The Habit of Connection

Prayer was never supposed to be something we simply do for God. Prayer is something that connects us to God.

• Prayer is connection, not obligation. 

Prayer flows from identity.  Who you believe God is determines your prayer life.  

• Jesus made connection a habit.

Luke 11:1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray…’”

Luke 5:16 says: “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

What Jesus did publicly was connected to what Jesus did privately.

Jesus Prayed at His Baptism Luke 3:21–22

THE LIST:

• Jesus Withdrew to Pray Mark 1:35 Luke 5:16 Jesus didn’t find time to pray. He made time to pray.
• Jesus Prayed Before Major Decisions Luke 6:12–13 Before choosing the twelve disciples:
• Jesus Prayed Before Miracles John 6:11 Before feeding the 5,000, Jesus gave thanks.
• John 11:41–42 Before raising Lazarus: Mark 7:34 Before healing the deaf man
• Jesus Prayed After Ministry Matthew 14:22–23 After feeding the 5,000: He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray.” 
• Jesus Prayed Before Important Revelations Luke 9:18 Luke 9:28–29 At the Transfiguration. 
• Jesus Prayed With Thanksgiving Matthew 11:25–26 “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…”
• Jesus Prayed for His Disciples Luke 22:31–32 “I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.”
• Jesus Prayed for Unity John 17:20–23
• Jesus Prayed for Protection John 17:11–15 “Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your name…
• Jesus Prayed for Our Sanctification John 17:17
• Jesus Prayed in His Deepest Pain Matthew 26:36–44 Mark 14:32–39 Luke 22:39–46 Gethsemane. 
• Jesus Prayed for His Enemies Luke 23:34 While being crucified: “Father, forgive them…”
• Jesus Prayed From the Cross Matthew 27:46 / Mark 15:34 “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Luke 23:46 “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”

The pattern is hard to miss: Jesus prayed.

Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

• Pray everyday about everything.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Prayer may not immediately change what is happening around you, but it changes what is happening in you. God’s peace can arrive before God’s answer does.

1 Thess 5:17  is so important  It says “pray continually”  Colossians 4:2 says, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Prayer is about staying connected to the right Person.