Is prayer really that important? Does it really play a purpose in the grand scheme of things? If we believe the Scriptures to be true, it seems that prayer is “insanely” important – so much that we are to pray with “shameless audacity.” Some get bogged down with the idea of prayer because they see it as a religious ritual that is too complex and difficult to do in our regular lives. Yet the reality is that prayer is basically talking with God in an ordinary way about our ordinary lives.
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The Insane Importance of Prayer
• Greg Boyd
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Is prayer really that important? Does it really play a purpose in the grand scheme of things? If we believe the Scriptures to be true, it seems that prayer is “insanely” important – so much that we are to pray with “shameless audacity.” This is the point of the passage: we are to pray with aggressive boldness, knowing that God wants to answer our prayers.
But how can we be sure that our perspective of prayer is correct? Some get bogged down with the idea of prayer because they see it as a religious ritual that is too complex and difficult to do in our regular lives. Therefore, it is assumed that only “spiritual” people can pray. Yet the reality is that prayer is basically talking with God in an ordinary way about our ordinary lives. Prayer tears down the tendency to compartmentalize the “holy” and “sacred” from the “regular” and “everyday.”
God wants us to pray because he seeks a relationship with us. The Apostle Paul instructs us to “pray continually” (1 Thes 5:17). The only way to do this is to include God in our day to day life in a conversational way. Relationships are all about communication. Therefore, we impact God and God impacts us. He set up creation in such a way that we are empowered to genuinely affect him and affect the world. Things genuinely hang on whether God’s people pray or not.
Hide Extended SummaryTopics: Power, Prayer, Transformation
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Focus Scripture:
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Luke 11:5-13
Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' And suppose the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; those who seek find; and to those who knock, the door will be opened.
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
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"My almost-three-year-old asks every day if we can go to church. Thank you, Woodland Hills, and all the Heroes Gate volunteers for creating such a great environment for kids. My husband and I met at WH six years ago and now our son counts down the days until we get to go again. My heart could burst."
– Lindsey
…and here I thought I was crazy for talking to God when I’m going to the bathroom, or taking a shower etc… thank you Greg 🙂 WoooHoooo!!
I do realize this is four years old, still, so long as the body of Christ is on earth, in this world, it holds true.
I am grateful for this message. We serve and awesome, wonderful, loving, good God!!
By the Power and Authority in the name of Jesus:
Lord Bless Woodland Hills above and beyond all we could ask or think.