Our West Next Steps Pastor, Chad Classen, continues week eleven of our teaching series, Breakthrough. Prayer is a gift from God—a tool that He's given us to foster deep and meaningful relationship with Him. God invites us to consistently use this gift of prayer, knowing how much a life of prayer can transform our desires and perspectives to align with His. There is power as we pray out loud, approach God boldly, and bring our real self to Him. Prayer has a unique way of teaching us how to depend on God as we trust His goodness, wisdom, and plan. In this message, Pastor Chad explores the following Scriptures: Luke 18:1-8 NLT One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. "There was a judge in a certain city," he said, "who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, 'Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.' The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, 'I don't fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!'" Then the Lord said, "Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don't you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?" Matthew 6:5-8 NLT When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. "When you pray, don't babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Matthew 6:14-18 NLT If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. "And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. – Next Steps Looking to take a next step? We'd love to help you get connected. 👉 Next Move – Learn more about who we are and how to get involved. https://churchonthemove.com/nextmove 👉 Join a Group – Find community and grow in your faith together. https://churchonthemove.com/smallgroups 👉 Give – Fuel the mission and make an impact. https://churchonthemove.com/give 👉 Connect with a Pastor – Need prayer or resources? We're here. https://my.churchonthemove.com/connect – About Church on the Move: We are a family of churches in northeast Oklahoma. Our mission is to introduce people to the real Jesus. A lot of people know about Jesus but have yet to experience the life-changing power of His grace and truth. Knowing Jesus has transformed our lives, so our goal for each of our worship services, from our kids' environments on up, is to help people know that same love. We actively pursue Jesus in everything we do, and we believe He's given us a vision for a church that is deeply centered on Him and His word. Find more information about service times, locations, and ministries by visiting: https://churchonthemove.com/west
