Sense and Nonsense About

1. Sense and Nonsense About Prayer and Faith Inspired by the book by Lehman Strauss

2. “pray without ceasing…” You: "I feel all alone” God’s Promise: “I will never leave you.”  “Never will I leave you; 
   never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 Feeling alone? Friends or family abandoned you? Thank God for his promise that he will never leave. Ask him to help you take him at his word on this. To feel his presence in a way that gives you strength.

3. “pray without ceasing…” You : "Nobody really loves me.” God’s Promise: “I love you and nothing can ever change that.” For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 Do your really believe God loves you? Really? In faith, thank him for his unchanging love. Ask him to help you find your deepest satisfaction in that reality this week.

4. “pray without ceasing…” You : "I can't forgive myself.” God’s Promise: “I forgive you.” If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 What’s that deepest darkest sin in your past that comes up over and over in your mind? The one the enemy uses to say, “God couldn’t ever use someone who did that!” Tell God your struggle to forgive yourself and claim his promise of forgiveness and purification. Ask him to help you trust his promise over your emotions.

5. “pray without ceasing…” You: "Real rest is out of reach in my crazy life.”
God’s Promise: “I will give you rest.”  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 Do you have faith that Jesus gives real and meaningful rest? Ask him to help you rest in him and experience the reality of his rest tonight.

6. “pray without ceasing…” You: "If this trial doesn’t go away NOW, I can't go on.”
God’s Promise: “My grace is sufficient for you.” “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 What trial are you going through right now? Talk to God about how you feel in the middle of your trial. (Be honest with him). Do you really have faith that his grace is enough even as you walk through this? Tell him your gratitude for his grace. Ask him to help you put one foot in front of the other and see his power in your weakness this week.

7. “pray without ceasing…” You: "My life is too confusing right now. No one can figure this out.” God’s Promise: “I will direct your steps.”  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 What’s confusing you? What situation is beyond your ability to figure out? Take it to God and lay the full weight of it in his lap. Ask him to make your next move clear.

8. “pray without ceasing…” You: "Nothing good can come out of this.” God’s Promise: “I am at work on your behalf.”   And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,whohave been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 What is the darkest thing in your life right now? What makes you question God’s goodness? Do you have faith in his promises that he is at work on your behalf? Ask him to open your eyes to his hand and heart even in this valley.

9. “pray without ceasing…” You: "I'm afraid. And my fear is going to crush and paralyze me.” God’s Promise: “I have not given you a spirit of fear.” For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. II Timothy 1:7 What or who are you afraid of? Has your fear been weighing you down or freezing your ability to move forward? Thank God that he has not given you that fear, but a spirit of power and love and self-discipline. Commit to him that you will walk forward counting on the power, love, and self-discipline he’s given.

10. “pray without ceasing…” You: "There is no possible relief for my anxiety.”God’s Promise: “I can give you peace.” Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 What are you worried about? Work? A relationship? Finances? Take it to God. Thank him that he’s got it. Have faith that you will experience an unexplainable peace to guard your heart even tonight.

11. “pray without ceasing…” You: "I can't possibly make ends meet.”God’s Promise: “I will supply all your needs.” But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 Is your budget stretched to the max this month? Feeling the weight of a bill or a creditor who keeps calling? Tell God your fear. Your concern. Confess any ways you haven’t been putting his kingdom first. Then rest in his promise that he will provide for every one of your needs.

12. “pray without ceasing…” You: "I can't do what God is asking me to do.”God’s Promise: “You can do everything I call you to.” I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 What’s God calling you to do that seems a little overwhelming to you? Maybe you even feel like he’s got the wrong person…Be honest with him about your questions. Do you believe his promise? Then tell him. Tell him that through him, you really do believe you can do it. Thank him that he is strong enough.

13. “pray without ceasing…” You: "I don't have enough faith.” God’s Promise: “I've given all my children a measure of faith. And it’s not how much you have, it’s who it’s in that counts.” If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20-21 What mountains are you staring at? Thank God that even faith itself is a gift from him. That it’s not how much of a feeling you can muster up that matters. That what really matters is how big, strong, and wise he is.

14. “pray without ceasing…” You: “There’s no way I can overcome this temptation.” God’s Promise: “I always provide a way out.” No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. I Corinthians 10:13 What temptation is raging inside of you right now? Where do you feel like you’re about to give? Tell God. Thank him for his promise to provide a way out. Now ask him to show you that way. Than take it!

15. “pray without ceasing…” You: "That person could never be saved." God’s Promise: “All things are possible.” “Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” Luke18:25-27 Who’s in your life that (if you were honest) you feel could never be saved? Pray right now for their salvation having faith that with God all things are possible.

16. “pray without ceasing…” “Have faith in God.” “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:22-24 Just because this service is coming to an end, your prayers don’t have to. God wants this conversation to continue all week long.