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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

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

May 30, 2025 | 27:29

Greg Laurie - How To (And How Not To) Pray
Greg Laurie imparts valuable insights on prayer based on the Lord's Prayer. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging God's ownership, seeking His will, inviting His presence, expressing gratitude for daily provision, seeking forgiveness, and resisting temptation.
#GregLaurie #Faith #TrustGod #Relationships #WalkwithGod #Honor #Prayer #SeekGod #God'sWill #Provision #Religion #GlorifyGod #Need #KingdomofGod #HeavenlyFather

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - How To (And How Not To) Pray | May 30, 2025
  • ...
  • 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 ♪
  • 00:00:37.547 --> 00:00:39.649
  • ♪ 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 --> 00:00:52.095
  • Greg: heard the story of a pilot,
  • 00:00:55.899 --> 00:00:57.834
  • He was flying a planeload of passengers to their destination.
  • 00:00:57.834 --> 00:01:01.137
  • Suddenly, the rudder malfunctioned.
  • 00:01:01.137 --> 00:01:03.740
  • He radioed the control tower in panic and said, "the rudder
  • 00:01:03.740 --> 00:01:08.511
  • Has malfunctioned, what should i do?"
  • 00:01:08.511 --> 00:01:10.780
  • The air traffic controller said, "keep calm, captain.
  • 00:01:10.847 --> 00:01:14.851
  • Just repeat after me, 'wings flap, check.
  • 00:01:14.851 --> 00:01:18.455
  • Velocity, check.
  • 00:01:18.455 --> 00:01:20.323
  • Altitude, check.'"
  • 00:01:20.323 --> 00:01:22.125
  • The pilot made the appropriate adjustments and everything
  • 00:01:22.125 --> 00:01:24.594
  • Was fine.
  • 00:01:24.594 --> 00:01:25.929
  • A few moments passed and the starboard engine failed.
  • 00:01:25.929 --> 00:01:29.099
  • He goes back to the radio tower, "the starboard engine
  • 00:01:29.099 --> 00:01:32.235
  • Just stalled, what should i do?"
  • 00:01:32.235 --> 00:01:33.570
  • The air traffic controller radioed back and said,
  • 00:01:33.570 --> 00:01:37.307
  • "okay, keep calm, captain.
  • 00:01:37.307 --> 00:01:39.209
  • Repeat after me, 'wings flap, check.
  • 00:01:39.209 --> 00:01:42.912
  • Velocity, check.
  • 00:01:42.912 --> 00:01:44.914
  • Altitude, check.'"
  • 00:01:44.914 --> 00:01:46.850
  • Now both engines went out.
  • 00:01:46.850 --> 00:01:48.885
  • "mayday, mayday.
  • 00:01:48.885 --> 00:01:50.220
  • Both engines have gone out, what should i do?"
  • 00:01:50.220 --> 00:01:53.056
  • The air controller said, "now, keep calm, captain, and repeat
  • 00:01:53.056 --> 00:01:56.759
  • After me, 'our father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.'"
  • 00:01:56.759 --> 00:02:03.933
  • The lord's prayer.
  • 00:02:03.933 --> 00:02:05.335
  • Most of us know it, or at least we know parts of it.
  • 00:02:05.335 --> 00:02:08.771
  • It's a prayer that is sort of behind glass.
  • 00:02:08.771 --> 00:02:11.207
  • In case of emergency, pull this prayer out, and there's
  • 00:02:11.207 --> 00:02:14.844
  • Certainly nothing wrong with praying the lord's prayer
  • 00:02:14.844 --> 00:02:17.413
  • Verbatim, but it's more than that.
  • 00:02:17.413 --> 00:02:20.450
  • It's really the words of jesus given to us and how we can pray.
  • 00:02:20.450 --> 00:02:25.188
  • Imagine if you went to an elite university and you were able to
  • 00:02:25.188 --> 00:02:28.858
  • Be taught by the most impressive people throughout history.
  • 00:02:28.858 --> 00:02:33.029
  • For instance, you could study music under beethoven himself,
  • 00:02:33.029 --> 00:02:37.267
  • Or you could have a drama class taught by william shakespeare,
  • 00:02:37.267 --> 00:02:41.437
  • Or a political science class taught by thomas jefferson, or a
  • 00:02:41.437 --> 00:02:46.109
  • Philosophy class taught by c.s. lewis.
  • 00:02:46.109 --> 00:02:48.745
  • How about this: a class on prayer taught by jesus christ.
  • 00:02:48.745 --> 00:02:53.416
  • Mmm, i'd sign up for that.
  • 00:02:53.416 --> 00:02:56.553
  • I'd be all over that course.
  • 00:02:56.553 --> 00:02:57.954
  • I'd wanna know what jesus had to say about prayer, and that's
  • 00:02:57.954 --> 00:03:01.391
  • What the lord's prayer is.
  • 00:03:01.391 --> 00:03:03.193
  • It all started when his disciples came to him and said,
  • 00:03:03.193 --> 00:03:06.296
  • "lord, would you teach us how to pray?"
  • 00:03:06.296 --> 00:03:10.266
  • And the encouraging thing is jesus did what they asked, and
  • 00:03:10.266 --> 00:03:13.102
  • In doing so, acknowledging that prayer is something
  • 00:03:13.102 --> 00:03:16.172
  • You can learn.
  • 00:03:16.172 --> 00:03:17.607
  • But before we learn how to pray, let's learn how not to pray.
  • 00:03:17.607 --> 00:03:21.244
  • Matthew 6, verse 5.
  • 00:03:21.244 --> 00:03:23.379
  • Jesus says, "when you pray, you shall not
  • 00:03:23.379 --> 00:03:25.415
  • Be like the hypocrites.
  • 00:03:25.415 --> 00:03:27.050
  • For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the
  • 00:03:27.050 --> 00:03:29.819
  • Corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men."
  • 00:03:29.819 --> 00:03:33.556
  • You might underline that.
  • 00:03:33.556 --> 00:03:34.891
  • "that they may be seen by men.
  • 00:03:34.891 --> 00:03:36.793
  • Assuredly, i say to you, they have their reward.
  • 00:03:36.793 --> 00:03:39.395
  • But when you pray, go to your room, when you have shut your
  • 00:03:39.395 --> 00:03:42.599
  • Door, pray to your father who is in the secret place, and your
  • 00:03:42.599 --> 00:03:46.202
  • Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
  • 00:03:46.202 --> 00:03:50.473
  • When you pray, don't use vain repetitions as the heathen do.
  • 00:03:50.473 --> 00:03:54.744
  • For they think they'll be heard for their many words.
  • 00:03:54.744 --> 00:03:57.413
  • Therefore do not be like like them.
  • 00:03:57.413 --> 00:03:58.948
  • For your father knows the things you have need of before you
  • 00:03:58.948 --> 00:04:02.585
  • Ask him."
  • 00:04:02.585 --> 00:04:03.920
  • We'll stop there.
  • 00:04:03.920 --> 00:04:05.288
  • It's a tragic thing, but really sin knows no boundaries.
  • 00:04:05.288 --> 00:04:08.925
  • It can follow us to the very throne of heaven, where i'm
  • 00:04:08.925 --> 00:04:12.996
  • Actually missing the whole point of what prayer should be,
  • 00:04:12.996 --> 00:04:16.899
  • Focusing the intention upon myself.
  • 00:04:16.899 --> 00:04:20.203
  • This was the problem with the pharisees.
  • 00:04:20.203 --> 00:04:22.405
  • They prayed to be seen by men.
  • 00:04:22.405 --> 00:04:24.173
  • The pharisees love the theater of prayer.
  • 00:04:24.173 --> 00:04:27.610
  • It was sort of like a performance.
  • 00:04:27.610 --> 00:04:30.046
  • They would go to a street corner and stop and pray loudly and
  • 00:04:30.046 --> 00:04:33.449
  • People would look, "oh, look at that religious man.
  • 00:04:33.449 --> 00:04:36.352
  • Oh, how devout he is, how impressive he is."
  • 00:04:36.352 --> 00:04:39.656
  • Jesus is saying, "god's not impressed."
  • 00:04:39.656 --> 00:04:42.325
  • He's not impressed one bit because you're doing it for
  • 00:04:42.325 --> 00:04:45.061
  • Others to see.
  • 00:04:45.061 --> 00:04:46.963
  • And so, he's showing us that is not how we should pray, nor
  • 00:04:46.963 --> 00:04:49.799
  • Should we offer ritualized repeated prayers.
  • 00:04:49.799 --> 00:04:54.504
  • That's why i don't really love memorized prayers that people
  • 00:04:54.504 --> 00:04:58.374
  • Pray over and over again.
  • 00:04:58.374 --> 00:04:59.742
  • "just say ten our fathers and you'll be okay."
  • 00:04:59.742 --> 00:05:01.911
  • Well, is there some magic in a little prayer that we pray?
  • 00:05:01.911 --> 00:05:05.848
  • When we pray, god looks on the heart.
  • 00:05:05.848 --> 00:05:08.251
  • It's a conversation with god.
  • 00:05:08.251 --> 00:05:10.687
  • The objective of prayer is not to change god, it's to
  • 00:05:10.687 --> 00:05:14.724
  • Change you.
  • 00:05:14.724 --> 00:05:16.292
  • God knows what you need, but prayer is not to inform god,
  • 00:05:16.292 --> 00:05:20.430
  • Prayer is to invite god.
  • 00:05:20.430 --> 00:05:21.964
  • Let me say that again.
  • 00:05:21.964 --> 00:05:23.333
  • Prayer is not to inform god, prayer is to invite god.
  • 00:05:23.333 --> 00:05:27.970
  • The value of prayer is it keeps me in touch with god.
  • 00:05:27.970 --> 00:05:31.674
  • Prayer is getting closer to god.
  • 00:05:31.674 --> 00:05:35.144
  • Sometimes god allows things in my life to bring me to him
  • 00:05:35.144 --> 00:05:38.715
  • In prayer.
  • 00:05:38.715 --> 00:05:40.083
  • It can be a challenge, it can be a need, it could even be a
  • 00:05:40.083 --> 00:05:43.019
  • Tragedy, and i come to the lord, and i call upon the lord.
  • 00:05:43.019 --> 00:05:47.690
  • So, that's how not to pray.
  • 00:05:47.690 --> 00:05:49.692
  • Let's talk about how to pray.
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  • Matthew 6, verse 9.
  • 00:05:51.894 --> 00:05:54.030
  • Now, this is the lord's prayer.
  • 00:05:54.030 --> 00:05:55.498
  • I'm gonna put it up on the screen because i would like us
  • 00:05:55.498 --> 00:05:58.634
  • All to say this out loud together.
  • 00:05:58.634 --> 00:06:01.738
  • Let's see what jesus says.
  • 00:06:01.738 --> 00:06:03.506
  • "our father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.
  • 00:06:03.506 --> 00:06:08.144
  • Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is
  • 00:06:08.144 --> 00:06:12.648
  • In heaven.
  • 00:06:12.648 --> 00:06:13.983
  • Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts,
  • 00:06:13.983 --> 00:06:17.687
  • As we forgive our debtors.
  • 00:06:17.687 --> 00:06:19.689
  • And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from
  • 00:06:19.689 --> 00:06:23.526
  • The evil one.
  • 00:06:23.526 --> 00:06:24.894
  • For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever."
  • 00:06:24.894 --> 00:06:29.031
  • Amen.
  • 00:06:29.031 --> 00:06:30.366
  • The lord's prayer.
  • 00:06:30.366 --> 00:06:31.734
  • Great one, memorize that.
  • 00:06:31.734 --> 00:06:33.136
  • It's not too long.
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  • A template for all prayer.
  • 00:06:34.637 --> 00:06:36.472
  • The first three requests in the lord's prayer deal with the
  • 00:06:36.472 --> 00:06:40.309
  • Glory of god.
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  • "our father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.
  • 00:06:41.677 --> 00:06:44.514
  • Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, as it is
  • 00:06:44.514 --> 00:06:46.983
  • In heaven."
  • 00:06:46.983 --> 00:06:48.351
  • The final petitions deal with the needs of man.
  • 00:06:48.351 --> 00:06:51.354
  • "give us this day our daily bread, forgive us our sins,
  • 00:06:51.354 --> 00:06:54.190
  • As we forgive those who sin against us.
  • 00:06:54.190 --> 00:06:56.259
  • Don't lead us into temptation."
  • 00:06:56.259 --> 00:06:58.394
  • So how do we pray?
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  • Here's point number one if you're taking notes:
  • 00:06:59.729 --> 00:07:02.265
  • We pray to a father in heaven who loves us.
  • 00:07:02.265 --> 00:07:05.134
  • We pray to a father who art in heaven.
  • 00:07:05.134 --> 00:07:07.937
  • "our father who art in heaven."
  • 00:07:07.937 --> 00:07:10.907
  • Not, "our vending machine who art in heaven."
  • 00:07:10.907 --> 00:07:14.243
  • Not, "our butler who are in heaven."
  • 00:07:14.243 --> 00:07:16.279
  • Our father.
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  • A father who longs for communication and fellowship
  • 00:07:17.814 --> 00:07:20.850
  • With us.
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  • A father who loves to bless us.
  • 00:07:22.218 --> 00:07:24.620
  • He's a generous father.
  • 00:07:24.620 --> 00:07:26.589
  • He's a good father.
  • 00:07:26.589 --> 00:07:28.424
  • Jesus said, "it is your father's good pleasure to give to you
  • 00:07:28.424 --> 00:07:32.261
  • The kingdom."
  • 00:07:32.261 --> 00:07:33.596
  • He's not a stingy god, he's a generous god, so i come
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  • To my father.
  • 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:39.535
  • Greg: we all know the lord's prayer, right?
  • 00:07:41.904 --> 00:07:44.640
  • "our father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.
  • 00:07:44.640 --> 00:07:48.177
  • Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, as it is
  • 00:07:48.177 --> 00:07:51.914
  • In heaven.
  • 00:07:51.914 --> 00:07:53.249
  • Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,
  • 00:07:53.249 --> 00:07:56.452
  • As we forgive those who have sinned against us.
  • 00:07:56.452 --> 00:07:59.255
  • Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
  • 00:07:59.255 --> 00:08:03.559
  • For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever."
  • 00:08:03.559 --> 00:08:07.196
  • Amen.
  • 00:08:07.196 --> 00:08:08.631
  • That's the prayer we usually pull out in case of emergency,
  • 00:08:08.631 --> 00:08:12.535
  • And it can be that.
  • 00:08:12.535 --> 00:08:13.903
  • It's fine to pray the lord's prayer verbatim, i encourage you
  • 00:08:13.903 --> 00:08:16.606
  • To do so.
  • 00:08:16.606 --> 00:08:17.974
  • But it's also a model or a template for prayer.
  • 00:08:17.974 --> 00:08:20.776
  • You know, like when you go to a housing track and they're gonna
  • 00:08:20.776 --> 00:08:23.679
  • Build a bunch of homes and you can go visit the model homes,
  • 00:08:23.679 --> 00:08:26.716
  • And you walk through and look at how this family that doesn't
  • 00:08:26.716 --> 00:08:30.253
  • Really exist lives and pictures of people that don't live there
  • 00:08:30.253 --> 00:08:33.689
  • Are there, but you get a sense of what the track will
  • 00:08:33.689 --> 00:08:36.526
  • Look like.
  • 00:08:36.526 --> 00:08:37.860
  • The lord's prayer is a template for prayer, and jesus teaches us
  • 00:08:37.860 --> 00:08:41.531
  • When we pray, it should begin with, "our father who art in
  • 00:08:41.531 --> 00:08:45.334
  • Heaven," reminding us that god is a loving father that wants to
  • 00:08:45.334 --> 00:08:50.373
  • Hear from us.
  • 00:08:50.373 --> 00:08:51.741
  • I love the fact that we can have this relationship with god.
  • 00:08:51.741 --> 00:08:55.044
  • Years ago, when i was first getting to know billy graham, i
  • 00:08:55.044 --> 00:08:58.681
  • Addressed him as dr. graham out of respect.
  • 00:08:58.681 --> 00:09:01.350
  • That's what everyone called him, dr. graham.
  • 00:09:01.350 --> 00:09:04.053
  • And one day he said to me, "don't call me dr. graham,
  • 00:09:04.053 --> 00:09:07.156
  • Call me billy."
  • 00:09:07.156 --> 00:09:08.524
  • Well, i was not real comfortable with that because it's
  • 00:09:08.524 --> 00:09:10.993
  • Billy graham.
  • 00:09:10.993 --> 00:09:12.361
  • And finally, i got comfortable enough to call him billy, but i
  • 00:09:12.361 --> 00:09:15.398
  • Noticed his son called him daddy and his grandchildren called him
  • 00:09:15.398 --> 00:09:19.001
  • Daddy bill.
  • 00:09:19.001 --> 00:09:20.336
  • Well, he didn't tell me i could call him that.
  • 00:09:20.336 --> 00:09:21.971
  • That was a privilege afforded only for his family.
  • 00:09:21.971 --> 00:09:26.042
  • Did you know you have a privilege like that with god,
  • 00:09:26.042 --> 00:09:28.644
  • Your father?
  • 00:09:28.644 --> 00:09:29.979
  • The bible says, "god has not given us a spirit of bondage
  • 00:09:29.979 --> 00:09:32.682
  • Again to fear, but one of adoption, whereby we cry,
  • 00:09:32.682 --> 00:09:37.019
  • 'abba, father.'"
  • 00:09:37.019 --> 00:09:38.354
  • "abba, father," is another way of saying daddy.
  • 00:09:38.354 --> 00:09:41.223
  • It's the hebrew equivalent of daddy.
  • 00:09:41.223 --> 00:09:43.626
  • If you go to israel today, you'll see a little boy calling
  • 00:09:43.626 --> 00:09:46.796
  • Out "abba" or "eema" to their mother.
  • 00:09:46.796 --> 00:09:49.665
  • God is saying we can approach him as a heavenly father, a
  • 00:09:49.665 --> 00:09:53.035
  • Heavenly daddy, if you will.
  • 00:09:53.035 --> 00:09:55.304
  • It speaks of intimacy and closeness.
  • 00:09:55.304 --> 00:09:57.974
  • So when you pray, just remember, you have a loving heavenly
  • 00:09:57.974 --> 00:10:02.144
  • Father who wants to hear from you.
  • 00:10:02.144 --> 00:10:04.213
  • A loving heavenly father who wants to bless you even more
  • 00:10:04.213 --> 00:10:08.250
  • Than you want to be blessed.
  • 00:10:08.250 --> 00:10:10.620
  • Jesus said, "it is your father's good pleasure to give to you
  • 00:10:10.620 --> 00:10:15.024
  • The kingdom."
  • 00:10:15.024 --> 00:10:16.359
  • So remember that when you pray, your father is listening.
  • 00:10:16.359 --> 00:10:19.895
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:10:20.296 --> 00:10:23.799
  • Greg: and then i say, verse 9, "hallowed be your name.
  • 00:10:23.799 --> 00:10:27.036
  • Hallowed be your name."
  • 00:10:27.036 --> 00:10:28.371
  • It means, "i set god apart in my life."
  • 00:10:28.371 --> 00:10:31.807
  • In other words, he is above everything else,
  • 00:10:31.874 --> 00:10:34.944
  • He is lord of all.
  • 00:10:34.944 --> 00:10:36.312
  • Because if he is not lord of all, he is not lord at all.
  • 00:10:36.312 --> 00:10:40.783
  • When i say, "hallowed be your name,"
  • 00:10:40.783 --> 00:10:43.119
  • It means in my life and character, i'm setting christ
  • 00:10:43.119 --> 00:10:45.888
  • Apart, and i'm seeking to live a holy life.
  • 00:10:45.888 --> 00:10:49.392
  • Therefore, i should ask myself about things i pursue,
  • 00:10:49.392 --> 00:10:53.462
  • My ambitions, my interests,
  • 00:10:53.462 --> 00:10:55.464
  • Is this for his glory?
  • 00:10:55.464 --> 00:10:57.400
  • Can i write, "hallowed be your name," over this, this
  • 00:10:57.400 --> 00:11:00.403
  • Career choice?
  • 00:11:00.403 --> 00:11:01.737
  • Can i write, "hallowed be your name," over this, this tv
  • 00:11:01.737 --> 00:11:05.675
  • Program, the music i listen to,
  • 00:11:05.675 --> 00:11:07.510
  • The sites i visit, the things i stream, et cetera?
  • 00:11:07.510 --> 00:11:10.913
  • Can i write, "hallowed be your name," over it?
  • 00:11:10.913 --> 00:11:13.949
  • If i can't ask the lord to bless it, then i shouldn't do it.
  • 00:11:13.949 --> 00:11:18.454
  • So when you got up this morning, "let's go to church."
  • 00:11:18.454 --> 00:11:20.556
  • Can you say, "this is for god's glory."
  • 00:11:20.556 --> 00:11:23.092
  • Of course you can.
  • 00:11:23.092 --> 00:11:24.427
  • "let's go to lunch."
  • 00:11:24.427 --> 00:11:25.761
  • Can you say, "this is for god's glory."
  • 00:11:25.761 --> 00:11:27.129
  • For the most part, yes.
  • 00:11:27.129 --> 00:11:29.865
  • But now you're gonna go to a party and get drunk.
  • 00:11:29.865 --> 00:11:32.101
  • "lord, just bless this night as we go get drunk."
  • 00:11:32.101 --> 00:11:34.637
  • No, you can't ask god to bless that.
  • 00:11:34.637 --> 00:11:37.373
  • Or, "lord, i'm gonna go with my boyfriend tonight and we're
  • 00:11:37.373 --> 00:11:40.309
  • Gonna have sexual relations, just--" no, no, there's no
  • 00:11:40.309 --> 00:11:42.745
  • Blessing there.
  • 00:11:42.745 --> 00:11:44.146
  • Now you're outside of the will of god.
  • 00:11:44.146 --> 00:11:46.382
  • You can only ask god to bless the things that will bring
  • 00:11:46.382 --> 00:11:49.518
  • Him glory.
  • 00:11:49.518 --> 00:11:50.853
  • Point number two: when we pray, we should always ask for god's
  • 00:11:50.853 --> 00:11:54.323
  • Will to be done.
  • 00:11:54.323 --> 00:11:55.691
  • Look at verse 10.
  • 00:11:55.691 --> 00:11:57.026
  • "your kingdom come, your will be done."
  • 00:11:57.026 --> 00:11:59.795
  • Did not jesus model this for us in the garden of gethsemane?
  • 00:11:59.795 --> 00:12:04.233
  • He said, "father, if it's possible, let this cup pass from
  • 00:12:04.233 --> 00:12:06.736
  • Me; nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done."
  • 00:12:06.736 --> 00:12:11.307
  • Reminding me the primary objective of prayer is to line
  • 00:12:11.307 --> 00:12:14.276
  • My will up with the will of god.
  • 00:12:14.276 --> 00:12:17.813
  • True praying is not overcoming god's reluctance, it's laying
  • 00:12:17.813 --> 00:12:22.351
  • Hold of his willingness.
  • 00:12:22.351 --> 00:12:24.186
  • Prayer is not getting my will in heaven, it's getting god's will
  • 00:12:24.186 --> 00:12:28.457
  • On earth.
  • 00:12:28.457 --> 00:12:29.925
  • Prayer's not getting my will in heaven.
  • 00:12:29.925 --> 00:12:31.761
  • You don't want your will in heaven, you want god's will
  • 00:12:31.761 --> 00:12:34.697
  • On earth.
  • 00:12:34.697 --> 00:12:36.031
  • First john 5:14 says, "this is the confidence we have in him:
  • 00:12:36.031 --> 00:12:39.468
  • If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
  • 00:12:39.468 --> 00:12:44.006
  • And we'll have the petitions desired of him."
  • 00:12:44.006 --> 00:12:46.976
  • Prayer is surrender to the will of god.
  • 00:12:46.976 --> 00:12:51.447
  • So, "our father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name."
  • 00:12:51.447 --> 00:12:55.684
  • Point number three: we should pray for god's kingdom to come.
  • 00:12:55.684 --> 00:13:01.323
  • "your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, as it is
  • 00:13:01.323 --> 00:13:05.294
  • In heaven."
  • 00:13:05.294 --> 00:13:06.662
  • Now, this is a multi-leveled request with different shades
  • 00:13:06.662 --> 00:13:09.932
  • Of meaning.
  • 00:13:09.932 --> 00:13:11.300
  • What is the kingdom of god?
  • 00:13:11.300 --> 00:13:13.002
  • It's the rule and reign of christ in your life.
  • 00:13:13.002 --> 00:13:16.071
  • And jesus said on one occasion, "the kingdom of god is in the
  • 00:13:16.071 --> 00:13:19.642
  • Midst of you," and what he meant was, "i'm here.
  • 00:13:19.642 --> 00:13:22.344
  • Wherever i am, that's where the kingdom of god is."
  • 00:13:22.344 --> 00:13:25.147
  • So when we're told in matthew 6:33 to, "seek first the kingdom
  • 00:13:25.147 --> 00:13:28.717
  • Of god in his righteousness," that means put christ first, put
  • 00:13:28.717 --> 00:13:33.222
  • The will of god first, have jesus rule and reign in
  • 00:13:33.222 --> 00:13:37.993
  • Your life.
  • 00:13:37.993 --> 00:13:39.428
  • But it's also a prayer for jesus to return to the earth.
  • 00:13:39.428 --> 00:13:44.600
  • The word that he uses here for kingdom does not refer to a
  • 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:47.369
  • Geographical territory, but his sovereignty and dominion.
  • 00:13:47.369 --> 00:13:52.341
  • So when i'm praying, "your kingdom come," i'm praying for
  • 00:13:52.341 --> 00:13:54.877
  • The rule of god on earth.
  • 00:13:54.877 --> 00:13:56.679
  • In other words, i'm saying, "jesus, come back really soon.
  • 00:13:56.679 --> 00:14:00.549
  • I really want you to return."
  • 00:14:00.549 --> 00:14:02.985
  • This should be the heart cry of every christian.
  • 00:14:02.985 --> 00:14:06.121
  • Like the apostle john, we should say, "even so, come, lord jesus.
  • 00:14:06.121 --> 00:14:12.161
  • Come back soon."
  • 00:14:12.161 --> 00:14:14.196
  • And you should live in such a way that you long for and desire
  • 00:14:14.196 --> 00:14:17.967
  • The return of christ.
  • 00:14:17.967 --> 00:14:19.335
  • When jesus uses this phrase: "your kingdom come," it
  • 00:14:19.335 --> 00:14:22.471
  • Essentially speaks of a sudden, instantaneous coming.
  • 00:14:22.471 --> 00:14:26.041
  • "lord, i'm praying your kingdom comes, and it comes soon."
  • 00:14:26.041 --> 00:14:29.678
  • But it's also a personal request where i'm asking him to rule and
  • 00:14:29.678 --> 00:14:33.349
  • Reign on my life, but also it's a request for the salvation of
  • 00:14:33.349 --> 00:14:37.353
  • Those that don't know the lord.
  • 00:14:37.353 --> 00:14:39.755
  • Jesus modeled this as isaiah 53:12 says, "he interceded for
  • 00:14:39.755 --> 00:14:44.260
  • The transgressors."
  • 00:14:44.260 --> 00:14:46.295
  • He effectively prayed for the nonbelievers, remember?
  • 00:14:46.295 --> 00:14:49.565
  • His first words from the cross were, "father, forgive them, for
  • 00:14:49.565 --> 00:14:53.269
  • They know not what they do."
  • 00:14:53.269 --> 00:14:55.237
  • Who was that prayer for?
  • 00:14:55.237 --> 00:14:56.639
  • It was for the people that pounded the spikes in his hands
  • 00:14:56.639 --> 00:15:00.542
  • And feet and pressed the crown of thorns on his head and tore
  • 00:15:00.542 --> 00:15:04.546
  • His back open with a whip.
  • 00:15:04.546 --> 00:15:06.682
  • "lord, father, forgive them, they know not what they do."
  • 00:15:06.682 --> 00:15:10.753
  • Here's number four: we need to bring our personal needs
  • 00:15:10.753 --> 00:15:14.490
  • Before god.
  • 00:15:14.490 --> 00:15:16.225
  • Bring our personal needs before god.
  • 00:15:16.225 --> 00:15:17.927
  • Verse 11, "give us day by day our daily bread."
  • 00:15:17.927 --> 00:15:23.599
  • It's really an amazing thing that this all-knowing,
  • 00:15:23.666 --> 00:15:26.368
  • All-powerful, omnipotent god who created the entire universe
  • 00:15:26.368 --> 00:15:31.740
  • Would have any interest in us personally, but he does.
  • 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:37.012
  • He cares about you.
  • 00:15:37.012 --> 00:15:39.248
  • Why would he make so much of this?
  • 00:15:39.248 --> 00:15:41.183
  • Why would he care about our needs?
  • 00:15:41.183 --> 00:15:42.518
  • I don't know, but job 7:17 says, "what is man, that you make so
  • 00:15:42.518 --> 00:15:46.989
  • Much of him, and give him so much attention," the answer is
  • 00:15:46.989 --> 00:15:51.927
  • Pretty simple.
  • 00:15:51.927 --> 00:15:53.262
  • I think it's because he just loves you, and he loves me,
  • 00:15:53.262 --> 00:15:57.199
  • And he's not going to hold something back if you need it.
  • 00:15:57.199 --> 00:15:59.868
  • Jesus says in matthew 7:9, "you parents--if your children ask
  • 00:15:59.868 --> 00:16:04.139
  • For a loaf of bread, are you gonna give them a stone instead?
  • 00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:07.409
  • If they ask for a fish, would you give them a snake?
  • 00:16:07.409 --> 00:16:10.079
  • Of course not!
  • 00:16:10.079 --> 00:16:11.447
  • If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your
  • 00:16:11.447 --> 00:16:14.917
  • Children, how much more will your heavenly father give good
  • 00:16:14.917 --> 00:16:18.320
  • Gifts to those who ask him."
  • 00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:21.390
  • So if your little kid comes up, "mommy, i'm so hungry.
  • 00:16:21.390 --> 00:16:24.093
  • Can i have a little piece of bread?"
  • 00:16:24.093 --> 00:16:25.928
  • "no, but you can have a rock instead."
  • 00:16:25.928 --> 00:16:28.998
  • "mommy, can i have some fresh fish?"
  • 00:16:28.998 --> 00:16:30.666
  • "no, but i have a live snake!
  • 00:16:30.666 --> 00:16:32.001
  • Here you go, kid."
  • 00:16:32.001 --> 00:16:33.369
  • Who would do that?
  • 00:16:33.369 --> 00:16:35.237
  • We take care of our children, god takes care of us as well.
  • 00:16:35.237 --> 00:16:39.274
  • So when we say to god, "give me this day my daily bread," i'm
  • 00:16:39.274 --> 00:16:42.444
  • Not just speaking about bread, or even about food, i'm talking
  • 00:16:42.444 --> 00:16:46.081
  • About everything.
  • 00:16:46.081 --> 00:16:47.716
  • Lord, give me everything that i need.
  • 00:16:47.716 --> 00:16:49.585
  • It's a funny thing, back in the '60s, we used to use the word
  • 00:16:49.585 --> 00:16:53.022
  • "bread" to speak of money.
  • 00:16:53.022 --> 00:16:55.157
  • You'd walk up to someone, "hey dude, you got any bread," right?
  • 00:16:55.157 --> 00:16:58.761
  • How many of you remember that?
  • 00:16:58.761 --> 00:17:00.396
  • All the old people, "hey."
  • 00:17:00.396 --> 00:17:04.700
  • I feel as an older person, i can mock older people, okay?
  • 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:07.669
  • So.
  • 00:17:07.669 --> 00:17:10.272
  • "give us day to day our daily bread."
  • 00:17:10.272 --> 00:17:13.842
  • You know, when you ask someone to give you something, you're
  • 00:17:13.842 --> 00:17:16.378
  • Acknowledging they own it.
  • 00:17:16.378 --> 00:17:19.281
  • You're acknowledging also that you need it.
  • 00:17:19.281 --> 00:17:22.484
  • They don't owe it to you, you don't deserve it.
  • 00:17:22.484 --> 00:17:26.188
  • He's not saying we should pray, "pay us our daily bread."
  • 00:17:26.188 --> 00:17:30.025
  • "give us our daily bread."
  • 00:17:30.025 --> 00:17:32.094
  • This reminds us we're completely dependent on god, and it's
  • 00:17:32.094 --> 00:17:36.298
  • An affirmation that everything you have comes from god.
  • 00:17:36.298 --> 00:17:40.235
  • Everything you have comes from god.
  • 00:17:40.235 --> 00:17:42.071
  • James 1:17 says, "every good gift and perfect gift is from
  • 00:17:42.071 --> 00:17:46.508
  • Above, and comes down from the father of lights, with whom
  • 00:17:46.508 --> 00:17:49.878
  • There is no variation or shadow of turning."
  • 00:17:49.878 --> 00:17:53.215
  • You can work hard, you can invest your money wisely, you
  • 00:17:53.215 --> 00:17:57.553
  • Can do all the things that you do, but ultimately, remember, it
  • 00:17:57.553 --> 00:18:01.790
  • All came from god.
  • 00:18:01.790 --> 00:18:04.426
  • Deuteronomy 8:18 says, "remember the lord your god, he is the
  • 00:18:04.426 --> 00:18:08.097
  • One who gave you the ability to produce wealth," so we thank
  • 00:18:08.097 --> 00:18:12.000
  • Him, but we also pray about our needs.
  • 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:14.570
  • If you have a need, pray about it.
  • 00:18:14.570 --> 00:18:17.106
  • James says, "you have not because you ask not."
  • 00:18:17.106 --> 00:18:19.708
  • Do you have a need right now?
  • 00:18:19.708 --> 00:18:21.143
  • It's a physical need, a financial need, a medical need,
  • 00:18:21.143 --> 00:18:26.081
  • Something else.
  • 00:18:26.081 --> 00:18:27.416
  • Pray about it, "lord, would you give this to me?
  • 00:18:27.416 --> 00:18:29.952
  • Now, of course, lord, i pray your kingdom come, your will be
  • 00:18:29.952 --> 00:18:33.655
  • Done on earth, as it is in heaven.
  • 00:18:33.655 --> 00:18:35.524
  • If there's something in this request that is outside of your
  • 00:18:35.524 --> 00:18:38.193
  • Will, overrule it.
  • 00:18:38.193 --> 00:18:40.129
  • But lord, i do need this, and i'm calling out to you, and i'm
  • 00:18:40.129 --> 00:18:43.899
  • Praying about it."
  • 00:18:43.899 --> 00:18:45.901
  • God almighty has promised to answer your prayers, but that
  • 00:18:45.901 --> 00:18:49.938
  • Does not mean that we sit around like lazy bums and say, "lord,
  • 00:18:49.938 --> 00:18:55.677
  • Just provide."
  • 00:18:55.677 --> 00:18:57.946
  • You know, get off your big, fat, la-z-boy recliner.
  • 00:18:57.946 --> 00:19:04.253
  • What did you think i was gonna say?
  • 00:19:04.253 --> 00:19:08.457
  • And get a job.
  • 00:19:08.457 --> 00:19:10.292
  • Somehow people think the world owes them a living, the
  • 00:19:10.292 --> 00:19:12.661
  • Government owes them a living, their parents owe them a living.
  • 00:19:12.661 --> 00:19:15.831
  • "well, my mom and dad will take care of me even though
  • 00:19:15.831 --> 00:19:18.300
  • I'm 50 still."
  • 00:19:18.300 --> 00:19:19.668
  • Wait, get a job.
  • 00:19:19.668 --> 00:19:21.170
  • Have a little self-respect.
  • 00:19:21.170 --> 00:19:23.438
  • "well, they don't pay enough."
  • 00:19:23.438 --> 00:19:24.806
  • Just go out and have a work ethic.
  • 00:19:24.806 --> 00:19:26.942
  • The christian should be the hardest of all workers,
  • 00:19:26.942 --> 00:19:30.179
  • Doing it for the glory of god.
  • 00:19:30.179 --> 00:19:33.081
  • The bible says, "if a man doesn't work,
  • 00:19:36.985 --> 00:19:38.487
  • He should not eat."
  • 00:19:38.487 --> 00:19:39.855
  • You need to work.
  • 00:19:40.489 --> 00:19:41.823
  • Now, maybe you're not able to work.
  • 00:19:41.823 --> 00:19:43.158
  • Well, that's another situation.
  • 00:19:43.158 --> 00:19:44.593
  • I'm talking about those who are able.
  • 00:19:44.593 --> 00:19:47.930
  • So we need to do our part, god will do his part, and he'll
  • 00:19:47.930 --> 00:19:51.133
  • Provide your needs, and number five: we need to pray
  • 00:19:51.133 --> 00:19:54.870
  • For personal forgiveness, and extend forgiveness to others.
  • 00:19:54.870 --> 00:19:59.408
  • We need to pray for personal forgiveness
  • 00:19:59.408 --> 00:20:01.743
  • And extend forgiveness to others,
  • 00:20:01.743 --> 00:20:03.512
  • And this is in the context of daily.
  • 00:20:03.512 --> 00:20:05.614
  • "give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,
  • 00:20:05.614 --> 00:20:09.518
  • As we forgive those who have sinned against us."
  • 00:20:09.518 --> 00:20:12.955
  • Just as i need to pray for daily provision, i need to pray for
  • 00:20:13.021 --> 00:20:17.593
  • Daily forgiveness.
  • 00:20:17.593 --> 00:20:20.395
  • You sin every day more than you think, and i don't mean you
  • 00:20:20.395 --> 00:20:23.498
  • Only, i mean me.
  • 00:20:23.498 --> 00:20:24.866
  • All of us do.
  • 00:20:24.866 --> 00:20:26.268
  • The bible says, "if we say we have no sin, we deceive
  • 00:20:26.268 --> 00:20:28.971
  • Ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
  • 00:20:28.971 --> 00:20:31.006
  • So we say, "lord, cleanse me of all sin.
  • 00:20:31.006 --> 00:20:35.110
  • Forgive me my debts, as i forgive my debtors."
  • 00:20:35.110 --> 00:20:40.716
  • Some people don't think they need forgiveness, but they do.
  • 00:20:40.716 --> 00:20:43.785
  • Everyone does.
  • 00:20:43.785 --> 00:20:45.654
  • Having received that forgiveness, i should also
  • 00:20:45.654 --> 00:20:48.123
  • Extend it to others.
  • 00:20:48.123 --> 00:20:50.425
  • Forgiven people should be forgiving people.
  • 00:20:50.425 --> 00:20:54.763
  • And according to jesus, our generous and constant
  • 00:20:54.763 --> 00:20:57.332
  • Forgiveness of others should be the natural result of our
  • 00:20:57.332 --> 00:21:00.736
  • Understanding of the forgiveness that god has extended toward us.
  • 00:21:00.736 --> 00:21:06.308
  • I loved the statement by c.s. lewis, or loved the statement
  • 00:21:06.308 --> 00:21:09.878
  • By lewis, where he says, quote, "everyone thinks forgiveness
  • 00:21:09.878 --> 00:21:13.482
  • Is a lovely idea until they have someone to forgive."
  • 00:21:13.482 --> 00:21:17.953
  • Right?
  • 00:21:17.953 --> 00:21:19.288
  • It's a great concept.
  • 00:21:19.288 --> 00:21:20.656
  • "oh, yes, i love forgiveness.
  • 00:21:20.656 --> 00:21:21.990
  • Oh, let's all forgive," till someone wrongs you, till someone
  • 00:21:21.990 --> 00:21:24.426
  • Hurts you, but you, too, should forgive.
  • 00:21:24.426 --> 00:21:28.230
  • "well, they don't deserve forgiveness."
  • 00:21:28.230 --> 00:21:29.965
  • Do you?
  • 00:21:29.965 --> 00:21:31.366
  • I'll answer it for you, you don't.
  • 00:21:31.366 --> 00:21:34.102
  • Again, what did jesus do?
  • 00:21:34.102 --> 00:21:35.971
  • Praying for his very enemies, "father, forgive them,
  • 00:21:35.971 --> 00:21:39.041
  • They don't know what they're doing."
  • 00:21:39.041 --> 00:21:41.209
  • If you harbor resentment and fail to forgive people,
  • 00:21:41.209 --> 00:21:45.514
  • You grieve the holy spirit.
  • 00:21:45.514 --> 00:21:47.349
  • The word "grieves" means to make sad or sorrowful.
  • 00:21:47.349 --> 00:21:51.920
  • Ephesians 4:30 says, "don't bring sorrow to god's holy
  • 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:54.856
  • Spirit by the way that you live.
  • 00:21:54.856 --> 00:21:56.625
  • Get rid of bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words.
  • 00:21:56.625 --> 00:22:00.128
  • Instead, be tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as god
  • 00:22:00.128 --> 00:22:04.299
  • Through christ has forgiven you."
  • 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:06.168
  • By the way, there are fringe benefits to forgiving others.
  • 00:22:06.168 --> 00:22:10.305
  • You'll live longer, literally.
  • 00:22:10.305 --> 00:22:13.442
  • A new field of research has developed on the subject of
  • 00:22:13.442 --> 00:22:16.378
  • Forgiveness, and recent studies suggest that those that do not
  • 00:22:16.378 --> 00:22:20.582
  • Forgive are more likely to experience high blood pressure,
  • 00:22:20.582 --> 00:22:24.753
  • Bouts of depression, and problems with anger, stress,
  • 00:22:24.753 --> 00:22:28.590
  • And anxiety.
  • 00:22:28.590 --> 00:22:30.192
  • So you can keep it all inside, and you can be that person
  • 00:22:30.192 --> 00:22:34.162
  • In the restaurant and they call out your name,
  • 00:22:34.162 --> 00:22:36.531
  • "bitter, party of one."
  • 00:22:36.531 --> 00:22:41.069
  • Or you can be a forgiving person.
  • 00:22:41.069 --> 00:22:44.106
  • It's your choice.
  • 00:22:44.106 --> 00:22:45.474
  • "forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned
  • 00:22:45.474 --> 00:22:48.710
  • Against us, and don't lead us into temptation."
  • 00:22:48.710 --> 00:22:52.381
  • We need to pray to not fall into temptation.
  • 00:22:52.381 --> 00:22:55.684
  • We're saying, "lord, don't let me be tempted above my capacity
  • 00:22:55.684 --> 00:22:59.654
  • To resist."
  • 00:22:59.654 --> 00:23:01.323
  • The problem with temptation is we find a way to rationalize it.
  • 00:23:01.323 --> 00:23:05.727
  • The problem with temptation is, well, it's just so tempting.
  • 00:23:05.727 --> 00:23:10.332
  • And we say, "it's okay for me."
  • 00:23:10.332 --> 00:23:12.200
  • We're so quick to jump down the throat of someone else doing
  • 00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:15.270
  • Something, but somehow we excuse it in our own lives.
  • 00:23:15.270 --> 00:23:19.541
  • Lord, don't let me be tempted above my capacity to resist, and
  • 00:23:19.541 --> 00:23:23.145
  • Listen to this: there's always a way out of every temptation.
  • 00:23:23.145 --> 00:23:27.315
  • 1 corinthians 10:13 says, "there is no temptation taking
  • 00:23:27.315 --> 00:23:31.186
  • You but such as is common to man: but god who is faithful
  • 00:23:31.186 --> 00:23:35.357
  • Will not allow you to be tempted above your capacity to resist,
  • 00:23:35.357 --> 00:23:39.428
  • But will with the temptation make a way of escape,
  • 00:23:39.428 --> 00:23:42.531
  • That you may be able to bear it."
  • 00:23:42.531 --> 00:23:44.533
  • Let me paraphrase it: there's always a way out.
  • 00:23:44.533 --> 00:23:48.203
  • He'll never give you too much.
  • 00:23:48.203 --> 00:23:50.338
  • Sometimes it's as simple as the door, as simple as the off
  • 00:23:50.338 --> 00:23:54.209
  • Button, as simple as terminating a conversation, whatever it is.
  • 00:23:54.209 --> 00:23:59.047
  • "lord, don't lead me into temptation, but deliver me
  • 00:23:59.047 --> 00:24:03.885
  • From evil."
  • 00:24:03.885 --> 00:24:05.220
  • But what a privilege it is to pray.
  • 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:07.823
  • But does it ever seem to you as though you pray, and no one
  • 00:24:07.823 --> 00:24:11.526
  • Is listening?
  • 00:24:11.526 --> 00:24:13.061
  • Has it ever seemed to you like god doesn't hear or answer
  • 00:24:13.061 --> 00:24:17.999
  • Your prayers?
  • 00:24:17.999 --> 00:24:19.334
  • Well, look, prayer is a privilege for a christian.
  • 00:24:19.334 --> 00:24:22.537
  • Now, anyone can pray, but a christian has the privilege of
  • 00:24:22.537 --> 00:24:27.342
  • Constant communication with god.
  • 00:24:27.342 --> 00:24:30.312
  • Now, a non-believer can pray.
  • 00:24:30.312 --> 00:24:32.614
  • They can say, "god, be merciful to me, a sinner."
  • 00:24:32.614 --> 00:24:34.816
  • God will hear that prayer, and you can begin a whole new life
  • 00:24:34.816 --> 00:24:37.919
  • And relationship with christ.
  • 00:24:37.919 --> 00:24:39.855
  • But if you're a non-believer living in sin, you're not gonna
  • 00:24:39.855 --> 00:24:43.058
  • Have what we might call a prayer life because your sin separates
  • 00:24:43.058 --> 00:24:48.163
  • You from god.
  • 00:24:48.163 --> 00:24:49.731
  • So god says, "it's not like my ear is deaf, where it can't hear
  • 00:24:49.731 --> 00:24:53.735
  • You, or my arm is short and i can't reach you, but your sins
  • 00:24:53.735 --> 00:24:57.239
  • Have separated you from me," see?
  • 00:24:57.239 --> 00:25:00.442
  • So as long as i'm living with sin in my life,
  • 00:25:00.442 --> 00:25:03.545
  • It puts like a barrier in front of me and god.
  • 00:25:03.545 --> 00:25:07.415
  • And the only way that barrier will come down is if i will
  • 00:25:07.415 --> 00:25:10.218
  • Acknowledge my sin and turn from it and ask for his forgiveness,
  • 00:25:10.218 --> 00:25:14.256
  • Which he will generously extend.
  • 00:25:14.256 --> 00:25:17.993
  • God wants a close relationship with you.
  • 00:25:17.993 --> 00:25:20.028
  • He doesn't wanna just be the man upstairs.
  • 00:25:20.028 --> 00:25:23.632
  • "the man upstairs."
  • 00:25:23.632 --> 00:25:24.966
  • Who are we talking about exactly?
  • 00:25:24.966 --> 00:25:26.735
  • "the good lord is what i call him."
  • 00:25:26.735 --> 00:25:28.637
  • Always the good.
  • 00:25:28.637 --> 00:25:29.971
  • Make sure you get good in there.
  • 00:25:29.971 --> 00:25:31.339
  • "the good lord."
  • 00:25:31.339 --> 00:25:32.908
  • He wants to be more than the good lord or the man upstairs.
  • 00:25:32.908 --> 00:25:36.711
  • He wants to be your best friend.
  • 00:25:36.711 --> 00:25:39.180
  • He wants to be your father.
  • 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:41.182
  • He wants to hear from you, and he wants to speak to you,
  • 00:25:41.182 --> 00:25:44.619
  • And that can all happen for you right now if you'll admit
  • 00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:48.557
  • You're a sinner.
  • 00:25:48.557 --> 00:25:49.891
  • Come back to that story jesus told, he just said, "god,
  • 00:25:49.891 --> 00:25:52.794
  • Have mercy on me, the sinner," and god did.
  • 00:25:52.794 --> 00:25:55.897
  • And if you'll say that to god, he'll hear your prayer.
  • 00:25:55.897 --> 00:25:59.701
  • Greg: have you ever wondered how to find personal happiness?
  • 00:26:03.872 --> 00:26:07.242
  • Hi, i'm pastor greg laurie.
  • 00:26:07.242 --> 00:26:08.944
  • Let me tell you a secret about finding happiness.
  • 00:26:08.944 --> 00:26:12.247
  • The least happy people are the people that live to be happy.
  • 00:26:12.247 --> 00:26:16.585
  • But here's the secret: the bible says, "happy are the people
  • 00:26:16.585 --> 00:26:21.022
  • Whose god is the lord."
  • 00:26:21.022 --> 00:26:23.358
  • You will never find happiness from seeking it, but if you come
  • 00:26:23.358 --> 00:26:27.062
  • Into a relationship with god through jesus, you'll find
  • 00:26:27.062 --> 00:26:30.832
  • The happiness you've been looking for in life.
  • 00:26:30.832 --> 00:26:34.569
  • He's just a prayer away.
  • 00:26:34.569 --> 00:26:36.805
  • There's a number on the screen, you can call that number.
  • 00:26:36.805 --> 00:26:40.308
  • And i wanna send you a free bible and tell you how to be
  • 00:26:40.308 --> 00:26:43.778
  • A happy person and come into a relationship with god
  • 00:26:43.778 --> 00:26:47.849
  • So you have purpose in this life and the life to come.
  • 00:26:47.849 --> 00:26:51.620
  • You have the hope of heaven.
  • 00:26:51.620 --> 00:26:56.091
  • ♪ for god so loved the world that he gave us ♪
  • 00:27:00.061 --> 00:27:04.799
  • ♪ his one and only son to save us. ♪
  • 00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:09.671
  • ♪ whoever believes in him ♪
  • 00:27:09.671 --> 00:27:13.274
  • ♪ will live forever. ♪
  • 00:27:13.274 --> 00:27:19.347
  • ♪ the power of hell forever defeated. ♪
  • 00:27:19.347 --> 00:27:24.085
  • ♪ now in his will, i walk in, and freedom. ♪♪
  • 00:27:24.085 --> 00:27:24.085