Prayer

[00:00:00] [SPEAKER_01]: How can we use prayer in our walk with God?

[00:00:04] [SPEAKER_01]: How does prayer influence our faith?

[00:00:08] [SPEAKER_01]: Let's discuss.

[00:00:16] [SPEAKER_02]: Welcome to the Walking in Step with God podcast.

[00:00:20] [SPEAKER_02]: Here we empower you to walk boldly with God.

[00:00:23] [SPEAKER_02]: Visit our website at walkinginstepwithgod.org for resources, videos of our messages and

[00:00:30] [SPEAKER_02]: more information about our ministry.

[00:00:32] [SPEAKER_02]: Once again, that website is walkinginstepwithgod.org.

[00:00:40] [SPEAKER_01]: Hello.

[00:00:41] [SPEAKER_01]: Welcome to Walking in Step with God.

[00:00:43] [SPEAKER_01]: I'm Steve McDonald.

[00:00:45] [SPEAKER_01]: Today we explore the topic, Pray, as we kick off a brand new series, Grow Deeper in Faith.

[00:00:53] [SPEAKER_01]: In this series, we will explore many opportunities we have to grow in our faith.

[00:00:58] [SPEAKER_01]: We will learn how faith can transform our lives.

[00:01:01] [SPEAKER_01]: We will learn how faith helps us to create a foundation of trust with our Creator.

[00:01:08] [SPEAKER_01]: We will learn how faith can be at the forefront of our minds and our hearts, instead of being

[00:01:15] [SPEAKER_01]: an afterthought.

[00:01:17] [SPEAKER_01]: As the first step of our journey, let us explore three ways that we can use prayer

[00:01:23] [SPEAKER_01]: to grow deeper in faith.

[00:01:26] [SPEAKER_01]: Prayer plays such an important role in our lives and our walk with God.

[00:01:31] [SPEAKER_01]: Prayer is not just an opportunity to speak with God, it is an opportunity for us to

[00:01:36] [SPEAKER_01]: demonstrate to ourselves and others our trust in God.

[00:01:42] [SPEAKER_01]: There are many ways that prayer can be integrated into our lives.

[00:01:45] [SPEAKER_01]: We can pray when we are awake or just before we go to sleep.

[00:01:50] [SPEAKER_01]: We can pray before we eat.

[00:01:52] [SPEAKER_01]: We can pray before we travel or head of some major event in our lives.

[00:01:58] [SPEAKER_01]: We can pray many times throughout the day to stay in constant contact with God.

[00:02:04] [SPEAKER_01]: Most of us take time to intentionally pray while kneeling in a posture of reverence and

[00:02:10] [SPEAKER_01]: honoring God, clasping our hands together and closing our eyes as we speak aloud

[00:02:15] [SPEAKER_01]: or just in our minds.

[00:02:18] [SPEAKER_01]: Let us remember, however, that we can pray at any time and any place.

[00:02:24] [SPEAKER_01]: We can pray as we are walking down the street, riding a bike or driving our car simply by

[00:02:30] [SPEAKER_01]: speaking to God in our minds even as our eyes and ears are fully engaged

[00:02:36] [SPEAKER_01]: and alert to our surroundings.

[00:02:38] [SPEAKER_01]: We can pray as we work or pray as we study.

[00:02:41] [SPEAKER_01]: We can even pray as we rest.

[00:02:44] [SPEAKER_01]: God hears your prayers whenever and however you choose.

[00:02:49] [SPEAKER_01]: So let us keep prayer in the forefront of our minds as the way we stay connected to our heavenly Father.

[00:02:57] [SPEAKER_01]: Now that we have established all of the situations and circumstances in which we can pray,

[00:03:03] [SPEAKER_01]: let us turn to the ways that prayer can be used to strengthen and grow deeper in our faith.

[00:03:10] [SPEAKER_01]: Before we start, why don't we take a quick break?

[00:03:13] [SPEAKER_01]: I'll be right back.

[00:03:15] [SPEAKER_02]: Have you been yearning for a deeper relationship with God, especially in the unusual times we're in?

[00:03:22] [SPEAKER_02]: Here's your sign that your desires are being answered.

[00:03:26] [SPEAKER_02]: 100 Steps With God is the spiritual guidebook you need to navigate this transformative journey

[00:03:33] [SPEAKER_02]: you're embarking on. Filled with inspiring messages, this book is written to ignite your

[00:03:39] [SPEAKER_02]: thinking and illuminate the path toward a rich, intimate relationship with God.

[00:03:45] [SPEAKER_02]: The special edition delves deeper and includes scriptures, reflective prompts,

[00:03:51] [SPEAKER_02]: and space to journal your thoughts. Visit www.100stepsbook.com

[00:03:58] [SPEAKER_02]: to order your copy of the standard or special edition today

[00:04:01] [SPEAKER_02]: and strengthen your bond with the Creator. Again, that's 100stepsbook.com.

[00:04:11] [SPEAKER_01]: Welcome back. Let's continue discussing three ways that prayer can be used to grow deeper in our faith.

[00:04:19] [SPEAKER_01]: Number one, pray to give thanks.

[00:04:23] [SPEAKER_01]: I want to start today with one of the most important reasons I believe we should pray.

[00:04:29] [SPEAKER_01]: Giving thanks to God is one of the most important aspects of our faith.

[00:04:34] [SPEAKER_01]: We are communicating to God our gratitude for all that he provides. Prayer to give thanks

[00:04:40] [SPEAKER_01]: strengthens our faith because giving thanks helps to ensure our relationship with God

[00:04:45] [SPEAKER_01]: is not just asking to receive, but is also one of giving. As we walk through the world and

[00:04:53] [SPEAKER_01]: find ourselves in awe of nature and creation, let us pray and give thanks. As we reflect on our

[00:05:01] [SPEAKER_01]: current circumstances, let us give thanks for all of the ways he provides. Has God protected you and

[00:05:08] [SPEAKER_01]: kept you safe? Has he provided you with signs? Has God provided you with what you need to have

[00:05:15] [SPEAKER_01]: food and shelter? These are just a handful of the reasons why we should pray to give thanks

[00:05:22] [SPEAKER_01]: to God every day. Even if you are someone who feels there are elements of your life that are

[00:05:28] [SPEAKER_01]: filled with struggle or suffering, there is still a reason to give thanks to God. Even in the midst

[00:05:36] [SPEAKER_01]: of your suffering, God hears your prayers and is with you. Thank God for providing you with

[00:05:44] [SPEAKER_01]: what you need and as for his leading through your situation. Stay encouraged, God knows your

[00:05:51] [SPEAKER_01]: circumstances. Let us all find the time and space to pray and give thanks to God each day.

[00:06:02] [SPEAKER_01]: Number two, pray for your petitions before God. The most popular type of prayer is one

[00:06:11] [SPEAKER_01]: for your petitions before God. God truly seeks the desires of our hearts. He seeks to know our needs

[00:06:18] [SPEAKER_01]: as well as our wants. He seeks to know our hopes and our dreams. He seeks to know our desires

[00:06:25] [SPEAKER_01]: for the present, as well as those for the future. Prayers for our petitions strengthen our faith

[00:06:33] [SPEAKER_01]: because we can know in our hearts that we can trust God with the desires of our hearts.

[00:06:39] [SPEAKER_01]: We can have faith and trust in God knowing that he knows what we have brought to his attention

[00:06:46] [SPEAKER_01]: and why. Prayers for our petitions should be anything that is on our hearts and minds.

[00:06:52] [SPEAKER_01]: However, I always say that our prayers should be done while also seeking out his will,

[00:06:58] [SPEAKER_01]: which leads us to our last point in this message. Number three, pray for guidance.

[00:07:06] [SPEAKER_01]: Pray for guidance, I believe, is a fundamental prayer that we should have in our day-to-day

[00:07:12] [SPEAKER_01]: communication with God. I truly believe that God's will is something that we should

[00:07:17] [SPEAKER_01]: all seek in our lives. If we agree that God knows so much more than we could possibly know

[00:07:24] [SPEAKER_01]: about our lives, our circumstances and the desires of our hearts, then we should be

[00:07:30] [SPEAKER_01]: willing to yield to what God knows is best. If I have to make a decision that will have

[00:07:38] [SPEAKER_01]: lasting effects over days, months or even years, I know that God knows best about the outcomes

[00:07:45] [SPEAKER_01]: or consequences of each decision I could make. I have learned over the years to trust God

[00:07:52] [SPEAKER_01]: to being a light in my path as I walk through life. No longer do I make decisions without

[00:07:59] [SPEAKER_01]: bringing choices for a decision before God in prayer. For me, praying for guidance means preparing my best

[00:08:09] [SPEAKER_01]: to pursue an idea or making a decision, but walking forward with the expectation

[00:08:16] [SPEAKER_01]: for God to course correct me on my path to what he knows is best. Notice I said walking

[00:08:24] [SPEAKER_01]: forward with expectation for God to make adjustments in my path versus being still

[00:08:32] [SPEAKER_01]: and waiting for God to light up a path. I believe God desires us to trust him in every aspect of

[00:08:39] [SPEAKER_01]: our lives and being still when making a decision is based on fear. Fear of making the wrong choice,

[00:08:48] [SPEAKER_01]: fear of failing, but we need not fear when we walk with God. Of course, God expects us to use

[00:08:56] [SPEAKER_01]: wisdom and discernment so we should do our homework before making a decision. Making a decision,

[00:09:03] [SPEAKER_01]: praying for guidance and expecting that guidance as we move forward strengthens our faith because

[00:09:08] [SPEAKER_01]: it demonstrates to God our reliance upon him and our trust in him with every step that we take.

[00:09:19] [SPEAKER_01]: In today's message we discuss three ways that prayer can strengthen and deepen our faith.

[00:09:25] [SPEAKER_01]: We learn the importance of giving thanks to God. Giving thanks to God strengthens our faith and

[00:09:31] [SPEAKER_01]: our relationship with him by ensuring we are giving and not just asking to receive.

[00:09:37] [SPEAKER_01]: We discuss the idea of praying to God for the desires of our hearts while keeping in mind

[00:09:43] [SPEAKER_01]: the importance of seeking out his will amid our requests. Lastly, we learn the importance of praying

[00:09:51] [SPEAKER_01]: for guidance. God does desire for us to use wisdom and discernment to make decisions, however,

[00:09:58] [SPEAKER_01]: it is also important to ask for his guidance as we walk forward in our plans. Let us learn how

[00:10:04] [SPEAKER_01]: to move forward in our plans with the expectation of his intervention to keep us aligned with

[00:10:11] [SPEAKER_01]: the plans he knows are best. Let's close out in prayer. Father, Almighty God, we just thank you

[00:10:19] [SPEAKER_01]: once again for this day. Thank you for the words of wisdom. We thank you for this new series where

[00:10:25] [SPEAKER_01]: we can learn how to grow deeper in faith and today we talked about prayer and as we are praying

[00:10:30] [SPEAKER_01]: even right now we know the importance of staying connected with you, staying in touch

[00:10:35] [SPEAKER_01]: with you, staying in constant and ever-present contact with you Lord is one of the most

[00:10:41] [SPEAKER_01]: powerful things we can do for our day as we walk through our day. Father, we ask for your guidance,

[00:10:49] [SPEAKER_01]: we ask for your will to be made known. Thank you for hearing our prayers. Thank you for watching

[00:10:54] [SPEAKER_01]: over our steps. Thank you for protecting us and as we bring our desires of our hearts before you,

[00:11:00] [SPEAKER_01]: we just ask that you light up our paths, course correct us as we move forward, trusting in you

[00:11:08] [SPEAKER_01]: to lead and guide our steps and we just thank you in advance for all of the ways

[00:11:14] [SPEAKER_01]: that you will reveal your will to us when we pray. We pray this trusting and believing in you. Amen.

[00:11:24] [SPEAKER_01]: Are you interested in learning more about the sources guiding this message? I invite you

[00:11:29] [SPEAKER_01]: to stay tuned after the break for our Going Deeper with the Word segment. Here we examine

[00:11:33] [SPEAKER_01]: how God's Word provides clear guidance and direction about prayer and faith. If you are catching

[00:11:40] [SPEAKER_01]: this episode on YouTube or in our Facebook group please be sure to click that like button

[00:11:44] [SPEAKER_01]: and also be sure to leave your comments about today's message and how prayer strengthens

[00:11:50] [SPEAKER_01]: your faith. If you are new to our ministry please subscribe to our YouTube channel

[00:11:55] [SPEAKER_01]: or follow our podcast so that you're notified of future messages. I'll be right back.

[00:12:04] [SPEAKER_00]: Some messages just hit differently and if this message has touched your heart

[00:12:08] [SPEAKER_00]: and you want to experience it again, you can watch the video online at walkingandstepwithgod.org

[00:12:14] [SPEAKER_00]: slash messages. God bless you. The greatest way that you can get involved with this

[00:12:20] [SPEAKER_03]: ministry is to be involved in the community. Here are four specific ways.

[00:12:25] [SPEAKER_03]: Join the discussion by asking and engaging with questions in our community space.

[00:12:30] [SPEAKER_03]: Share a prayer on our prayer wall or take some time to pray for others.

[00:12:34] [SPEAKER_03]: As our ministry impacted your walk with God then share your story and inspire others. Lastly,

[00:12:40] [SPEAKER_03]: you can support our ministry as a financial partner so that we can expand our reach

[00:12:44] [SPEAKER_03]: and grow the community. Learn more about these opportunities to get involved by visiting

[00:12:50] [SPEAKER_03]: walkingandstepwithgod.org slash getting involved. Welcome to Going Deeper with the Word.

[00:12:57] [SPEAKER_01]: In this segment we welcome people of all backgrounds, religious or not,

[00:13:02] [SPEAKER_01]: to review the Word of God. The Word of God provides guidance, direction and instructions

[00:13:07] [SPEAKER_01]: for living our lives and walking with God. Today we examine how God's Word provides

[00:13:13] [SPEAKER_01]: clear guidance and direction about how prayer can strengthen and deepen our faith.

[00:13:20] [SPEAKER_01]: Let's review examples of God's Word that can lead and guide our steps and back up the principles

[00:13:25] [SPEAKER_01]: we discussed in today's message. I'll be reading scripture today from the Amplified Bible.

[00:13:32] [SPEAKER_01]: By the way, if you're watching this message online, we invite you to share your comments

[00:13:36] [SPEAKER_01]: as we review each verse. Here's our first verse, Mark 11 verse 24.

[00:13:47] [SPEAKER_01]: For this reason I am telling you whatever things you ask in prayer, believe that you have received

[00:13:54] [SPEAKER_01]: them and they will be given to you. In this verse Jesus shares the importance of belief

[00:14:03] [SPEAKER_01]: when it comes to prayers of petition. We can know in our hearts that when we ask God the desires

[00:14:10] [SPEAKER_01]: of our hearts and believe that he has heard our prayer and will provide, we shall receive.

[00:14:18] [SPEAKER_01]: Over the years my personal approach to this scripture has evolved

[00:14:22] [SPEAKER_01]: to also include my asking God for his will to be done above any of my prayers.

[00:14:30] [SPEAKER_01]: While I have prayed for many things in my life and seen the subjects of those prayers come to

[00:14:35] [SPEAKER_01]: fruition, I have also recognized that some prayers did not come to fruition,

[00:14:41] [SPEAKER_01]: even though I believed in what I prayed for. Now in hindsight, I recognize the prayer

[00:14:49] [SPEAKER_01]: that did not come to fruition were requested I made that were not in my best interest.

[00:14:57] [SPEAKER_01]: So I am actually thankful that they were not realized.

[00:15:01] [SPEAKER_01]: As a result, I feel much stronger in my faith and prayers of petition by requesting that God's

[00:15:07] [SPEAKER_01]: will be done for all of my prayers. Moving forward, are there prayers you have brought

[00:15:15] [SPEAKER_01]: before God and believed in but have yet to see them come to fruition? Do you trust

[00:15:21] [SPEAKER_01]: God's will for the request in your prayer? Would you prefer he fulfill a prayer even if it leads to

[00:15:28] [SPEAKER_01]: unintended consequences or would you prefer he not fulfill the request because he knows better than you?

[00:15:36] [SPEAKER_01]: Let us know what you think in the comments. Let's have a look at another verse.

[00:15:43] [SPEAKER_01]: Romans 12 verses 10 through 12. Be devoted to one another with brotherly affection

[00:15:53] [SPEAKER_01]: Give preference to one another in honor, never lagging behind in diligence, a glow in the spirit,

[00:16:01] [SPEAKER_01]: enthusiastically serving the Lord, constantly rejoicing in hope, steadfast in patient

[00:16:08] [SPEAKER_01]: indistress, devoted to prayer. In this verse Paul explains the importance of being consistent

[00:16:16] [SPEAKER_01]: in our behavior, serving the Lord with enthusiasm and being devoted to prayer.

[00:16:24] [SPEAKER_01]: We see the importance of prayer being a vital aspect of continually seeking guidance, wisdom,

[00:16:32] [SPEAKER_01]: and strength. How often do you pray? Is prayer a regular form of conversation with God or is it

[00:16:40] [SPEAKER_01]: only when you have something to request of him? If you do pray regularly with God, what is the

[00:16:46] [SPEAKER_01]: benefit you have noticed as compared to when you have rarely prayed? Let us know what you think in

[00:16:53] [SPEAKER_01]: the comments. Let's look at one last verse. Psalm 18 verse 6. In my distress I called upon the Lord

[00:17:03] [SPEAKER_01]: and I cried to my God for help. He heard my voice from his temple and my cry for help came

[00:17:10] [SPEAKER_01]: before him into his very ears. In this verse King David explains his full knowledge of his

[00:17:17] [SPEAKER_01]: prayers reaching the Lord. In the same way we know our prayers will always reach the Lord in any and

[00:17:24] [SPEAKER_01]: all circumstances. Know that your prayers for thanks and praise are heard. Know that your

[00:17:30] [SPEAKER_01]: prayers for assistance are heard. Know that your prayers asking for his guidance and direction

[00:17:38] [SPEAKER_01]: are heard. Our prayers are always heard regardless of the circumstances. Has there ever been a time

[00:17:47] [SPEAKER_01]: when you prayed and felt that you were unheard? What were those circumstances? Why did you feel

[00:17:54] [SPEAKER_01]: that you were unheard? Let us know in the comments. Prayer plays a fundamental role

[00:18:03] [SPEAKER_01]: in our faith and the ways in which we pray can help us to grow deeper in our faith.

[00:18:09] [SPEAKER_01]: I invite you to make prayer a persistent conversation with God, never seizing. Set aside time

[00:18:16] [SPEAKER_01]: over the course of your day to simply speak to him in the midst of whatever it is that you're

[00:18:22] [SPEAKER_01]: doing. Prayer can be a dedicated time and place but it can also be a way to include God in

[00:18:30] [SPEAKER_01]: every moment of your day. Thank you for your time in reviewing these verses with me today. Please

[00:18:37] [SPEAKER_01]: be sure to share in the comments how these are other examples of God's Word and helped you

[00:18:42] [SPEAKER_01]: learn more about prayer and how it affects your faith. Thank you for the opportunity

[00:18:48] [SPEAKER_01]: to share encouragement here at Walking a Step with God. We truly appreciate your support.

[00:18:54] [SPEAKER_01]: We are fully committed to Christ in the community. We invite you to join us and

[00:18:59] [SPEAKER_01]: fellowship and seek opportunities for fellowship in your local community as well.

[00:19:05] [SPEAKER_01]: Have an amazing week and we will catch you next time. Bless you.

[00:19:10] [SPEAKER_02]: Thank you for listening. Please share this podcast with others if this message has blessed you.

[00:19:16] [SPEAKER_02]: Consider becoming a supporter of Walking and Step with God to help others walk boldly with

[00:19:21] [SPEAKER_02]: God. Visit our website at walkingandstepwithgod.org to learn more.