A Prayerful Life Is a Beautiful LifeSeries: A Beautiful Life Speaker: Joel Deacon Bible Passages: Luke 11:1-13; Psalm 42:1-2; Philippians 4:6-7 Church: City on a Hill Wollongong Location: Wollongong, NSW, Australia Episode DescriptionWhat does it mean to live a beautiful life? In the first message of A Beautiful Life, Joel Deacon explores Jesus’ teaching on prayer and why a beautiful life is not found in independence from God, but in dependence upon God. Our world tells us that the good life is found in building the kingdom of self: having more, achieving more, becoming more successful and creating a life where we don’t need anyone. Jesus offers a radically different vision. He calls us to seek first the kingdom of God and to live in daily dependence upon our heavenly Father. In Luke 11, Jesus teaches his disciples to ask, seek and knock. Prayer is not a way of getting God to give us everything we want. It is an invitation to know God, trust God and seek his kingdom. Joel explores why Jesus himself regularly withdrew to pray, what Jesus teaches us about unanswered prayer, and why the greatest gift God gives us through prayer is ultimately himself. The message also gets practical, exploring how we can develop a deeper prayer life, make room for prayer, respond to seasons of spiritual exhaustion and become people who pray expectantly for the salvation of our city. A beautiful life is a prayerful life. In this sermonWhy does Jesus pray if he is the Son of God?What does Jesus mean by “Ask, Seek, Knock”?Is prayer really powerful?Why doesn’t God always answer our prayers?How should we respond to unanswered prayer?What does it mean to trust God as our heavenly Father?Why is knowing God more important than having our prayers answered?How can we make more time for prayer?What should we do when we feel spiritually exhausted?Why should Christians pray for revival and the salvation of others?How can prayer help us become more dependent upon God? Key points1. The beautiful life is dependent upon God. Jesus does not call us to build an independent life where we no longer need God. He calls us to seek first God’s kingdom. 2. Keep asking, seeking and knocking. Prayer is not simply presenting God with a wish list. It is continually seeking God’s kingdom and trusting our Father. 3. The greatest gift God gives us is himself. God cares about our needs, but prayer ultimately brings us into the presence of God and teaches us to trust him. 4. Make room for prayer. A flourishing prayer life requires us to push out unnecessary things and make space for what matters most. 5. Pray for revival. Prayer is not only about our own needs. We are called to pray for the people around us and for those who do not yet know Jesus. Key ScripturesLuke 11:1-13 Psalm 42:1-2 Philippians 4:6-7 Key quote“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Jesus, Luke 11:9 About City on a Hill WollongongCity on a Hill Wollongong is a Christian church in Wollongong, NSW. We exist to Know Jesus and Make Jesus Known. Join us every Sunday at Lindsay Park Public School. 10am Community | 10:15am Service Related search topics: Christian church Wollongong, prayer sermon, sermon on prayer, Luke 11 sermon, how to pray, Jesus teaching on prayer, unanswered prayer, Christian prayer, prayer life, seeking God, trusting God, prayer for revival, Christian church Wollongong NSW, following Jesus.
