Praise

Matthew West: Don't Stop Praying | Praise

February 3, 2026 | 56:40

Matthew West shares personal anecdotes reflecting on the power of prayer and the challenges he has faced in drawing closer to God. Overcoming roadblocks like distractions, shame, and self-reliance, West reflects on his journey towards a deeper, more authentic prayer life through silence, stillness, and listening. The book emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, persistence, and trusting in God's timing, weaving together stories of personal growth, faith, and the transformative power of prayer in everyday life.

#Singer/Songwriter #Music #Musician #Testimony #Transformation #TrustGod #SpiritualGrowth #SeekGod #Truth #Bible #Prayer #PersonalStory #MattCrouch #LaurieCrouch #MatthewWest

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Praise | Matthew West: Don't Stop Praying | Praise | February 3, 2026

- coming up tonight on praise.
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- god doesn't call us to pray a perfect prayer,
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But to come just as we are.
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And when we try to pretend, we got it all together,
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There's one who sees the whole story.
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So when we say i'm fine, i'm fine, everything's fine.
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God knows when everything's not fine.
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And he cares way more about what's going on the inside.
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I am far from perfect, and i know that until the day
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I go home to heaven.
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I'm a work in progress.
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But when i read my bible, i'm reminded of the promise that
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God never stops working on me, that he who began a good work
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Will finish them.
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(music playing)
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- nashville, tennessee.
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Praise welcomes you and matthew west.
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And we're up in the balcony and the reason that we did
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That big giant camera move is because in a couple of hours,
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You're going to go down there and shoot a whole another
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Special for us.
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- i can't wait.
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- i love that.
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- we love when you do this.
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- this is so special-- - by the way.
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Let's look out this way because there's the camera out there.
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Let's wave, see it?
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And now it's time for us to bungee jump off the,
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Off the balcony.
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Are you rigged up?
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- i wondered why they were setting that harness up.
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- yeah, no, we're not going to bungee.
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- something death defying.
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- all right, so-- - you first.
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- you first, she said.
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[laughing] she just said she told you to jump first.
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- remember back in the 1800s there were people that had the
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Timing of the lord's return so perfect they were jumping
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Off buildings.
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You think we could pull that off?
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- maybe. - you go.
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- me? oh, me first.
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Everybody's signing up.
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- i think we have some time.
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- we were signing each other up.
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- that would hurt.
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Ok, matthew west, he prays.
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According to this book he wrote.
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And don't stop praying the god who hears is just
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A breath away.
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- i love this.
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- prayer is a mystery.
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It is awesome.
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God has given us a gift of communication with him directly.
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And we're going to get into that.
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And we're going to do it because your daddy was a preacher.
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Your daddy was a preacher.
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My daddy was a kind of a preacher.
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- and-- - he wanted to be a preacher.
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- he was kind of a preacher, you know,
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He was ordained through the assemblies of god, early.
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But he didn't renew his credentials because he didn't
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Want tbn to be attached to one nomination.
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So just to, you know, to kind of love everybody.
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- he was a full business gospel man.
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- yeah, well said.
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- ok, matthew west, we're going to get into prayer.
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But you know you are a singer, so before we pray
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We better sing.
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Do you have something prepared?
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- i'd love to play something, you know,
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Since we're going to be talking about prayer,
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Maybe i'll start us off with a song that is about
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The importance of praying honest prayers.
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And the reminder that god doesn't call us to pray
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A perfect prayer but to come just as we are.
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And this song could've easily been titled confessions
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Of a burned-out preacher's kid.
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- oh wow.
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- a story of a kid who grew up thinking,
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You know if i do enough good stuff then maybe i'll earn
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My place, you know what i mean?
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And this song is just an acknowledgement of that when
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We try to pretend, we got it all
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Together. there's one who sees the whole story.
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And he and so when we say i'm fine, i'm fine,
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Everything's fine.
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God knows when everything's not fine and he cares way more
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About what's going on the inside than on the outside.
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So this is called truth be told.
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It goes--
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♪ lie number one, you're supposed to have it ♪
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All together. ♪
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♪ and when they ask how you're doing. ♪
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♪ just smile and tell them, "never better". ♪
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♪ lie number two, everybody's life is perfect except yours. ♪
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♪ so keep your messes and your wounds. ♪
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♪ and your secrets safe with you behind closed doors. ♪
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♪ but truth be told, the truth is rarely told. ♪
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♪ now i say, "i'm fine, yeah, i'm fine, oh, i'm fine, hey, ♪
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♪ i'm fine", but i'm not. ♪
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♪ i'm broken. ♪
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♪ and when it's out of control i say, "it's under control", ♪
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♪ but it's not. ♪
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♪ and you know it. ♪
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♪ i don't know why it's so hard to admit it. ♪
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♪ when being honest is the only way to fix it. ♪
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♪ there's no failure, no fall. ♪
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♪ there's no sin you don't already know. ♪
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♪ so let the truth be told. ♪
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- amen.
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♪ there's a sign on the door, says, "come as you are", ♪
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♪ but i doubt it. ♪
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♪ 'cause if we lived like that was true, ♪
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♪ every sunday morning pew would be crowded. ♪
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♪ but didn't you say the church should look more like a ♪
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♪ hospital? ♪
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♪ a safe place for the sick, the sinner and the scarred and the ♪
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♪ prodigals, like me. ♪
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♪ well, truth be told. ♪
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♪ the truth is rarely told. ♪
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♪ oh, am i the only one. ♪
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♪ who says, "i'm fine, yeah, i'm fine, oh, i'm fine, hey, ♪
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♪ i'm fine", but i'm not, i'm broken. ♪
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♪ and when it's out of control i say, "it's under control", ♪
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♪ but it's not, and you know it. ♪
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♪ i don't know why it's so hard to admit it. ♪
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♪ when being honest is the only way to fix it. ♪
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♪ there's no failure, no fall. ♪
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♪ there's no sin you don't already know. ♪
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♪ so let the truth be told. ♪
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♪ can i really stand here unashamed. ♪
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♪ knowing that your love for me won't change? ♪
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♪ oh, god, if that's really true. ♪
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♪ then let the truth be told. ♪
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♪ i say, "i'm fine, yeah, i'm fine, oh, i'm fine, hey, ♪
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♪ i'm fine", but i'm not, i'm broken. ♪
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♪ and when it's out of control i say, "it's under control", ♪
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♪ but it's not, and you know it. ♪
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♪ i don't know why it's so hard to admit it. ♪
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♪ when being honest is the only way to fix it. ♪
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♪ there's no failure, no fall. ♪
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♪ there's no sin you don't already know. ♪
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♪ so let the truth be told. ♪
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- mm beautiful. - beautiful.
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- wow.
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- what an interesting message of kind of-- let's be honest
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With the lord.
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He already knows.
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- right.
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- you know, so let the truth be told.
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And you know you chose to be here today.
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You're our guest.
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You accepted our invitation, so i'm going to ask you
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A hard question.
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- i love it.
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- ok.
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Are you sure you love it?
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- well, i'm not sure yet.
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You already asked me to jump off the second-floor balcony.
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- so that might be easier.
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That might be easier.
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So you know i'm going to put a large umbrella over our
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Conversation about prayer.
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And by the way this is a beautiful devotional filled
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With stories, listen, get this it's available.
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-it's beautiful.
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- the way it just starts out.
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- yeah. - was just--amazing.
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- the opening is just beautiful.
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Ok.
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And we'll get into that.
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But here's a hard question.
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And i love, you know, putting people on the spot
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For some reason.
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I enjoy this tremendously.
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I'm dragging it out and building the suspense.
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- am i sweating yet?
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Ok? no.
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- so the doctrine of your song is declaring,
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[crosstalk] - yes.
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- that god already knows, so we might as well just tell him
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The truth that we say we're good.
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But we're really broken.
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But the scripture does say let the weak say, i am strong.
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So there's something about-- let's use the modern
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Vernacular, fake it till you make it.
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But there is something about a declaration.
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- declarative-- - of what a declarative prayer,
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That is something beyond what you currently have.
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There's something to that too.
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- yeah, and i think the key to that is the question is,
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Everybody has to ask is, 'where does my source of
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Strength, where does my strength come from,' right?
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So let the weak say i am strong.
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Well, how am i strong?
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I'm strong in the lord.
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I know that, you know, i mean.
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There's another line in a song that i've recently put out
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Called good.
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And it says, i think paul wrote the book of romans
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For people just like me.
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For all the beat up and the broken who need to know
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That grace is free.
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Why do i do the things i shouldn't?
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And i don't do the things i should?
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That's just more proof that you're the only part
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Of me that's good.
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And so, when i think about like the idea of praying
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Honest prayers.
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But then also declaring.
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I mean, because paul was the first, you know,
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He was the first one to raise his hand and say,
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'don't think too much of me.' he called himself the chief
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Of sinners.
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And so, when i think about a song like,
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Letting the truth be told, it's the acknowledgement
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That man, i am far from perfect.
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And i know that until the day i go home to heaven
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I'm a work in progress.
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But when i read my bible, i'm reminded of the promise
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That god never stops working on me.
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That he who began a good work will finish it.
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- there is a term, the finished work of the cross.
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Jesus said it is finished.
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And we say by his stripes we were healed--
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- right, right, right.
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- we were healed.
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And so we declare something even when our body has a
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Symptom, we declare that it aligns with the perfection
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Of what he paid.
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So there's a mystery involved with honesty.
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And maybe, maybe it's hearing yourself be honest to god.
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- sure, i-- - confession--
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- confession is such an important part of prayer.
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But i think what you're getting at too is so important
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Is like.
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Am i going to walk in that wounded place or am i going to
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Walk in the belief for victory.
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Am i going to, you know what i mean?
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And so i think there's out of that honest confession to god,
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You know-- i found it to be so important for me to begin my
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Prayers with that acronym of acts, adoration, confession,
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Thanksgiving, and then supplication.
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So beginning my prayer time and i have to structure my
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Prayers sometimes because i'm a little bit like my dog
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When he sees a squirrel, right?
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So, so sometimes structuring my prayers can help me stay
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On path.
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But i love the thought of that because beginning by saying
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I'm going t focus first on who god is.
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Not what he's done for me.
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Not what i need him to do for me.
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Not my list of prayer requests,
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But i'm focused on who he is.
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Then i'm going to spend some time confessing
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And acknowledging the reality of who i am at my worst
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And when i take my eyes off jesus for one second.
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And then thanksgiving.
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That for all he's done for me for the grace as you said,
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Like by his stripes we were healed.
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And then the final thing going to god with my needs.
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And it's crazy when you put it in that order.
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My list of needs sure changes a whole lot.
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- it shrinks.
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- but that decision to go i'm not going to walk in
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The woundedness i'm going to declare victory even though
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I may be still struggling.
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Even though i haven't seen this breakthrough.
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Maybe i've been praying for this one thing
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For a long time.
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I'm still going to walk in that promised victory knowing
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That i'm not the finished product.
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Because one of the things i've talk about in this book
00:11:21.403 --> 00:11:23.706
Is prayer roadblocks.
00:11:23.706 --> 00:11:25.574
The things, what are some of the things that keep us
00:11:25.574 --> 00:11:27.443
From praying.
00:11:27.443 --> 00:11:28.744
And maybe that's why the lord had me play that song first.
00:11:28.744 --> 00:11:30.146
Because i think one of the biggest things if people are
00:11:30.146 --> 00:11:32.615
Being honest about why they don't talk to god.
00:11:32.615 --> 00:11:35.751
Is the shame in our lives.
00:11:35.751 --> 00:11:37.720
Can the enemy can use that to make us believe that
00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:42.124
There's this great big chasm between us and god.
00:11:42.124 --> 00:11:44.393
And we're, you know, what does the old hymn say prone
00:11:44.393 --> 00:11:46.796
To wander lord i feel it.
00:11:46.796 --> 00:11:48.264
Prone to leave the god i love.
00:11:48.264 --> 00:11:49.932
I love that song.
00:11:49.932 --> 00:11:51.267
Because that hymn when i sing that i'm like prone to wander
00:11:51.267 --> 00:11:53.803
That's me.
00:11:53.803 --> 00:11:55.204
Lord, i feel it, you know what i mean?
00:11:55.204 --> 00:11:57.206
And the thought that like we start to believe the enemy's
00:11:57.206 --> 00:12:00.409
Lie that we've created this massive distance between us
00:12:00.409 --> 00:12:03.379
And god.
00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:04.580
And that shame can become a massive roadblock to us
00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:07.917
In our communication with god.
00:12:07.917 --> 00:12:09.351
Like who are we to talk to him?
00:12:09.351 --> 00:12:10.519
He doesn't want to hear from me anymore he's given up
00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:12.354
On me.
00:12:12.354 --> 00:12:13.289
He's forgotten the sound of my voice.
00:12:13.289 --> 00:12:14.423
Those are all thoughts that i've had ever since
00:12:14.423 --> 00:12:17.092
I was a kid.
00:12:17.092 --> 00:12:17.993
Like ok because i made this mistake.
00:12:17.993 --> 00:12:20.596
It drives me even further away from communication with god.
00:12:20.596 --> 00:12:23.499
- kind of like i have no right to go before the lord
00:12:23.499 --> 00:12:26.001
Right now.
00:12:26.001 --> 00:12:27.169
Because today he sure ain't going to listen to me,
00:12:27.169 --> 00:12:29.205
What i did last night.
00:12:29.205 --> 00:12:30.606
- exactly, who am i?
00:12:30.606 --> 00:12:31.440
- you know, and it is that shame.
00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:32.775
I love david.
00:12:32.775 --> 00:12:34.276
David pours everything out.
00:12:34.276 --> 00:12:36.879
You know, we say the psalms speaks for you.
00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:39.982
And, but then he's always backing it up, but god,
00:12:39.982 --> 00:12:42.718
You are my strength.
00:12:42.718 --> 00:12:44.987
Or god, you are, you know, and he just goes on.
00:12:44.987 --> 00:12:47.389
- and those psalms were such honest prayers, weren't they?
00:12:47.389 --> 00:12:50.092
Talk about letting the truth be told.
00:12:50.092 --> 00:12:51.794
- oh, i know.
00:12:51.794 --> 00:12:52.595
God kill them.
00:12:52.595 --> 00:12:54.230
- smite the mighty smiter.
00:12:54.230 --> 00:12:57.266
That's probably the message translation,
00:12:57.266 --> 00:12:58.734
But-- or maybe that was bruce almighty.
00:12:58.734 --> 00:13:01.237
I'm not sure.
00:13:01.237 --> 00:13:02.571
- that was us-- - academy award winning.
00:13:02.571 --> 00:13:04.406
- bruce translation.
00:13:04.406 --> 00:13:05.641
- which is a great actually when you watch that movie,
00:13:05.641 --> 00:13:08.110
You, the, you think of from a christian's perspective
00:13:08.110 --> 00:13:11.814
And all those people whispering those prayers.
00:13:11.814 --> 00:13:14.016
And just the thought that people in their,
00:13:14.016 --> 00:13:16.085
In their desperate moments are crying out to god.
00:13:16.085 --> 00:13:18.354
And a reminder that we are not god.
00:13:18.354 --> 00:13:20.389
- yeah, you know, there's also a thing.
00:13:20.389 --> 00:13:23.292
Of be careful what you pray for.
00:13:23.292 --> 00:13:24.860
Because i think sometimes, we pray for things that are
00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:29.331
So limiting god in our life, right?
00:13:29.331 --> 00:13:33.168
Things that i'm so thankful i look back now and think, god--
00:13:33.168 --> 00:13:37.039
- i think his ways-- are above our ways.
00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:39.208
So oftentimes we're not asking for the ultimate prize even
00:13:39.208 --> 00:13:43.178
In our own-- - or even the right thing--
00:13:43.178 --> 00:13:44.914
- the right thing.
00:13:44.914 --> 00:13:45.781
- the thought that he knows.
00:13:45.781 --> 00:13:46.949
And that's why, you know, where the old garth brooks
00:13:46.949 --> 00:13:48.851
Song, "sometimes i thank god for unanswered prayer."
00:13:48.851 --> 00:13:53.255
Because he ran into an old flame.
00:13:53.255 --> 00:13:54.890
And he realized, you know-- - exactly.
00:13:54.890 --> 00:13:57.593
- i think she broke his heart or something.
00:13:57.593 --> 00:13:59.528
I always wondered if he looked at her and goes,
00:13:59.528 --> 00:14:01.363
She ain't cute anymore, you know.
00:14:01.363 --> 00:14:03.399
- but you know, you know he did.
00:14:03.499 --> 00:14:06.168
- but we, i, believe there's no such thing as an unanswered
00:14:06.168 --> 00:14:09.772
Prayer, right?
00:14:09.772 --> 00:14:10.406
Don't you?
00:14:10.406 --> 00:14:11.607
I mean, an all-knowing god knows exactly what we need
00:14:11.607 --> 00:14:14.276
And knows when we need it.
00:14:14.276 --> 00:14:15.711
And so those things that we've,
00:14:15.711 --> 00:14:16.845
I also think about paul talking about the thorns
00:14:16.845 --> 00:14:18.614
In his flesh.
00:14:18.614 --> 00:14:19.848
And never really quite know what that was or some sort
00:14:19.848 --> 00:14:22.051
Of a trial, you know, but that thought that.
00:14:22.051 --> 00:14:24.320
He didn't, he was alluding to the fact that he didn't get
00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:27.222
The answer to his, he didn't get delivered from that.
00:14:27.222 --> 00:14:30.125
And yet he was still gonna praise god.
00:14:30.125 --> 00:14:32.695
- paul didn't get the answer that he was looking for,
00:14:32.695 --> 00:14:36.198
And i really didn't either in my original question.
00:14:36.198 --> 00:14:39.101
- did i not? - kind of.
00:14:39.101 --> 00:14:41.470
- tell me the answer. did i blow it?
00:14:41.470 --> 00:14:43.939
- matthew, i'm sorry.
00:14:43.939 --> 00:14:45.607
- the harness is still on.
00:14:45.607 --> 00:14:46.875
- should we just go ahead and jump?
00:14:46.875 --> 00:14:48.210
I'll hold your hand. we'll go together.
00:14:48.210 --> 00:14:50.446
- no, but i, that's what i really think.
00:14:50.446 --> 00:14:52.448
I think about in our weakness he is strong.
00:14:52.448 --> 00:14:55.250
I think about like.
00:14:55.250 --> 00:14:56.185
How can i-- because here's the thing,
00:14:56.185 --> 00:14:58.354
You know how many nights, and i wonder if you guys have ever
00:14:58.354 --> 00:15:01.190
Felt like this.
00:15:01.190 --> 00:15:02.324
I mean, you're in front of a camera all the time.
00:15:02.324 --> 00:15:03.659
You're ministering to millions of people day in and day out.
00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:07.463
And sometimes in my weakest moments,
00:15:07.463 --> 00:15:09.131
Sometimes the voice of the enemy will come to me right
00:15:09.131 --> 00:15:11.433
Before i walk on stage.
00:15:11.433 --> 00:15:13.435
And i'm about to go and minister to a group full
00:15:13.435 --> 00:15:15.671
Of people.
00:15:15.671 --> 00:15:16.939
And i'll think, who do you think you are going out there
00:15:16.939 --> 00:15:19.808
And telling and one of the one of the genesis moments
00:15:19.808 --> 00:15:23.045
For this book for me was this convicting thought.
00:15:23.045 --> 00:15:26.582
Have i spent more time talking about jesus than to him?
00:15:26.582 --> 00:15:30.919
And sometimes before i walk on stage i go, who,
00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:33.489
Who am i to go out there and sing truth be told and all
00:15:33.489 --> 00:15:35.858
These songs about grace?
00:15:35.858 --> 00:15:37.126
Am i really, you know, am i even in a position to do this?
00:15:37.126 --> 00:15:40.729
And so, what is it, what happens in that moment when
00:15:40.729 --> 00:15:43.232
I say that prayer.
00:15:43.232 --> 00:15:44.266
And i'm hearing that voice and i say, lord,
00:15:44.266 --> 00:15:46.101
I need to hear from you right now.
00:15:46.101 --> 00:15:47.436
Well, i'm in a place of total and complete dependence
00:15:47.436 --> 00:15:50.706
On god.
00:15:50.706 --> 00:15:51.874
Before i walk out on that stage because i know
00:15:51.874 --> 00:15:53.509
There's nothing good in me.
00:15:53.509 --> 00:15:55.077
- that's what he loves.
00:15:55.077 --> 00:15:57.279
- and that's what prayer does for us.
00:15:57.279 --> 00:15:58.680
Because we're looking to him and not to us
00:15:58.680 --> 00:16:01.583
In those moments.
00:16:01.583 --> 00:16:02.251
- beautiful.
00:16:02.251 --> 00:16:03.419
- we were doing an interview and with a pastor friend
00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:05.687
Of ours, joseph.
00:16:05.687 --> 00:16:08.223
And joseph prince and he was having a moment like that.
00:16:08.223 --> 00:16:13.996
Very much similar to that.
00:16:13.996 --> 00:16:15.364
God-- - feeling [indiscernible].
00:16:15.364 --> 00:16:17.066
- i don't feel like i love you.
00:16:17.066 --> 00:16:19.268
I don't have-- i can't conjure this feeling.
00:16:19.268 --> 00:16:22.271
I don't think i love you enough.
00:16:22.271 --> 00:16:24.473
And the lord answered him so beautifully and said the way
00:16:24.473 --> 00:16:27.076
You love me the most is to dwell on how much i love you.
00:16:27.076 --> 00:16:32.581
Ok, so you reverse it.
00:16:33.148 --> 00:16:35.050
It's not about us.
00:16:35.050 --> 00:16:36.218
- right.
00:16:36.218 --> 00:16:37.519
- and so whenever you start thinking i'm not enough, you,
00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:40.389
You should say exactly.
00:16:40.389 --> 00:16:42.124
That's the point.
00:16:42.124 --> 00:16:43.192
And walk out on stage.
00:16:43.192 --> 00:16:44.359
That's the thing that our generation weren't raised.
00:16:44.359 --> 00:16:52.234
Laurie and i's generation was not raised in that.
00:16:52.234 --> 00:16:54.603
You got saved every sunday night, and you know,
00:16:54.603 --> 00:16:57.573
As bad as an eight-year-old can be,
00:16:57.573 --> 00:16:59.675
You still had to go down to the altar--
00:16:59.675 --> 00:17:01.009
- oh yeah. - die and go to hell.
00:17:01.009 --> 00:17:02.845
- oh, i got saved every time i watched--
00:17:02.845 --> 00:17:04.713
- lassie? - a thief in the night.
00:17:04.713 --> 00:17:06.882
- yeah, ok,.
00:17:06.882 --> 00:17:08.117
- remember that?
00:17:08.117 --> 00:17:10.752
- if you watched gilligan's island during the week.
00:17:10.752 --> 00:17:12.788
And then you had to get saved again sunday night, so.
00:17:12.788 --> 00:17:15.257
- was gilligan's island a stumbling block for you.
00:17:15.257 --> 00:17:17.593
- yeah.
00:17:17.593 --> 00:17:18.727
- bewitched was-- - ginger, apparently when i was
00:17:18.727 --> 00:17:21.597
Nine, apparently ginger was, you know.
00:17:21.597 --> 00:17:23.732
Ok, so-- - ginger.
00:17:23.732 --> 00:17:25.267
- and the professor and all that.
00:17:25.267 --> 00:17:27.102
So basically-- - thurston.
00:17:27.102 --> 00:17:30.739
[laughing] - thurston?
00:17:30.739 --> 00:17:32.040
- howl the 3rd.
00:17:32.040 --> 00:17:33.041
- watch your eye.
00:17:33.041 --> 00:17:34.877
This is amazing.
00:17:34.877 --> 00:17:35.944
- just his money, i think it was-- [laughing]
00:17:35.944 --> 00:17:38.313
- oh, that's what it was.
00:17:38.313 --> 00:17:39.348
I want a man with some money.
00:17:39.348 --> 00:17:41.583
Lord help me.
00:17:41.583 --> 00:17:43.819
[laughing] - i'm legitimately laughing--
00:17:43.819 --> 00:17:46.421
- i'm sorry. - yeah.
00:17:46.421 --> 00:17:48.624
Oh my gosh. ok.
00:17:48.624 --> 00:17:49.825
There is a mystery involved in the subject of prayer.
00:17:49.825 --> 00:17:54.930
And why god uses this mechanism.
00:17:54.930 --> 00:18:00.736
Ok, so he created man in his image.
00:18:00.736 --> 00:18:03.772
Then he gave us a free moral agency.
00:18:03.772 --> 00:18:07.142
Angels marvel at our ability to walk by faith and to listen
00:18:07.142 --> 00:18:13.148
To him.
00:18:13.148 --> 00:18:14.449
But god in some ways.
00:18:14.449 --> 00:18:15.951
Limits his own abilities because he wants it voiced
00:18:15.951 --> 00:18:20.255
Through us.
00:18:20.255 --> 00:18:21.156
That's the honesty side of things.
00:18:21.156 --> 00:18:23.792
So if you don't peel back the layer and be honest first,
00:18:23.792 --> 00:18:27.596
That's a foundation.
00:18:27.596 --> 00:18:29.064
And i believe declarative prayer is really one of
00:18:29.064 --> 00:18:33.235
The most powerful things.
00:18:33.235 --> 00:18:33.936
- oh absolutely.
00:18:33.936 --> 00:18:35.270
- declaring what the finished work of the cross did for you
00:18:35.270 --> 00:18:38.140
And what you have.
00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:39.308
Because i've given you everything that pertains to
00:18:39.308 --> 00:18:41.643
Life and godliness.
00:18:41.643 --> 00:18:43.145
- that's the hope, we have-- - so how do we walk that out?
00:18:43.145 --> 00:18:45.981
You go through life and this cruddy thing happens and that
00:18:45.981 --> 00:18:51.520
Cruddy thing happens.
00:18:51.520 --> 00:18:52.721
And this happens and that relationship gets destroyed.
00:18:52.721 --> 00:18:56.191
And then all this stuff happens.
00:18:56.191 --> 00:18:58.694
And the way god is waiting for somebody to let him poke
00:18:58.694 --> 00:19:03.465
A hole in that.
00:19:03.465 --> 00:19:04.800
And reveal his kingdom through you in some way that you could
00:19:04.800 --> 00:19:08.503
Have never seen.
00:19:08.503 --> 00:19:09.972
There's the mystery, ok, there's the mystery.
00:19:09.972 --> 00:19:12.941
So yeah, the way you started the program is the
00:19:12.941 --> 00:19:16.245
Foundational level.
00:19:16.245 --> 00:19:17.779
And that's almost like between you and god to get kind
00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:22.184
Of good.
00:19:22.184 --> 00:19:22.851
- yes.
00:19:22.851 --> 00:19:23.518
- ok, just be honest, ok.
00:19:23.518 --> 00:19:25.721
Then you say, wait a second, ok, i'm honest with him now.
00:19:25.721 --> 00:19:29.791
I want to declare anything and everything he has
00:19:29.791 --> 00:19:32.194
For me to do.
00:19:32.194 --> 00:19:33.428
I want it and i want to perform perfectly.
00:19:33.428 --> 00:19:36.965
And you know when you think of it, he's given us his faith.
00:19:36.965 --> 00:19:41.270
My prayer sometimes is, lord, show me how to use your faith
00:19:41.270 --> 00:19:45.207
To its best of its ability.
00:19:45.207 --> 00:19:46.608
- absolutely. and go for it.
00:19:46.608 --> 00:19:48.043
So there's mysteries here, but you wrote the book,
00:19:48.043 --> 00:19:51.380
So you're gonna have to do pretty much most of the
00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:54.049
Talking from this point on.
00:19:54.049 --> 00:19:55.217
Because she's giggling over my shoulder.
00:19:55.217 --> 00:19:57.619
And giving me the vibes that i--
00:19:57.619 --> 00:19:59.021
- do you have any more questions matthew for matt?
00:19:59.021 --> 00:20:01.256
- i'm gonna think of one really hard before
00:20:01.256 --> 00:20:04.226
The end of this.
00:20:04.226 --> 00:20:05.027
And i'm gonna have you stumped.
00:20:05.027 --> 00:20:06.428
Spell mississippi.
00:20:06.428 --> 00:20:07.262
No, i'm just kidding.
00:20:07.262 --> 00:20:08.463
But i tell you the thing about what that quote you read
00:20:08.463 --> 00:20:12.534
From joseph, what he said.
00:20:12.534 --> 00:20:15.070
- it was, let dwell on how much he loves you is the best
00:20:15.070 --> 00:20:19.107
Way, you can love him.
00:20:19.107 --> 00:20:20.275
- and one of the things that made me think of is just
00:20:20.275 --> 00:20:22.844
How often we get trapped into focusing on what we bring
00:20:22.844 --> 00:20:28.450
To the table.
00:20:28.450 --> 00:20:29.184
What we have to offer god.
00:20:29.184 --> 00:20:30.852
And not to keep quoting my own songs.
00:20:30.852 --> 00:20:33.121
But there's another song of mine called broken things.
00:20:33.121 --> 00:20:35.057
And it and it just says i'm just a beggar in the presence
00:20:35.057 --> 00:20:37.459
Of the king.
00:20:37.459 --> 00:20:38.360
I wish i could bring so much more.
00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:39.695
But if it's true that you use broken things, then here i am,
00:20:39.695 --> 00:20:43.265
Lord.
00:20:43.265 --> 00:20:43.932
I'm all yours.
00:20:43.932 --> 00:20:45.167
And i think about like how many times in my life have i
00:20:45.167 --> 00:20:46.935
Been so focused on what i'm bringing to the table and even
00:20:46.935 --> 00:20:49.404
To this interview am i bringing,
00:20:49.404 --> 00:20:50.772
Am i bringing my best?
00:20:50.772 --> 00:20:51.973
Am i, you know, there's just this pressure to perform.
00:20:51.973 --> 00:20:54.576
And if you're wired like me.
00:20:54.576 --> 00:20:56.978
There's a reason why i'm in the profession i am now.
00:20:56.978 --> 00:20:59.147
Because i've had this ever since i was a kid like this
00:20:59.147 --> 00:21:01.683
Feeling this pressure to perform and always
00:21:01.683 --> 00:21:03.485
Do a good job.
00:21:03.485 --> 00:21:04.820
But in that you start to focus on well what am i bringing to
00:21:04.820 --> 00:21:06.988
The table as opposed to.
00:21:06.988 --> 00:21:08.990
Another line in the song i wrote which because the songs
00:21:08.990 --> 00:21:11.560
And the books that i write.
00:21:11.560 --> 00:21:13.195
They wind up being exactly the words that i needed.
00:21:13.195 --> 00:21:15.831
And the lord knows that.
00:21:15.831 --> 00:21:17.065
And so he sometimes i'm on stage and i'll feel like i'm
00:21:17.065 --> 00:21:19.634
Getting a tap on the shoulder and he said matthew this
00:21:19.634 --> 00:21:21.603
Song's for the singer too.
00:21:21.603 --> 00:21:22.838
And the idea of like it's not about what i'm bringing
00:21:22.838 --> 00:21:25.640
To the table.
00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:26.775
It's just a reminder that i'm invited to the table.
00:21:26.775 --> 00:21:28.610
And then like you said the.
00:21:28.610 --> 00:21:29.911
Victory that we get to walk in and say lord help me to just
00:21:29.911 --> 00:21:32.848
Carry out to the best of my ability to run this race well
00:21:32.848 --> 00:21:36.585
With perseverance.
00:21:36.585 --> 00:21:37.953
That i have your strength.
00:21:37.953 --> 00:21:39.554
I have your joy.
00:21:39.554 --> 00:21:40.489
I have a piece that comes from you.
00:21:40.489 --> 00:21:42.624
Everything that i need you're going to provide it.
00:21:42.624 --> 00:21:45.260
And i'm going to lean wholly and completely on you and not
00:21:45.260 --> 00:21:47.896
In my own ability to perform perfectly.
00:21:47.896 --> 00:21:50.699
- rick.
00:21:50.699 --> 00:21:52.033
Warren said something similar to what you just said one time
00:21:52.033 --> 00:21:54.503
In an interview.
00:21:54.503 --> 00:21:55.170
- never heard of him.
00:21:55.170 --> 00:21:56.037
Is that-- - yeah, is that a little,
00:21:56.037 --> 00:21:57.172
Little book called purpose something.
00:21:57.172 --> 00:21:58.707
I can't remember the name.
00:21:58.707 --> 00:22:00.075
- purpose, yeah, ok.
00:22:00.075 --> 00:22:00.976
- i think i've only read it 6 times.
00:22:00.976 --> 00:22:02.611
- and he said, you have no idea how many times the first
00:22:02.611 --> 00:22:07.783
Line of my 30 million copy selling book hits me
00:22:07.783 --> 00:22:13.422
In my own face.
00:22:13.422 --> 00:22:14.756
It's not about you.
00:22:14.756 --> 00:22:16.525
That's the first line.
00:22:16.525 --> 00:22:17.659
- i remember reading that for the first time in--
00:22:17.659 --> 00:22:18.927
- it's not about you.
00:22:18.927 --> 00:22:21.196
And god is gracefully created us to do something that only
00:22:21.196 --> 00:22:30.305
We can do.
00:22:30.305 --> 00:22:31.306
When you think about it.
00:22:31.306 --> 00:22:32.541
Think of this, god knows what it's like to keep all the
00:22:32.541 --> 00:22:35.510
Grass green, the birds fed.
00:22:35.510 --> 00:22:37.512
He's been doing that for however long the earth has
00:22:37.512 --> 00:22:40.048
Been sitting here.
00:22:40.048 --> 00:22:41.316
But the only thing god experiences new every day is
00:22:41.316 --> 00:22:45.520
When a human being acts by faith.
00:22:45.520 --> 00:22:47.689
- oof.
00:22:47.689 --> 00:22:48.623
- that is a new experience for god.
00:22:48.623 --> 00:22:50.158
And he's looking to bring his heaven to earth.
00:22:50.158 --> 00:22:54.529
Thy kingdom come.
00:22:54.529 --> 00:22:55.864
- well said.
00:22:55.864 --> 00:22:56.565
- see, so it's a mystery.
00:22:56.565 --> 00:22:58.166
We are this agent for change in this kingdom.
00:22:58.166 --> 00:23:03.271
That he is the king and lord over.
00:23:03.271 --> 00:23:05.640
And man, prayer is the way to do it,
00:23:05.640 --> 00:23:08.276
And there is truth to be told in prayer.
00:23:08.276 --> 00:23:12.414
And there is declaration to be seen.
00:23:12.414 --> 00:23:15.550
Because he's already given us this whole thing and we just
00:23:15.550 --> 00:23:18.553
Got to walk it out.
00:23:18.553 --> 00:23:19.888
- and like what you just said made me think of lamentations
00:23:19.888 --> 00:23:22.491
And the reminder that his mercy is new every
00:23:22.491 --> 00:23:24.626
Single morning.
00:23:24.626 --> 00:23:25.760
So there's just a new invitation daily for us to
00:23:25.760 --> 00:23:28.563
Come to him.
00:23:28.563 --> 00:23:29.898
You've used the word mystery a few times as we begun talking.
00:23:29.898 --> 00:23:32.601
And i've been thinking about like--
00:23:32.601 --> 00:23:34.069
- are you writing a song right now called mystery?
00:23:34.069 --> 00:23:36.371
- i'm working on it.
00:23:36.371 --> 00:23:37.506
It's got, it's got a little gilligan's island flair.
00:23:37.506 --> 00:23:40.275
It's a little island theme, so it's gonna basically it'll be
00:23:40.275 --> 00:23:43.245
A culmination of this whole-- - jack johnson.
00:23:43.245 --> 00:23:45.180
So you do do do.
00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:47.048
A little bit.
00:23:47.048 --> 00:23:48.250
- [indiscernible].
00:23:48.250 --> 00:23:49.818
- you wanna hear something?
00:23:49.818 --> 00:23:50.752
- yeah, a little mystery.
00:23:50.752 --> 00:23:51.987
Start with the word mystery and then don't stop.
00:23:51.987 --> 00:23:55.991
- i feel like i'm a massive person-- performing?
00:23:55.991 --> 00:23:59.394
- personal-- - band, leader, guy?
00:23:59.394 --> 00:24:01.897
- serenader.
00:24:01.897 --> 00:24:02.764
[laughing]
00:24:02.764 --> 00:24:04.065
(guitar playing)
00:24:04.065 --> 00:24:07.235
- that's kind of island, right?
00:24:07.235 --> 00:24:08.336
Or. ♪here's a little song i wrote.♪
00:24:08.336 --> 00:24:13.174
We're going to probably get hit with a copyright lawsuit
00:24:13.174 --> 00:24:15.176
If i do that.
00:24:15.176 --> 00:24:17.078
The miss though, that's, that's all i got right now.
00:24:17.078 --> 00:24:19.281
- mystery? - yeah, mystery.
00:24:19.281 --> 00:24:21.349
♪ who come-- ♪
00:24:21.349 --> 00:24:22.450
- and history.
00:24:22.450 --> 00:24:23.318
♪ - the history of-- ♪
00:24:23.318 --> 00:24:26.187
Ok, that might have been the worst song i've ever written.
00:24:26.187 --> 00:24:28.924
- i like it.
00:24:28.924 --> 00:24:30.025
- but i, i kind of like it.
00:24:30.025 --> 00:24:31.726
I mean, i think you're--
00:24:31.726 --> 00:24:32.761
- can he sing, by the way, laura?
00:24:32.761 --> 00:24:34.095
- no.
00:24:34.095 --> 00:24:35.163
- i can because when we've done this before,
00:24:35.163 --> 00:24:36.264
I've heard you pick up a harmony line.
00:24:36.264 --> 00:24:38.199
- yeah. - i can do.
00:24:38.199 --> 00:24:39.434
- you've got it. - no.
00:24:39.434 --> 00:24:40.669
- he's, he's-- - no?
00:24:40.669 --> 00:24:41.636
- no. - ok.
00:24:41.636 --> 00:24:42.771
- only in the shower.
00:24:42.771 --> 00:24:43.972
- i'm just saying if we ever formed a singing group,
00:24:43.972 --> 00:24:45.273
I need to know like who's doing what.
00:24:45.273 --> 00:24:47.409
- no, i'll be happy to join.
00:24:47.409 --> 00:24:49.544
- but you know, you, you were talking about the
00:24:49.544 --> 00:24:50.779
Mystery though.
00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.513
I think like.
00:24:51.513 --> 00:24:52.747
Even writing a book like that was a great opportunity
00:24:52.747 --> 00:24:55.817
For me to continue to explore the mystery.
00:24:55.817 --> 00:24:58.553
And kind of just i think throughout our lives it's
00:24:58.553 --> 00:25:01.189
Like, to me, the one of the greatest mysteries is
00:25:01.189 --> 00:25:03.658
That the creator of the heavens of the earth,
00:25:03.658 --> 00:25:06.728
Actually wants to have a conversation with me.
00:25:06.728 --> 00:25:09.364
He actually wants to hear the sound of my voice.
00:25:09.364 --> 00:25:11.399
Like sometimes, you know, i think about i love reading
00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:14.369
In genesis of how god went looking for adam and eve.
00:25:14.369 --> 00:25:17.772
And it says in the cool of the day.
00:25:17.772 --> 00:25:20.008
And it's like he knew where they were.
00:25:20.008 --> 00:25:23.111
- as if he didn't know.
00:25:23.111 --> 00:25:24.379
- but like i love that image of the thought that how many
00:25:24.379 --> 00:25:26.848
Times has god come looking for me in the cool of the day
00:25:26.848 --> 00:25:30.385
And i've been too distracted.
00:25:30.385 --> 00:25:33.054
Or too ashamed and hidden myself like adam and eve did.
00:25:33.054 --> 00:25:35.924
That's why like right at the beginning of the book i talk
00:25:35.924 --> 00:25:38.994
About the different roadblocks of prayer.
00:25:38.994 --> 00:25:40.862
And you know one of the biggest roadblocks which made
00:25:40.862 --> 00:25:43.698
It take twice the length for me to even write a book like
00:25:43.698 --> 00:25:46.234
That was the amount of distractions in our lives
00:25:46.234 --> 00:25:50.138
Right now.
00:25:50.138 --> 00:25:51.172
I mean the, the enemy stopping at nothing.
00:25:51.172 --> 00:25:52.974
This world will fill any moment you have for peace
00:25:52.974 --> 00:25:57.245
And quiet.
00:25:57.245 --> 00:25:58.380
And i found myself; i don't know about you guys.
00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:59.914
But like.
00:25:59.914 --> 00:26:01.149
If i go for a walk, i, i'm tempted to put a podcast in.
00:26:01.149 --> 00:26:04.352
If i sit down in a quiet room, i'll pick up my phone.
00:26:04.352 --> 00:26:07.722
Like there is, it's, it's constant,
00:26:07.722 --> 00:26:10.425
And i've had to force myself to delete an app.
00:26:10.425 --> 00:26:13.928
To leave my phone behind when i go for a walk,
00:26:13.928 --> 00:26:16.564
And getting into that personal quiet time with the lord has
00:26:16.564 --> 00:26:20.669
It, i asked my dad this, who's my mom and dad,
00:26:20.669 --> 00:26:23.104
They've been christians for many years.
00:26:23.104 --> 00:26:25.006
My dad pastor at the same church for 38 years.
00:26:25.006 --> 00:26:26.941
And one time i asked him, so, does it ever get easier that
00:26:26.941 --> 00:26:29.611
Discipline of having that dedicated quiet time.
00:26:29.611 --> 00:26:32.847
Because i was beating myself up for how quickly and easily,
00:26:32.847 --> 00:26:36.117
I was distracted.
00:26:36.117 --> 00:26:37.152
Like my dog rocky when he sees a squirrel.
00:26:37.152 --> 00:26:38.953
And there was such grace and comfort in my dad's response
00:26:38.953 --> 00:26:42.557
Of saying, "it'll always be a battle because
00:26:42.557 --> 00:26:44.959
The enemy knows.
00:26:44.959 --> 00:26:46.061
That if he can get between you and your bible.
00:26:46.061 --> 00:26:48.897
And you and your quiet time with the lord that he can get
00:26:48.897 --> 00:26:51.566
To your heart.
00:26:51.566 --> 00:26:52.567
But it's a battle always worth fighting."
00:26:52.567 --> 00:26:54.903
And i just thought about that.
00:26:54.903 --> 00:26:56.204
I was like man the distractions that's another
00:26:56.204 --> 00:26:58.339
Roadblock the distractions that constantly come at us.
00:26:58.339 --> 00:27:01.576
So exploring the mystery was such a great joy in writing
00:27:01.576 --> 00:27:05.380
This book.
00:27:05.380 --> 00:27:06.648
Because i felt like i had to find you don't write a book
00:27:06.648 --> 00:27:09.918
Filled with distractions you got to get into that place,
00:27:09.918 --> 00:27:12.587
You know. i love--
00:27:12.587 --> 00:27:13.688
- let me say something real quick.
00:27:13.688 --> 00:27:15.156
We're about halfway through this show. and--
00:27:15.156 --> 00:27:18.927
- time flies when you're writing a terrible song.
00:27:18.927 --> 00:27:20.695
[laughing] - history, mystery, consistency--
00:27:20.695 --> 00:27:22.564
- no that's a little loose.
00:27:22.564 --> 00:27:27.736
You could probably find a rhyme with orange if you're
00:27:27.736 --> 00:27:29.604
Going to rhyme like that.
00:27:29.604 --> 00:27:30.705
[laughing] - ok, let me do something.
00:27:30.705 --> 00:27:35.176
Laurie and i think this is one of the most,
00:27:35.176 --> 00:27:41.683
I was going to use a word called adorable.
00:27:41.683 --> 00:27:44.119
But i want to context that that's a huge compliment.
00:27:44.119 --> 00:27:49.157
It was heartwarming, the way that you're stylistically
00:27:49.157 --> 00:27:54.295
Doing this.
00:27:54.295 --> 00:27:55.630
And we're sitting here because we want you to experience this
00:27:55.630 --> 00:28:01.636
Kind of warmth kind of thing.
00:28:01.636 --> 00:28:03.905
The way that matthew does what he does.
00:28:03.905 --> 00:28:07.075
Is very specific and very intentional and there are
00:28:07.075 --> 00:28:12.647
Stories with every one of the devotions and i mean
00:28:12.647 --> 00:28:16.317
I loved it.
00:28:16.317 --> 00:28:18.453
Ok, seriously.
00:28:18.453 --> 00:28:19.120
- thank you.
00:28:19.120 --> 00:28:20.355
- i want you to get it and amazon's probably available
00:28:20.355 --> 00:28:22.657
Too.
00:28:22.657 --> 00:28:23.825
- i think what's so beautiful about this in don't
00:28:23.825 --> 00:28:25.493
Stop praying.
00:28:25.493 --> 00:28:26.461
It's like don't stop believing,
00:28:26.461 --> 00:28:27.762
Don't stop praying-- - that's a song--
00:28:27.762 --> 00:28:29.697
- for stuff. - that's a song.
00:28:29.697 --> 00:28:32.066
- that's a good song.
00:28:32.066 --> 00:28:33.134
- because everybody needs a miracle in some way,
00:28:33.134 --> 00:28:36.404
Some fashion.
00:28:36.404 --> 00:28:37.739
And so that that effectual fervent prayer of a righteous
00:28:37.739 --> 00:28:41.676
Man avails much.
00:28:41.676 --> 00:28:44.279
And i just think that through your stories and this is a big
00:28:44.279 --> 00:28:47.282
Part of your ministry.
00:28:47.282 --> 00:28:48.383
And what you do is as whatever you do.
00:28:48.383 --> 00:28:54.055
- when you do that thing you do.
00:28:54.756 --> 00:28:57.425
- at your concert.
00:28:57.425 --> 00:28:59.227
At your concert and your ministry is what i'm saying.
00:28:59.327 --> 00:29:01.329
- it's been a desire, laurie, of mine to-- you know,
00:29:01.329 --> 00:29:04.732
One of the things i noticed when i was growing up.
00:29:04.732 --> 00:29:07.402
Like my favorite artists, like the more famous they would
00:29:07.402 --> 00:29:10.471
Get, the more separation you felt from them.
00:29:10.471 --> 00:29:13.308
- oh wow.
00:29:13.308 --> 00:29:14.609
- and so i always felt like what would it look like for me
00:29:14.609 --> 00:29:18.346
To make music but not just sing to people how can i do
00:29:18.346 --> 00:29:21.449
Life with people.
00:29:21.449 --> 00:29:22.684
Which then, yeah, and so one of the things i started to
00:29:22.684 --> 00:29:25.820
Realize was several years ago i started inviting people
00:29:25.820 --> 00:29:29.657
The opportunity just to share their testimonies with me.
00:29:29.657 --> 00:29:32.861
And thousands of stories came in and guess what still
00:29:32.861 --> 00:29:35.997
Happens to this day.
00:29:35.997 --> 00:29:37.332
People come up in a line, and they've got their story in an
00:29:37.332 --> 00:29:39.300
Envelope, and they feel like they can trust me
00:29:39.300 --> 00:29:40.802
With their testimony.
00:29:40.802 --> 00:29:42.003
And what i realized i was reading was one prayer need
00:29:42.003 --> 00:29:45.607
After the other.
00:29:45.607 --> 00:29:46.708
And you start to realize it's like, wait a minute,
00:29:46.708 --> 00:29:48.610
God forgive me if i've failed to pay attention to the fact
00:29:48.610 --> 00:29:51.880
That when people fill that theater or that church
00:29:51.880 --> 00:29:54.415
Or that arena that we're performing in.
00:29:54.415 --> 00:29:56.150
That it's not just a sea of faces.
00:29:56.150 --> 00:29:58.419
It's a sea of stories.
00:29:58.419 --> 00:29:59.621
And they're in chapters that might seem impossible.
00:29:59.621 --> 00:30:04.092
That might seem insurmountable.
00:30:04.092 --> 00:30:05.560
And so giving people the opportunity to share their
00:30:05.560 --> 00:30:08.062
Stories with me and some of the songs i'm going to sing
00:30:08.062 --> 00:30:10.832
In the special were actually inspired
00:30:10.832 --> 00:30:12.166
By people's testimonies.
00:30:12.166 --> 00:30:13.101
By their prayers that they're praying.
00:30:13.101 --> 00:30:15.169
And, so that's been a really cool thing.
00:30:15.169 --> 00:30:17.138
And one of the things we started doing is we had this
00:30:17.138 --> 00:30:19.173
Prayer wall that we put out in the lobby of every concert.
00:30:19.173 --> 00:30:23.044
And if people feel led to make their prayer need known,
00:30:23.044 --> 00:30:26.981
We've got a ministry my dad and i started a nonprofit
00:30:26.981 --> 00:30:29.817
Ministry called, pop we.
00:30:29.817 --> 00:30:31.319
Which is inspired by those population signs you see up
00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:33.421
When you drive into the city.
00:30:33.421 --> 00:30:34.923
And the thought of like hey, the population of your world
00:30:34.923 --> 00:30:37.692
Cannot just be a-- it cannot just be a population of one.
00:30:37.692 --> 00:30:41.829
It's about being community minded and helping walk with
00:30:41.829 --> 00:30:44.465
People through the difficult chapters of their stories.
00:30:44.465 --> 00:30:46.801
So he helps coordinate prayer volunteers in every city.
00:30:46.801 --> 00:30:49.137
- that's awesome.
00:30:49.137 --> 00:30:50.438
- and then we have people come up and throughout the night
00:30:50.438 --> 00:30:52.840
This empty, what starts out as an empty wall.
00:30:52.840 --> 00:30:55.743
Gets filled with hundreds and hundreds of prayer tags.
00:30:55.743 --> 00:30:59.447
In fact, i want to show you something because we come home
00:30:59.447 --> 00:31:02.984
From tour.
00:31:02.984 --> 00:31:05.119
And my, our ministry is like a mom-and-pop shop, right?
00:31:05.119 --> 00:31:09.257
Like my mom and dad will literally take
00:31:09.257 --> 00:31:11.559
The prayer tags.
00:31:11.559 --> 00:31:12.827
And spend time praying for each and every person and then
00:31:12.827 --> 00:31:15.063
My mom took, one tour.
00:31:15.063 --> 00:31:17.165
She took all these prayer tags and made a scrapbook.
00:31:17.165 --> 00:31:19.901
And i keep it in my studio.
00:31:19.901 --> 00:31:21.369
- that's awesome.
00:31:21.369 --> 00:31:22.704
- and when i'm writing my book and when i'm writing my songs,
00:31:22.704 --> 00:31:25.340
Sometimes i'll just spend time reading these prayer tags.
00:31:25.340 --> 00:31:28.509
And i don't know if they can see it on the camera.
00:31:28.509 --> 00:31:29.978
You got it there.
00:31:29.978 --> 00:31:31.045
I forget you've got 37 cameras here.
00:31:31.045 --> 00:31:32.914
You know what i call this?
00:31:32.914 --> 00:31:35.016
I call this perspective.
00:31:35.016 --> 00:31:36.584
And i've heard it said that if every,
00:31:36.584 --> 00:31:38.586
If everybody in the room, if everybody here,
00:31:38.586 --> 00:31:41.189
All the people behind the cameras and you and me.
00:31:41.189 --> 00:31:43.224
If we all took our problems that we have right now,
00:31:43.224 --> 00:31:45.560
Our impossibles.
00:31:45.560 --> 00:31:46.794
And we put them all in a big pile.
00:31:46.794 --> 00:31:49.063
Chances are you'd see what somebody else is going through
00:31:49.063 --> 00:31:51.599
And then gladly take yours back, right?
00:31:51.599 --> 00:31:54.736
And these prayer requests that come in have shown me
00:31:54.736 --> 00:31:59.173
That perspective.
00:31:59.173 --> 00:32:00.408
And really, it's like what does it look like god break
00:32:00.408 --> 00:32:02.777
My heart for the things that break your heart.
00:32:02.777 --> 00:32:04.545
What does it look like to become such a prayer warrior
00:32:04.545 --> 00:32:07.482
In my life that my prayers aren't so me focused anymore.
00:32:07.482 --> 00:32:10.685
That i'm like lifting up the needs of other people?
00:32:10.685 --> 00:32:13.388
Everybody knows like if i say who's a prayer warrior
00:32:13.388 --> 00:32:16.624
In your life.
00:32:16.624 --> 00:32:17.592
In fact that's my question for you who,
00:32:17.592 --> 00:32:20.194
Who would you say is someone that you go.
00:32:20.194 --> 00:32:22.930
Every time i'm around that person i know they've been
00:32:22.930 --> 00:32:25.400
With jesus.
00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:26.601
- our pastor from 50 years. yeah--
00:32:26.601 --> 00:32:29.904
- you know that guy's spent time with jesus, right?
00:32:29.904 --> 00:32:32.707
- heck yeah.
00:32:32.707 --> 00:32:33.741
- i can think of that too.
00:32:33.741 --> 00:32:34.842
I think about my mom who, i'm sure she's attending
00:32:34.842 --> 00:32:37.879
The special.
00:32:37.879 --> 00:32:39.113
She never misses a chance for a free matthew west show,
00:32:39.113 --> 00:32:41.049
Right?
00:32:41.049 --> 00:32:41.883
When i do that thing i do, yeah.
00:32:41.883 --> 00:32:42.717
[laughing]
00:32:42.717 --> 00:32:44.152
- i was trying to think of ministry.
00:32:44.152 --> 00:32:46.387
[laughing]
00:32:46.387 --> 00:32:47.622
- no i loved it that thing that--
00:32:47.622 --> 00:32:49.824
[laughing]
00:32:49.824 --> 00:32:51.392
- but you know i'll get a text message from her.
00:32:51.392 --> 00:32:53.194
And i just got to brag on her because it's the best kind
00:32:53.194 --> 00:32:56.130
Of bragging.
00:32:56.130 --> 00:32:57.131
But like ever since i was a little kid,
00:32:57.131 --> 00:32:58.833
Like i remember walking, walking by her bedroom.
00:32:58.833 --> 00:33:04.005
And i would hear whispers, whispered prayers for me
00:33:04.005 --> 00:33:07.708
And my brothers.
00:33:07.708 --> 00:33:08.910
I mean that, that's something that you never forget,
00:33:08.910 --> 00:33:11.979
You know.
00:33:11.979 --> 00:33:13.214
And now i'll get a text message from her if she knows
00:33:13.214 --> 00:33:15.016
Where, what city i'm in, what stage i'm about to go on.
00:33:15.016 --> 00:33:17.685
She's praying for your concert tonight and you know what,
00:33:17.685 --> 00:33:20.755
Unlike sometimes we might say, hey, i'll be praying for you.
00:33:20.755 --> 00:33:23.858
I know she's literally going to be praying for me.
00:33:23.858 --> 00:33:26.594
And then i think about.
00:33:26.594 --> 00:33:28.529
Would anybody think that of me in that way?
00:33:28.529 --> 00:33:31.599
Because that's, i want to be thought of that way.
00:33:31.599 --> 00:33:34.235
- that is priceless, right?
00:33:34.235 --> 00:33:35.536
I know for someone to say i've been praying for you.
00:33:35.536 --> 00:33:38.906
How do you, you can't lay yourself on somebody's heart.
00:33:38.906 --> 00:33:42.877
God does that for you and then for that person to be obedient
00:33:42.877 --> 00:33:47.815
Or precious enough to pray for you.
00:33:47.815 --> 00:33:50.184
That's everything.
00:33:50.184 --> 00:33:51.586
- isn't that another cool part of the mystery you were
00:33:51.586 --> 00:33:53.855
Talking about like when like-- have you had,
00:33:53.855 --> 00:33:56.257
I've had so many moments where like the lord will put
00:33:56.257 --> 00:33:58.092
Something on my heart or in my mind and go, ok,
00:33:58.092 --> 00:34:01.295
What am i supposed to do?
00:34:01.295 --> 00:34:02.363
I've even heard it said that like, you know,
00:34:02.363 --> 00:34:04.699
I get distracted during my prayers.
00:34:04.699 --> 00:34:06.934
It's like, ok, whatever distracts me,
00:34:06.934 --> 00:34:09.403
I just need to stop and write it down.
00:34:09.403 --> 00:34:11.005
Because maybe it's something i'm supposed to think about
00:34:11.005 --> 00:34:14.175
In that moment.
00:34:14.175 --> 00:34:15.343
Maybe it's something the lord's showing me but being
00:34:15.343 --> 00:34:17.178
Open to the mystery.
00:34:17.178 --> 00:34:18.446
But i don't know, i just i'm so thankful for the prayer
00:34:18.446 --> 00:34:20.882
Warriors in my life and that's something that has really--
00:34:20.882 --> 00:34:25.019
Isn't this awesome?
00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:26.154
- you know, sitting in the chair you're sitting in.
00:34:26.154 --> 00:34:30.825
Months ago, we had another minister friend of ours,
00:34:30.825 --> 00:34:33.895
Mason, and his wife.
00:34:33.895 --> 00:34:35.563
And mason said something about that quiet time.
00:34:35.563 --> 00:34:38.432
And he said, when i'm getting quiet,
00:34:38.432 --> 00:34:43.437
Which he believes is literally the key to the way he has his
00:34:43.437 --> 00:34:48.943
Relationship, that he has to go on a prayer walk.
00:34:48.943 --> 00:34:52.346
He has to be sitting still,
00:34:52.346 --> 00:34:55.216
Like removed-- - removed--
00:34:55.216 --> 00:34:56.617
- from the phone, and he said.
00:34:56.617 --> 00:35:00.054
When i start to zone in on the kingdom and the immediacy of
00:35:00.054 --> 00:35:07.662
The moment.
00:35:07.662 --> 00:35:08.696
And the relationship, which is right now,
00:35:08.696 --> 00:35:10.231
This moment with god.
00:35:10.231 --> 00:35:11.365
He said when an idea or a thing pops into my head,
00:35:11.365 --> 00:35:16.304
You just said write it down so that you can let it go.
00:35:16.304 --> 00:35:19.674
He said, i imagine it like a little balloon.
00:35:19.674 --> 00:35:23.311
And in my mind that that thought that's trying
00:35:23.311 --> 00:35:27.748
To dominate.
00:35:27.748 --> 00:35:29.417
I let it be a little helium balloon that just floats away.
00:35:29.417 --> 00:35:33.054
And then it just kind of floats away and i get quiet
00:35:33.054 --> 00:35:38.793
And calm again some other thought and i just turn it
00:35:38.793 --> 00:35:41.929
Into a little balloon and let it fly away like a little
00:35:41.929 --> 00:35:44.365
Helium balloon. and it's, you know,
00:35:44.365 --> 00:35:48.169
Within just minutes you can finally,
00:35:48.169 --> 00:35:51.339
It'll slow down and your brain will slow down.
00:35:51.339 --> 00:35:53.441
But if you don't try, if you don't practice,
00:35:53.441 --> 00:35:55.209
You don't do that-- - it really is a practice.
00:35:55.209 --> 00:35:57.345
It's a discipline that has to--
00:35:57.345 --> 00:35:59.013
- that has just like training muscles, you have to have
00:35:59.013 --> 00:36:03.351
That training.
00:36:03.351 --> 00:36:04.919
- yeah, i was just thinking, and one of the things that
00:36:04.919 --> 00:36:07.722
Helped me in the writing of this book was.
00:36:07.722 --> 00:36:10.524
I had a moment where i found out my,
00:36:10.524 --> 00:36:13.628
I was going to need to have vocal cord surgery.
00:36:13.628 --> 00:36:17.265
And i wasn't sure if i was going to be able to sing
00:36:17.265 --> 00:36:19.200
Again, and i had to go under the knife.
00:36:19.200 --> 00:36:21.235
And i remember going to vanderbilt hospital and having
00:36:21.235 --> 00:36:23.170
Surgery on my throat.
00:36:23.170 --> 00:36:24.972
And i was going to have to be silent for several weeks.
00:36:24.972 --> 00:36:28.876
Which turned into several months.
00:36:28.876 --> 00:36:30.311
And literally it after every checkup they would say,
00:36:30.311 --> 00:36:33.748
You know, about 8 weeks in they were like,
00:36:33.748 --> 00:36:36.117
You can say 10 words today.
00:36:36.117 --> 00:36:37.518
You can say 12 words today.
00:36:37.518 --> 00:36:39.353
And then for someone in my line of work,
00:36:39.353 --> 00:36:41.722
I mean it was maddening.
00:36:41.722 --> 00:36:42.790
Every concert canceled.
00:36:42.790 --> 00:36:44.492
I mean not just the, the financial repercussions,
00:36:44.492 --> 00:36:46.260
But like just the, the sanity, right?
00:36:46.260 --> 00:36:48.462
And i remember my oldest daughter was, was very little.
00:36:48.462 --> 00:36:50.898
Couldn't understand why, why isn't dad talking to me.
00:36:50.898 --> 00:36:52.900
And i found myself just retreating to this music room
00:36:52.900 --> 00:36:57.104
Because i was so frustrated.
00:36:57.104 --> 00:36:58.272
I mean, try winning an argument with your wife when
00:36:58.272 --> 00:37:00.074
All you have is a dry erase board, right?
00:37:00.074 --> 00:37:02.043
I don't want chicken.
00:37:02.043 --> 00:37:03.277
It's like no matter how big i write all caps,
00:37:03.277 --> 00:37:05.680
I'm getting chicken, you know what i mean?
00:37:05.680 --> 00:37:07.014
So but i remember a friend brought me this book,
00:37:07.014 --> 00:37:10.484
Called the way of the heart by henry nowen and it talked
00:37:10.484 --> 00:37:13.487
About the importance.
00:37:13.487 --> 00:37:15.856
Really the necessity of silence and solitude
00:37:15.856 --> 00:37:18.726
And prayer.
00:37:18.726 --> 00:37:19.927
And i remember reading it talked about how silence and
00:37:19.927 --> 00:37:22.563
Solitude is the furnace for transformation.
00:37:22.563 --> 00:37:25.766
But it also went into to dive into the uneasiness that every
00:37:25.766 --> 00:37:30.204
Single one of us tends to feel when we dare to go to those
00:37:30.204 --> 00:37:33.541
Places, right?
00:37:33.541 --> 00:37:34.742
There's a song on my record, don't stop praying called
00:37:34.742 --> 00:37:36.577
The place only we know.
00:37:36.577 --> 00:37:37.912
And it talks about going like your friend the pastor who has
00:37:37.912 --> 00:37:42.049
To go for a walk and then he gets that thought and lets
00:37:42.049 --> 00:37:44.318
That balloon open the air.
00:37:44.318 --> 00:37:45.820
But going to those places and being willing to explore
00:37:45.820 --> 00:37:49.757
The mystery.
00:37:49.757 --> 00:37:50.591
And it's just when we're alone,
00:37:50.591 --> 00:37:53.094
We don't like being alone.
00:37:53.094 --> 00:37:54.328
I don't think we realize how little we like being alone.
00:37:54.328 --> 00:37:56.997
It's like because we have to wrestle with who we really are
00:37:56.997 --> 00:38:00.034
And what we're struggling with and then but digging in
00:38:00.034 --> 00:38:02.903
I'll tell you what, i never thought i would say this,
00:38:02.903 --> 00:38:05.373
But like there's days where i go i wish i could go back to
00:38:05.373 --> 00:38:08.542
When my voice was taken away.
00:38:08.542 --> 00:38:10.277
Because that was a moment where i learned what psalm
00:38:10.277 --> 00:38:12.780
46:10 really is about.
00:38:12.780 --> 00:38:14.115
The thought of learning how to be still and in my case during
00:38:14.115 --> 00:38:17.551
That season i called it my season of silence.
00:38:17.551 --> 00:38:19.820
Be quiet, matthew, and know that he has got like, hey,
00:38:19.820 --> 00:38:23.758
I sometimes i feel like i'll end my prayer times.
00:38:23.758 --> 00:38:26.594
And i'll feel like god is saying,
00:38:26.594 --> 00:38:28.696
What what's your hurry?
00:38:28.696 --> 00:38:30.664
Hey, stay a while.
00:38:30.664 --> 00:38:32.066
Let me speak into your life.
00:38:32.066 --> 00:38:34.135
Like so maybe one of the most important parts i'm learning
00:38:34.135 --> 00:38:36.704
About prayer is the listening.
00:38:36.704 --> 00:38:39.073
- yeah.
00:38:39.073 --> 00:38:40.374
You know, and it's in those desperate moments so that was
00:38:40.374 --> 00:38:42.810
Probably one of the worst times of your life going
00:38:42.810 --> 00:38:45.312
Through that.
00:38:45.312 --> 00:38:46.447
But now what you, what you listen, listen to you,
00:38:46.447 --> 00:38:49.984
That was probably the best thing, man,
00:38:49.984 --> 00:38:52.086
If i could go back to that place, i think god is,
00:38:52.086 --> 00:38:54.355
Is in all of those moments in our life.
00:38:54.355 --> 00:38:57.258
When we feel the most despair.
00:38:57.258 --> 00:39:00.094
The most heartbroken, the most devastated.
00:39:00.094 --> 00:39:05.599
The more broke, the most broke,
00:39:05.599 --> 00:39:08.235
The most everything alone, all of that stuff,
00:39:08.235 --> 00:39:12.540
I think that's the best place that we can find ourselves in.
00:39:12.540 --> 00:39:16.243
Because we know that god is faithful.
00:39:16.243 --> 00:39:18.846
We know that he's got he meets us where we are to show
00:39:18.846 --> 00:39:23.918
Himself to us and it's, he has to take us to those places to
00:39:23.918 --> 00:39:28.322
Where we know that down the road i'm going to look back
00:39:28.322 --> 00:39:30.925
At this time.
00:39:30.925 --> 00:39:32.626
And say, man, had that not happened to me, well,
00:39:32.626 --> 00:39:35.196
I would not be here.
00:39:35.196 --> 00:39:36.430
- 100%.
00:39:36.430 --> 00:39:37.097
And that was the 3rd.
00:39:37.097 --> 00:39:38.299
I wrote about 3 different prayer roadblocks that i've
00:39:38.299 --> 00:39:40.768
Experienced in my life.
00:39:40.768 --> 00:39:41.836
And we've already touched on two of them.
00:39:41.836 --> 00:39:43.504
One of them distractions, right?
00:39:43.504 --> 00:39:45.873
We all know what that's like.
00:39:45.873 --> 00:39:47.675
Number two is shame in our lives that causes a separation
00:39:47.675 --> 00:39:51.412
That makes us feel like we dare not enter, right?
00:39:51.412 --> 00:39:54.415
But then three, really talking about the self-reliance.
00:39:54.415 --> 00:39:59.720
And going like i got this, i'm good.
00:39:59.720 --> 00:40:03.190
But these trials bring us to our knees and remind us that
00:40:03.190 --> 00:40:06.594
We ourselves, our stories have great power.
00:40:06.594 --> 00:40:09.763
But we're not the source of that power we got to get
00:40:09.763 --> 00:40:11.632
Plugged into the source.
00:40:11.632 --> 00:40:12.833
And so those are three roadblocks that i've
00:40:12.833 --> 00:40:14.935
Experienced in my life that keep me from finding that
00:40:14.935 --> 00:40:18.472
Quiet place and that self-reliance is all too often
00:40:18.472 --> 00:40:20.975
A part of my story too.
00:40:20.975 --> 00:40:22.810
And so you know i found myself writing this entire book from
00:40:22.810 --> 00:40:25.179
A position of--i just want, i probably said it in every
00:40:25.179 --> 00:40:29.416
Other page, just want y'all to know i'm a work in progress.
00:40:29.416 --> 00:40:32.920
I ain't telling you how you should do it because i've
00:40:32.920 --> 00:40:34.788
Perfected it.
00:40:34.788 --> 00:40:36.056
And that's what i find to be the most believable when i'm
00:40:36.056 --> 00:40:38.058
Reading somebody who's not, hasn't perfected it yet.
00:40:38.058 --> 00:40:41.195
Now if i'm reading a cookbook, i'd like to know if the
00:40:41.195 --> 00:40:43.297
Recipe's going to work, but let's just say this ain't
00:40:43.297 --> 00:40:46.200
A cookbook.
00:40:46.200 --> 00:40:47.535
- you know how during the show you've said a number of times.
00:40:47.535 --> 00:40:51.605
I wrote a song and i want to quote from my song.
00:40:51.605 --> 00:40:54.174
Think of that song that andre wrote take me back,
00:40:54.174 --> 00:40:58.245
Take me back, dear lord, to the place where i first
00:40:58.245 --> 00:41:02.950
Received you.
00:41:02.950 --> 00:41:04.285
Take me back, take me back you were just talking about taking
00:41:04.285 --> 00:41:07.454
Yourself back to a time that you wouldn't have chose.
00:41:07.454 --> 00:41:11.325
But see god is wanting to reveal his kingdom through the
00:41:11.325 --> 00:41:14.495
Things that we would never choose for ourselves.
00:41:14.495 --> 00:41:17.231
You know, think of that time that you can go back on now
00:41:17.231 --> 00:41:21.635
And say, man, i got through that this is going to be easy.
00:41:21.635 --> 00:41:26.140
Man.
00:41:26.140 --> 00:41:26.807
I got through that.
00:41:26.807 --> 00:41:27.675
I'm still here.
00:41:27.675 --> 00:41:28.409
I'm still breathing.
00:41:28.409 --> 00:41:29.209
I'm still upright, you know.
00:41:29.209 --> 00:41:30.978
- absolutely.
00:41:30.978 --> 00:41:31.745
- we get used to that feeling.
00:41:31.745 --> 00:41:33.380
I think you start saying, man, you know what?
00:41:33.380 --> 00:41:35.816
I'm getting addicted to this feeling right now where
00:41:35.816 --> 00:41:38.686
I need god.
00:41:38.686 --> 00:41:39.920
- walking on the water.
00:41:39.920 --> 00:41:41.088
- and he's always there to show up on my behalf when
00:41:41.088 --> 00:41:43.524
I'm weak, when i'm-- - it's so true,
00:41:43.524 --> 00:41:45.626
And you know through the actually during this season
00:41:45.626 --> 00:41:48.762
And even to this day.
00:41:48.762 --> 00:41:50.698
There's, there's been a situation in, in our life, in,
00:41:50.698 --> 00:41:53.968
In my family's life where there's someone who we've been
00:41:53.968 --> 00:41:56.670
Praying for a very long time.
00:41:56.670 --> 00:41:58.439
We've been praying to see breakthrough,
00:41:58.439 --> 00:42:00.641
And we haven't seen the answer to our prayer in the way that
00:42:00.641 --> 00:42:04.511
We would like to.
00:42:04.511 --> 00:42:05.779
Or in the timing that we would like to see.
00:42:05.779 --> 00:42:08.749
And so one of the things that i think about is just like
00:42:08.749 --> 00:42:12.753
Being reminded of god's faithfulness in the past does
00:42:12.753 --> 00:42:17.224
Nothing but instill more courage for the fight.
00:42:17.224 --> 00:42:21.395
More belief in faith, and so the, the power of, you know,
00:42:21.395 --> 00:42:24.264
I, i like to think about like it's not about forgetting
00:42:24.264 --> 00:42:26.634
The past, it's about like.
00:42:26.634 --> 00:42:28.769
God giving us a new way to remember the past,
00:42:28.769 --> 00:42:31.271
Do you know what i mean?
00:42:31.271 --> 00:42:32.573
Because it's all only god can choose to remember our sins
00:42:32.573 --> 00:42:34.775
No more or our circumstances no more, whatever.
00:42:34.775 --> 00:42:37.344
But when we look behind us we can look back and see
00:42:37.344 --> 00:42:39.747
A perspective of how far god's brought us.
00:42:39.747 --> 00:42:42.216
And so even as my family and i are walking through a current
00:42:42.216 --> 00:42:45.653
Trial, what gives me hope and what gives me faith is
00:42:45.653 --> 00:42:48.889
To look behind me.
00:42:48.889 --> 00:42:50.224
And to see how he's met me in those and how he's blessed me
00:42:50.224 --> 00:42:54.261
In ways like that trial of losing my voice.
00:42:54.261 --> 00:42:57.564
I mean i would have never written that chapter
00:42:57.564 --> 00:43:00.100
Into my story.
00:43:00.100 --> 00:43:01.335
I would have never written that as part of the script.
00:43:01.335 --> 00:43:02.369
- you wouldn't have chosen it.
00:43:02.369 --> 00:43:03.637
- no, no and i mean like you and you said it beautifully.
00:43:03.637 --> 00:43:05.773
Like how many of those parts of our stories like we
00:43:05.773 --> 00:43:08.175
Wouldn't have if we were making a movie of us.
00:43:08.175 --> 00:43:10.077
Let's take that out.
00:43:10.077 --> 00:43:11.278
But is any movie any good without any conflict, right?
00:43:11.278 --> 00:43:14.114
- so the inciting incident.
00:43:14.114 --> 00:43:16.750
- the inciting incident.
00:43:16.750 --> 00:43:17.985
- did you ever feel during that time, god,
00:43:17.985 --> 00:43:20.220
I could be doing all of this good stuff for you if you
00:43:20.220 --> 00:43:23.657
Would just heal me and get me back to where i'm supposed
00:43:23.657 --> 00:43:26.493
To be?
00:43:26.493 --> 00:43:27.594
- back on the road and i'll be doing my thing.
00:43:27.594 --> 00:43:28.395
- i'll tell you what it did.
00:43:28.395 --> 00:43:29.563
It was, it, it helped me realize i came face to face
00:43:29.563 --> 00:43:32.399
With the reality that i had based my identity around
00:43:32.399 --> 00:43:36.904
What i was doing for god.
00:43:36.904 --> 00:43:38.305
And not in in my beloved identity of what the bible
00:43:38.305 --> 00:43:42.476
Says that i am.
00:43:42.476 --> 00:43:43.711
Just i am how great is the love the father has lavished
00:43:43.711 --> 00:43:46.680
On us that we should be called children of god so long as we
00:43:46.680 --> 00:43:49.983
Sing pretty and so long as we sell enough tickets.
00:43:49.983 --> 00:43:53.353
And so long that none of that's in the scripture.
00:43:53.353 --> 00:43:55.856
But i added that in in the way that i was living my life.
00:43:55.856 --> 00:43:59.359
As long as your song's number one.
00:43:59.359 --> 00:44:01.862
Then you're a child.
00:44:01.862 --> 00:44:03.063
Oh my goodness, and so all of that was stripped away,
00:44:03.063 --> 00:44:04.865
All of it, and i, and i started,
00:44:04.865 --> 00:44:07.367
And i got to a point where i said, lord, ok.
00:44:07.367 --> 00:44:09.636
I, i'm going to because this was not my first dream,
00:44:09.636 --> 00:44:12.706
This was my second dream that was being taken away from me.
00:44:12.706 --> 00:44:15.275
My first dream was i was going to play first base
00:44:15.275 --> 00:44:17.945
For the chicago cubs.
00:44:17.945 --> 00:44:18.946
- there it is.
00:44:18.946 --> 00:44:19.813
- now that never happened either.
00:44:19.813 --> 00:44:21.215
I had to let go of that dream when i realized i wasn't
00:44:21.215 --> 00:44:23.350
Getting one scholarship offer and the chicago white sox and
00:44:23.350 --> 00:44:26.653
The cubs, they were drafting the center fielder and not
00:44:26.653 --> 00:44:29.456
Even looking at me.
00:44:29.456 --> 00:44:30.758
Let go of that.
00:44:30.758 --> 00:44:31.625
I pursue music here i am.
00:44:31.625 --> 00:44:32.993
Not only am i pursuing music, but i'm doing it for the glory
00:44:32.993 --> 00:44:35.963
Of god.
00:44:35.963 --> 00:44:36.830
I'm telling people about you, lord.
00:44:36.830 --> 00:44:38.265
What, what's going on.
00:44:38.265 --> 00:44:39.500
Now this gets taken out and the doctors say, you know,
00:44:39.500 --> 00:44:41.635
Even with the surgery, there's a chance you're not going to
00:44:41.635 --> 00:44:43.403
Sing again.
00:44:43.403 --> 00:44:44.304
Your voice is going to be different.
00:44:44.304 --> 00:44:46.073
You might sound like kermit the frog.
00:44:46.073 --> 00:44:47.674
Like literally having to sign waivers knowing that my voice
00:44:47.674 --> 00:44:52.179
May be forever altered.
00:44:52.179 --> 00:44:53.514
But i really can honestly say that i got to such a place of
00:44:53.514 --> 00:44:54.615
Peace that i was like, ok, lord.
00:44:54.615 --> 00:44:57.117
I'm going to learn to dream a new dream because you're not
00:44:57.117 --> 00:45:00.387
Going to stop dreaming for me.
00:45:00.387 --> 00:45:01.555
So even if my voice goes away.
00:45:01.555 --> 00:45:04.424
I'm, it's going to be a hard adjustment,
00:45:04.424 --> 00:45:05.826
But i believe that you know the plans that you have
00:45:05.826 --> 00:45:09.062
For me.
00:45:09.062 --> 00:45:10.330
And not me, and i got to stay close to you at every turn
00:45:10.330 --> 00:45:12.266
Here and even more dependence when your livelihood's
00:45:12.266 --> 00:45:14.935
Taken away.
00:45:14.935 --> 00:45:16.036
So i'm so thankful for that because it was like,
00:45:16.036 --> 00:45:18.071
What does it look like to, to understand that god has
00:45:18.071 --> 00:45:21.275
The ultimate dream and plan for your life.
00:45:21.275 --> 00:45:23.644
And even if the way it's the way you thought it should go
00:45:23.644 --> 00:45:26.380
Isn't working out that way.
00:45:26.380 --> 00:45:27.781
I'm going to keep praying i'm going to keep digging in,
00:45:27.781 --> 00:45:30.417
I'm going to keep following jesus.
00:45:30.417 --> 00:45:32.920
- i love it.
00:45:32.920 --> 00:45:34.087
This guy, i think matthew, you've proven that,
00:45:34.087 --> 00:45:38.192
You know how to write.
00:45:38.192 --> 00:45:39.960
You know, i've read somewhere you wrote 250 songs-ish.
00:45:39.960 --> 00:45:43.564
- maybe, that's how many good ones.
00:45:43.564 --> 00:45:45.499
- ok, and then how many books?
00:45:45.499 --> 00:45:47.801
- i think this is my 8th book.
00:45:47.801 --> 00:45:49.703
- yeah, so i'm going to say that you,
00:45:49.703 --> 00:45:51.972
The attention and the time it takes to write a book proves
00:45:51.972 --> 00:45:56.410
That you care about the subject.
00:45:56.410 --> 00:45:58.145
- oh man-- - hugely.
00:45:58.145 --> 00:45:59.546
Ok, final thought is yours.
00:45:59.546 --> 00:46:01.815
You know, your agent called and said all you wanted was
00:46:01.815 --> 00:46:04.985
The final word, so you get the final word.
00:46:04.985 --> 00:46:07.621
- i think i'd want to leave your audience with the way
00:46:07.621 --> 00:46:10.290
That i begin this book.
00:46:10.290 --> 00:46:11.291
- ok.
00:46:11.291 --> 00:46:12.326
- and i'm a girl dad.
00:46:12.326 --> 00:46:14.595
I've got two daughters and i'm always trying to find ways to
00:46:14.595 --> 00:46:17.264
Connect with them one on one.
00:46:17.264 --> 00:46:19.066
And i took my oldest daughter to this,
00:46:19.066 --> 00:46:21.168
Christian camp in northern california.
00:46:21.168 --> 00:46:25.539
And i thought we were going to be like together in a cabin.
00:46:25.539 --> 00:46:29.543
And we got there and my wife hadn't told me one little
00:46:29.543 --> 00:46:32.479
Detail which was a bunch of dads were going to be
00:46:32.479 --> 00:46:35.048
In a cabin together.
00:46:35.048 --> 00:46:36.083
Strangers mind you, which is not my thing.
00:46:36.083 --> 00:46:38.051
And then the girls were going to be in a cabin and so day
00:46:38.051 --> 00:46:40.754
One i was thrown off, right?
00:46:40.754 --> 00:46:42.923
Like when matt asked me a difficult question i'm like,
00:46:42.923 --> 00:46:45.359
Whoa, ok-- - or to bungee jump.
00:46:45.359 --> 00:46:47.027
- or to bungee jump, right?
00:46:47.027 --> 00:46:48.595
But one of the days we they were.
00:46:48.595 --> 00:46:50.297
All these different obstacle courses and bonding exercises,
00:46:50.297 --> 00:46:53.267
It was a really great experience.
00:46:53.267 --> 00:46:54.601
But one day in particular there was an exercise that
00:46:54.601 --> 00:46:56.904
They did with a group of dads and daughters where they took
00:46:56.904 --> 00:47:00.207
The daughters and they blindfolded them.
00:47:00.207 --> 00:47:02.376
And we were out in the woods.
00:47:02.376 --> 00:47:04.111
- how old was lulu?
00:47:04.111 --> 00:47:05.445
- 16. - 16.
00:47:05.445 --> 00:47:06.546
- so it was a pretty important age, right?
00:47:06.546 --> 00:47:08.682
High school, and, they said, ok,
00:47:08.682 --> 00:47:11.685
What we're going to do now is we're going to have
00:47:11.685 --> 00:47:13.353
This exercise.
00:47:13.353 --> 00:47:15.055
And we're going to blindfold your daughter.
00:47:15.055 --> 00:47:17.124
And they, they taught the dads,
00:47:17.124 --> 00:47:18.659
Here's how this is going to go, don't freak out.
00:47:18.659 --> 00:47:20.327
And then you're going to get to guide them through
00:47:20.327 --> 00:47:23.263
The woods.
00:47:23.263 --> 00:47:24.798
But before you do, you're going to give 3 simple
00:47:24.798 --> 00:47:27.167
Instructions.
00:47:27.167 --> 00:47:28.302
And encourage your daughters to remember these 3
00:47:28.302 --> 00:47:30.337
Instructions because they're going to come in handy
00:47:30.337 --> 00:47:32.139
As we walk through the woods.
00:47:32.139 --> 00:47:33.707
The 3 instructions that you're supposed to give to your
00:47:33.707 --> 00:47:35.809
Daughters were what i went up and said to my daughter
00:47:35.809 --> 00:47:37.911
As she was blindfolded.
00:47:37.911 --> 00:47:39.112
I said, ok, i need you to remember these three things.
00:47:39.112 --> 00:47:41.081
One, i'm never going to leave you.
00:47:41.081 --> 00:47:43.884
Two, you can ask me anything.
00:47:43.884 --> 00:47:46.887
And three, only listen for the sound of my voice.
00:47:46.887 --> 00:47:52.192
And i said repeat those back to me, right?
00:47:52.192 --> 00:47:54.294
And we went through that for a few minutes before
00:47:54.294 --> 00:47:56.263
The walk began.
00:47:56.263 --> 00:47:57.230
And then the walk through the woods began.
00:47:57.230 --> 00:47:59.333
And i was allowed to have my arm around her or hold her
00:47:59.333 --> 00:48:02.102
Hand and we would talk through our walk through the woods.
00:48:02.102 --> 00:48:06.006
And then after a few minutes one of the guides would motion
00:48:06.006 --> 00:48:08.809
To us, the counselors would motion to the dads and say,
00:48:08.809 --> 00:48:11.244
Ok, you have to remove your hand.
00:48:11.244 --> 00:48:12.713
You can't, you can't guide her physically.
00:48:12.713 --> 00:48:16.149
So we're walking side by side but not touching.
00:48:16.149 --> 00:48:20.387
And i could still talk to her and answer questions.
00:48:20.387 --> 00:48:22.990
But then after a certain point the counselors would silently
00:48:22.990 --> 00:48:26.727
Motion to us that we could no longer speak.
00:48:26.727 --> 00:48:29.663
That we simply had to walk and trust and hope that our
00:48:29.663 --> 00:48:33.433
Daughters remembered our instructions.
00:48:33.433 --> 00:48:35.035
What were they?
00:48:35.035 --> 00:48:36.036
I'm never going to leave you.
00:48:36.036 --> 00:48:37.304
You can ask me anything, only listen for the sound
00:48:37.304 --> 00:48:40.240
Of my voice.
00:48:40.240 --> 00:48:40.907
Well, as you can imagine.
00:48:40.907 --> 00:48:42.676
We start getting a little separated and i could stay
00:48:42.676 --> 00:48:45.746
With her, but if she started to forget those instructions,
00:48:45.746 --> 00:48:50.417
We were going to fall off course.
00:48:50.417 --> 00:48:52.586
Well, a counselor would come in as the voice of deception.
00:48:52.586 --> 00:48:55.989
And at one point we had gotten separated and she forgot
00:48:55.989 --> 00:49:00.060
To ask me, hey dad, where are you?
00:49:00.060 --> 00:49:02.562
Can you help me?
00:49:02.562 --> 00:49:04.131
And a counselor comes in and says, hey, where are,
00:49:04.131 --> 00:49:07.134
You know, i, i want to warn you,
00:49:07.134 --> 00:49:08.201
You've gotten off track with your group.
00:49:08.201 --> 00:49:10.203
Where's your dad, and she goes, i don't know.
00:49:10.203 --> 00:49:13.473
She said, well, i'll help you.
00:49:13.473 --> 00:49:15.275
Why don't you follow me, and i'll help you get caught up
00:49:15.275 --> 00:49:18.111
With your group?
00:49:18.111 --> 00:49:19.346
And in my mind, i'm going, lord, let, let her remember.
00:49:19.346 --> 00:49:23.583
Let her remember, because of course i'm seeing, you know,
00:49:23.583 --> 00:49:25.786
My child's entire future.
00:49:25.786 --> 00:49:27.154
If she, if she forgets and she goes off with this,
00:49:27.154 --> 00:49:29.556
Lord knows what's going to happen in real life, right?
00:49:29.556 --> 00:49:31.792
And they warned us not to panic, but sure enough,
00:49:31.792 --> 00:49:34.127
The counselor says, why don't you help me?
00:49:34.127 --> 00:49:35.695
Let me take you.
00:49:35.695 --> 00:49:36.863
I'll get you caught up with the group.
00:49:36.863 --> 00:49:38.665
And i'm thinking she's going to stay strong and say, no,
00:49:38.665 --> 00:49:40.901
I'm only supposed to listen to the sound of my dad's voice.
00:49:40.901 --> 00:49:42.803
And instead behind that blindfold she goes, ok.
00:49:42.803 --> 00:49:45.972
So she follows the counselor.
00:49:45.972 --> 00:49:47.874
She follows that voice of deception,
00:49:47.874 --> 00:49:50.077
And what do they do?
00:49:50.077 --> 00:49:51.778
They walk her off into a ditch and she doesn't know it,
00:49:51.778 --> 00:49:55.148
But she's in a ditch standing in front of a tree.
00:49:55.148 --> 00:49:58.985
Nowhere near her group, nowhere near her dad,
00:49:58.985 --> 00:50:02.055
And i'm standing there helpless.
00:50:02.055 --> 00:50:03.690
And i can't guide her back until she calls out for help.
00:50:03.690 --> 00:50:06.893
So after a few minutes of standing there,
00:50:06.893 --> 00:50:09.863
A guide comes up and says, hey,
00:50:09.863 --> 00:50:11.598
Do you remember what your instructions were?
00:50:11.598 --> 00:50:13.366
And she starts to think that i could see her thinking,
00:50:13.366 --> 00:50:15.368
And she says, yeah, my dad is never going to leave me.
00:50:15.368 --> 00:50:20.040
I could ask him anything.
00:50:20.640 --> 00:50:23.677
I was only supposed to listen to his voice.
00:50:23.677 --> 00:50:26.580
And the counselor kind of guided her and said, well,
00:50:26.580 --> 00:50:29.483
What do you think that means?
00:50:29.483 --> 00:50:31.351
Probably that he's still here somewhere, yeah,
00:50:31.351 --> 00:50:33.954
So what do you, what do you think you should do?
00:50:33.954 --> 00:50:36.056
And all this, i'll never forget just hearing she goes,
00:50:36.056 --> 00:50:38.992
Dad.
00:50:38.992 --> 00:50:40.327
Are you there?
00:50:40.327 --> 00:50:41.528
- oh man.
00:50:41.528 --> 00:50:44.264
- and, i said, yeah, i'm here.
00:50:44.264 --> 00:50:48.535
I was there the whole time.
00:50:48.535 --> 00:50:50.036
And she said, can you, can you help me get back on track.
00:50:50.036 --> 00:50:54.641
And i just stood there crying in the woods.
00:50:54.641 --> 00:50:57.144
Like i'm crying with you now and i just will never forget
00:50:57.144 --> 00:50:59.546
That moment of saying i'd love to,
00:50:59.546 --> 00:51:01.815
I'd love to get you back on track.
00:51:01.815 --> 00:51:03.984
And i can't tell you what a profound moment that was not
00:51:03.984 --> 00:51:07.988
Just with the dad and his daughter.
00:51:07.988 --> 00:51:10.290
Which unpacked incredible conversations that followed,
00:51:10.290 --> 00:51:12.859
But just for me, the kid.
00:51:12.859 --> 00:51:16.696
For the kid in me that has wondered.
00:51:16.696 --> 00:51:19.599
You know, have i forgotten, have i forgotten.
00:51:19.599 --> 00:51:22.536
You know, that he's there.
00:51:22.536 --> 00:51:24.271
And those three instructions served as a guide for me ever
00:51:24.271 --> 00:51:27.641
Since then in my own personal journey with the lord.
00:51:27.641 --> 00:51:29.976
And that's why i wanted to launch the book and to say to
00:51:29.976 --> 00:51:32.579
Anybody who's watching this, whether you ever read the book
00:51:32.579 --> 00:51:35.182
Or not.
00:51:35.182 --> 00:51:36.683
Remember those 3 instructions and that they still ring true.
00:51:36.683 --> 00:51:39.853
That he will never leave you.
00:51:39.853 --> 00:51:43.523
That he's always with you, right?
00:51:43.523 --> 00:51:45.592
That you can ask him anything, that you can come to him with
00:51:45.592 --> 00:51:48.595
Anything.
00:51:48.595 --> 00:51:49.529
He's not shocked, he's not surprised,
00:51:49.529 --> 00:51:51.631
He's not caught off guard, and he's not judging you.
00:51:51.631 --> 00:51:53.900
So you can ask him anything and number 3,
00:51:53.900 --> 00:51:57.370
Only listen for the sound of his voice because there are no
00:51:57.370 --> 00:52:00.473
Shortage, shortage of other voices trying to speak into
00:52:00.473 --> 00:52:04.277
Your life and get you to believe a lie about
00:52:04.277 --> 00:52:06.313
Who you are.
00:52:06.313 --> 00:52:07.447
What your role is in this world, or where god is.
00:52:07.447 --> 00:52:09.716
There's only one voice worth listening to.
00:52:09.716 --> 00:52:11.751
That encouragement helped me a great deal and i believe it
00:52:11.751 --> 00:52:15.622
Will help you too.
00:52:15.622 --> 00:52:17.290
- it would be awkward to do a whole show on don't stop
00:52:17.290 --> 00:52:20.594
Praying and not pray.
00:52:20.594 --> 00:52:22.796
Just seal this program in prayer for our audience.
00:52:22.796 --> 00:52:26.499
(music playing)
00:52:26.499 --> 00:52:31.504
- heavenly father, we love you.
00:52:31.504 --> 00:52:32.772
We thank you.
00:52:32.772 --> 00:52:34.874
You are so good to us.
00:52:34.874 --> 00:52:38.945
We thank you.
00:52:39.379 --> 00:52:40.580
I just thank you for this moment right here, just the,
00:52:40.580 --> 00:52:43.116
The reminder that you just gave to me all over again
00:52:43.116 --> 00:52:45.885
Every time i tell that story.
00:52:45.885 --> 00:52:48.421
Oh, i'm just so re reminded in a powerful way that
00:52:48.421 --> 00:52:52.659
I'm your child.
00:52:52.659 --> 00:52:54.094
And that we're loved by you so deeply and endlessly and our
00:52:54.094 --> 00:52:59.232
Imperfect lives can be radically changed by your
00:52:59.232 --> 00:53:03.803
Perfect love.
00:53:03.803 --> 00:53:05.272
Lord, i pray for anybody watching this right now.
00:53:05.272 --> 00:53:07.374
I pray that what we've discussed is maybe it's struck
00:53:07.374 --> 00:53:10.577
A chord.
00:53:10.577 --> 00:53:12.045
Maybe somebody watching this has begun to think about just
00:53:12.045 --> 00:53:16.149
Take an honest look at where they're at in their prayer
00:53:16.149 --> 00:53:18.551
Life or their relationship with you.
00:53:18.551 --> 00:53:21.187
Whether it's somebody who is talking to you for the first
00:53:21.187 --> 00:53:25.625
Time or the first time in a long time.
00:53:25.625 --> 00:53:28.295
I pray right now that hearts will return to you.
00:53:28.295 --> 00:53:32.098
And be humbled and absolutely blown away.
00:53:32.098 --> 00:53:36.770
By the truth that there are open arms waiting.
00:53:36.770 --> 00:53:39.306
That the distance back to you is never as far as we think.
00:53:39.306 --> 00:53:43.276
It's just one turn towards you.
00:53:43.276 --> 00:53:46.680
And we can fall into the everlasting arms of the father
00:53:46.680 --> 00:53:49.849
Who will not let us go.
00:53:49.849 --> 00:53:52.052
Lord help us to remember that we can come to you
00:53:52.052 --> 00:53:55.021
With anything.
00:53:55.021 --> 00:53:56.256
That you love to hear the sound of your
00:53:56.256 --> 00:53:57.757
Children's voices.
00:53:57.757 --> 00:53:59.559
Help us to remember that we're only to listen to the sound
00:53:59.559 --> 00:54:02.128
Of your voice.
00:54:02.128 --> 00:54:04.030
And lord, help us to always remember.
00:54:04.030 --> 00:54:06.800
That you will never leave us and never forsake us.
00:54:06.800 --> 00:54:11.237
Lord, lastly we ask you to help us run our race well as
00:54:11.237 --> 00:54:14.441
We talked about early, early in this conversation of what
00:54:14.441 --> 00:54:17.944
Does it look like to declare victory and stand on your
00:54:17.944 --> 00:54:21.815
Promises even in the midst of a messed up world with no
00:54:21.815 --> 00:54:25.151
Shortage of problems in our lives.
00:54:25.151 --> 00:54:26.820
Lord, help us to fix our eyes on you.
00:54:26.820 --> 00:54:30.156
To run our race well.
00:54:30.156 --> 00:54:32.359
And to hear you say well done in jesus' name.
00:54:32.359 --> 00:54:35.562
- amen.
00:54:35.562 --> 00:54:36.062
- beautiful.
00:54:36.062 --> 00:54:37.263
All i can tell you is good advice.
00:54:37.263 --> 00:54:39.933
Don't stop praying.
00:54:39.933 --> 00:54:42.802
- amen.
00:54:42.802 --> 00:54:43.970
- and matthew west, thank you for what you're doing.
00:54:43.970 --> 00:54:45.805
Can you end by just hitting us with a little bit of maybe
00:54:45.805 --> 00:54:49.576
Don't stop believing, set to the words of don't stop
00:54:49.576 --> 00:54:53.413
Praying.
00:54:53.413 --> 00:54:54.781
♪ - don't stop believing. pray it. ♪
00:54:54.781 --> 00:54:58.651
- there it is, yeah.
00:54:58.651 --> 00:54:59.819
- do you need this?
00:54:59.819 --> 00:55:00.720
- do you need that?
00:55:00.720 --> 00:55:01.921
- they need this.
00:55:01.921 --> 00:55:02.822
- yeah, there's tons of stuff.
00:55:02.822 --> 00:55:04.858
All the information's on the screen.
00:55:04.858 --> 00:55:06.326
- it's a cd.
00:55:06.326 --> 00:55:07.560
- the songs on the record helped inspire the 40 chapters
00:55:07.560 --> 00:55:11.765
In the book.
00:55:11.765 --> 00:55:12.966
It's all about the different types of prayers we pray,
00:55:12.966 --> 00:55:14.334
And i can't wait.
00:55:14.334 --> 00:55:15.602
Now it's going to sound way better when it ain't just me
00:55:15.602 --> 00:55:17.604
And a guitar.
00:55:17.604 --> 00:55:18.905
We got a band and a choir, and it's going to be a special.
00:55:18.905 --> 00:55:21.708
- it's a special book, album, the whole thing.
00:55:21.708 --> 00:55:24.277
And you can even rent matthew west.
00:55:24.277 --> 00:55:26.546
- that's right, for birthday parties.
00:55:26.546 --> 00:55:28.381
- did we say birthday parties at the same time?
00:55:28.381 --> 00:55:30.150
Did we just become best friends?
00:55:30.150 --> 00:55:33.319
Can you do the don't stop?
00:55:33.953 --> 00:55:35.655
- if i was stuck on gilligan's island and i could
00:55:35.655 --> 00:55:37.924
Only bring two people.
00:55:37.924 --> 00:55:40.360
I'd find out if they're available and if they're not
00:55:40.360 --> 00:55:42.629
Available, i'd call you guys.
00:55:42.629 --> 00:55:44.130
- ginger and the professor.
00:55:44.130 --> 00:55:45.098
- and thurston.
00:55:45.098 --> 00:55:46.332
- thurston house.
00:55:46.332 --> 00:55:47.667
[laughing] - all right, here's a send out and a reminder,
00:55:47.667 --> 00:55:51.004
No matter what you're going through.
00:55:51.004 --> 00:55:53.139
♪ don't stop praying. ♪
00:55:53.139 --> 00:55:55.642
- there it is.
00:55:55.642 --> 00:55:56.643
♪ - don't stop calling on jesus' name. ♪
00:55:56.643 --> 00:56:00.280
♪ keep on pounding on heaven's door. ♪
00:56:00.280 --> 00:56:02.749
♪ and let your knees wear out the floor. ♪
00:56:02.749 --> 00:56:06.152
♪ don't stop believing. ♪
00:56:06.152 --> 00:56:07.987
- hey!
00:56:07.987 --> 00:56:09.222
♪ 'cause mountains move with just a little faith. ♪
00:56:09.222 --> 00:56:12.559
♪ and your father's heard every single word you're saying. ♪
00:56:12.559 --> 00:56:18.097
♪ so, don't stop praying. ♪
00:56:18.097 --> 00:56:21.734
- amen.
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(music playing)
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Matthew West: Don't Stop Praying | Praise

February 3, 2026 | 56:40

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