Point of Grace Worship 6.20.21 Sermon Notes – Praying That Matters Part 1- 2021

Summer 2021 – Transitions? … … … God, what are You up to?

The Lord’s Prayer leads me toward a healthy relationship with God …

especially when in transition… when setting up new “normals”.

What if we became …

Less focused on consuming kingdom benefits and more on contending for the kingdom’s cause!

Less a “consumer” ………… more a “contender” …

Less about “consuming” ………… more about “contending”…

Less like “spectators” cheering on good and God, and more like “special forces” deployed with purpose.

Praying the Lord’s Prayer moves us in this direction. Praying that matters.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name … Your kingdom come … Your will be done … …on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.’ Matthew 6

The Opening Our Father in heaven, A plural prayer plunging us into deep life with God!

Petitions 1- Hallowed be Your name … on earth as it is in heaven,

I am ASKing (with volition) that God’s name(presence) be recognized and treated as holy…

Petition 2- Your kingdom come … on earth as it is in heaven,

I am ASKing (with volition) that God’s reign (authority, rule, dominion) come …

Petition 3 - Your will be done … on earth as it is in heaven,

I am ASKing (with volition) that God’s will gets done in a sea of competing wills …

The Lord’s Prayer equips and trains us to be Kingdom Contenders –

- Memorable

- Strategic – (Calling in the coordinates.)

- Useful

Prayer of the Week Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me before You made the world. You are my true Father, my heavenly Father who loves me very much. I love You, I trust You, I worship You and step by faith into my true identity as Your lavishly loved child – the identity given to me in my baptism.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Hallowed be Your name on earth as it is in heaven.” I pray that I might recognize, treat and honor Your name and presence as true and real in every aspect of my being and living this day. I also pray that those people, institutions and cultures that do not treat You as holy might come to know You and proclaim You as the just, true, saving, forgiving, life giving God You are.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” I ask for and seek Your authority, rule and reign over every aspect and dimension of my life. I also request Your good and gracious reign come over people, circumstances and situations that desperately need Your truth, leadership, provision, protection, authority, healing and wholeness – all the many benefits of life in Your kingdom. – Come reign of Jesus, come!

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “You Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Among all the competing wills in my life, situations and world I pray that Your will breaks through and gets done. Over all my desires, prayers and decisions I pray Your good and gracious will Be Done. I also request Your Will override all other competing evil and sinful forces that are always luring myself and my fellow human beings into poor, life stealing decisions.

(Now pause and take some time to strategically pray “Hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done” prayers over your life and the people and situations you are close to.)

Father, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for calling me to be a contender for You and Your kingdom as I live the meaningful life You intend today.

Amen

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Matthew 6:25, 31-34 Tue – Galatians 4:4-7 Wed – Numbers 6:22-27 Thu – Acts 26:12-18 Fri – Acts 4:23-31 Sat - Romans 12:1-2

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Helps: Join the “I BELONG” Challenge Go to pog.church and click the “I BELONG CHALLENGE” menu tab. After you sign up you will get a daily email with the daily reading.

“Moving Mountains” by John Eldredge

“Sermon Resources” for this week from pog.church

“Union with Christ” by Rankin Wilbourne

The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge