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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Developing A Praying Heart (Part 1)

August 8, 2025 | S25 E379 | 29:0

Robert Jeffress - Developing A Praying Heart (Part 1)
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#inActive #SpiritualGrowth #Heart #Prayer #SeekGod #RelationshipwithGod #Focus #Distractions #Disciples #Discipleship #Change #Transformation #NewCreation #Jesus

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Developing A Praying Heart (Part 1) | August 8, 2025
  • ♪♪
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  • Announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
  • 00:00:06.629 --> 00:00:08.698
  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory" with
  • 00:00:08.898 --> 00:00:11.401
  • Dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress, and welcome
  • 00:00:14.337 --> 00:00:16.139
  • Again to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:16.139 --> 00:00:18.541
  • If i asked you to be completely honest about your prayer life,
  • 00:00:18.541 --> 00:00:22.078
  • What would you say?
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  • Do you find it difficult to carve out even 5 minutes a day
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  • To talk with god?
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  • When you do manage to pray, does your mind wander?
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  • And do you wonder if your prayers actually make
  • 00:00:31.654 --> 00:00:33.923
  • Any difference?
  • 00:00:33.923 --> 00:00:35.291
  • Well, you're not alone in that struggle.
  • 00:00:35.291 --> 00:00:37.694
  • Today i want to show you four practical principles that will
  • 00:00:37.694 --> 00:00:41.097
  • Revolutionize your relationship with god through prayer.
  • 00:00:41.097 --> 00:00:45.135
  • My message is titled, "developing a praying heart," on
  • 00:00:45.135 --> 00:00:49.339
  • Today's edition of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:49.339 --> 00:00:53.543
  • ♪♪
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  • Announcer: give your heart the encouragement it needs.
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  • Start and end each day meditating on god's word with
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  • "encouragement for the heart of a disciple."
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  • This brand-new, beautiful, full-color, padded hardcover
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  • Book by dr. robert jeffress features 80 breathtaking images
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  • Of creation paired with scripture, prayers, and insights
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  • You can read in under 2 minutes, perfect for your coffee table or
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  • As a thoughtful gift for a loved one.
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  • Request "encouragement for the heart of a disciple" when you
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  • Give a generous gift to pathway to victory.
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  • ♪♪
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  • Jeffress: you know, jesus said we ought to pray at all times
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  • And never to lose heart.
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  • Paul said to the thessalonian christians, "pray
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  • Without ceasing."
  • 00:01:51.801 --> 00:01:54.204
  • Hah, but that's easier said than done, isn't it?
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  • We find it difficult to pray.
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  • Oh, i know what the polls say.
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  • The polls say that 9 out of 10 americans pray regularly, so 75%
  • 00:02:02.779 --> 00:02:09.652
  • Of americans pray every day.
  • 00:02:09.652 --> 00:02:12.755
  • More people will pray next week than exercise or have sex, and
  • 00:02:12.755 --> 00:02:17.193
  • That's what the polls say.
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  • I'm a little dubious about that though.
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  • I wonder about these polls because i think sometimes people
  • 00:02:23.032 --> 00:02:26.970
  • Tell pollsters what makes them look good rather than what is
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  • Really true.
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  • I mean, for example, if people attended church as frequently as
  • 00:02:32.675 --> 00:02:36.613
  • They said they attend church, every church in america would be
  • 00:02:36.613 --> 00:02:40.617
  • In a perpetual building program.
  • 00:02:40.617 --> 00:02:43.253
  • We couldn't contain the crowds.
  • 00:02:43.253 --> 00:02:45.655
  • If everybody gave as much money to the church as they claim to,
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  • We'd be having business meetings about how to spend all the
  • 00:02:49.726 --> 00:02:52.395
  • Excess funds.
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  • If people prayed as regularly as they claim to pray, well, we'd
  • 00:02:54.297 --> 00:02:59.202
  • All be spiritual giants.
  • 00:02:59.202 --> 00:03:01.704
  • The fact is we don't pray as often as we should because
  • 00:03:01.704 --> 00:03:05.208
  • Prayer is hard work.
  • 00:03:05.208 --> 00:03:07.010
  • Romans 15, verse 30, even the apostle paul said, "strive with
  • 00:03:07.010 --> 00:03:11.848
  • Me in prayer."
  • 00:03:11.848 --> 00:03:13.249
  • That word "strive," agonizomai, it means agonize with me
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  • In prayer.
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  • Prayer is agonizing work.
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  • Sometimes it's because it's just hard to find time to pray.
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  • I imagine perhaps that's true about you as well.
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  • I imagine if we had a survey today and you were honest about
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  • Your prayer life, you could probably identify with me in
  • 00:03:34.437 --> 00:03:38.808
  • Saying you feel guilty at times about your lack of prayer.
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  • You find it difficult to carve out 5 or 10 minutes a day
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  • To pray.
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  • In those times that you are able to spend 5 minutes praying, you
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  • Have difficulty concentrating on what to pray during those 5
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  • Minutes, your mind wanders.
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  • And deep down, you wonder sometimes, does your prayer make
  • 00:04:00.363 --> 00:04:03.833
  • Any difference at all?
  • 00:04:03.833 --> 00:04:06.602
  • Again, you're not alone.
  • 00:04:06.602 --> 00:04:08.971
  • Paul, even jesus himself, struggled at times with prayer.
  • 00:04:08.971 --> 00:04:14.043
  • One reason is we think we're too busy to pray.
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  • Oswald chambers places that excuse into its proper
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  • Perspective when he says, "remember, no one has time
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  • To pray.
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  • We have to take time from other things that are valuable in
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  • Order to understand how necessary prayer is."
  • 00:04:30.026 --> 00:04:34.797
  • But even that doesn't really identify the reason we
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  • Don't pray.
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  • We find time to do the things we think are really important in
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  • Life, don't we?
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  • I think at the bottom of our lack of prayer is the question:
  • 00:04:44.173 --> 00:04:49.412
  • Does prayer make a difference?
  • 00:04:49.412 --> 00:04:51.581
  • I mean, if god is sovereign and has a will that governs
  • 00:04:51.581 --> 00:04:54.884
  • Everything that happens, how could my prayer change things?
  • 00:04:54.884 --> 00:04:59.889
  • And yet all of my questions about the value of prayer melt
  • 00:04:59.889 --> 00:05:05.094
  • Away when i look at the example of jesus christ.
  • 00:05:05.094 --> 00:05:10.133
  • To jesus, prayer was not optional; it was absolutely
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  • Necessary for his spiritual survival.
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  • And if we are going to be a disciple, a follower of christ,
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  • One of the marks of our life is going to be to develop a praying
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  • Heart, a heart that makes prayer our first response, not our last
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  • Resort when we run into need and difficulty.
  • 00:05:35.491 --> 00:05:39.996
  • You know, we're in a series called, "the seven marks of a
  • 00:05:39.996 --> 00:05:43.266
  • Disciple," and we've said that the essence of discipleship is a
  • 00:05:43.266 --> 00:05:48.137
  • Changed life that comes from a transformed heart.
  • 00:05:48.137 --> 00:05:53.209
  • That's what being a disciple is, it's experience a changed life.
  • 00:05:53.209 --> 00:05:57.747
  • Remember what paul said, "if any person be in christ, he is a
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  • New creation.
  • 00:06:01.284 --> 00:06:02.652
  • Old things have passed away, new things have come."
  • 00:06:02.652 --> 00:06:05.221
  • We've gotten this idea that we can't experience the benefits of
  • 00:06:05.221 --> 00:06:09.358
  • Being a disciple until we die and go to heaven.
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  • No, you can experience the benefit of god's kingdom now.
  • 00:06:12.562 --> 00:06:17.066
  • If you submit your life to god's will now, you can experience
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  • Freedom from worry, you can experience victory over sin, you
  • 00:06:21.737 --> 00:06:27.009
  • Can experience harmony in your relationships, you can
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  • Experience power over addictions in your life.
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  • All of those things can be yours right now as long as you submit
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  • To god's will for your life.
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  • But to do that, we have to have a change of heart, and that's
  • 00:06:42.325 --> 00:06:45.127
  • Why i say a changed life that comes from a transformed heart.
  • 00:06:45.127 --> 00:06:51.734
  • Discipleship is about a transformed heart.
  • 00:06:51.734 --> 00:06:55.071
  • Remember we saw last time that our heart is the center of who
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  • We are.
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  • It encompasses our mind, our will, and our emotions.
  • 00:06:59.375 --> 00:07:02.645
  • Proverbs 4:23 says: "guard your heart with all diligence, for
  • 00:07:02.645 --> 00:07:06.983
  • Out of your heart come the issues of life."
  • 00:07:06.983 --> 00:07:11.988
  • Every choice you make, every thought you think, every emotion
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  • You feel, originates in the heart.
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  • Who is responsible for transforming our heart?
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  • Be sure you get this right.
  • 00:07:21.931 --> 00:07:23.466
  • Only god alone can save us and forgive us.
  • 00:07:23.466 --> 00:07:26.636
  • But once we are saved, he and we join together in that operation
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  • Of transforming our heart.
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  • It is a joint effort between god and us.
  • 00:07:34.710 --> 00:07:38.080
  • Now we're talking about seven marks of a true disciple
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  • Of christ.
  • 00:07:41.450 --> 00:07:42.785
  • The first mark is what we looked at last time, a transformed
  • 00:07:42.785 --> 00:07:46.422
  • Heart, one that has changed, but remember in biology, maybe you
  • 00:07:46.422 --> 00:07:52.495
  • Remember this, your heart has four different chambers in it.
  • 00:07:52.495 --> 00:07:55.898
  • Remember that?
  • 00:07:55.898 --> 00:07:57.266
  • And for your heart to function properly, all four of those
  • 00:07:57.266 --> 00:08:00.236
  • Chambers have to be doing their job correctly.
  • 00:08:00.236 --> 00:08:05.575
  • In the same way in our spiritual heart, if we're gonna have an
  • 00:08:05.575 --> 00:08:09.211
  • Overall healthy transformed heart, there are six chambers in
  • 00:08:09.211 --> 00:08:13.849
  • Our spiritual heart that have to be functioning properly to
  • 00:08:13.849 --> 00:08:18.154
  • Produce that transformed heart and the changed life we
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  • All want.
  • 00:08:21.357 --> 00:08:22.825
  • Today we're going to look at the second mark of a disciple, which
  • 00:08:22.825 --> 00:08:26.662
  • Is the first of those six chambers.
  • 00:08:26.662 --> 00:08:28.965
  • I call it a praying heart.
  • 00:08:28.965 --> 00:08:31.968
  • A praying heart.
  • 00:08:31.968 --> 00:08:34.170
  • You know, jesus talked about the importance of prayer.
  • 00:08:34.170 --> 00:08:37.807
  • He showed us the importance of prayer.
  • 00:08:37.807 --> 00:08:39.675
  • First of all, by his own example.
  • 00:08:39.675 --> 00:08:42.445
  • Remember in mark 1:35, we find this description of what
  • 00:08:42.445 --> 00:08:45.881
  • Happened one day in the lord's life, and i take it, it's
  • 00:08:45.881 --> 00:08:50.252
  • Something that happened every day because it was a habit
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  • With him.
  • 00:08:52.922 --> 00:08:54.290
  • The bible says: "and in the early morning, while it was
  • 00:08:54.290 --> 00:08:57.727
  • Still dark, jesus arose and went out and departed to a lonely
  • 00:08:57.727 --> 00:09:03.466
  • Place, and was praying there."
  • 00:09:03.466 --> 00:09:05.801
  • Jesus started off his day while it was still dark, going out by
  • 00:09:05.801 --> 00:09:09.905
  • Himself to pray.
  • 00:09:09.905 --> 00:09:11.340
  • It must have been very, very early.
  • 00:09:11.340 --> 00:09:14.777
  • A few years ago in my former church we had bobby bowden as
  • 00:09:14.777 --> 00:09:19.281
  • Our guest speaker, the former coach of florida state
  • 00:09:19.281 --> 00:09:22.818
  • University, and bobby dowden said that he got up every
  • 00:09:22.818 --> 00:09:27.723
  • Morning at 4 o'clock to pray.
  • 00:09:27.723 --> 00:09:30.526
  • In fact, he said, i wouldn't have a spiritual life right now
  • 00:09:30.526 --> 00:09:33.863
  • If it were not for getting up at 4 o'clock every morning to pray.
  • 00:09:33.863 --> 00:09:39.035
  • He said, of course, i go to bed at 7 o'clock every night.
  • 00:09:39.035 --> 00:09:42.838
  • Everybody laughed.
  • 00:09:42.838 --> 00:09:44.607
  • But not jesus.
  • 00:09:44.607 --> 00:09:45.975
  • Yes, jesus got up when it was early, but notice what happens
  • 00:09:45.975 --> 00:09:50.546
  • The night before he got up early.
  • 00:09:50.546 --> 00:09:53.282
  • In mark 1:32, we find out what had happened the day before.
  • 00:09:53.282 --> 00:09:57.286
  • In fact, we find that this day was the busiest recorded day in
  • 00:09:57.286 --> 00:10:01.223
  • Jesus's entire ministry.
  • 00:10:01.223 --> 00:10:03.059
  • In fact, the bible says in mark 1:32, that "when the evening had
  • 00:10:03.059 --> 00:10:07.363
  • Come, after the sun had set, they begin bringing to him all
  • 00:10:07.363 --> 00:10:11.400
  • Who were ill and those who were demon possessed."
  • 00:10:11.400 --> 00:10:14.303
  • Jesus was working, ministering until late at night.
  • 00:10:14.303 --> 00:10:20.276
  • Now if jesus were like many of us, he probably would have hit
  • 00:10:20.276 --> 00:10:25.915
  • The snooze button the next morning when the alarm went off.
  • 00:10:25.915 --> 00:10:28.984
  • He had a pretty good excuse.
  • 00:10:28.984 --> 00:10:30.352
  • After all, he'd been doing ministry for the lord until late
  • 00:10:30.352 --> 00:10:33.155
  • At night.
  • 00:10:33.155 --> 00:10:34.523
  • Surely the lord would excuse a missed morning in prayer.
  • 00:10:34.523 --> 00:10:38.427
  • But to jesus, prayer wasn't optional; it was the secret of
  • 00:10:38.427 --> 00:10:42.164
  • His spiritual life.
  • 00:10:42.164 --> 00:10:44.066
  • And by the way, did you know jesus's prayer life continues
  • 00:10:44.066 --> 00:10:47.002
  • Today even though he's in heaven?
  • 00:10:47.002 --> 00:10:49.004
  • He's in heaven right now.
  • 00:10:49.004 --> 00:10:50.606
  • You know what he's doing?
  • 00:10:50.606 --> 00:10:51.941
  • He's praying.
  • 00:10:51.941 --> 00:10:53.309
  • Hebrews 7:25 about what jesus is doing right now.
  • 00:10:53.309 --> 00:10:56.512
  • It says that "he always lives to make intercession for us."
  • 00:10:56.512 --> 00:11:01.751
  • Right now, jesus is at the right hand of god the father, and
  • 00:11:01.751 --> 00:11:05.287
  • He's praying.
  • 00:11:05.287 --> 00:11:06.622
  • You know what he's praying for?
  • 00:11:06.622 --> 00:11:07.990
  • He's praying for you.
  • 00:11:07.990 --> 00:11:09.391
  • He's making intercession for you and for me.
  • 00:11:09.391 --> 00:11:12.661
  • He's asking god to give us the power to say no to sin, to
  • 00:11:12.661 --> 00:11:16.832
  • Realize the purpose that he has for our life.
  • 00:11:16.832 --> 00:11:20.269
  • Jesus prays.
  • 00:11:20.269 --> 00:11:22.104
  • He taught us that by example.
  • 00:11:22.104 --> 00:11:23.773
  • He also taught us that by exhortation, by his teaching.
  • 00:11:23.773 --> 00:11:27.877
  • Turn over to a familiar parable in luke 18, since we've looked
  • 00:11:27.877 --> 00:11:31.714
  • At this before in our study of luke, i'll just give you the
  • 00:11:31.714 --> 00:11:34.817
  • "reader's digest" version of this parable.
  • 00:11:34.817 --> 00:11:37.353
  • But remember, luke 18:1 says that "jesus was telling the
  • 00:11:37.353 --> 00:11:40.723
  • Disciples a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray
  • 00:11:40.723 --> 00:11:45.828
  • And not lose heart."
  • 00:11:45.828 --> 00:11:48.731
  • And then he told a story about why we ought to persist
  • 00:11:48.731 --> 00:11:51.300
  • In praying.
  • 00:11:51.300 --> 00:11:52.668
  • You remember the story.
  • 00:11:52.668 --> 00:11:54.003
  • There is a widow who is being cheated by one of the
  • 00:11:54.003 --> 00:11:57.673
  • Religious groups.
  • 00:11:57.673 --> 00:11:59.008
  • They were trying to take her house away from her, take
  • 00:11:59.008 --> 00:12:01.510
  • Advantage of her, and so she needed protection.
  • 00:12:01.510 --> 00:12:04.413
  • She couldn't afford a lawyer and so she went directly to the
  • 00:12:04.413 --> 00:12:08.150
  • Judge who was described as a man who neither respected god nor
  • 00:12:08.150 --> 00:12:13.222
  • Regarded man.
  • 00:12:13.222 --> 00:12:14.590
  • And she kept begging this judge to give her protection.
  • 00:12:14.590 --> 00:12:18.093
  • He couldn't have cared less, but notice what happened.
  • 00:12:18.093 --> 00:12:21.397
  • Verse 4, he said, finally, "even though i don't fear god or
  • 00:12:21.397 --> 00:12:27.536
  • Respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, i will give
  • 00:12:27.536 --> 00:12:32.775
  • Her legal protection, lest by continually coming she wear
  • 00:12:32.775 --> 00:12:38.380
  • Me out."
  • 00:12:38.380 --> 00:12:40.850
  • This judge said, "i can't take this any longer.
  • 00:12:40.850 --> 00:12:43.886
  • I don't care about god and i sure don't care about her, but
  • 00:12:43.886 --> 00:12:47.489
  • For my own benefit, i'm gonna give in so she'll leave
  • 00:12:47.489 --> 00:12:50.159
  • Me alone."
  • 00:12:50.159 --> 00:12:51.560
  • And then notice the application jesus makes in verse 6: "and the
  • 00:12:51.560 --> 00:12:54.864
  • Lord said to his disciples, 'hear what the unrighteous judge
  • 00:12:54.864 --> 00:12:58.601
  • Said; now, shall not god bring about justice for his elect who
  • 00:12:58.601 --> 00:13:04.106
  • Cry to him day and night, and will he delay long over them?'"
  • 00:13:04.106 --> 00:13:09.311
  • Don't make the wrong application.
  • 00:13:09.311 --> 00:13:10.779
  • Jesus is not saying that god is like a judge who has to have his
  • 00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:14.884
  • Arm twisted to do what he really doesn't want to do for
  • 00:13:14.884 --> 00:13:17.686
  • Our benefit.
  • 00:13:17.686 --> 00:13:19.021
  • What he's saying is, if an unrighteous judge who doesn't
  • 00:13:19.021 --> 00:13:22.057
  • Care about this woman can be moved by her persistent
  • 00:13:22.057 --> 00:13:25.694
  • Pleading, how much more will your heavenly father who loves
  • 00:13:25.694 --> 00:13:30.966
  • You, do for you who are his children.
  • 00:13:30.966 --> 00:13:35.371
  • Jesus showed us the reason we ought to pray, both by his own
  • 00:13:35.371 --> 00:13:39.775
  • Life's example and by his teaching.
  • 00:13:39.775 --> 00:13:43.279
  • "well," you say, "why should we pray?"
  • 00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:47.149
  • We parents know how we answer the why question?
  • 00:13:47.149 --> 00:13:50.185
  • Because i told you so, that's why you need to do it.
  • 00:13:50.185 --> 00:13:53.722
  • God could say, "you're to pray because i told you so."
  • 00:13:53.722 --> 00:13:56.992
  • But actually, scripture gives us four reasons that prayer ought
  • 00:13:56.992 --> 00:14:00.796
  • To be a regular part of our life.
  • 00:14:00.796 --> 00:14:04.400
  • First of all, the bible teaches that prayer develops our
  • 00:14:04.400 --> 00:14:08.304
  • Intimacy with god.
  • 00:14:08.304 --> 00:14:11.206
  • It develops our intimacy with god.
  • 00:14:11.206 --> 00:14:14.243
  • Have you discovered intimacy cannot be mandated with
  • 00:14:14.243 --> 00:14:18.280
  • Another person?
  • 00:14:18.280 --> 00:14:19.615
  • Even with your own mate, just because you go to a wedding
  • 00:14:19.615 --> 00:14:22.318
  • Ceremony, you have a marriage certificate, you make certain
  • 00:14:22.318 --> 00:14:25.354
  • Vows and exchange rings, that doesn't mean you are instantly
  • 00:14:25.354 --> 00:14:29.825
  • Intimate with one another.
  • 00:14:29.825 --> 00:14:31.660
  • Intimacy takes work.
  • 00:14:31.660 --> 00:14:33.862
  • You have to work to achieve it.
  • 00:14:33.862 --> 00:14:35.230
  • You have to work to maintain it.
  • 00:14:35.230 --> 00:14:37.800
  • You know, i was gone for a few days this week and amy was busy
  • 00:14:37.800 --> 00:14:42.438
  • With helping ryan and julia some with the triplets and we'd been
  • 00:14:42.438 --> 00:14:46.842
  • Away for a while and so forth, and yesterday we spent a little
  • 00:14:46.842 --> 00:14:50.913
  • Bit of time together just talking and catching up.
  • 00:14:50.913 --> 00:14:54.149
  • There was a distance that had occurred just because we hadn't
  • 00:14:54.149 --> 00:14:57.152
  • Communicated for a while with one another.
  • 00:14:57.152 --> 00:14:59.621
  • The same thing is true in our relationship with god.
  • 00:14:59.621 --> 00:15:03.325
  • Sometimes i talk to people and they'll say, "you know, i just
  • 00:15:03.325 --> 00:15:07.463
  • Feel so distant from god.
  • 00:15:07.463 --> 00:15:10.165
  • Sometimes i wonder if he really even exists."
  • 00:15:10.165 --> 00:15:13.302
  • And i gently ask, "well, when's the last time you talked
  • 00:15:13.302 --> 00:15:15.871
  • To him?"
  • 00:15:15.871 --> 00:15:17.473
  • "oh, i don't have time to do that."
  • 00:15:17.473 --> 00:15:20.809
  • Well, god didn't move.
  • 00:15:20.809 --> 00:15:23.345
  • They moved away from him.
  • 00:15:23.345 --> 00:15:25.414
  • And when you move away from god and you don't talk to him,
  • 00:15:25.414 --> 00:15:28.050
  • There's gonna be that barrier, that lack of intimacy.
  • 00:15:28.050 --> 00:15:32.354
  • You know, martin luther once said, "to be a christian without
  • 00:15:32.354 --> 00:15:35.090
  • Prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing."
  • 00:15:35.090 --> 00:15:40.029
  • A lot of people treat prayer as a spiritual oxygen mask.
  • 00:15:40.029 --> 00:15:45.067
  • You know, it's good to know it's there in case you need it, you
  • 00:15:45.067 --> 00:15:47.970
  • Run into problems.
  • 00:15:47.970 --> 00:15:49.938
  • But no, the bible says prayer is not like an oxygen mask.
  • 00:15:49.938 --> 00:15:54.376
  • Prayer is like oxygen itself.
  • 00:15:54.376 --> 00:15:57.646
  • It's vital to our survival.
  • 00:15:57.646 --> 00:15:59.548
  • Again, to be a christian without praying is no more possible than
  • 00:15:59.548 --> 00:16:03.218
  • To be alive without breathing.
  • 00:16:03.218 --> 00:16:06.488
  • A second reason for praying is prayer unleashes the power
  • 00:16:06.488 --> 00:16:10.859
  • Of god.
  • 00:16:10.859 --> 00:16:12.561
  • Prayer unleashes the power of god.
  • 00:16:12.561 --> 00:16:15.164
  • Can you imagine jesus telling this parable from luke
  • 00:16:15.164 --> 00:16:18.267
  • Chapter 18?
  • 00:16:18.267 --> 00:16:19.635
  • Imagine jesus gave a different ending to this story.
  • 00:16:19.635 --> 00:16:23.405
  • Imagine the ending went like this: "and the unrighteous judge
  • 00:16:23.405 --> 00:16:28.077
  • Responded to the woman, 'although i have no intention of
  • 00:16:28.077 --> 00:16:32.081
  • Protecting this widow from her adversaries, her constant
  • 00:16:32.081 --> 00:16:35.851
  • Pleading with me has developed our relationship.'"
  • 00:16:35.851 --> 00:16:41.924
  • Would that motivate you to pray?
  • 00:16:41.924 --> 00:16:44.593
  • This woman keeps pleading for help and the judge says, "well,
  • 00:16:44.593 --> 00:16:47.463
  • I'm not gonna do what you asked me to, but i sure feel a lot
  • 00:16:47.463 --> 00:16:50.299
  • Better about you."
  • 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:52.034
  • No, the reason she went to the judge is she wanted him to
  • 00:16:52.034 --> 00:16:55.037
  • Do something.
  • 00:16:55.037 --> 00:16:56.638
  • And the same is true for us as well.
  • 00:16:56.638 --> 00:16:59.908
  • Getting to know the judge was not the purpose of her pleading.
  • 00:16:59.908 --> 00:17:03.045
  • She wanted to get the judge to act on her behalf.
  • 00:17:03.045 --> 00:17:07.149
  • And the bible teaches that many times that is a proper
  • 00:17:07.149 --> 00:17:10.185
  • Motivation for praying.
  • 00:17:10.185 --> 00:17:11.753
  • We want god to do something.
  • 00:17:11.753 --> 00:17:13.722
  • We want god to do something that he's not going to do unless
  • 00:17:13.722 --> 00:17:16.592
  • We ask.
  • 00:17:16.592 --> 00:17:17.926
  • Remember james 4, verse 2: "you have not," why?
  • 00:17:17.926 --> 00:17:21.396
  • "because you ask not."
  • 00:17:21.396 --> 00:17:23.599
  • There is a connection between our asking and god answering.
  • 00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:28.270
  • One of the most vivid illustrations of that
  • 00:17:28.270 --> 00:17:30.672
  • Relationship between asking and answering is found in romans--
  • 00:17:30.672 --> 00:17:34.943
  • Revelation chapter 8.
  • 00:17:34.943 --> 00:17:37.045
  • Turn over to revelation chapter 8.
  • 00:17:37.045 --> 00:17:38.981
  • You know, some people are so scared of the book of
  • 00:17:38.981 --> 00:17:42.618
  • Revelation, they never read it.
  • 00:17:42.618 --> 00:17:43.952
  • It's the only book of the bible that has a special blessing
  • 00:17:43.952 --> 00:17:46.054
  • Attached to those who read it and understand it.
  • 00:17:46.054 --> 00:17:49.758
  • But when we come to revelation 8, we're in the final 7 years of
  • 00:17:49.758 --> 00:17:53.795
  • Earth's history.
  • 00:17:53.795 --> 00:17:55.130
  • We call it the great tribulation, and it's a time
  • 00:17:55.130 --> 00:17:58.033
  • When god pours out three series of judgments: the seal
  • 00:17:58.033 --> 00:18:03.205
  • Judgments, the trumpet judgments, and finally the
  • 00:18:03.205 --> 00:18:06.475
  • Vial judgments.
  • 00:18:06.475 --> 00:18:07.976
  • But in revelation chapter 8, it's right before the second
  • 00:18:07.976 --> 00:18:11.280
  • Series of judgments is poured out upon the earth, the trumpet
  • 00:18:11.280 --> 00:18:15.784
  • Judgments, and revelation 8:1 says that before the second
  • 00:18:15.784 --> 00:18:20.756
  • Series of judgments there was a pause.
  • 00:18:20.756 --> 00:18:23.559
  • There was silence in heaven that lasted for 30 minutes.
  • 00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:28.797
  • What was going on during those 30 minutes before god poured out
  • 00:18:28.797 --> 00:18:31.934
  • His judgment on the earth?
  • 00:18:31.934 --> 00:18:34.736
  • The believers who are on earth during the tribulation at
  • 00:18:34.736 --> 00:18:37.406
  • This time.
  • 00:18:37.406 --> 00:18:38.874
  • And these are people who became christians during
  • 00:18:38.874 --> 00:18:41.076
  • The tribulation.
  • 00:18:41.076 --> 00:18:42.444
  • You and i have been raptured into heaven, but those who are
  • 00:18:42.444 --> 00:18:44.580
  • On earth during the tribulation who became believers, they've
  • 00:18:44.580 --> 00:18:47.583
  • Been crying out to god: "god, put an end to this injustice in
  • 00:18:47.583 --> 00:18:51.920
  • The world right now.
  • 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:53.255
  • Put an end to our suffering."
  • 00:18:53.255 --> 00:18:55.123
  • They are praying continually before god.
  • 00:18:55.123 --> 00:18:57.125
  • Now look what happens, verse 4: "and the smoke of the incense,
  • 00:18:57.125 --> 00:19:01.263
  • With the prayers of the saints, went up before god out of the
  • 00:19:01.263 --> 00:19:05.867
  • Angel's hand.
  • 00:19:05.867 --> 00:19:07.236
  • And the angel took the censer and he filled it with the fire
  • 00:19:07.236 --> 00:19:11.006
  • Of the altar, and he threw it to the earth."
  • 00:19:11.006 --> 00:19:14.776
  • In other words, for these 30 minutes, god is collecting all
  • 00:19:14.776 --> 00:19:18.380
  • Of these prayers.
  • 00:19:18.380 --> 00:19:19.748
  • The angel collects the prayers, and then once all of the prayers
  • 00:19:19.748 --> 00:19:23.051
  • Of the saints have been collected, he casts them down to
  • 00:19:23.051 --> 00:19:26.088
  • The earth and there followed, verse 5 says, "peals of thunder
  • 00:19:26.088 --> 00:19:31.260
  • And sound and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
  • 00:19:31.260 --> 00:19:34.796
  • And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared
  • 00:19:34.796 --> 00:19:38.800
  • Themselves to sound them."
  • 00:19:38.800 --> 00:19:40.302
  • In other words, it was the prayers of god's people that
  • 00:19:40.302 --> 00:19:45.407
  • Resulted in the pouring out of god's judgment on the earth.
  • 00:19:45.407 --> 00:19:50.045
  • One commentator says it this way: "the message is clear:
  • 00:19:50.045 --> 00:19:55.183
  • History belongs to the intercessors who pray the future
  • 00:19:55.183 --> 00:20:01.823
  • Into being."
  • 00:20:01.823 --> 00:20:04.259
  • I love that line.
  • 00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:05.627
  • People who pray the future into being.
  • 00:20:05.627 --> 00:20:08.697
  • That's why we pray.
  • 00:20:08.697 --> 00:20:10.365
  • Andrew murray said it this way: "prayer is the power by which
  • 00:20:10.365 --> 00:20:14.469
  • That comes to pass, which otherwise would not take place."
  • 00:20:14.469 --> 00:20:20.375
  • A third reason we pray is prayer protects us with the peace
  • 00:20:20.375 --> 00:20:25.814
  • Of god.
  • 00:20:25.814 --> 00:20:27.182
  • Prayer protects us with the peace of god.
  • 00:20:27.182 --> 00:20:29.584
  • If you ever have the opportunity, i know some of you
  • 00:20:29.584 --> 00:20:31.520
  • Have, to go to the ancient city of philippi, through the ruins
  • 00:20:31.520 --> 00:20:35.724
  • Of philippi, they will always take you to the hole in the
  • 00:20:35.724 --> 00:20:38.860
  • Ground where paul and silas were in chains and in prison.
  • 00:20:38.860 --> 00:20:43.398
  • They had been arrested for preaching the gospel.
  • 00:20:43.398 --> 00:20:46.134
  • And remember in acts chapter 16, it says: "around midnight paul
  • 00:20:46.134 --> 00:20:51.173
  • And silas were praying and singing hymns, and the rest of
  • 00:20:51.173 --> 00:20:55.844
  • The prisoners were listening."
  • 00:20:55.844 --> 00:20:59.348
  • I bet they were listening.
  • 00:20:59.348 --> 00:21:00.716
  • They probably thought these guys are out of their gourd.
  • 00:21:00.716 --> 00:21:03.585
  • I mean, what are they doing?
  • 00:21:03.585 --> 00:21:04.920
  • They've been hit one too many times by the romans in the head.
  • 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:08.023
  • Who in the world could pray and offer praise to god while they
  • 00:21:08.023 --> 00:21:13.161
  • Were facing what could be their execution?
  • 00:21:13.161 --> 00:21:16.465
  • And of course, what happened, the earthquake came and they
  • 00:21:16.465 --> 00:21:19.067
  • Were suddenly released from prison.
  • 00:21:19.067 --> 00:21:21.603
  • I want to tell you the way i always understood that passage,
  • 00:21:21.603 --> 00:21:25.073
  • And unfortunately i've preached it occasionally.
  • 00:21:25.073 --> 00:21:29.077
  • I said, "isn't that great?
  • 00:21:29.077 --> 00:21:32.280
  • They were the recipients of god's supernatural peace.
  • 00:21:32.280 --> 00:21:36.485
  • They had the peace that passes all understanding, and that
  • 00:21:36.485 --> 00:21:40.555
  • Peace gave them the ability to pray and to praise god."
  • 00:21:40.555 --> 00:21:46.228
  • I didn't realize i'd gotten it backwards.
  • 00:21:46.228 --> 00:21:50.165
  • I got it completely backwards.
  • 00:21:50.165 --> 00:21:53.735
  • Their prayer and praise was not the result of their supernatural
  • 00:21:53.735 --> 00:21:59.674
  • Peace; it was the cause of their supernatural peace.
  • 00:21:59.674 --> 00:22:04.513
  • You know where i get that?
  • 00:22:04.513 --> 00:22:05.847
  • Turn over to philippians chapter 6, verses 6 to 7, because 10
  • 00:22:05.847 --> 00:22:10.685
  • Years after that event in philippi, paul wrote a letter to
  • 00:22:10.685 --> 00:22:14.623
  • The philippian christians.
  • 00:22:14.623 --> 00:22:16.925
  • And you know where he wrote that letter from?
  • 00:22:16.925 --> 00:22:19.060
  • It wasn't the comfort of a pastor's study.
  • 00:22:19.060 --> 00:22:21.329
  • He was once again arrested, in prison, facing what could have
  • 00:22:21.329 --> 00:22:24.966
  • Been the execution of his own life.
  • 00:22:24.966 --> 00:22:28.170
  • He was waiting for the verdict to come down, whether he was
  • 00:22:28.170 --> 00:22:31.239
  • Going to live or die.
  • 00:22:31.239 --> 00:22:37.712
  • Jeffress: we've only scratched the surface on this important
  • 00:22:38.914 --> 00:22:41.583
  • Topic of developing a praying heart, so let me encourage you
  • 00:22:41.583 --> 00:22:45.353
  • To join us again next time on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:22:45.353 --> 00:22:48.990
  • Now, as we conclude today, i want to thank those of you who
  • 00:22:48.990 --> 00:22:51.793
  • Faithfully support this ministry.
  • 00:22:51.793 --> 00:22:54.362
  • Your generosity makes it possible for us to reach
  • 00:22:54.362 --> 00:22:57.499
  • Millions of people every week with the truth of god's word.
  • 00:22:57.499 --> 00:23:01.770
  • Whether you're a pathway partner or give an occasional gift,
  • 00:23:01.770 --> 00:23:05.307
  • You're playing an essential role in helping people around the
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  • World discover the joy and peace that come from being a disciple
  • 00:23:08.443 --> 00:23:13.148
  • Of christ.
  • 00:23:13.148 --> 00:23:14.483
  • I'm continually amazed by the letters and emails we receive
  • 00:23:14.483 --> 00:23:17.986
  • From viewers who tell us how god is using this program to
  • 00:23:17.986 --> 00:23:22.090
  • Transform their relationship with him.
  • 00:23:22.090 --> 00:23:24.826
  • Thank you so much for partnering with us as together we pierce
  • 00:23:24.826 --> 00:23:28.730
  • The darkness with the light of god's word.
  • 00:23:28.730 --> 00:23:32.133
  • Now stay right there.
  • 00:23:32.133 --> 00:23:33.502
  • I'll be back with more in just a moment.
  • 00:23:33.502 --> 00:23:36.738
  • Announcer: we all need god's strength to make it through
  • 00:23:37.873 --> 00:23:40.208
  • The day.
  • 00:23:40.208 --> 00:23:41.576
  • "encouragement for the heart of a disciple" by dr. robert
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  • Jeffress provides the spiritual refreshment you need
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  • In a large-print format, every page bursts with breathtaking
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  • Imagery that draws you toward the beauty of god's creation.
  • 00:23:51.253 --> 00:23:55.056
  • Jeffress: i know how challenging it can be to stay connected with
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  • God in our busy lives.
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  • In my new devotional, i provide personal reflections and
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  • Practical insights that will help you experience god's
  • 00:24:03.498 --> 00:24:06.902
  • Presence and encouragement throughout your day.
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  • Announcer: filled with stunning images of creation, scripture
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  • Verses, and prayers you can read in under 2 minutes, this padded
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  • Hardcover book is the perfect daily companion to help refresh
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  • Your spirit, morning and night.
  • 00:24:20.248 --> 00:24:22.517
  • It also makes a thoughtful gift to encourage a friend or
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  • Loved one.
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  • Request your copy of "encouragement for the heart of
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  • A disciple" when you give a generous gift to support the
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  • Ministry of pathway to victory or when you become a
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  • Pathway partner.
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  • With your ministry gift of $100 or more, we'll send you the
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  • Encouragement resource set, containing the new devotional,
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  • Six clutter-free prayer cards, the "clutter-free christianity"
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  • Book and life application guide, and the "seven marks of a
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  • Disciple" message series on both cd and dvd.
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  • Your generous partnership helps us impact you and your family
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  • And a nation in deep spiritual need with the transforming truth
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  • Of god's word.
  • 00:25:04.392 --> 00:25:07.829
  • Jeffress: to jesus, prayer was not an option; it was absolutely
  • 00:25:07.829 --> 00:25:12.267
  • Necessary for his spiritual survival.
  • 00:25:12.267 --> 00:25:14.869
  • And if we're going to be a disciple of jesus, we need to
  • 00:25:14.869 --> 00:25:18.540
  • Learn to develop a praying heart as well.
  • 00:25:18.540 --> 00:25:22.010
  • Today we talked about the model for prayer that jesus gave us,
  • 00:25:22.010 --> 00:25:25.880
  • And, next time, i'm going to talk about four practical ways
  • 00:25:25.880 --> 00:25:29.951
  • That you can transform your heart into a praying heart.
  • 00:25:29.951 --> 00:25:33.888
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:25:33.888 --> 00:25:36.524
  • Series, "seven marks of a disciple."
  • 00:25:36.524 --> 00:25:40.729
  • Jeffress: on one level we may be thinking, discussing, seeking,
  • 00:25:40.729 --> 00:25:44.532
  • Calculating, meeting all the demands of external affairs, but
  • 00:25:44.532 --> 00:25:50.171
  • Deep within, behind the scenes, at a more profound level, we may
  • 00:25:50.171 --> 00:25:56.111
  • Also be in prayer, adoration, song and worship and a gentle
  • 00:25:56.111 --> 00:26:00.949
  • Receptivity to divine breathings.
  • 00:26:00.949 --> 00:26:04.719
  • And therein is the secret to develop what i'm calling this
  • 00:26:04.719 --> 00:26:08.023
  • Praying heart, and here's the secret:
  • 00:26:08.023 --> 00:26:11.593
  • The more we pray, the more we want to pray.
  • 00:26:11.593 --> 00:26:17.365
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for part two of the
  • 00:26:17.365 --> 00:26:20.235
  • Message, "developing a praying heart," here on "pathway
  • 00:26:20.235 --> 00:26:23.805
  • To victory."
  • 00:26:23.805 --> 00:26:27.242
  • Announcer: step away from your daily routine and immerse
  • 00:26:28.376 --> 00:26:31.079
  • Yourself in god's masterpiece on the pathway to victory cruise
  • 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:34.482
  • To alaska, june 13 through 20, 2026.
  • 00:26:34.482 --> 00:26:38.219
  • Jeffress: imagine starting each day immersed in god's word, then
  • 00:26:38.219 --> 00:26:41.790
  • Stepping out to witness god's grandeur from the majestic
  • 00:26:41.790 --> 00:26:45.193
  • Glaciers to soaring eagles.
  • 00:26:45.193 --> 00:26:47.796
  • These moments in god's creation will deepen your faith in
  • 00:26:47.796 --> 00:26:51.366
  • Powerful ways.
  • 00:26:51.366 --> 00:26:52.701
  • Announcer: experience five-star dining, luxurious staterooms,
  • 00:26:52.701 --> 00:26:55.770
  • And exceptional service while visiting iconic ports like juno,
  • 00:26:55.770 --> 00:26:59.507
  • Ketchikan, and skagway.
  • 00:26:59.507 --> 00:27:01.409
  • Jeffress: we'll explore god's word together against the
  • 00:27:01.409 --> 00:27:03.845
  • Backdrop of his most impressive handiwork.
  • 00:27:03.845 --> 00:27:07.248
  • I promise you'll return home with memories that will last a
  • 00:27:07.248 --> 00:27:10.585
  • Lifetime and a heart renewed by god's presence.
  • 00:27:10.585 --> 00:27:14.756
  • Announcer: to book your spot on the 2026 pathway to victory
  • 00:27:14.756 --> 00:27:17.759
  • Cruise to alaska, call... or go to ptv.org.
  • 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:17.759