** Unlocked은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 원본으로 듣고 싶으신 분들은 홈페이지 Unlocked.org로 들어가시면 <August 24, 2020>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**
Why Pray? (Part 1)
• READ: PSALM 62
"God already knows everything about me, even my thoughts. Why do I need to pray?”
Good question! Psalm 139 says God knows our every thought. He knows when we are sitting down and when we rise (verse 2). There is no place we can go where He cannot find us. So what is the purpose of praying to the One who knows everything about us?
First, the Word of God is loaded with verses, passages, and stories urging us to pray—both in the Old and New Testaments. For example, in the Old Testament, Moses’s and Samuel’s prayers had an incredible effect on their situations (Exodus 32:7-15; 1 Samuel 7:7-12). Then, in the New Testament, Colossians 4:2 reminds us to “continue steadfastly in prayer,” and 1 Thessalonians 5:17 prompts us to “pray without ceasing.”
Second, Jesus himself modeled prayer. In Mark 1:35, Jesus went off by himself to a quiet place to pray to God the Father. If the perfect Son of God knew prayer was important, how much more should we pray! Jesus also prayed for His disciples and all His future followers, and He still intercedes for us (John 17; Romans 8:26-27). And, in the Gospels, Jesus taught us how to pray (Matthew 6:5-13; Luke 11:1-13).
And here’s the wonderful part. No request is too small, no pondering too trivial to bring before God; He cares about all of it and wants us to talk with Him about everything (Psalm 62:8; 1 Peter 5:7). In Christ, we can go before God with boldness as His beloved and treasured children (John 1:12; Hebrews 4:14-16). • Savannah Coleman
• Do you ever feel like prayer is pointless? Maybe you figure an all-knowing God doesn’t need to hear a repeat of what He’s already aware of. Perhaps you only pray about the “big” things, thinking God shouldn’t be “bothered” with your “small issues.” But here’s the thing. Jesus is always here to listen to our joys, sorrows, and questions. In every situation, He wants us to bring our requests and thanksgiving to Him (Philippians 4:6-7).
• What things do you want to bring before God in prayer? We can rest in the truth that the Holy Spirit is bringing our voiceless requests before God the Father to align them with His perfect will (Romans 8:26-28).
Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8 (WEB)
** Unlocked은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 원본으로 듣고 싶으신 분들은 홈페이지 Unlocked.org로 들어가시면 <August 25, 2020>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**
Why Pray? (Part 2)
• READ: EPHESIANS 1:15-23; 3:14-21
When should we pray? Only when we or someone we love desperately needs something from God? Do we only pray about the things we think God would deem “important” enough?
Ephesians 6:18 tells us to “pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request.” Hebrews 4:16 urges us to “approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” How uplifting to know that the God of the universe desires to hear from us on all occasions with any request—and that, in Christ, we can come before Him with boldness!
At all times, we are to pray for others. In Genesis 18:20-33, Abraham boldly spoke to God on behalf of the wicked city of Sodom. Abraham pleaded for the righteous to be spared, and God listened to his prayer. When we read 1 Kings 18:20-46, we witness an amazing story of God answering Elijah’s bold prayer to turn the hearts of the people to the One True God in a miraculous way.
In the New Testament, James 5:16-17 encourages us to “pray for one another” because “the prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.” And, in Paul’s letters to churches, we often see Paul praying for other believers (for example, 2 Timothy 1:3 and 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12). We also need to pray for the salvation of those who do not know Jesus as their Savior and Friend
(1 Timothy 2:1-4).
God’s Word gives us countless examples of people of faith who moved the heart of God when they prayed. They, and you, are more than just a face in a crowd. When you belong to the King of Kings, your every word is heard and the Spirit of God is moving in and through your requests. Keep praying and don’t give up! • Savannah Coleman
• Who are people you want to pray for?
• Reread today’s Bible verses. What are some things Paul prays for the Ephesian church?
• Read Hebrews 4:14-16. In Christ, why can we pray about anything?
Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
