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” – Acts 10:38 ESV
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- Pray consistently.
- Pray vulnerably.
- Pray to your Father.
- Pray in faith
- Pray surrendered.
- Keep hoping. Keep praying.
THE CHURCH THAT KEPT PRAYING (ACTS 12)
“I know now, Lord, why You utter no answer.
You are Yourself the answer.
Before Your face, questions die away.” – C. S. Lewis