Sunday was a pleasant day as I had the day off and had the pleasure of listening to preaching for a change.  The message this week was on prayer based on Matthew 6:4-8.

• Emphasis was placed on praying earnestly which meant, passionate, persistent prayer in confidence on the Lord's promises.
• Prayer is communicating and dialoging with the Lord.
• All to often we tend to bring the Lord a list of petitions and never remaining still to hear the Lord speak.

3 Keys to improper prayer

1. Praying that our will be done rather than God's.
1John 5:14

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Praying according to His will is the key factor to answer prayers. We know His will in the word of God. If God promise you something he will do it because His promises are yes and amen in Christ Jesus.
When your children ask for something that you are not sure if you can do it you tell them I am going to try but I am not promising anything, because if you promise they will hold on to your promise until you do it.
Jesus prayer in Gethsemane, here Jesus prayed according to God's will. Luke 22:39-46 All of the scripture

2. Not praying earnestly, ( passionate, serious in intention, purpose, or effort, sincerely zealous, determination, eagerness, putting effort.
Psalms. 28

(read Psalm 28 in its entirety. is an earnest cry for divine aid against his enemies. David cried to the Lord earnestly and God answer his prayer.

3. Praying without believing.
James 1:5-8

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Next week:

• We will Touch on Jesus model on the biblical way to pray
• We will also have communion at the Sunday PM service and baptize people...This never gets old!  Check out the calendar for important dates!