Prayer...Week 1

Today at The Ridge we started a new series entitled oh so creatively...Prayer. Despite the name, I think it's going to be great. Who doesn't need help with this topic?

We had a little different worship style at church this morning. It was all acoustic, except we did have drums. But we had 2 acoustic guitars, a viola, an upright bass, and the drums. It was cool, and laid back. A little different than our normal hard rock approach. But I think everyone enjoyed it.

Mark started the message off by asking, "What if prayer had little to do with asking God for things?" He talked about how kids pray, they make lists of things they want, and their prayers are selfish, but adults are not much different than kids in this instance. We read Psalm 27:8, and then we defined what prayer truly is...Prayer is communicating with God.

Mark then offered some communication principles we should use in our prayer life...
1.Talk to God with gut-level honesty-this means be real with God, he already knows how you feel, so tell him! Still be reverent, submissive, obedient, and worshipful in your prayers, but be honest, be authentic with God. Don't you think he deserves it?

2. Talk to God about everything that matters to you- If it matters to you, then it matters to God, nothing is too small

3. Learn to listen for God to respond-we sometimes treat our relationship with God as a one way street, we do all the talking, and he does all the listening. What an awful relationship! Imagine being that way with your spouse, kids, friends, your relationship would stink! Mark talked about how God speaks, it could be an audible voice, it could be an impression that was made in your heart, he could speak in a gentle whisper, but some people will never hear God because they don't quiet themselves.

Lastly, Mark said, "Once you start listening to God, your life should look radically different."