A Crash Course on Prayer: Pray About Everything

The following message from Pastor Greg Laurie is made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God check out virtue our website for Christian women go to harvest.org/virtue is not hard to get overwhelmed with my money, trouble coming out today.

Pastor Greg Laurie has good encouragement from troubles so we know the Bible says don't worry about any thing pray about everything on the human understanding your heart and mind in Christ Jesus of the Bible is very worried instead that interest you troubles with children, we were really small shadow which was looming over you right now today I'm Greg Laurie continues a series called faith 101 crash course on the Christian life will tackle a problem for you which of the Lord has given us a very powerful tool. The story of young men who was raised in a crazy way had a very chaotic childhood. He spent a great deal of his time living with his grandparents because his mother didn't really have much time for him in the bed young man got older and he himself made some bad decisions and found himself in a drug lifestyle was.

It turns out he would hang out with a little group of guys and they would walk around and they happened to walk past the home of a pastor and his wife. Every single day.

So the pastor's wife would look out the window with these kids and she started praying for them and she prayed that one of those kids would come to Christ. Even more than one, but she kept praying that that one of those kids went and ended up hearing the gospel on his high school campus and gave his life to Jesus Christ. By the way that kid was me and the pastor was Chuck Smith and his wife was Katie Smith so I bring this up because every one of us probably had someone pray for us to believe in Jesus. There might've been a mom or dad or grandparent or a son or a daughter or a spouse or a sibling or maybe a complete stranger, but I bring this up to point out to you. There is power in prayer and it is one of the things that we fail to take advantage of as often as we should. So I want to talk to you about prayer just kind of a flyover on it. Again, the time of my messages crash course on prayer. Now you probably wonder, why isn't that not answer some prayers and he doesn't answer.

Others I heard about a young man he was in college and he was taking a very important exam and he handed his exam paper into the professor because he was handing it in. The professor announcing the class a students hold on before you turn in your exam because I have a form I want you to sign to say to me that you did not have any outside assistance with this young man hesitated for a moment and he went privately to the professor and he said Prof. actually maybe I shouldn't sign this. I did have some outside assistance. I prayed before and during the exam so the professor said let me see your paper, and he went over the boys exam and give it back to the one he said you can go ahead and sign the form because I can assure you God did not answer your prayer. So sometimes God says no to us. Sometimes God says yes to us and remember this is a series that were doing called faith 101 were going over the basics of what every Christian needs to know.

Let me review what we've already seen together. Number one of you want to be a growing Christian by the way, you never outgrow this. What if you want to be a growing believer, you must love, read, study, meditate on and memorize the Bible that is absolutely essential. As I've said before failure or success in the Christian life depends on how much of the Bible you get into your life on a regular basis how obedient you are to it.

Number two if you want to be a successful and growing Christian you must share your faith. Jesus is told us all to go to all the world and preach the gospel but not just that he's told us to make disciples of all nations. And remember, I pointed out to you that an older believer needs a younger believer in their life to energize them and a younger believer needs an older believer in their life to stabilize them. See. So when you have a younger Christian in your life.

Learning these things for the first time.

It's very exciting and remind you of things that maybe you will forgot that, on the other hand, if you're younger believer, you need someone that knows the word of God that can help you as you are growing in your faith. That's called discipling someone point number three. If you want to be a growing Christian and you never outgrow this either. You must be an active part of the church, a part of a local congregation of believers. The Bible says don't forsake the assembling of yourselves together as a matter of some is but exhort one another daily, and so much more. As we see the day of the Lord approaching. Listen, you need the church and the church needs you. I know the church is flawed.

I know the church has its shortcomings but it's the only organization if you will that Jesus set up when he walked this earth and of the church. He said the gates of hell shall not prevail against it now. Point number four. If you want to be a growing Christian you must have a prayer life and I want to share with you seven things that you need to know about prayer what is prayer. Prayer is basically hearing from and communicating with God. There are different kinds of prayer identified for us in the Bible, I want to have you turn to two passages. My message, and this time I one is going to be.

Ephesians 6 and the other is Luke chapter 11, so let's look at Ephesians 61 simple verse action-packed. Here it is. Ephesians 618 says, praying always with all prayer and supplication in this spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints of is my first point, we should pray always, it says all prayer, we should pray publicly we should pray privately, we should pray verbally we should pray silently, we should pray. Kneeling, we should pray standing we should pray lying down and sitting down.

Those are all valid positions to take when you are praying by the way, you can pray with your eyes open you can pray with your eyes closed, you know, we read of Jesus lifting up his eyes and pray I think somehow we feel one size was always be close in prayer. Have you ever been the gathering of Christians in maybe praying for a meal and and summits as well. Let's praise everyone closes horizon and you open your eyes you see somebody else with their eyes open any make eye contact in your both embarrassed me closer -like that you can open your eyes and prayer.

It's okay. You can pray when you drive maybe you really should pray when you drive definitely keep your eyes open when you do that a while ago our granddaughter Stella. She was much younger than we were praying we were having a hamburger and fries and as we are praying I saw her eyes were closed, but she was eating a French fry with her eyes so it's okay. Open your eyes close your eyes stand. Neil said doesn't matter. The main thing is you should just pray I think sometimes we think well God will hear our prayer more if we prayed in a church building in a sanctuary, not necessarily think of some of the places people prayed in the Bible. Daniel prayed alliance that David prayed in the field. Simon Peter prayed on the water and under the water. Remember, he began to sink Jonah's prayer was heard in the deli of a great fish. Sometimes we say a whale, but his prayer was heard.

God will hear your prayer wherever you are. The main thing is praying always and by the way, this phrase all prayer speaks of frequency frequency. So, such as our prayer here in a prayer there. You pray morning, afternoon and evening.

The Bible says pray without ceasing, for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ concerning you think about Daniel the prophet, he was known to be a man of prayer. You know to be a man or woman of prayer. We had some enemies that wanted to bring them down there were jealous of his power in influence on the king so they realize there were no scandals in his life. There were no skeletons in his closet affected study was praying in his closet so they decided that the only way they could bring them down with him. It had something to do with him and his God, and they knew that Daniel had this amazing habit every day he pray not just want not just twice, three times a day, he would pray he would get on his knees open up is Windows and he would pray not to put on a performance, but this is just what the guy did. So if you want buys how should notice a look Daniels and their prayed again. Hey Daniel, pray for me, remember me when you talk to the man upstairs. Maybe someone might've said to him, he was known as a man of prayer. So these wicked enemies of Daniel hatched a plot to get the king. The final law that no one could pray that any God except him for 40 days. So basically it was now illegal to pray.

So what are Daniel Dusen interesting time to pray. By the way he went home as he always did he go down in his knees and he prayed to God.

But it's interesting what it says it says that when he went to operas prayer in Daniel chapter 6, he went home, knelt on his usual open this Windows for Jerusalem and pray three times a day, as he always it done giving thanks to God is not interested in giving thanks to God he would've understood if it would've said and Daniel got in his knees and freaked out crying out to God for deliverance. Note he gave thanks to God. That's an important thing to remember in prayer as we can give thanks even before the answer is, because we know our God is in control and we know that our God loves us and is looking out for us so we should pray for Greg Laurie will have the second half of this message in just a moment, everybody Greg Laurie here personally inviting you to join us for what we call Harvest at Home. It's a Bible study.

It's a worship service. It church in your home, you're not able to get out your church right now.

If so, join us per Harvest at Home people are listening this from around the world listen to this. We have seen thousands of people make a commitment to follow crying. Join us this weekend harvest@home.org were learning important lessons on the value will prayer today as Pastor Greg continues her series faith 101 a crash course on the Christian life.

Why should we pray number one we should pray because Jesus told us to, we should pray because Jesus told us to. Jesus said in Luke 18 verse one. Men should always pray and not give up. So we don't need another reason than that we should pray because Jesus told us to not only did he tell us to pray modeled. It for us. Jesus was a man of prayer. He was constantly praying. Remember in the garden of Gethsemane. As he contemplated the horrors of the cross, we read that Jesus prayed calling on the father saying father if it's possible let this cup pass from me on the cross itself. Jesus prayed father forgive them for they know not what they do and then he also cried out to God, saying, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me. When Jesus fed the 5000, we read that he looked toward heaven and ask God's blessing on the food. We also read the mothers brought their children to Jesus so he would lay his hands on them, pray for them. Now consider this Jesus was God and of Jesus who was God felt it was necessary for him to pray, how much more important is it for us.

You and me. Sinful human beings to pray as well so again.

Point number one we should pray because Jesus told us to know if it were extremely difficult to pray. Maybe one could understand why were reluctant friend since let's say every time we pray the prayer. It was the equivalent of getting a root canal that would be bad, but depending on what you are facing.

It would probably be worth it all.

Well this is going to be painful, but all pray because I really need God's intervention, but the fact is, it's not painful as I like getting a root canal and it's a wonderful delightful thing to have access to God's presence.

So we should pray because Jesus told us to number two, we should pray because prayer is God's appointed way to give us things.

Now I don't want you to misunderstand this. This is not the only reason we should pray, but we fail to see this were missing out of the great blessing.

The Bible says in James 42 you have not because you ask not. Now think about this for a moment.

Are you facing something right now when you need help. Maybe your thinking what is it that I always just have enough to get by. I never have more.

I'm always in need. Did you ever think about praying the Bible says you have not because you us.you ask, why is it my marriage is struggling and it just seems to be getting worse. I don't know what to do when you have you prayed about it, you have not because you ask not all my children undergoing this trade are not interested in following Jesus. What can I do have you prayed about it, you have not because you ask not.

You ask why is it that I never know God's will for my life. I just stumbled about trying that figured out he have you prayed about it. The Bible says you have not because you ask not. So this is the way God provides for us. Ask and you shall receive. Jesus says point number three. Prayer is the way by which God helps us to overcome our fear, anxiety and worry. Life is full of troubles is in it, so we need help in the Bible says cast all of your care upon him for he cares for you and the idea of testing this picking up something just throwing up again. I don't want this, you take it you give it over to the Lord. Bible says in Philippians 4. Don't worry about anything. Pray about everything in the peace of God that passes all human understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus of the Bible is very clear and think. Don't worry. Instead, pray. So when you're tempted to worry, we often are churn your worries in the prayer turn it over to the Lord. So as you can see, prayer is not an option. It's a necessity. Well, afraid prayers that are not answered in the affirmative, and we wondered why listen to this. If the request is wrong, God says no. If the timing is wrong, God says slow. If you are wrong, God says, grow, but of the request is right, the timing is right and you are right, God says go, but we wonder, okay I get that but is there anything I can do to get the Lord to say yes more often either secrets to having your prayers answered in the affirmative. Let me say I don't know that there secrets are plainly declared in the Bible they might be secret to some because they haven't read the Bible, so let me try to unlock some secrets if you will to unanswered prayers or wire prayers are not answered and will find those answers in what is often called the Lord's prayer in Luke chapter 11 love the Lord's prayer.

Most of us know it by heart. It's a prayer that we usually pull out in case of emergencies or bike behind glass break it out. This is a big one.

Let's pray the Lord's prayer. There's nothing wrong with that.

It's a beautiful prayer to pray.

But having said that, recognize that it's not just a great prayer to pray it's a template or a model for all prayer and infrastructure for prayer. If you will, let's look at it together. Luke chapter 11 we read these words, he came to pass as Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he was done. One of his disciples came to him and said, Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples noticed the disabled and unsafe teaches a killer prayer know.

Teach us to pray. So again it's a template for prayer and Jesus said when you pray, say, our father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us day by day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive everyone who is sinned against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

The Lord's prayer know we could just as easily call it the disciples prayer. The Bible never calls of the Lord's prayer, Jesus never had to pray this prayer himself because he never had to save the father, forgive me my sins as I forgive those who have sinned against us. So it's really for us more. But right out of the gate in the Lord's prayer will call it that we discover this that we need to acknowledge the greatness of God. It doesn't say our father who art in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.

It says our father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

So our prayer should start if you have the luxury of time… Say that you're out swimming in a great white shark is coming at you quickly. You can just pray help and cut to the chase okay but under normal circumstances when you have a little time contemplate the power awesomeness and greatness of God. Why, because when you see God in his greatness. You'll see that your problems in the relative smallness.

If you have a big God, you of small problems. If you are good problems. Is your God too small. I'm not in any way, not acknowledging that you might be facing a real crisis right now. I simply want to say this to you, God is bigger then your problem Christ is greater then your prices so praying and when you pray, take time to think about the power and awesomeness of God go inside on rare today from Pastor Greg Laurie here on a new beginning. He has more to come in this message. Called a crash course on prayer is the kind of insight you really are to preserve for the future. You can do that by going to harvest.org you can hear any part of today's presentation. You may have missed or even order a CD copy by calling us at 1-800-821-3300.

That's 1-800-821-3300 and then what a privilege it is to have baseball great Darrell strawberry with us today. Darrell is just released a new book called turn your season around. The subtitle is how God transforms your life. You know Darrell you made a U-turn from so many issues in your life. What counsel do you have for others who need to turn their back on drugs or drinking or immorality. They just find themselves being pulled back into all that stuff especially during this pandemic. If they were sitting right across the table from you, what would you say to them I will say to them that they really should be able to accept the help from someone who truly loves them and I think of my life I've made to turn it was because my wife Tracy.

Michael was 18 years ago I was in dope house in South Florida should go smoke crack and she was banging outdoors, chicken and garlic, pulling me out and she actually was loving me through the whole process when I can love myself and I want to say to someone to struggle with that when you see someone loving you through the process. When you can't love yourself allow that help to to help you in that period of time on me unless a lot of confusing guano you feel like hopeless at the time, but one thing I've learned through this process of change of life my life and change promise of God uses people to help people and we can understand the importance of other people encouraging you and walking with you and not tolerating which Tracy did and she didn't tolerate my my madness but she still encouraged me to help meet that God had a plan for me. You'll have to accept your what the person is more through but at the same time, you still show love and compassion.

So I would just I would encourage anyone that struggle and some assurance of love and compassion, trust the process is not overnight miracle. I got the mirror added and have a miracle overnight just doesn't happen like that is a process and once I went through the process and accept the help from somebody else and let God help me through this process I started getting on the other side because when you think about everybody. God used in the Bible. They all have struggles and issues to just like all the rest of us and youdon't struggle with issues they only get on the right side with other people helping you and encouraging you to your faith. So if you want to get a copy of Bill strawberries brand-new book that he feels is the most important book he's ever written. You can get it from us here the new beginning again.

The title is churn your season around how God transforms your life. I will send you this book for your gift of any size to help us to continue on here at a new beginning to teach the word of God and to preach the gospel that change the life of Darrell strawberry yeah that's right it's the gospel that continues to change lives anywhere any time, even in a pandemic, even in a time of uncertainty and your investment helps that kind of outreach happen to be asking to partner with us now and if you can send an investment right now. Be sure to ask for Darrell's book turn your season around. You can write a new beginning.

Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest on the next time more insight on the role prayer plays in the life of the believer, the finale tour series faith 101 next time you're on a new beginning and possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for pastor grades free daily email, devotions@harvest.org