MESSAGE NOTES
/// PRAYING WITH CONFIDENCE
Sometimes we pray like we TRUST God, but live like everything DEPENDS ON US.
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. - Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV
Prayer isn't just about surrendering to God's WILL. It's about trusting God's CARE.
1. PRAYER IS ABOUT DEPENDENCE
"Give us this day our daily bread." — Matthew 6:11 NKJV
We want God to give us enough for TOMORROW so we don't have to TRUST Him TODAY.
Worry doesn't CHANGE tomorrow.
2. PRAYER IS ABOUT FORGIVENESS
"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." — Matthew 6:12 NKJV
We all make mistakes. We ALL NEED God's forgiveness.
Forgiveness isn't saying what happened was OKAY. It's choosing not to let what happened CONTROL YOU.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. - Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Sometimes the person we struggle most to forgive is OURSELVES.
Stop holding on to what God has ALREADY forgiven.
3. PRAYER IS ABOUT DIRECTION
"And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." — Matthew 6:13 NKJV
Prayer isn't just about asking God to get us OUT of trouble. It's about asking Him to keep us FROM it.
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. James 1:13 ESV
Temptation often offers us something NOW that will cost us something LATER.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
You can't continually WALK toward temptation and expect to GROW in the opposite direction.
You can't live a life of complete DEPENDENCE on God while insisting on complete CONTROL of your life.
TAKEAWAY: Prayer is about DAILY DEPENDENCE on God, trusting Him with our NEEDS, our PAST, and our FUTURE.