Find out what the secret is this weekend at 217church! We just started a brand new series called “Worship: All or Nothing.” We are seeking God with all we have for Him to show us what it would be like for our whole lives to worship Him.
What would it look like to worship God in the plans we make in life, in the way we pray, in how we suffer, when we fear, and with our riches? This weekend is all about the place of prayer! So what and where is the place of prayer? Jesus teaches us that it’s a secret place, between you and Him. And this weekend, it’s time to find out what the secret is!
In scripture, Jesus teaches us how to pray. In the Sermon on the Mount He gives us a great word by word example of how to pray. We call it “The Lord’s Prayer.” While most Christ followers are familiar with it and can even recite it by heart, many of us struggle to really pray in the way Jesus exemplifies for us.
Perhaps even a greater challenge for many is even “finding the time” to pray. Before Jesus teaches us how to pray, He states very clearly that we first need to set aside a time and place to pray. He seems to make it very clear in scripture that we need to find God in the nothing, before He calls us into something. If we aren’t hearing from God then what exactly are we doing?
Here are some reasons why the place of prayer is so important.
1. It is where God speaks
It is so hard to hear from God and what He is trying to show us when we are surrounded by all of our busyness. I have heard Christ followers say so many times “I have no idea what He is saying to me” to find out that some have not put themselves in a place where they can listen. Many of us go to God with plenty to say, but few of us go to God with the desire to listen. God speaks in the place of prayer, we just need to listen.
2. It is a place of rest
Tired. How many times have you heard from your co-workers, friends, family, that sentence, “I’m so tired.” When you are in the presence of God, you are re-energized. He fills you up with confidence in who He is and peace about what is ahead. If you need rest you don’t just need to go to sleep or go on vacation; you need to be in the place of prayer.
3. It is why we were created
God simply created us to be with Him. When Adam was created in the beginning God said everything was “good.” How could that be? Not much was going on. There were no buildings, businesses, ferraris, nice homes, movies, tv, etc. Joy is not found in material things, joy is found in the Lord. Simply BEING with God, is what God calls good. When was the last time you were just with God for the sake of being with God? We were created to enjoy His presence. There is joy in the place of prayer!
My hope for you is that you would find the place of prayer in your life. And I pray you would keep that place a secret. Between you and the God of the universe who created you to WORSHIP.
Don’t miss the continuation of our new series, “Worship: All Or Nothing” this Sunday at 217church in Hamilton NJ at the AMC 24 Theater (Mercer County). For directions and more information, visit http://www.217church.com/im-new/
Thank you for your post. ♥ We will pray for you!!! We pray for wisdom that you would know God’s will for your life. Stay in His pucieors Word and continue to sit quietlly before Him. He will give you direction. We are so blessed that this site is helping you. It is an encouragement to us!! Keep us posted with your praise reports!! We know God will come through for you!! ♥ Much love in Jesus,Joe and Melissa 🙂
I love this idea, Marc!You can be praying for me to raise miosisn support to do Ignite full time and then also for Ignite. I am setting up a meeting for next week (possibly) to look at starting an Ignite group at another college. If it works out, we would have grown from one campus to three in a semester. Awesome!How can I be praying for you?
Oh, Richella, I feared this when I heard where he went to shcool. I am praying that God grants His strength to your friends and their family, as well as for your dear son and your family. I am reminded, “A life unled, a tale unspoken; there are no words, for our hearts are broken.” We here on earth may not have the words, but comfort can be found in our Lord. I’ll add this request to our prayer line, too.