Tapping the Power of God Through Prayer
New You
June 10, 2018
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
The sermon urges believers to heed Paul's command to pray without ceasing by learning what prayer is from Jesus' model — a humble, conversational, God-centered practice (the Lord's Prayer) that asks in Jesus' name, seeks God's will, expects answers, avoids showy hypocrisy, and commits to regular focused devotion (e.g., a 40-day Lord's Prayer challenge).
Summary
Using Pew Research context and Paul's command to "pray without ceasing," the sermon teaches that prayer is a humble conversation with God the Father grounded in Jesus' instruction (the Lord's Prayer). It emphasizes praying according to God's will (asking in Jesus' name), relying on the Spirit and Scripture, expecting answers (though answers may be immediate, unseen, or delayed), and avoiding hypocritical, showy prayer. The Lord's Prayer serves as both a prayer and a pattern (preface, six petitions, conclusion — three petitions about God, three about us), and the preacher issues a practical 40-day challenge to practice this pattern daily to connect meaningfully with God's power.
Key Points
- Most Americans pray frequently, but we need clarity about what we're praying for: to access God's power.
- Paul uniquely commands believers to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17); understanding prayer is key to obeying this.
- Jesus taught prayer as a conversation with our Father — requiring humility, reverence, and patience, not demands or instructions to God.
- Asking "in Jesus' name" means seeking with His endorsement and according to God's will; Scripture-based prayers help align us with that will.
- Pray with expectation: God answers, though sometimes answers are unseen or delayed; learn the three types of responses.
- Avoid hypocritical, public-for-show prayer; genuine prayer should be fruitful and tied to God's will, which brings reward.
- The Lord's Prayer is both a model and a template (preface, six petitions, conclusion) that balances petitions about God and about us.
- Practical application: take a 40-day challenge to pray the Lord's Prayer pattern daily to develop sustained, effective prayer life.
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