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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - How To and How Not To Pray

September 26, 2025 | 27:40

Greg Laurie - How To and How Not To Pray
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#Harvest #Prayer #Communication #TrustGod #Obedience #Honor #Grace

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - How To and How Not To Pray | September 26, 2025
  • ...
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  • Greg laurie: so when we say to god,
  • 00:00:05.138 --> 00:00:06.339
  • "give me this day my daily bread,"
  • 00:00:06.473 --> 00:00:08.108
  • I'm not just speaking about bread, or even about food,
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  • I'm talking about everything.
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  • You know, when you ask someone to give you something,
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  • You're acknowledging they own it.
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  • You're acknowledging also that you need it.
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  • They don't owe it to you, you don't deserve it.
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  • He's not saying we should pray, "pay us our daily bread."
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  • Give us our daily bread.
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  • This reminds us we're completely dependent on god.
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  • ♪ this is the day ♪
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  • ♪ the day when life begins ♪
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  • ♪ this is the day ♪
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  • ♪ the day when life begins ♪♪
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  • Greg: heard the story of a pilot,
  • 00:00:56.656 --> 00:00:58.992
  • He was flying a planeload of passengers to their destination.
  • 00:00:58.992 --> 00:01:02.295
  • Suddenly, the rudder malfunctioned.
  • 00:01:02.295 --> 00:01:04.898
  • He radioed the control tower in panic and said, "the rudder
  • 00:01:04.898 --> 00:01:09.669
  • Has malfunctioned, what should i do?"
  • 00:01:09.669 --> 00:01:11.938
  • The air traffic controller said, "keep calm, captain.
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  • Just repeat after me, 'wings flap, check.
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  • Velocity, check.
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  • Altitude, check.'"
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  • The pilot made the appropriate adjustments and everything
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  • Was fine.
  • 00:01:25.752 --> 00:01:27.087
  • A few moments passed and the starboard engine failed.
  • 00:01:27.087 --> 00:01:30.256
  • He goes back to the radio tower, "the starboard engine
  • 00:01:30.256 --> 00:01:33.393
  • Just stalled, what should i do?"
  • 00:01:33.393 --> 00:01:34.727
  • The air traffic controller radioed back and said,
  • 00:01:34.727 --> 00:01:38.465
  • "okay, keep calm, captain.
  • 00:01:38.465 --> 00:01:40.366
  • Repeat after me, 'wings flap, check.
  • 00:01:40.366 --> 00:01:44.070
  • Velocity, check.
  • 00:01:44.070 --> 00:01:46.072
  • Altitude, check.'"
  • 00:01:46.072 --> 00:01:48.007
  • Now both engines went out.
  • 00:01:48.007 --> 00:01:50.043
  • "mayday, mayday.
  • 00:01:50.043 --> 00:01:51.377
  • Both engines have gone out, what should i do?"
  • 00:01:51.377 --> 00:01:54.214
  • The air controller said, "now, keep calm, captain, and repeat
  • 00:01:54.214 --> 00:01:57.917
  • After me, 'our father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.'"
  • 00:01:57.917 --> 00:02:05.091
  • The lord's prayer.
  • 00:02:05.091 --> 00:02:06.493
  • Most of us know it, or at least we know parts of it.
  • 00:02:06.493 --> 00:02:09.929
  • It's a prayer that is sort of behind glass.
  • 00:02:09.929 --> 00:02:12.365
  • In case of emergency, pull this prayer out, and there's
  • 00:02:12.365 --> 00:02:16.002
  • Certainly nothing wrong with praying the lord's prayer
  • 00:02:16.002 --> 00:02:18.571
  • Verbatim, but it's more than that.
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  • It's really the words of jesus given to us and how we can pray.
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  • Imagine if you went to an elite university and you were able to
  • 00:02:26.346 --> 00:02:30.016
  • Be taught by the most impressive people throughout history.
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  • For instance, you could study music under beethoven himself,
  • 00:02:34.187 --> 00:02:38.424
  • Or you could have a drama class taught by william shakespeare,
  • 00:02:38.424 --> 00:02:42.595
  • Or a political science class taught by thomas jefferson, or a
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  • Philosophy class taught by c.s. lewis.
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  • How about this: a class on prayer taught by jesus christ.
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  • Mmm, i'd sign up for that.
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  • I'd be all over that course.
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  • I'd wanna know what jesus had to say about prayer, and that's
  • 00:02:59.112 --> 00:03:02.549
  • What the lord's prayer is.
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  • It all started when his disciples came to him and said,
  • 00:03:04.350 --> 00:03:07.453
  • "lord, would you teach us how to pray?"
  • 00:03:07.453 --> 00:03:11.424
  • And the encouraging thing is jesus did what they asked, and
  • 00:03:11.424 --> 00:03:14.260
  • In doing so, acknowledging that prayer is something
  • 00:03:14.260 --> 00:03:17.330
  • You can learn.
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  • But before we learn how to pray, let's learn how not to pray.
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  • Matthew 6, verse 5.
  • 00:03:22.402 --> 00:03:24.537
  • Jesus says, "when you pray, you shall not
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  • Be like the hypocrites.
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  • For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the
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  • Corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men."
  • 00:03:30.977 --> 00:03:34.714
  • You might underline that.
  • 00:03:34.714 --> 00:03:36.049
  • "that they may be seen by men.
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  • Assuredly, i say to you, they have their reward.
  • 00:03:37.951 --> 00:03:40.553
  • But when you pray, go to your room, when you have shut your
  • 00:03:40.553 --> 00:03:43.756
  • Door, pray to your father who is in the secret place, and your
  • 00:03:43.756 --> 00:03:47.360
  • Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
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  • When you pray, don't use vain repetitions as the heathen do.
  • 00:03:51.631 --> 00:03:55.902
  • For they think they'll be heard for their many words.
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  • Therefore do not be like like them.
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  • For your father knows the things you have need of before you
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  • Ask him."
  • 00:04:03.743 --> 00:04:05.078
  • We'll stop there.
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  • It's a tragic thing, but really sin knows no boundaries.
  • 00:04:06.446 --> 00:04:10.083
  • It can follow us to the very throne of heaven, where i'm
  • 00:04:10.083 --> 00:04:14.153
  • Actually missing the whole point of what prayer should be,
  • 00:04:14.153 --> 00:04:18.057
  • Focusing the intention upon myself.
  • 00:04:18.057 --> 00:04:21.361
  • This was the problem with the pharisees.
  • 00:04:21.361 --> 00:04:23.563
  • They prayed to be seen by men.
  • 00:04:23.563 --> 00:04:25.331
  • The pharisees love the theater of prayer.
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  • It was sort of like a performance.
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  • They would go to a street corner and stop and pray loudly and
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  • People would look, "oh, look at that religious man.
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  • Oh, how devout he is, how impressive he is."
  • 00:04:37.510 --> 00:04:40.813
  • Jesus is saying, "god's not impressed."
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  • He's not impressed one bit because you're doing it for
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  • Others to see.
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  • And so, he's showing us that is not how we should pray, nor
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  • Should we offer ritualized repeated prayers.
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  • That's why i don't really love memorized prayers that people
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  • Pray over and over again.
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  • "just say ten our fathers and you'll be okay."
  • 00:05:00.900 --> 00:05:03.069
  • Well, is there some magic in a little prayer that we pray?
  • 00:05:03.069 --> 00:05:07.006
  • When we pray, god looks on the heart.
  • 00:05:07.006 --> 00:05:09.409
  • It's a conversation with god.
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  • The objective of prayer is not to change god, it's to
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  • Change you.
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  • God knows what you need, but prayer is not to inform god,
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  • Prayer is to invite god.
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  • Let me say that again.
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  • Prayer is not to inform god, prayer is to invite god.
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  • The value of prayer is it keeps me in touch with god.
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  • Prayer is getting closer to god.
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  • Sometimes god allows things in my life to bring me to him
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  • In prayer.
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  • It can be a challenge, it can be a need, it could even be a
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  • Tragedy, and i come to the lord, and i call upon the lord.
  • 00:05:44.177 --> 00:05:48.848
  • So, that's how not to pray.
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  • Let's talk about how to pray.
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  • Matthew 6, verse 9.
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  • Now, this is the lord's prayer.
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  • I'm gonna put it up on the screen because i would like us
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  • All to say this out loud together.
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  • Let's see what jesus says.
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  • "our father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.
  • 00:06:04.664 --> 00:06:09.302
  • Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is
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  • In heaven.
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  • Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts,
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  • As we forgive our debtors.
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  • And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from
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  • The evil one.
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  • For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever."
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  • Amen.
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  • The lord's prayer.
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  • Great one, memorize that.
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  • It's not too long.
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  • A template for all prayer.
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  • The first three requests in the lord's prayer deal with the
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  • Glory of god.
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  • "our father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.
  • 00:06:42.835 --> 00:06:45.671
  • Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, as it is
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  • In heaven."
  • 00:06:48.141 --> 00:06:49.509
  • The final petitions deal with the needs of man.
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  • "give us this day our daily bread, forgive us our sins,
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  • As we forgive those who sin against us.
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  • Don't lead us into temptation."
  • 00:06:57.417 --> 00:06:59.552
  • So how do we pray?
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  • Here's point number one if you're taking notes:
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  • We pray to a father in heaven who loves us.
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  • We pray to a father who art in heaven.
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  • "our father who art in heaven."
  • 00:07:09.095 --> 00:07:12.064
  • Not, "our vending machine who art in heaven."
  • 00:07:12.064 --> 00:07:15.401
  • Not, "our butler who are in heaven."
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  • Our father.
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  • A father who longs for communication and fellowship
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  • With us.
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  • A father who loves to bless us.
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  • He's a generous father.
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  • He's a good father.
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  • Jesus said, "it is your father's good pleasure to give to you
  • 00:07:29.582 --> 00:07:33.419
  • The kingdom."
  • 00:07:33.419 --> 00:07:34.754
  • He's not a stingy god, he's a generous god, so i come
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  • To my father.
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  • Greg: we all know the lord's prayer, right?
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  • "our father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.
  • 00:07:45.798 --> 00:07:49.335
  • Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, as it is
  • 00:07:49.335 --> 00:07:53.072
  • In heaven.
  • 00:07:53.072 --> 00:07:54.407
  • Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,
  • 00:07:54.407 --> 00:07:57.610
  • As we forgive those who have sinned against us.
  • 00:07:57.610 --> 00:08:00.413
  • Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
  • 00:08:00.413 --> 00:08:04.717
  • For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever."
  • 00:08:04.717 --> 00:08:08.354
  • Amen.
  • 00:08:08.354 --> 00:08:09.789
  • That's the prayer we usually pull out in case of emergency,
  • 00:08:09.789 --> 00:08:13.693
  • And it can be that.
  • 00:08:13.693 --> 00:08:15.061
  • It's fine to pray the lord's prayer verbatim, i encourage you
  • 00:08:15.061 --> 00:08:17.763
  • To do so.
  • 00:08:17.763 --> 00:08:19.131
  • But it's also a model or a template for prayer.
  • 00:08:19.131 --> 00:08:21.934
  • You know, like when you go to a housing track and they're gonna
  • 00:08:21.934 --> 00:08:24.837
  • Build a bunch of homes and you can go visit the model homes,
  • 00:08:24.837 --> 00:08:27.874
  • And you walk through and look at how this family that doesn't
  • 00:08:27.874 --> 00:08:31.410
  • Really exist lives and pictures of people that don't live there
  • 00:08:31.410 --> 00:08:34.847
  • Are there, but you get a sense of what the track will
  • 00:08:34.847 --> 00:08:37.683
  • Look like.
  • 00:08:37.683 --> 00:08:39.018
  • The lord's prayer is a template for prayer, and jesus teaches us
  • 00:08:39.018 --> 00:08:42.688
  • When we pray, it should begin with, "our father who art in
  • 00:08:42.688 --> 00:08:46.492
  • Heaven," reminding us that god is a loving father that wants to
  • 00:08:46.492 --> 00:08:51.531
  • Hear from us.
  • 00:08:51.531 --> 00:08:52.899
  • I love the fact that we can have this relationship with god.
  • 00:08:52.899 --> 00:08:56.202
  • Years ago, when i was first getting to know billy graham, i
  • 00:08:56.202 --> 00:08:59.839
  • Addressed him as dr. graham out of respect.
  • 00:08:59.839 --> 00:09:02.508
  • That's what everyone called him, dr. graham.
  • 00:09:02.508 --> 00:09:05.211
  • And one day he said to me, "don't call me dr. graham,
  • 00:09:05.211 --> 00:09:08.314
  • Call me billy."
  • 00:09:08.314 --> 00:09:09.682
  • Well, i was not real comfortable with that because it's
  • 00:09:09.682 --> 00:09:12.151
  • Billy graham.
  • 00:09:12.151 --> 00:09:13.519
  • And finally, i got comfortable enough to call him billy, but i
  • 00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:16.556
  • Noticed his son called him daddy and his grandchildren called him
  • 00:09:16.556 --> 00:09:20.159
  • Daddy bill.
  • 00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:21.494
  • Well, he didn't tell me i could call him that.
  • 00:09:21.494 --> 00:09:23.129
  • That was a privilege afforded only for his family.
  • 00:09:23.129 --> 00:09:27.199
  • Did you know you have a privilege like that with god,
  • 00:09:27.199 --> 00:09:29.802
  • Your father?
  • 00:09:29.802 --> 00:09:31.137
  • The bible says, "god has not given us a spirit of bondage
  • 00:09:31.137 --> 00:09:33.839
  • Again to fear, but one of adoption, whereby we cry,
  • 00:09:33.839 --> 00:09:38.177
  • 'abba, father.'"
  • 00:09:38.177 --> 00:09:39.512
  • "abba, father," is another way of saying daddy.
  • 00:09:39.512 --> 00:09:42.381
  • It's the hebrew equivalent of daddy.
  • 00:09:42.381 --> 00:09:44.784
  • If you go to israel today, you'll see a little boy calling
  • 00:09:44.784 --> 00:09:47.954
  • Out "abba" or "eema" to their mother.
  • 00:09:47.954 --> 00:09:50.823
  • God is saying we can approach him as a heavenly father, a
  • 00:09:50.823 --> 00:09:54.193
  • Heavenly daddy, if you will.
  • 00:09:54.193 --> 00:09:56.462
  • It speaks of intimacy and closeness.
  • 00:09:56.462 --> 00:09:59.131
  • So when you pray, just remember, you have a loving heavenly
  • 00:09:59.131 --> 00:10:03.302
  • Father who wants to hear from you.
  • 00:10:03.302 --> 00:10:05.371
  • A loving heavenly father who wants to bless you even more
  • 00:10:05.371 --> 00:10:09.408
  • Than you want to be blessed.
  • 00:10:09.408 --> 00:10:11.777
  • Jesus said, "it is your father's good pleasure to give to you
  • 00:10:11.777 --> 00:10:16.182
  • The kingdom."
  • 00:10:16.182 --> 00:10:17.516
  • So remember that when you pray, your father is listening.
  • 00:10:17.516 --> 00:10:21.053
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:10:21.454 --> 00:10:24.957
  • Greg: and then i say, verse 9, "hallowed be your name.
  • 00:10:24.957 --> 00:10:28.194
  • Hallowed be your name."
  • 00:10:28.194 --> 00:10:29.528
  • It means, "i set god apart in my life."
  • 00:10:29.528 --> 00:10:32.965
  • In other words, he is above everything else,
  • 00:10:33.032 --> 00:10:36.102
  • He is lord of all.
  • 00:10:36.102 --> 00:10:37.470
  • Because if he is not lord of all, he is not lord at all.
  • 00:10:37.470 --> 00:10:41.941
  • When i say, "hallowed be your name,"
  • 00:10:41.941 --> 00:10:44.276
  • It means in my life and character, i'm setting christ
  • 00:10:44.276 --> 00:10:47.046
  • Apart, and i'm seeking to live a holy life.
  • 00:10:47.046 --> 00:10:50.549
  • Therefore, i should ask myself about things i pursue,
  • 00:10:50.549 --> 00:10:54.620
  • My ambitions, my interests,
  • 00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:56.622
  • Is this for his glory?
  • 00:10:56.622 --> 00:10:58.557
  • Can i write, "hallowed be your name," over this, this
  • 00:10:58.557 --> 00:11:01.560
  • Career choice?
  • 00:11:01.560 --> 00:11:02.895
  • Can i write, "hallowed be your name," over this, this tv
  • 00:11:02.895 --> 00:11:06.832
  • Program, the music i listen to,
  • 00:11:06.832 --> 00:11:08.668
  • The sites i visit, the things i stream, et cetera?
  • 00:11:08.668 --> 00:11:12.071
  • Can i write, "hallowed be your name," over it?
  • 00:11:12.071 --> 00:11:15.107
  • If i can't ask the lord to bless it, then i shouldn't do it.
  • 00:11:15.107 --> 00:11:19.612
  • So when you got up this morning, "let's go to church."
  • 00:11:19.612 --> 00:11:21.714
  • Can you say, "this is for god's glory."
  • 00:11:21.714 --> 00:11:24.250
  • Of course you can.
  • 00:11:24.250 --> 00:11:25.584
  • "let's go to lunch."
  • 00:11:25.584 --> 00:11:26.919
  • Can you say, "this is for god's glory."
  • 00:11:26.919 --> 00:11:28.287
  • For the most part, yes.
  • 00:11:28.287 --> 00:11:31.023
  • But now you're gonna go to a party and get drunk.
  • 00:11:31.023 --> 00:11:33.259
  • "lord, just bless this night as we go get drunk."
  • 00:11:33.259 --> 00:11:35.795
  • No, you can't ask god to bless that.
  • 00:11:35.795 --> 00:11:38.531
  • Or, "lord, i'm gonna go with my boyfriend tonight and we're
  • 00:11:38.531 --> 00:11:41.467
  • Gonna have sexual relations, just--" no, no, there's no
  • 00:11:41.467 --> 00:11:43.903
  • Blessing there.
  • 00:11:43.903 --> 00:11:45.304
  • Now you're outside of the will of god.
  • 00:11:45.304 --> 00:11:47.540
  • You can only ask god to bless the things that will bring
  • 00:11:47.540 --> 00:11:50.676
  • Him glory.
  • 00:11:50.676 --> 00:11:52.011
  • Point number two: when we pray, we should always ask for god's
  • 00:11:52.011 --> 00:11:55.481
  • Will to be done.
  • 00:11:55.481 --> 00:11:56.849
  • Look at verse 10.
  • 00:11:56.849 --> 00:11:58.184
  • "your kingdom come, your will be done."
  • 00:11:58.184 --> 00:12:00.953
  • Did not jesus model this for us in the garden of gethsemane?
  • 00:12:00.953 --> 00:12:05.391
  • He said, "father, if it's possible, let this cup pass from
  • 00:12:05.391 --> 00:12:07.893
  • Me; nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done."
  • 00:12:07.893 --> 00:12:12.465
  • Reminding me the primary objective of prayer is to line
  • 00:12:12.465 --> 00:12:15.434
  • My will up with the will of god.
  • 00:12:15.434 --> 00:12:18.971
  • True praying is not overcoming god's reluctance, it's laying
  • 00:12:18.971 --> 00:12:23.509
  • Hold of his willingness.
  • 00:12:23.509 --> 00:12:25.344
  • Prayer is not getting my will in heaven, it's getting god's will
  • 00:12:25.344 --> 00:12:29.615
  • On earth.
  • 00:12:29.615 --> 00:12:31.083
  • Prayer's not getting my will in heaven.
  • 00:12:31.083 --> 00:12:32.918
  • You don't want your will in heaven, you want god's will
  • 00:12:32.918 --> 00:12:35.855
  • On earth.
  • 00:12:35.855 --> 00:12:37.189
  • First john 5:14 says, "this is the confidence we have in him:
  • 00:12:37.189 --> 00:12:40.626
  • If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
  • 00:12:40.626 --> 00:12:45.164
  • And we'll have the petitions desired of him."
  • 00:12:45.164 --> 00:12:48.134
  • Prayer is surrender to the will of god.
  • 00:12:48.134 --> 00:12:52.605
  • So, "our father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name."
  • 00:12:52.605 --> 00:12:56.842
  • Point number three: we should pray for god's kingdom to come.
  • 00:12:56.842 --> 00:13:02.481
  • "your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, as it is
  • 00:13:02.481 --> 00:13:06.452
  • In heaven."
  • 00:13:06.452 --> 00:13:07.820
  • Now, this is a multi-leveled request with different shades
  • 00:13:07.820 --> 00:13:11.090
  • Of meaning.
  • 00:13:11.090 --> 00:13:12.458
  • What is the kingdom of god?
  • 00:13:12.458 --> 00:13:14.160
  • It's the rule and reign of christ in your life.
  • 00:13:14.160 --> 00:13:17.229
  • And jesus said on one occasion, "the kingdom of god is in the
  • 00:13:17.229 --> 00:13:20.800
  • Midst of you," and what he meant was, "i'm here.
  • 00:13:20.800 --> 00:13:23.502
  • Wherever i am, that's where the kingdom of god is."
  • 00:13:23.502 --> 00:13:26.305
  • So when we're told in matthew 6:33 to, "seek first the kingdom
  • 00:13:26.305 --> 00:13:29.875
  • Of god in his righteousness," that means put christ first, put
  • 00:13:29.875 --> 00:13:34.380
  • The will of god first, have jesus rule and reign in
  • 00:13:34.380 --> 00:13:39.151
  • Your life.
  • 00:13:39.151 --> 00:13:40.586
  • But it's also a prayer for jesus to return to the earth.
  • 00:13:40.586 --> 00:13:45.758
  • The word that he uses here for kingdom does not refer to a
  • 00:13:45.758 --> 00:13:48.527
  • Geographical territory, but his sovereignty and dominion.
  • 00:13:48.527 --> 00:13:53.499
  • So when i'm praying, "your kingdom come," i'm praying for
  • 00:13:53.499 --> 00:13:56.035
  • The rule of god on earth.
  • 00:13:56.035 --> 00:13:57.837
  • In other words, i'm saying, "jesus, come back really soon.
  • 00:13:57.837 --> 00:14:01.707
  • I really want you to return."
  • 00:14:01.707 --> 00:14:04.143
  • This should be the heart cry of every christian.
  • 00:14:04.143 --> 00:14:07.279
  • Like the apostle john, we should say, "even so, come, lord jesus.
  • 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:13.319
  • Come back soon."
  • 00:14:13.319 --> 00:14:15.354
  • And you should live in such a way that you long for and desire
  • 00:14:15.354 --> 00:14:19.124
  • The return of christ.
  • 00:14:19.124 --> 00:14:20.492
  • When jesus uses this phrase: "your kingdom come," it
  • 00:14:20.492 --> 00:14:23.629
  • Essentially speaks of a sudden, instantaneous coming.
  • 00:14:23.629 --> 00:14:27.199
  • "lord, i'm praying your kingdom comes, and it comes soon."
  • 00:14:27.199 --> 00:14:30.836
  • But it's also a personal request where i'm asking him to rule and
  • 00:14:30.836 --> 00:14:34.506
  • Reign on my life, but also it's a request for the salvation of
  • 00:14:34.506 --> 00:14:38.510
  • Those that don't know the lord.
  • 00:14:38.510 --> 00:14:40.913
  • Jesus modeled this as isaiah 53:12 says, "he interceded for
  • 00:14:40.913 --> 00:14:45.417
  • The transgressors."
  • 00:14:45.417 --> 00:14:47.453
  • He effectively prayed for the nonbelievers, remember?
  • 00:14:47.453 --> 00:14:50.723
  • His first words from the cross were, "father, forgive them, for
  • 00:14:50.723 --> 00:14:54.426
  • They know not what they do."
  • 00:14:54.426 --> 00:14:56.395
  • Who was that prayer for?
  • 00:14:56.395 --> 00:14:57.796
  • It was for the people that pounded the spikes in his hands
  • 00:14:57.796 --> 00:15:01.700
  • And feet and pressed the crown of thorns on his head and tore
  • 00:15:01.700 --> 00:15:05.704
  • His back open with a whip.
  • 00:15:05.704 --> 00:15:07.840
  • "lord, father, forgive them, they know not what they do."
  • 00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:11.911
  • Here's number four: we need to bring our personal needs
  • 00:15:11.911 --> 00:15:15.648
  • Before god.
  • 00:15:15.648 --> 00:15:17.383
  • Bring our personal needs before god.
  • 00:15:17.383 --> 00:15:19.084
  • Verse 11, "give us day by day our daily bread."
  • 00:15:19.084 --> 00:15:24.757
  • It's really an amazing thing that this all-knowing,
  • 00:15:24.823 --> 00:15:27.526
  • All-powerful, omnipotent god who created the entire universe
  • 00:15:27.526 --> 00:15:32.898
  • Would have any interest in us personally, but he does.
  • 00:15:32.898 --> 00:15:38.170
  • He cares about you.
  • 00:15:38.170 --> 00:15:40.406
  • Why would he make so much of this?
  • 00:15:40.406 --> 00:15:42.341
  • Why would he care about our needs?
  • 00:15:42.341 --> 00:15:43.676
  • I don't know, but job 7:17 says, "what is man, that you make so
  • 00:15:43.676 --> 00:15:48.147
  • Much of him, and give him so much attention," the answer is
  • 00:15:48.147 --> 00:15:53.085
  • Pretty simple.
  • 00:15:53.085 --> 00:15:54.420
  • I think it's because he just loves you, and he loves me,
  • 00:15:54.420 --> 00:15:58.357
  • And he's not going to hold something back if you need it.
  • 00:15:58.357 --> 00:16:01.026
  • Jesus says in matthew 7:9, "you parents--if your children ask
  • 00:16:01.026 --> 00:16:05.297
  • For a loaf of bread, are you gonna give them a stone instead?
  • 00:16:05.297 --> 00:16:08.567
  • If they ask for a fish, would you give them a snake?
  • 00:16:08.567 --> 00:16:11.236
  • Of course not!
  • 00:16:11.236 --> 00:16:12.604
  • If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your
  • 00:16:12.604 --> 00:16:16.075
  • Children, how much more will your heavenly father give good
  • 00:16:16.075 --> 00:16:19.478
  • Gifts to those who ask him."
  • 00:16:19.478 --> 00:16:22.548
  • So if your little kid comes up, "mommy, i'm so hungry.
  • 00:16:22.548 --> 00:16:25.250
  • Can i have a little piece of bread?"
  • 00:16:25.250 --> 00:16:27.086
  • "no, but you can have a rock instead."
  • 00:16:27.086 --> 00:16:30.155
  • "mommy, can i have some fresh fish?"
  • 00:16:30.155 --> 00:16:31.824
  • "no, but i have a live snake!
  • 00:16:31.824 --> 00:16:33.158
  • Here you go, kid."
  • 00:16:33.158 --> 00:16:34.526
  • Who would do that?
  • 00:16:34.526 --> 00:16:36.395
  • We take care of our children, god takes care of us as well.
  • 00:16:36.395 --> 00:16:40.432
  • So when we say to god, "give me this day my daily bread," i'm
  • 00:16:40.432 --> 00:16:43.602
  • Not just speaking about bread, or even about food, i'm talking
  • 00:16:43.602 --> 00:16:47.239
  • About everything.
  • 00:16:47.239 --> 00:16:48.874
  • Lord, give me everything that i need.
  • 00:16:48.874 --> 00:16:50.743
  • It's a funny thing, back in the '60s, we used to use the word
  • 00:16:50.743 --> 00:16:54.179
  • "bread" to speak of money.
  • 00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:56.315
  • You'd walk up to someone, "hey dude, you got any bread," right?
  • 00:16:56.315 --> 00:16:59.918
  • How many of you remember that?
  • 00:16:59.918 --> 00:17:01.553
  • All the old people, "hey."
  • 00:17:01.553 --> 00:17:05.858
  • I feel as an older person, i can mock older people, okay?
  • 00:17:05.858 --> 00:17:08.827
  • So.
  • 00:17:08.827 --> 00:17:11.430
  • "give us day to day our daily bread."
  • 00:17:11.430 --> 00:17:15.000
  • You know, when you ask someone to give you something, you're
  • 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:17.536
  • Acknowledging they own it.
  • 00:17:17.536 --> 00:17:20.439
  • You're acknowledging also that you need it.
  • 00:17:20.439 --> 00:17:23.642
  • They don't owe it to you, you don't deserve it.
  • 00:17:23.642 --> 00:17:27.346
  • He's not saying we should pray, "pay us our daily bread."
  • 00:17:27.346 --> 00:17:31.183
  • "give us our daily bread."
  • 00:17:31.183 --> 00:17:33.252
  • This reminds us we're completely dependent on god, and it's
  • 00:17:33.252 --> 00:17:37.456
  • An affirmation that everything you have comes from god.
  • 00:17:37.456 --> 00:17:41.393
  • Everything you have comes from god.
  • 00:17:41.393 --> 00:17:43.228
  • James 1:17 says, "every good gift and perfect gift is from
  • 00:17:43.228 --> 00:17:47.666
  • Above, and comes down from the father of lights, with whom
  • 00:17:47.666 --> 00:17:51.036
  • There is no variation or shadow of turning."
  • 00:17:51.036 --> 00:17:54.373
  • You can work hard, you can invest your money wisely, you
  • 00:17:54.373 --> 00:17:58.710
  • Can do all the things that you do, but ultimately, remember, it
  • 00:17:58.710 --> 00:18:02.948
  • All came from god.
  • 00:18:02.948 --> 00:18:05.584
  • Deuteronomy 8:18 says, "remember the lord your god, he is the
  • 00:18:05.584 --> 00:18:09.254
  • One who gave you the ability to produce wealth," so we thank
  • 00:18:09.254 --> 00:18:13.158
  • Him, but we also pray about our needs.
  • 00:18:13.158 --> 00:18:15.727
  • If you have a need, pray about it.
  • 00:18:15.727 --> 00:18:18.263
  • James says, "you have not because you ask not."
  • 00:18:18.263 --> 00:18:20.866
  • Do you have a need right now?
  • 00:18:20.866 --> 00:18:22.301
  • It's a physical need, a financial need, a medical need,
  • 00:18:22.301 --> 00:18:27.239
  • Something else.
  • 00:18:27.239 --> 00:18:28.574
  • Pray about it, "lord, would you give this to me?
  • 00:18:28.574 --> 00:18:31.110
  • Now, of course, lord, i pray your kingdom come, your will be
  • 00:18:31.110 --> 00:18:34.813
  • Done on earth, as it is in heaven.
  • 00:18:34.813 --> 00:18:36.682
  • If there's something in this request that is outside of your
  • 00:18:36.682 --> 00:18:39.351
  • Will, overrule it.
  • 00:18:39.351 --> 00:18:41.286
  • But lord, i do need this, and i'm calling out to you, and i'm
  • 00:18:41.286 --> 00:18:45.057
  • Praying about it."
  • 00:18:45.057 --> 00:18:47.059
  • God almighty has promised to answer your prayers, but that
  • 00:18:47.059 --> 00:18:51.096
  • Does not mean that we sit around like lazy bums and say, "lord,
  • 00:18:51.096 --> 00:18:56.835
  • Just provide."
  • 00:18:56.835 --> 00:18:59.104
  • You know, get off your big, fat, la-z-boy recliner.
  • 00:18:59.104 --> 00:19:05.410
  • What did you think i was gonna say?
  • 00:19:05.410 --> 00:19:09.615
  • And get a job.
  • 00:19:09.615 --> 00:19:11.450
  • Somehow people think the world owes them a living, the
  • 00:19:11.450 --> 00:19:13.819
  • Government owes them a living, their parents owe them a living.
  • 00:19:13.819 --> 00:19:16.989
  • "well, my mom and dad will take care of me even though
  • 00:19:16.989 --> 00:19:19.458
  • I'm 50 still."
  • 00:19:19.458 --> 00:19:20.826
  • Wait, get a job.
  • 00:19:20.826 --> 00:19:22.327
  • Have a little self-respect.
  • 00:19:22.327 --> 00:19:24.596
  • "well, they don't pay enough."
  • 00:19:24.596 --> 00:19:25.964
  • Just go out and have a work ethic.
  • 00:19:25.964 --> 00:19:28.100
  • The christian should be the hardest of all workers,
  • 00:19:28.100 --> 00:19:31.336
  • Doing it for the glory of god.
  • 00:19:31.336 --> 00:19:34.239
  • The bible says, "if a man doesn't work,
  • 00:19:38.143 --> 00:19:39.645
  • He should not eat."
  • 00:19:39.645 --> 00:19:41.013
  • You need to work.
  • 00:19:41.647 --> 00:19:42.981
  • Now, maybe you're not able to work.
  • 00:19:42.981 --> 00:19:44.316
  • Well, that's another situation.
  • 00:19:44.316 --> 00:19:45.751
  • I'm talking about those who are able.
  • 00:19:45.751 --> 00:19:49.087
  • So we need to do our part, god will do his part, and he'll
  • 00:19:49.087 --> 00:19:52.291
  • Provide your needs, and number five: we need to pray
  • 00:19:52.291 --> 00:19:56.028
  • For personal forgiveness, and extend forgiveness to others.
  • 00:19:56.028 --> 00:20:00.566
  • We need to pray for personal forgiveness
  • 00:20:00.566 --> 00:20:02.901
  • And extend forgiveness to others,
  • 00:20:02.901 --> 00:20:04.670
  • And this is in the context of daily.
  • 00:20:04.670 --> 00:20:06.772
  • "give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,
  • 00:20:06.772 --> 00:20:10.676
  • As we forgive those who have sinned against us."
  • 00:20:10.676 --> 00:20:14.112
  • Just as i need to pray for daily provision, i need to pray for
  • 00:20:14.179 --> 00:20:18.750
  • Daily forgiveness.
  • 00:20:18.750 --> 00:20:21.553
  • You sin every day more than you think, and i don't mean you
  • 00:20:21.553 --> 00:20:24.656
  • Only, i mean me.
  • 00:20:24.656 --> 00:20:26.024
  • All of us do.
  • 00:20:26.024 --> 00:20:27.426
  • The bible says, "if we say we have no sin, we deceive
  • 00:20:27.426 --> 00:20:30.128
  • Ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
  • 00:20:30.128 --> 00:20:32.164
  • So we say, "lord, cleanse me of all sin.
  • 00:20:32.164 --> 00:20:36.268
  • Forgive me my debts, as i forgive my debtors."
  • 00:20:36.268 --> 00:20:41.873
  • Some people don't think they need forgiveness, but they do.
  • 00:20:41.873 --> 00:20:44.943
  • Everyone does.
  • 00:20:44.943 --> 00:20:46.812
  • Having received that forgiveness, i should also
  • 00:20:46.812 --> 00:20:49.281
  • Extend it to others.
  • 00:20:49.281 --> 00:20:51.583
  • Forgiven people should be forgiving people.
  • 00:20:51.583 --> 00:20:55.921
  • And according to jesus, our generous and constant
  • 00:20:55.921 --> 00:20:58.490
  • Forgiveness of others should be the natural result of our
  • 00:20:58.490 --> 00:21:01.893
  • Understanding of the forgiveness that god has extended toward us.
  • 00:21:01.893 --> 00:21:07.466
  • I loved the statement by c.s. lewis, or loved the statement
  • 00:21:07.466 --> 00:21:11.036
  • By lewis, where he says, quote, "everyone thinks forgiveness
  • 00:21:11.036 --> 00:21:14.640
  • Is a lovely idea until they have someone to forgive."
  • 00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:19.111
  • Right?
  • 00:21:19.111 --> 00:21:20.445
  • It's a great concept.
  • 00:21:20.445 --> 00:21:21.813
  • "oh, yes, i love forgiveness.
  • 00:21:21.813 --> 00:21:23.148
  • Oh, let's all forgive," till someone wrongs you, till someone
  • 00:21:23.148 --> 00:21:25.584
  • Hurts you, but you, too, should forgive.
  • 00:21:25.584 --> 00:21:29.388
  • "well, they don't deserve forgiveness."
  • 00:21:29.388 --> 00:21:31.123
  • Do you?
  • 00:21:31.123 --> 00:21:32.524
  • I'll answer it for you, you don't.
  • 00:21:32.524 --> 00:21:35.260
  • Again, what did jesus do?
  • 00:21:35.260 --> 00:21:37.129
  • Praying for his very enemies, "father, forgive them,
  • 00:21:37.129 --> 00:21:40.198
  • They don't know what they're doing."
  • 00:21:40.198 --> 00:21:42.367
  • If you harbor resentment and fail to forgive people,
  • 00:21:42.367 --> 00:21:46.672
  • You grieve the holy spirit.
  • 00:21:46.672 --> 00:21:48.507
  • The word "grieves" means to make sad or sorrowful.
  • 00:21:48.507 --> 00:21:53.078
  • Ephesians 4:30 says, "don't bring sorrow to god's holy
  • 00:21:53.078 --> 00:21:56.014
  • Spirit by the way that you live.
  • 00:21:56.014 --> 00:21:57.783
  • Get rid of bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words.
  • 00:21:57.783 --> 00:22:01.286
  • Instead, be tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as god
  • 00:22:01.286 --> 00:22:05.457
  • Through christ has forgiven you."
  • 00:22:05.457 --> 00:22:07.326
  • By the way, there are fringe benefits to forgiving others.
  • 00:22:07.326 --> 00:22:11.463
  • You'll live longer, literally.
  • 00:22:11.463 --> 00:22:14.599
  • A new field of research has developed on the subject of
  • 00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:17.536
  • Forgiveness, and recent studies suggest that those that do not
  • 00:22:17.536 --> 00:22:21.740
  • Forgive are more likely to experience high blood pressure,
  • 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:25.911
  • Bouts of depression, and problems with anger, stress,
  • 00:22:25.911 --> 00:22:29.748
  • And anxiety.
  • 00:22:29.748 --> 00:22:31.350
  • So you can keep it all inside, and you can be that person
  • 00:22:31.350 --> 00:22:35.320
  • In the restaurant and they call out your name,
  • 00:22:35.320 --> 00:22:37.689
  • "bitter, party of one."
  • 00:22:37.689 --> 00:22:42.227
  • Or you can be a forgiving person.
  • 00:22:42.227 --> 00:22:45.263
  • It's your choice.
  • 00:22:45.263 --> 00:22:46.631
  • "forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned
  • 00:22:46.631 --> 00:22:49.868
  • Against us, and don't lead us into temptation."
  • 00:22:49.868 --> 00:22:53.538
  • We need to pray to not fall into temptation.
  • 00:22:53.538 --> 00:22:56.842
  • We're saying, "lord, don't let me be tempted above my capacity
  • 00:22:56.842 --> 00:23:00.812
  • To resist."
  • 00:23:00.812 --> 00:23:02.481
  • The problem with temptation is we find a way to rationalize it.
  • 00:23:02.481 --> 00:23:06.885
  • The problem with temptation is, well, it's just so tempting.
  • 00:23:06.885 --> 00:23:11.490
  • And we say, "it's okay for me."
  • 00:23:11.490 --> 00:23:13.358
  • We're so quick to jump down the throat of someone else doing
  • 00:23:13.358 --> 00:23:16.428
  • Something, but somehow we excuse it in our own lives.
  • 00:23:16.428 --> 00:23:20.699
  • Lord, don't let me be tempted above my capacity to resist, and
  • 00:23:20.699 --> 00:23:24.302
  • Listen to this: there's always a way out of every temptation.
  • 00:23:24.302 --> 00:23:28.473
  • 1 corinthians 10:13 says, "there is no temptation taking
  • 00:23:28.473 --> 00:23:32.344
  • You but such as is common to man: but god who is faithful
  • 00:23:32.344 --> 00:23:36.515
  • Will not allow you to be tempted above your capacity to resist,
  • 00:23:36.515 --> 00:23:40.585
  • But will with the temptation make a way of escape,
  • 00:23:40.585 --> 00:23:43.688
  • That you may be able to bear it."
  • 00:23:43.688 --> 00:23:45.690
  • Let me paraphrase it: there's always a way out.
  • 00:23:45.690 --> 00:23:49.361
  • He'll never give you too much.
  • 00:23:49.361 --> 00:23:51.496
  • Sometimes it's as simple as the door, as simple as the off
  • 00:23:51.496 --> 00:23:55.367
  • Button, as simple as terminating a conversation, whatever it is.
  • 00:23:55.367 --> 00:24:00.205
  • "lord, don't lead me into temptation, but deliver me
  • 00:24:00.205 --> 00:24:05.043
  • From evil."
  • 00:24:05.043 --> 00:24:06.378
  • But what a privilege it is to pray.
  • 00:24:06.378 --> 00:24:08.980
  • But does it ever seem to you as though you pray, and no one
  • 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:12.684
  • Is listening?
  • 00:24:12.684 --> 00:24:14.219
  • Has it ever seemed to you like god doesn't hear or answer
  • 00:24:14.219 --> 00:24:19.157
  • Your prayers?
  • 00:24:19.157 --> 00:24:20.492
  • Well, look, prayer is a privilege for a christian.
  • 00:24:20.492 --> 00:24:23.695
  • Now, anyone can pray, but a christian has the privilege of
  • 00:24:23.695 --> 00:24:28.500
  • Constant communication with god.
  • 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:31.470
  • Now, a non-believer can pray.
  • 00:24:31.470 --> 00:24:33.772
  • They can say, "god, be merciful to me, a sinner."
  • 00:24:33.772 --> 00:24:35.974
  • God will hear that prayer, and you can begin a whole new life
  • 00:24:35.974 --> 00:24:39.077
  • And relationship with christ.
  • 00:24:39.077 --> 00:24:41.012
  • But if you're a non-believer living in sin, you're not gonna
  • 00:24:41.012 --> 00:24:44.216
  • Have what we might call a prayer life because your sin separates
  • 00:24:44.216 --> 00:24:49.321
  • You from god.
  • 00:24:49.321 --> 00:24:50.889
  • So god says, "it's not like my ear is deaf, where it can't hear
  • 00:24:50.889 --> 00:24:54.893
  • You, or my arm is short and i can't reach you, but your sins
  • 00:24:54.893 --> 00:24:58.396
  • Have separated you from me," see?
  • 00:24:58.396 --> 00:25:01.600
  • So as long as i'm living with sin in my life,
  • 00:25:01.600 --> 00:25:04.703
  • It puts like a barrier in front of me and god.
  • 00:25:04.703 --> 00:25:08.573
  • And the only way that barrier will come down is if i will
  • 00:25:08.573 --> 00:25:11.376
  • Acknowledge my sin and turn from it and ask for his forgiveness,
  • 00:25:11.376 --> 00:25:15.413
  • Which he will generously extend.
  • 00:25:15.413 --> 00:25:19.150
  • God wants a close relationship with you.
  • 00:25:19.150 --> 00:25:21.186
  • He doesn't wanna just be the man upstairs.
  • 00:25:21.186 --> 00:25:24.789
  • "the man upstairs."
  • 00:25:24.789 --> 00:25:26.124
  • Who are we talking about exactly?
  • 00:25:26.124 --> 00:25:27.893
  • "the good lord is what i call him."
  • 00:25:27.893 --> 00:25:29.794
  • Always the good.
  • 00:25:29.794 --> 00:25:31.129
  • Make sure you get good in there.
  • 00:25:31.129 --> 00:25:32.497
  • "the good lord."
  • 00:25:32.497 --> 00:25:34.065
  • He wants to be more than the good lord or the man upstairs.
  • 00:25:34.065 --> 00:25:37.869
  • He wants to be your best friend.
  • 00:25:37.869 --> 00:25:40.338
  • He wants to be your father.
  • 00:25:40.338 --> 00:25:42.340
  • He wants to hear from you, and he wants to speak to you,
  • 00:25:42.340 --> 00:25:45.777
  • And that can all happen for you right now if you'll admit
  • 00:25:45.777 --> 00:25:49.714
  • You're a sinner.
  • 00:25:49.714 --> 00:25:51.049
  • Come back to that story jesus told, he just said, "god,
  • 00:25:51.049 --> 00:25:53.952
  • Have mercy on me, the sinner," and god did.
  • 00:25:53.952 --> 00:25:57.055
  • And if you'll say that to god, he'll hear your prayer.
  • 00:25:57.055 --> 00:26:00.859
  • Greg: have you ever wondered how to find personal happiness?
  • 00:26:05.030 --> 00:26:08.400
  • Hi, i'm pastor greg laurie.
  • 00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:10.101
  • Let me tell you a secret about finding happiness.
  • 00:26:10.101 --> 00:26:13.405
  • The least happy people are the people that live to be happy.
  • 00:26:13.405 --> 00:26:17.742
  • But here's the secret: the bible says, "happy are the people
  • 00:26:17.742 --> 00:26:22.180
  • Whose god is the lord."
  • 00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:24.516
  • You will never find happiness from seeking it, but if you come
  • 00:26:24.516 --> 00:26:28.219
  • Into a relationship with god through jesus, you'll find
  • 00:26:28.219 --> 00:26:31.990
  • The happiness you've been looking for in life.
  • 00:26:31.990 --> 00:26:35.727
  • He's just a prayer away.
  • 00:26:35.727 --> 00:26:37.963
  • There's a number on the screen, you can call that number.
  • 00:26:37.963 --> 00:26:41.466
  • And i wanna send you a free bible and tell you how to be
  • 00:26:41.466 --> 00:26:44.936
  • A happy person and come into a relationship with god
  • 00:26:44.936 --> 00:26:49.007
  • So you have purpose in this life and the life to come.
  • 00:26:49.007 --> 00:26:52.777
  • You have the hope of heaven.
  • 00:26:52.777 --> 00:26:57.482
  • Female announcer: jesus says that where two or three are
  • 00:27:01.586 --> 00:27:03.989
  • Gathered in my name, there i am in the midst of them.
  • 00:27:03.989 --> 00:27:08.426
  • We are all different.
  • 00:27:08.426 --> 00:27:09.794
  • We have different interests, different personalities,
  • 00:27:09.794 --> 00:27:12.931
  • Different upbringings, and different ways we do life,
  • 00:27:12.931 --> 00:27:16.868
  • But here, we have a deep connection,
  • 00:27:16.868 --> 00:27:20.405
  • And you are welcome here.
  • 00:27:20.405 --> 00:27:24.509
  • This is harvest.
  • 00:27:24.509 --> 00:27:24.509