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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - How To (And How Not To) Pray

April 29, 2026 | 27:29

Greg Laurie - How To (And How Not To) Pray
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#Prayer #WalkwithGod #Relationships #SeekGod #HeavenlyFather #Honor #GlorifyGod #God'sWill #KingdomofGod #Faith #TrustGod #Need #Provision #GregLaurie

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - How To (And How Not To) Pray | April 29, 2026
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:00.343
  • Greg laurie: so when we say to god,
  • 00:00:04.147 --> 00:00:05.348
  • "give me this day my daily bread,"
  • 00:00:05.482 --> 00:00:07.117
  • I'm not just speaking about bread, or even about food,
  • 00:00:07.217 --> 00:00:10.353
  • I'm talking about everything.
  • 00:00:10.487 --> 00:00:10.987
  • You know, when you ask someone to give you something,
  • 00:00:12.622 --> 00:00:14.824
  • You're acknowledging they own it.
  • 00:00:14.824 --> 00:00:17.994
  • You're acknowledging also that you need it.
  • 00:00:17.994 --> 00:00:21.231
  • They don't owe it to you, you don't deserve it.
  • 00:00:21.231 --> 00:00:24.934
  • He's not saying we should pray, "pay us our daily bread."
  • 00:00:24.934 --> 00:00:28.772
  • Give us our daily bread.
  • 00:00:28.772 --> 00:00:30.807
  • This reminds us we're completely dependent on god.
  • 00:00:30.807 --> 00:00:34.177
  • ♪ this is the day ♪
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  • ♪ the day when life begins ♪
  • 00:00:39.649 --> 00:00:44.954
  • ♪ this is the day ♪
  • 00:00:44.954 --> 00:00:47.457
  • ♪ the day when life begins ♪♪
  • 00:00:47.457 --> 00:00:51.861
  • Greg: heard the story of a pilot,
  • 00:00:55.665 --> 00:00:58.001
  • He was flying a planeload of passengers to their destination.
  • 00:00:58.001 --> 00:01:01.304
  • Suddenly, the rudder malfunctioned.
  • 00:01:01.304 --> 00:01:03.907
  • He radioed the control tower in panic and said, "the rudder
  • 00:01:03.907 --> 00:01:08.678
  • Has malfunctioned, what should i do?"
  • 00:01:08.678 --> 00:01:10.947
  • The air traffic controller said, "keep calm, captain.
  • 00:01:11.014 --> 00:01:15.018
  • Just repeat after me, 'wings flap, check.
  • 00:01:15.018 --> 00:01:18.621
  • Velocity, check.
  • 00:01:18.621 --> 00:01:20.490
  • Altitude, check.'"
  • 00:01:20.490 --> 00:01:22.292
  • The pilot made the appropriate adjustments and everything
  • 00:01:22.292 --> 00:01:24.761
  • Was fine.
  • 00:01:24.761 --> 00:01:26.096
  • A few moments passed and the starboard engine failed.
  • 00:01:26.096 --> 00:01:29.265
  • He goes back to the radio tower, "the starboard engine
  • 00:01:29.265 --> 00:01:32.402
  • Just stalled, what should i do?"
  • 00:01:32.402 --> 00:01:33.736
  • The air traffic controller radioed back and said,
  • 00:01:33.736 --> 00:01:37.474
  • "okay, keep calm, captain.
  • 00:01:37.474 --> 00:01:39.375
  • Repeat after me, 'wings flap, check.
  • 00:01:39.375 --> 00:01:43.079
  • Velocity, check.
  • 00:01:43.079 --> 00:01:45.081
  • Altitude, check.'"
  • 00:01:45.081 --> 00:01:47.016
  • Now both engines went out.
  • 00:01:47.016 --> 00:01:49.052
  • "mayday, mayday.
  • 00:01:49.052 --> 00:01:50.386
  • Both engines have gone out, what should i do?"
  • 00:01:50.386 --> 00:01:53.223
  • The air controller said, "now, keep calm, captain, and repeat
  • 00:01:53.223 --> 00:01:56.926
  • After me, 'our father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.'"
  • 00:01:56.926 --> 00:02:04.100
  • The lord's prayer.
  • 00:02:04.100 --> 00:02:05.502
  • Most of us know it, or at least we know parts of it.
  • 00:02:05.502 --> 00:02:08.938
  • It's a prayer that is sort of behind glass.
  • 00:02:08.938 --> 00:02:11.374
  • In case of emergency, pull this prayer out, and there's
  • 00:02:11.374 --> 00:02:15.011
  • Certainly nothing wrong with praying the lord's prayer
  • 00:02:15.011 --> 00:02:17.580
  • Verbatim, but it's more than that.
  • 00:02:17.580 --> 00:02:20.617
  • It's really the words of jesus given to us and how we can pray.
  • 00:02:20.617 --> 00:02:25.355
  • Imagine if you went to an elite university and you were able to
  • 00:02:25.355 --> 00:02:29.025
  • Be taught by the most impressive people throughout history.
  • 00:02:29.025 --> 00:02:33.196
  • For instance, you could study music under beethoven himself,
  • 00:02:33.196 --> 00:02:37.433
  • Or you could have a drama class taught by william shakespeare,
  • 00:02:37.433 --> 00:02:41.604
  • Or a political science class taught by thomas jefferson, or a
  • 00:02:41.604 --> 00:02:46.276
  • Philosophy class taught by c.s. lewis.
  • 00:02:46.276 --> 00:02:48.912
  • How about this: a class on prayer taught by jesus christ.
  • 00:02:48.912 --> 00:02:53.583
  • Mmm, i'd sign up for that.
  • 00:02:53.583 --> 00:02:56.719
  • I'd be all over that course.
  • 00:02:56.719 --> 00:02:58.121
  • I'd wanna know what jesus had to say about prayer, and that's
  • 00:02:58.121 --> 00:03:01.558
  • What the lord's prayer is.
  • 00:03:01.558 --> 00:03:03.359
  • It all started when his disciples came to him and said,
  • 00:03:03.359 --> 00:03:06.462
  • "lord, would you teach us how to pray?"
  • 00:03:06.462 --> 00:03:10.433
  • And the encouraging thing is jesus did what they asked, and
  • 00:03:10.433 --> 00:03:13.269
  • In doing so, acknowledging that prayer is something
  • 00:03:13.269 --> 00:03:16.339
  • You can learn.
  • 00:03:16.339 --> 00:03:17.774
  • But before we learn how to pray, let's learn how not to pray.
  • 00:03:17.774 --> 00:03:21.411
  • Matthew 6, verse 5.
  • 00:03:21.411 --> 00:03:23.546
  • Jesus says, "when you pray, you shall not
  • 00:03:23.546 --> 00:03:25.582
  • Be like the hypocrites.
  • 00:03:25.582 --> 00:03:27.217
  • For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the
  • 00:03:27.217 --> 00:03:29.986
  • Corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men."
  • 00:03:29.986 --> 00:03:33.723
  • You might underline that.
  • 00:03:33.723 --> 00:03:35.058
  • "that they may be seen by men.
  • 00:03:35.058 --> 00:03:36.960
  • Assuredly, i say to you, they have their reward.
  • 00:03:36.960 --> 00:03:39.562
  • But when you pray, go to your room, when you have shut your
  • 00:03:39.562 --> 00:03:42.765
  • Door, pray to your father who is in the secret place, and your
  • 00:03:42.765 --> 00:03:46.369
  • Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
  • 00:03:46.369 --> 00:03:50.640
  • When you pray, don't use vain repetitions as the heathen do.
  • 00:03:50.640 --> 00:03:54.911
  • For they think they'll be heard for their many words.
  • 00:03:54.911 --> 00:03:57.580
  • Therefore do not be like like them.
  • 00:03:57.580 --> 00:03:59.115
  • For your father knows the things you have need of before you
  • 00:03:59.115 --> 00:04:02.752
  • Ask him."
  • 00:04:02.752 --> 00:04:04.087
  • We'll stop there.
  • 00:04:04.087 --> 00:04:05.455
  • It's a tragic thing, but really sin knows no boundaries.
  • 00:04:05.455 --> 00:04:09.092
  • It can follow us to the very throne of heaven, where i'm
  • 00:04:09.092 --> 00:04:13.162
  • Actually missing the whole point of what prayer should be,
  • 00:04:13.162 --> 00:04:17.066
  • Focusing the intention upon myself.
  • 00:04:17.066 --> 00:04:20.370
  • This was the problem with the pharisees.
  • 00:04:20.370 --> 00:04:22.572
  • They prayed to be seen by men.
  • 00:04:22.572 --> 00:04:24.340
  • The pharisees love the theater of prayer.
  • 00:04:24.340 --> 00:04:27.777
  • It was sort of like a performance.
  • 00:04:27.777 --> 00:04:30.213
  • They would go to a street corner and stop and pray loudly and
  • 00:04:30.213 --> 00:04:33.616
  • People would look, "oh, look at that religious man.
  • 00:04:33.616 --> 00:04:36.519
  • Oh, how devout he is, how impressive he is."
  • 00:04:36.519 --> 00:04:39.822
  • Jesus is saying, "god's not impressed."
  • 00:04:39.822 --> 00:04:42.492
  • He's not impressed one bit because you're doing it for
  • 00:04:42.492 --> 00:04:45.228
  • Others to see.
  • 00:04:45.228 --> 00:04:47.130
  • And so, he's showing us that is not how we should pray, nor
  • 00:04:47.130 --> 00:04:49.966
  • Should we offer ritualized repeated prayers.
  • 00:04:49.966 --> 00:04:54.671
  • That's why i don't really love memorized prayers that people
  • 00:04:54.671 --> 00:04:58.541
  • Pray over and over again.
  • 00:04:58.541 --> 00:04:59.909
  • "just say ten our fathers and you'll be okay."
  • 00:04:59.909 --> 00:05:02.078
  • Well, is there some magic in a little prayer that we pray?
  • 00:05:02.078 --> 00:05:06.015
  • When we pray, god looks on the heart.
  • 00:05:06.015 --> 00:05:08.418
  • It's a conversation with god.
  • 00:05:08.418 --> 00:05:10.853
  • The objective of prayer is not to change god, it's to
  • 00:05:10.853 --> 00:05:14.891
  • Change you.
  • 00:05:14.891 --> 00:05:16.459
  • God knows what you need, but prayer is not to inform god,
  • 00:05:16.459 --> 00:05:20.596
  • Prayer is to invite god.
  • 00:05:20.596 --> 00:05:22.131
  • Let me say that again.
  • 00:05:22.131 --> 00:05:23.499
  • Prayer is not to inform god, prayer is to invite god.
  • 00:05:23.499 --> 00:05:28.137
  • The value of prayer is it keeps me in touch with god.
  • 00:05:28.137 --> 00:05:31.841
  • Prayer is getting closer to god.
  • 00:05:31.841 --> 00:05:35.311
  • 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
  • 00:05:40.249 --> 00:05:43.186
  • Tragedy, and i come to the lord, and i call upon the lord.
  • 00:05:43.186 --> 00:05:47.857
  • So, that's how not to pray.
  • 00:05:47.857 --> 00:05:49.859
  • 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.
  • 00:05:54.197 --> 00:05:55.665
  • I'm gonna put it up on the screen because i would like us
  • 00:05:55.665 --> 00:05:58.801
  • All to say this out loud together.
  • 00:05:58.801 --> 00:06:01.904
  • Let's see what jesus says.
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  • "our father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.
  • 00:06:03.673 --> 00:06:08.311
  • Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is
  • 00:06:08.311 --> 00:06:12.815
  • In heaven.
  • 00:06:12.815 --> 00:06:14.150
  • Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts,
  • 00:06:14.150 --> 00:06:17.854
  • As we forgive our debtors.
  • 00:06:17.854 --> 00:06:19.856
  • And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from
  • 00:06:19.856 --> 00:06:23.693
  • The evil one.
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  • For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever."
  • 00:06:25.061 --> 00:06:29.198
  • Amen.
  • 00:06:29.198 --> 00:06:30.533
  • The lord's prayer.
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  • Great one, memorize that.
  • 00:06:31.901 --> 00:06:33.302
  • It's not too long.
  • 00:06:33.302 --> 00:06:34.804
  • A template for all prayer.
  • 00:06:34.804 --> 00:06:36.639
  • The first three requests in the lord's prayer deal with the
  • 00:06:36.639 --> 00:06:40.476
  • Glory of god.
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  • "our father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.
  • 00:06:41.844 --> 00:06:44.680
  • Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, as it is
  • 00:06:44.680 --> 00:06:47.150
  • In heaven."
  • 00:06:47.150 --> 00:06:48.518
  • The final petitions deal with the needs of man.
  • 00:06:48.518 --> 00:06:51.521
  • "give us this day our daily bread, forgive us our sins,
  • 00:06:51.521 --> 00:06:54.357
  • As we forgive those who sin against us.
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  • Don't lead us into temptation."
  • 00:06:56.426 --> 00:06:58.561
  • So how do we pray?
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  • Here's point number one if you're taking notes:
  • 00:06:59.896 --> 00:07:02.432
  • We pray to a father in heaven who loves us.
  • 00:07:02.432 --> 00:07:05.301
  • We pray to a father who art in heaven.
  • 00:07:05.301 --> 00:07:08.104
  • "our father who art in heaven."
  • 00:07:08.104 --> 00:07:11.073
  • Not, "our vending machine who art in heaven."
  • 00:07:11.073 --> 00:07:14.410
  • Not, "our butler who are in heaven."
  • 00:07:14.410 --> 00:07:16.446
  • Our father.
  • 00:07:16.446 --> 00:07:17.980
  • A father who longs for communication and fellowship
  • 00:07:17.980 --> 00:07:21.017
  • With us.
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  • A father who loves to bless us.
  • 00:07:22.385 --> 00:07:24.787
  • He's a generous father.
  • 00:07:24.787 --> 00:07:26.756
  • He's a good father.
  • 00:07:26.756 --> 00:07:28.591
  • Jesus said, "it is your father's good pleasure to give to you
  • 00:07:28.591 --> 00:07:32.428
  • The kingdom."
  • 00:07:32.428 --> 00:07:33.763
  • He's not a stingy god, he's a generous god, so i come
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  • To my father.
  • 00:07:38.167 --> 00:07:39.702
  • Greg: we all know the lord's prayer, right?
  • 00:07:42.071 --> 00:07:44.807
  • "our father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.
  • 00:07:44.807 --> 00:07:48.344
  • Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, as it is
  • 00:07:48.344 --> 00:07:52.081
  • In heaven.
  • 00:07:52.081 --> 00:07:53.416
  • Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,
  • 00:07:53.416 --> 00:07:56.619
  • As we forgive those who have sinned against us.
  • 00:07:56.619 --> 00:07:59.422
  • Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
  • 00:07:59.422 --> 00:08:03.726
  • For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever."
  • 00:08:03.726 --> 00:08:07.363
  • Amen.
  • 00:08:07.363 --> 00:08:08.798
  • That's the prayer we usually pull out in case of emergency,
  • 00:08:08.798 --> 00:08:12.702
  • And it can be that.
  • 00:08:12.702 --> 00:08:14.070
  • It's fine to pray the lord's prayer verbatim, i encourage you
  • 00:08:14.070 --> 00:08:16.772
  • To do so.
  • 00:08:16.772 --> 00:08:18.140
  • But it's also a model or a template for prayer.
  • 00:08:18.140 --> 00:08:20.943
  • You know, like when you go to a housing track and they're gonna
  • 00:08:20.943 --> 00:08:23.846
  • Build a bunch of homes and you can go visit the model homes,
  • 00:08:23.846 --> 00:08:26.883
  • And you walk through and look at how this family that doesn't
  • 00:08:26.883 --> 00:08:30.419
  • Really exist lives and pictures of people that don't live there
  • 00:08:30.419 --> 00:08:33.856
  • Are there, but you get a sense of what the track will
  • 00:08:33.856 --> 00:08:36.692
  • Look like.
  • 00:08:36.692 --> 00:08:38.027
  • The lord's prayer is a template for prayer, and jesus teaches us
  • 00:08:38.027 --> 00:08:41.697
  • When we pray, it should begin with, "our father who art in
  • 00:08:41.697 --> 00:08:45.501
  • Heaven," reminding us that god is a loving father that wants to
  • 00:08:45.501 --> 00:08:50.540
  • Hear from us.
  • 00:08:50.540 --> 00:08:51.908
  • I love the fact that we can have this relationship with god.
  • 00:08:51.908 --> 00:08:55.211
  • Years ago, when i was first getting to know billy graham, i
  • 00:08:55.211 --> 00:08:58.848
  • Addressed him as dr. graham out of respect.
  • 00:08:58.848 --> 00:09:01.517
  • That's what everyone called him, dr. graham.
  • 00:09:01.517 --> 00:09:04.220
  • And one day he said to me, "don't call me dr. graham,
  • 00:09:04.220 --> 00:09:07.323
  • Call me billy."
  • 00:09:07.323 --> 00:09:08.691
  • Well, i was not real comfortable with that because it's
  • 00:09:08.691 --> 00:09:11.160
  • Billy graham.
  • 00:09:11.160 --> 00:09:12.528
  • And finally, i got comfortable enough to call him billy, but i
  • 00:09:12.528 --> 00:09:15.565
  • Noticed his son called him daddy and his grandchildren called him
  • 00:09:15.565 --> 00:09:19.168
  • Daddy bill.
  • 00:09:19.168 --> 00:09:20.503
  • Well, he didn't tell me i could call him that.
  • 00:09:20.503 --> 00:09:22.138
  • That was a privilege afforded only for his family.
  • 00:09:22.138 --> 00:09:26.208
  • Did you know you have a privilege like that with god,
  • 00:09:26.208 --> 00:09:28.811
  • Your father?
  • 00:09:28.811 --> 00:09:30.146
  • The bible says, "god has not given us a spirit of bondage
  • 00:09:30.146 --> 00:09:32.848
  • Again to fear, but one of adoption, whereby we cry,
  • 00:09:32.848 --> 00:09:37.186
  • 'abba, father.'"
  • 00:09:37.186 --> 00:09:38.521
  • "abba, father," is another way of saying daddy.
  • 00:09:38.521 --> 00:09:41.390
  • It's the hebrew equivalent of daddy.
  • 00:09:41.390 --> 00:09:43.793
  • If you go to israel today, you'll see a little boy calling
  • 00:09:43.793 --> 00:09:46.963
  • Out "abba" or "eema" to their mother.
  • 00:09:46.963 --> 00:09:49.832
  • God is saying we can approach him as a heavenly father, a
  • 00:09:49.832 --> 00:09:53.202
  • Heavenly daddy, if you will.
  • 00:09:53.202 --> 00:09:55.471
  • It speaks of intimacy and closeness.
  • 00:09:55.471 --> 00:09:58.140
  • So when you pray, just remember, you have a loving heavenly
  • 00:09:58.140 --> 00:10:02.311
  • Father who wants to hear from you.
  • 00:10:02.311 --> 00:10:04.380
  • A loving heavenly father who wants to bless you even more
  • 00:10:04.380 --> 00:10:08.417
  • Than you want to be blessed.
  • 00:10:08.417 --> 00:10:10.786
  • Jesus said, "it is your father's good pleasure to give to you
  • 00:10:10.786 --> 00:10:15.191
  • The kingdom."
  • 00:10:15.191 --> 00:10:16.525
  • So remember that when you pray, your father is listening.
  • 00:10:16.525 --> 00:10:20.062
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:10:20.463 --> 00:10:23.966
  • Greg: and then i say, verse 9, "hallowed be your name.
  • 00:10:23.966 --> 00:10:27.203
  • Hallowed be your name."
  • 00:10:27.203 --> 00:10:28.537
  • It means, "i set god apart in my life."
  • 00:10:28.537 --> 00:10:31.974
  • In other words, he is above everything else,
  • 00:10:32.041 --> 00:10:35.111
  • He is lord of all.
  • 00:10:35.111 --> 00:10:36.479
  • Because if he is not lord of all, he is not lord at all.
  • 00:10:36.479 --> 00:10:40.950
  • When i say, "hallowed be your name,"
  • 00:10:40.950 --> 00:10:43.285
  • It means in my life and character, i'm setting christ
  • 00:10:43.285 --> 00:10:46.055
  • Apart, and i'm seeking to live a holy life.
  • 00:10:46.055 --> 00:10:49.558
  • Therefore, i should ask myself about things i pursue,
  • 00:10:49.558 --> 00:10:53.629
  • My ambitions, my interests,
  • 00:10:53.629 --> 00:10:55.631
  • Is this for his glory?
  • 00:10:55.631 --> 00:10:57.566
  • Can i write, "hallowed be your name," over this, this
  • 00:10:57.566 --> 00:11:00.569
  • Career choice?
  • 00:11:00.569 --> 00:11:01.904
  • Can i write, "hallowed be your name," over this, this tv
  • 00:11:01.904 --> 00:11:05.841
  • Program, the music i listen to,
  • 00:11:05.841 --> 00:11:07.677
  • The sites i visit, the things i stream, et cetera?
  • 00:11:07.677 --> 00:11:11.080
  • Can i write, "hallowed be your name," over it?
  • 00:11:11.080 --> 00:11:14.116
  • If i can't ask the lord to bless it, then i shouldn't do it.
  • 00:11:14.116 --> 00:11:18.621
  • So when you got up this morning, "let's go to church."
  • 00:11:18.621 --> 00:11:20.723
  • Can you say, "this is for god's glory."
  • 00:11:20.723 --> 00:11:23.259
  • Of course you can.
  • 00:11:23.259 --> 00:11:24.593
  • "let's go to lunch."
  • 00:11:24.593 --> 00:11:25.928
  • Can you say, "this is for god's glory."
  • 00:11:25.928 --> 00:11:27.296
  • For the most part, yes.
  • 00:11:27.296 --> 00:11:30.032
  • But now you're gonna go to a party and get drunk.
  • 00:11:30.032 --> 00:11:32.268
  • "lord, just bless this night as we go get drunk."
  • 00:11:32.268 --> 00:11:34.804
  • No, you can't ask god to bless that.
  • 00:11:34.804 --> 00:11:37.540
  • Or, "lord, i'm gonna go with my boyfriend tonight and we're
  • 00:11:37.540 --> 00:11:40.476
  • Gonna have sexual relations, just--" no, no, there's no
  • 00:11:40.476 --> 00:11:42.912
  • Blessing there.
  • 00:11:42.912 --> 00:11:44.313
  • Now you're outside of the will of god.
  • 00:11:44.313 --> 00:11:46.549
  • You can only ask god to bless the things that will bring
  • 00:11:46.549 --> 00:11:49.685
  • Him glory.
  • 00:11:49.685 --> 00:11:51.020
  • Point number two: when we pray, we should always ask for god's
  • 00:11:51.020 --> 00:11:54.490
  • Will to be done.
  • 00:11:54.490 --> 00:11:55.858
  • Look at verse 10.
  • 00:11:55.858 --> 00:11:57.193
  • "your kingdom come, your will be done."
  • 00:11:57.193 --> 00:11:59.962
  • Did not jesus model this for us in the garden of gethsemane?
  • 00:11:59.962 --> 00:12:04.400
  • He said, "father, if it's possible, let this cup pass from
  • 00:12:04.400 --> 00:12:06.902
  • Me; nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done."
  • 00:12:06.902 --> 00:12:11.474
  • Reminding me the primary objective of prayer is to line
  • 00:12:11.474 --> 00:12:14.443
  • My will up with the will of god.
  • 00:12:14.443 --> 00:12:17.980
  • True praying is not overcoming god's reluctance, it's laying
  • 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:22.518
  • Hold of his willingness.
  • 00:12:22.518 --> 00:12:24.353
  • Prayer is not getting my will in heaven, it's getting god's will
  • 00:12:24.353 --> 00:12:28.624
  • On earth.
  • 00:12:28.624 --> 00:12:30.092
  • Prayer's not getting my will in heaven.
  • 00:12:30.092 --> 00:12:31.927
  • You don't want your will in heaven, you want god's will
  • 00:12:31.927 --> 00:12:34.864
  • On earth.
  • 00:12:34.864 --> 00:12:36.198
  • First john 5:14 says, "this is the confidence we have in him:
  • 00:12:36.198 --> 00:12:39.635
  • If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
  • 00:12:39.635 --> 00:12:44.173
  • And we'll have the petitions desired of him."
  • 00:12:44.173 --> 00:12:47.143
  • Prayer is surrender to the will of god.
  • 00:12:47.143 --> 00:12:51.614
  • So, "our father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name."
  • 00:12:51.614 --> 00:12:55.851
  • Point number three: we should pray for god's kingdom to come.
  • 00:12:55.851 --> 00:13:01.490
  • "your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, as it is
  • 00:13:01.490 --> 00:13:05.461
  • In heaven."
  • 00:13:05.461 --> 00:13:06.829
  • Now, this is a multi-leveled request with different shades
  • 00:13:06.829 --> 00:13:10.099
  • Of meaning.
  • 00:13:10.099 --> 00:13:11.467
  • What is the kingdom of god?
  • 00:13:11.467 --> 00:13:13.169
  • It's the rule and reign of christ in your life.
  • 00:13:13.169 --> 00:13:16.238
  • And jesus said on one occasion, "the kingdom of god is in the
  • 00:13:16.238 --> 00:13:19.809
  • Midst of you," and what he meant was, "i'm here.
  • 00:13:19.809 --> 00:13:22.511
  • Wherever i am, that's where the kingdom of god is."
  • 00:13:22.511 --> 00:13:25.314
  • So when we're told in matthew 6:33 to, "seek first the kingdom
  • 00:13:25.314 --> 00:13:28.884
  • Of god in his righteousness," that means put christ first, put
  • 00:13:28.884 --> 00:13:33.389
  • The will of god first, have jesus rule and reign in
  • 00:13:33.389 --> 00:13:38.160
  • Your life.
  • 00:13:38.160 --> 00:13:39.595
  • But it's also a prayer for jesus to return to the earth.
  • 00:13:39.595 --> 00:13:44.767
  • The word that he uses here for kingdom does not refer to a
  • 00:13:44.767 --> 00:13:47.536
  • Geographical territory, but his sovereignty and dominion.
  • 00:13:47.536 --> 00:13:52.508
  • So when i'm praying, "your kingdom come," i'm praying for
  • 00:13:52.508 --> 00:13:55.044
  • The rule of god on earth.
  • 00:13:55.044 --> 00:13:56.846
  • In other words, i'm saying, "jesus, come back really soon.
  • 00:13:56.846 --> 00:14:00.716
  • I really want you to return."
  • 00:14:00.716 --> 00:14:03.152
  • This should be the heart cry of every christian.
  • 00:14:03.152 --> 00:14:06.288
  • Like the apostle john, we should say, "even so, come, lord jesus.
  • 00:14:06.288 --> 00:14:12.328
  • Come back soon."
  • 00:14:12.328 --> 00:14:14.363
  • And you should live in such a way that you long for and desire
  • 00:14:14.363 --> 00:14:18.133
  • The return of christ.
  • 00:14:18.133 --> 00:14:19.501
  • When jesus uses this phrase: "your kingdom come," it
  • 00:14:19.501 --> 00:14:22.638
  • Essentially speaks of a sudden, instantaneous coming.
  • 00:14:22.638 --> 00:14:26.208
  • "lord, i'm praying your kingdom comes, and it comes soon."
  • 00:14:26.208 --> 00:14:29.845
  • But it's also a personal request where i'm asking him to rule and
  • 00:14:29.845 --> 00:14:33.515
  • Reign on my life, but also it's a request for the salvation of
  • 00:14:33.515 --> 00:14:37.519
  • Those that don't know the lord.
  • 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:39.922
  • Jesus modeled this as isaiah 53:12 says, "he interceded for
  • 00:14:39.922 --> 00:14:44.426
  • The transgressors."
  • 00:14:44.426 --> 00:14:46.462
  • He effectively prayed for the nonbelievers, remember?
  • 00:14:46.462 --> 00:14:49.732
  • His first words from the cross were, "father, forgive them, for
  • 00:14:49.732 --> 00:14:53.435
  • They know not what they do."
  • 00:14:53.435 --> 00:14:55.404
  • Who was that prayer for?
  • 00:14:55.404 --> 00:14:56.805
  • It was for the people that pounded the spikes in his hands
  • 00:14:56.805 --> 00:15:00.709
  • And feet and pressed the crown of thorns on his head and tore
  • 00:15:00.709 --> 00:15:04.713
  • His back open with a whip.
  • 00:15:04.713 --> 00:15:06.849
  • "lord, father, forgive them, they know not what they do."
  • 00:15:06.849 --> 00:15:10.920
  • Here's number four: we need to bring our personal needs
  • 00:15:10.920 --> 00:15:14.657
  • Before god.
  • 00:15:14.657 --> 00:15:16.392
  • Bring our personal needs before god.
  • 00:15:16.392 --> 00:15:18.093
  • Verse 11, "give us day by day our daily bread."
  • 00:15:18.093 --> 00:15:23.766
  • It's really an amazing thing that this all-knowing,
  • 00:15:23.832 --> 00:15:26.535
  • All-powerful, omnipotent god who created the entire universe
  • 00:15:26.535 --> 00:15:31.907
  • Would have any interest in us personally, but he does.
  • 00:15:31.907 --> 00:15:37.179
  • He cares about you.
  • 00:15:37.179 --> 00:15:39.415
  • Why would he make so much of this?
  • 00:15:39.415 --> 00:15:41.350
  • Why would he care about our needs?
  • 00:15:41.350 --> 00:15:42.685
  • I don't know, but job 7:17 says, "what is man, that you make so
  • 00:15:42.685 --> 00:15:47.156
  • Much of him, and give him so much attention," the answer is
  • 00:15:47.156 --> 00:15:52.094
  • Pretty simple.
  • 00:15:52.094 --> 00:15:53.429
  • I think it's because he just loves you, and he loves me,
  • 00:15:53.429 --> 00:15:57.366
  • And he's not going to hold something back if you need it.
  • 00:15:57.366 --> 00:16:00.035
  • Jesus says in matthew 7:9, "you parents--if your children ask
  • 00:16:00.035 --> 00:16:04.306
  • For a loaf of bread, are you gonna give them a stone instead?
  • 00:16:04.306 --> 00:16:07.576
  • If they ask for a fish, would you give them a snake?
  • 00:16:07.576 --> 00:16:10.245
  • Of course not!
  • 00:16:10.245 --> 00:16:11.613
  • If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your
  • 00:16:11.613 --> 00:16:15.084
  • Children, how much more will your heavenly father give good
  • 00:16:15.084 --> 00:16:18.487
  • Gifts to those who ask him."
  • 00:16:18.487 --> 00:16:21.557
  • So if your little kid comes up, "mommy, i'm so hungry.
  • 00:16:21.557 --> 00:16:24.259
  • Can i have a little piece of bread?"
  • 00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:26.095
  • "no, but you can have a rock instead."
  • 00:16:26.095 --> 00:16:29.164
  • "mommy, can i have some fresh fish?"
  • 00:16:29.164 --> 00:16:30.833
  • "no, but i have a live snake!
  • 00:16:30.833 --> 00:16:32.167
  • Here you go, kid."
  • 00:16:32.167 --> 00:16:33.535
  • Who would do that?
  • 00:16:33.535 --> 00:16:35.404
  • We take care of our children, god takes care of us as well.
  • 00:16:35.404 --> 00:16:39.441
  • So when we say to god, "give me this day my daily bread," i'm
  • 00:16:39.441 --> 00:16:42.611
  • Not just speaking about bread, or even about food, i'm talking
  • 00:16:42.611 --> 00:16:46.248
  • About everything.
  • 00:16:46.248 --> 00:16:47.883
  • Lord, give me everything that i need.
  • 00:16:47.883 --> 00:16:49.752
  • It's a funny thing, back in the '60s, we used to use the word
  • 00:16:49.752 --> 00:16:53.188
  • "bread" to speak of money.
  • 00:16:53.188 --> 00:16:55.324
  • You'd walk up to someone, "hey dude, you got any bread," right?
  • 00:16:55.324 --> 00:16:58.927
  • How many of you remember that?
  • 00:16:58.927 --> 00:17:00.562
  • All the old people, "hey."
  • 00:17:00.562 --> 00:17:04.867
  • I feel as an older person, i can mock older people, okay?
  • 00:17:04.867 --> 00:17:07.836
  • So.
  • 00:17:07.836 --> 00:17:10.439
  • "give us day to day our daily bread."
  • 00:17:10.439 --> 00:17:14.009
  • You know, when you ask someone to give you something, you're
  • 00:17:14.009 --> 00:17:16.545
  • Acknowledging they own it.
  • 00:17:16.545 --> 00:17:19.448
  • You're acknowledging also that you need it.
  • 00:17:19.448 --> 00:17:22.651
  • They don't owe it to you, you don't deserve it.
  • 00:17:22.651 --> 00:17:26.355
  • He's not saying we should pray, "pay us our daily bread."
  • 00:17:26.355 --> 00:17:30.192
  • "give us our daily bread."
  • 00:17:30.192 --> 00:17:32.261
  • This reminds us we're completely dependent on god, and it's
  • 00:17:32.261 --> 00:17:36.465
  • An affirmation that everything you have comes from god.
  • 00:17:36.465 --> 00:17:40.402
  • Everything you have comes from god.
  • 00:17:40.402 --> 00:17:42.237
  • James 1:17 says, "every good gift and perfect gift is from
  • 00:17:42.237 --> 00:17:46.675
  • Above, and comes down from the father of lights, with whom
  • 00:17:46.675 --> 00:17:50.045
  • There is no variation or shadow of turning."
  • 00:17:50.045 --> 00:17:53.382
  • You can work hard, you can invest your money wisely, you
  • 00:17:53.382 --> 00:17:57.719
  • Can do all the things that you do, but ultimately, remember, it
  • 00:17:57.719 --> 00:18:01.957
  • All came from god.
  • 00:18:01.957 --> 00:18:04.593
  • Deuteronomy 8:18 says, "remember the lord your god, he is the
  • 00:18:04.593 --> 00:18:08.263
  • One who gave you the ability to produce wealth," so we thank
  • 00:18:08.263 --> 00:18:12.167
  • Him, but we also pray about our needs.
  • 00:18:12.167 --> 00:18:14.736
  • If you have a need, pray about it.
  • 00:18:14.736 --> 00:18:17.272
  • James says, "you have not because you ask not."
  • 00:18:17.272 --> 00:18:19.875
  • Do you have a need right now?
  • 00:18:19.875 --> 00:18:21.310
  • It's a physical need, a financial need, a medical need,
  • 00:18:21.310 --> 00:18:26.248
  • Something else.
  • 00:18:26.248 --> 00:18:27.583
  • Pray about it, "lord, would you give this to me?
  • 00:18:27.583 --> 00:18:30.119
  • Now, of course, lord, i pray your kingdom come, your will be
  • 00:18:30.119 --> 00:18:33.822
  • Done on earth, as it is in heaven.
  • 00:18:33.822 --> 00:18:35.691
  • If there's something in this request that is outside of your
  • 00:18:35.691 --> 00:18:38.360
  • Will, overrule it.
  • 00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:40.295
  • But lord, i do need this, and i'm calling out to you, and i'm
  • 00:18:40.295 --> 00:18:44.066
  • Praying about it."
  • 00:18:44.066 --> 00:18:46.068
  • God almighty has promised to answer your prayers, but that
  • 00:18:46.068 --> 00:18:50.105
  • Does not mean that we sit around like lazy bums and say, "lord,
  • 00:18:50.105 --> 00:18:55.844
  • Just provide."
  • 00:18:55.844 --> 00:18:58.113
  • You know, get off your big, fat, la-z-boy recliner.
  • 00:18:58.113 --> 00:19:04.419
  • What did you think i was gonna say?
  • 00:19:04.419 --> 00:19:08.624
  • And get a job.
  • 00:19:08.624 --> 00:19:10.459
  • Somehow people think the world owes them a living, the
  • 00:19:10.459 --> 00:19:12.828
  • Government owes them a living, their parents owe them a living.
  • 00:19:12.828 --> 00:19:15.998
  • "well, my mom and dad will take care of me even though
  • 00:19:15.998 --> 00:19:18.467
  • I'm 50 still."
  • 00:19:18.467 --> 00:19:19.835
  • Wait, get a job.
  • 00:19:19.835 --> 00:19:21.336
  • Have a little self-respect.
  • 00:19:21.336 --> 00:19:23.605
  • "well, they don't pay enough."
  • 00:19:23.605 --> 00:19:24.973
  • Just go out and have a work ethic.
  • 00:19:24.973 --> 00:19:27.109
  • The christian should be the hardest of all workers,
  • 00:19:27.109 --> 00:19:30.345
  • Doing it for the glory of god.
  • 00:19:30.345 --> 00:19:33.248
  • The bible says, "if a man doesn't work,
  • 00:19:37.152 --> 00:19:38.654
  • He should not eat."
  • 00:19:38.654 --> 00:19:40.022
  • You need to work.
  • 00:19:40.656 --> 00:19:41.990
  • Now, maybe you're not able to work.
  • 00:19:41.990 --> 00:19:43.325
  • Well, that's another situation.
  • 00:19:43.325 --> 00:19:44.760
  • I'm talking about those who are able.
  • 00:19:44.760 --> 00:19:48.096
  • So we need to do our part, god will do his part, and he'll
  • 00:19:48.096 --> 00:19:51.300
  • Provide your needs, and number five: we need to pray
  • 00:19:51.300 --> 00:19:55.037
  • For personal forgiveness, and extend forgiveness to others.
  • 00:19:55.037 --> 00:19:59.575
  • We need to pray for personal forgiveness
  • 00:19:59.575 --> 00:20:01.910
  • And extend forgiveness to others,
  • 00:20:01.910 --> 00:20:03.679
  • And this is in the context of daily.
  • 00:20:03.679 --> 00:20:05.781
  • "give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,
  • 00:20:05.781 --> 00:20:09.685
  • As we forgive those who have sinned against us."
  • 00:20:09.685 --> 00:20:13.121
  • Just as i need to pray for daily provision, i need to pray for
  • 00:20:13.188 --> 00:20:17.759
  • Daily forgiveness.
  • 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:20.562
  • You sin every day more than you think, and i don't mean you
  • 00:20:20.562 --> 00:20:23.665
  • Only, i mean me.
  • 00:20:23.665 --> 00:20:25.033
  • All of us do.
  • 00:20:25.033 --> 00:20:26.435
  • The bible says, "if we say we have no sin, we deceive
  • 00:20:26.435 --> 00:20:29.137
  • Ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
  • 00:20:29.137 --> 00:20:31.173
  • So we say, "lord, cleanse me of all sin.
  • 00:20:31.173 --> 00:20:35.277
  • Forgive me my debts, as i forgive my debtors."
  • 00:20:35.277 --> 00:20:40.882
  • Some people don't think they need forgiveness, but they do.
  • 00:20:40.882 --> 00:20:43.952
  • Everyone does.
  • 00:20:43.952 --> 00:20:45.821
  • Having received that forgiveness, i should also
  • 00:20:45.821 --> 00:20:48.290
  • Extend it to others.
  • 00:20:48.290 --> 00:20:50.592
  • Forgiven people should be forgiving people.
  • 00:20:50.592 --> 00:20:54.930
  • And according to jesus, our generous and constant
  • 00:20:54.930 --> 00:20:57.499
  • Forgiveness of others should be the natural result of our
  • 00:20:57.499 --> 00:21:00.902
  • Understanding of the forgiveness that god has extended toward us.
  • 00:21:00.902 --> 00:21:06.475
  • I loved the statement by c.s. lewis, or loved the statement
  • 00:21:06.475 --> 00:21:10.045
  • By lewis, where he says, quote, "everyone thinks forgiveness
  • 00:21:10.045 --> 00:21:13.649
  • Is a lovely idea until they have someone to forgive."
  • 00:21:13.649 --> 00:21:18.120
  • Right?
  • 00:21:18.120 --> 00:21:19.454
  • It's a great concept.
  • 00:21:19.454 --> 00:21:20.822
  • "oh, yes, i love forgiveness.
  • 00:21:20.822 --> 00:21:22.157
  • Oh, let's all forgive," till someone wrongs you, till someone
  • 00:21:22.157 --> 00:21:24.593
  • Hurts you, but you, too, should forgive.
  • 00:21:24.593 --> 00:21:28.397
  • "well, they don't deserve forgiveness."
  • 00:21:28.397 --> 00:21:30.132
  • Do you?
  • 00:21:30.132 --> 00:21:31.533
  • I'll answer it for you, you don't.
  • 00:21:31.533 --> 00:21:34.269
  • Again, what did jesus do?
  • 00:21:34.269 --> 00:21:36.138
  • Praying for his very enemies, "father, forgive them,
  • 00:21:36.138 --> 00:21:39.207
  • They don't know what they're doing."
  • 00:21:39.207 --> 00:21:41.376
  • If you harbor resentment and fail to forgive people,
  • 00:21:41.376 --> 00:21:45.681
  • You grieve the holy spirit.
  • 00:21:45.681 --> 00:21:47.516
  • The word "grieves" means to make sad or sorrowful.
  • 00:21:47.516 --> 00:21:52.087
  • Ephesians 4:30 says, "don't bring sorrow to god's holy
  • 00:21:52.087 --> 00:21:55.023
  • Spirit by the way that you live.
  • 00:21:55.023 --> 00:21:56.792
  • Get rid of bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words.
  • 00:21:56.792 --> 00:22:00.295
  • Instead, be tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as god
  • 00:22:00.295 --> 00:22:04.466
  • Through christ has forgiven you."
  • 00:22:04.466 --> 00:22:06.335
  • By the way, there are fringe benefits to forgiving others.
  • 00:22:06.335 --> 00:22:10.472
  • You'll live longer, literally.
  • 00:22:10.472 --> 00:22:13.608
  • A new field of research has developed on the subject of
  • 00:22:13.608 --> 00:22:16.545
  • Forgiveness, and recent studies suggest that those that do not
  • 00:22:16.545 --> 00:22:20.749
  • Forgive are more likely to experience high blood pressure,
  • 00:22:20.749 --> 00:22:24.920
  • Bouts of depression, and problems with anger, stress,
  • 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:28.757
  • And anxiety.
  • 00:22:28.757 --> 00:22:30.359
  • So you can keep it all inside, and you can be that person
  • 00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:34.329
  • In the restaurant and they call out your name,
  • 00:22:34.329 --> 00:22:36.698
  • "bitter, party of one."
  • 00:22:36.698 --> 00:22:41.236
  • Or you can be a forgiving person.
  • 00:22:41.236 --> 00:22:44.272
  • It's your choice.
  • 00:22:44.272 --> 00:22:45.640
  • "forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned
  • 00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:48.877
  • Against us, and don't lead us into temptation."
  • 00:22:48.877 --> 00:22:52.547
  • We need to pray to not fall into temptation.
  • 00:22:52.547 --> 00:22:55.851
  • We're saying, "lord, don't let me be tempted above my capacity
  • 00:22:55.851 --> 00:22:59.821
  • To resist."
  • 00:22:59.821 --> 00:23:01.490
  • The problem with temptation is we find a way to rationalize it.
  • 00:23:01.490 --> 00:23:05.894
  • The problem with temptation is, well, it's just so tempting.
  • 00:23:05.894 --> 00:23:10.499
  • And we say, "it's okay for me."
  • 00:23:10.499 --> 00:23:12.367
  • We're so quick to jump down the throat of someone else doing
  • 00:23:12.367 --> 00:23:15.437
  • Something, but somehow we excuse it in our own lives.
  • 00:23:15.437 --> 00:23:19.708
  • Lord, don't let me be tempted above my capacity to resist, and
  • 00:23:19.708 --> 00:23:23.311
  • Listen to this: there's always a way out of every temptation.
  • 00:23:23.311 --> 00:23:27.482
  • 1 corinthians 10:13 says, "there is no temptation taking
  • 00:23:27.482 --> 00:23:31.353
  • You but such as is common to man: but god who is faithful
  • 00:23:31.353 --> 00:23:35.524
  • Will not allow you to be tempted above your capacity to resist,
  • 00:23:35.524 --> 00:23:39.594
  • But will with the temptation make a way of escape,
  • 00:23:39.594 --> 00:23:42.697
  • That you may be able to bear it."
  • 00:23:42.697 --> 00:23:44.699
  • Let me paraphrase it: there's always a way out.
  • 00:23:44.699 --> 00:23:48.370
  • He'll never give you too much.
  • 00:23:48.370 --> 00:23:50.505
  • Sometimes it's as simple as the door, as simple as the off
  • 00:23:50.505 --> 00:23:54.376
  • Button, as simple as terminating a conversation, whatever it is.
  • 00:23:54.376 --> 00:23:59.214
  • "lord, don't lead me into temptation, but deliver me
  • 00:23:59.214 --> 00:24:04.052
  • From evil."
  • 00:24:04.052 --> 00:24:05.387
  • But what a privilege it is to pray.
  • 00:24:05.387 --> 00:24:07.989
  • But does it ever seem to you as though you pray, and no one
  • 00:24:07.989 --> 00:24:11.693
  • Is listening?
  • 00:24:11.693 --> 00:24:13.228
  • Has it ever seemed to you like god doesn't hear or answer
  • 00:24:13.228 --> 00:24:18.166
  • Your prayers?
  • 00:24:18.166 --> 00:24:19.501
  • Well, look, prayer is a privilege for a christian.
  • 00:24:19.501 --> 00:24:22.704
  • Now, anyone can pray, but a christian has the privilege of
  • 00:24:22.704 --> 00:24:27.509
  • Constant communication with god.
  • 00:24:27.509 --> 00:24:30.479
  • Now, a non-believer can pray.
  • 00:24:30.479 --> 00:24:32.781
  • They can say, "god, be merciful to me, a sinner."
  • 00:24:32.781 --> 00:24:34.983
  • God will hear that prayer, and you can begin a whole new life
  • 00:24:34.983 --> 00:24:38.086
  • And relationship with christ.
  • 00:24:38.086 --> 00:24:40.021
  • But if you're a non-believer living in sin, you're not gonna
  • 00:24:40.021 --> 00:24:43.225
  • Have what we might call a prayer life because your sin separates
  • 00:24:43.225 --> 00:24:48.330
  • You from god.
  • 00:24:48.330 --> 00:24:49.898
  • So god says, "it's not like my ear is deaf, where it can't hear
  • 00:24:49.898 --> 00:24:53.902
  • You, or my arm is short and i can't reach you, but your sins
  • 00:24:53.902 --> 00:24:57.405
  • Have separated you from me," see?
  • 00:24:57.405 --> 00:25:00.609
  • So as long as i'm living with sin in my life,
  • 00:25:00.609 --> 00:25:03.712
  • It puts like a barrier in front of me and god.
  • 00:25:03.712 --> 00:25:07.582
  • And the only way that barrier will come down is if i will
  • 00:25:07.582 --> 00:25:10.385
  • Acknowledge my sin and turn from it and ask for his forgiveness,
  • 00:25:10.385 --> 00:25:14.422
  • Which he will generously extend.
  • 00:25:14.422 --> 00:25:18.159
  • God wants a close relationship with you.
  • 00:25:18.159 --> 00:25:20.195
  • He doesn't wanna just be the man upstairs.
  • 00:25:20.195 --> 00:25:23.798
  • "the man upstairs."
  • 00:25:23.798 --> 00:25:25.133
  • Who are we talking about exactly?
  • 00:25:25.133 --> 00:25:26.902
  • "the good lord is what i call him."
  • 00:25:26.902 --> 00:25:28.803
  • Always the good.
  • 00:25:28.803 --> 00:25:30.138
  • Make sure you get good in there.
  • 00:25:30.138 --> 00:25:31.506
  • "the good lord."
  • 00:25:31.506 --> 00:25:33.074
  • He wants to be more than the good lord or the man upstairs.
  • 00:25:33.074 --> 00:25:36.878
  • He wants to be your best friend.
  • 00:25:36.878 --> 00:25:39.347
  • He wants to be your father.
  • 00:25:39.347 --> 00:25:41.349
  • He wants to hear from you, and he wants to speak to you,
  • 00:25:41.349 --> 00:25:44.786
  • And that can all happen for you right now if you'll admit
  • 00:25:44.786 --> 00:25:48.723
  • You're a sinner.
  • 00:25:48.723 --> 00:25:50.058
  • Come back to that story jesus told, he just said, "god,
  • 00:25:50.058 --> 00:25:52.961
  • Have mercy on me, the sinner," and god did.
  • 00:25:52.961 --> 00:25:56.064
  • And if you'll say that to god, he'll hear your prayer.
  • 00:25:56.064 --> 00:25:59.868
  • Greg: have you ever wondered how to find personal happiness?
  • 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:07.409
  • Hi, i'm pastor greg laurie.
  • 00:26:07.409 --> 00:26:09.110
  • Let me tell you a secret about finding happiness.
  • 00:26:09.110 --> 00:26:12.414
  • The least happy people are the people that live to be happy.
  • 00:26:12.414 --> 00:26:16.751
  • But here's the secret: the bible says, "happy are the people
  • 00:26:16.751 --> 00:26:21.189
  • Whose god is the lord."
  • 00:26:21.189 --> 00:26:23.525
  • You will never find happiness from seeking it, but if you come
  • 00:26:23.525 --> 00:26:27.228
  • Into a relationship with god through jesus, you'll find
  • 00:26:27.228 --> 00:26:30.999
  • The happiness you've been looking for in life.
  • 00:26:30.999 --> 00:26:34.736
  • He's just a prayer away.
  • 00:26:34.736 --> 00:26:36.972
  • There's a number on the screen, you can call that number.
  • 00:26:36.972 --> 00:26:40.475
  • And i wanna send you a free bible and tell you how to be
  • 00:26:40.475 --> 00:26:43.945
  • A happy person and come into a relationship with god
  • 00:26:43.945 --> 00:26:48.016
  • So you have purpose in this life and the life to come.
  • 00:26:48.016 --> 00:26:51.786
  • You have the hope of heaven.
  • 00:26:51.786 --> 00:26:56.491
  • Female announcer: jesus says that where two or three are
  • 00:27:00.595 --> 00:27:02.998
  • Gathered in my name, there i am in the midst of them.
  • 00:27:02.998 --> 00:27:07.435
  • We are all different.
  • 00:27:07.435 --> 00:27:08.803
  • We have different interests, different personalities,
  • 00:27:08.803 --> 00:27:11.940
  • Different upbringings, and different ways we do life,
  • 00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:15.877
  • But here, we have a deep connection,
  • 00:27:15.877 --> 00:27:19.414
  • And you are welcome here.
  • 00:27:19.414 --> 00:27:23.518
  • This is harvest.
  • 00:27:23.518 --> 00:27:27.122