Tuesday 9/9/14

Tuesday’s Recap summarizes the previous evening’s Pizza and Prayer. If you couldn’t join us last night, or if for some strange reason you can’t remember what happened (amnesia?), here’s what you missed:

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.

Communication is the source of most of our problems and conflicts with other people. It is usually miscommunication, or a total lack of any communication, that causes a break in our relationships. Communication is necessary in all of our relationships, whether those relationships be with boyfriends or girlfriends, family members, school friends, etc.

We live in a technological world that is extremely connected. We call, text, email, tweet, Facebook message; we are constantly “communicating” with one another… Or so we think.

But communication is more than just speaking or typing out 140 characters. Communication involves talking and actively listening; it involves giving feedback and knowing when to put a sock in it.

The same goes for our communication with God. We call this form of communication prayer. Prayer is a conversation with God, a way to deepen our relationship with him. Sometimes we just talk to God, sometimes we ask for help, sometimes we ask Him to help someone else, and sometimes we just listen.

The reading from Matthew reminds us that our communication with God should be constant. We should be continually praying in our lives; asking, seeking, knocking on the door. And Jesus tells us that if we do this, God will hear us and answer us. However, this does not mean our prayer will necessarily be answered in the way we are expecting. God is infinitely wise, and He always has a deeper plan beyond our comprehension. As Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.” When we pray, God may not give us what we want, but He always gives us what we need.

We spend hours of our days “communicating” with other people, but what about God? If communication is so vital in our everyday lives, then how much more important is it that we be communicating with God on a regular basis? Every Monday night we gather as a community in the LifeHouse to pray. Why do you keep coming back? What are you truly getting out of your prayer time?


I asked for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I had asked for,
but everything that I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered;
I am most richly blessed.


Last night's playlist:
The Motions – Matthew West
Lord, I Need You – Matt Maher
Your Love Is Extravagant – Casting Crowns
Lay It Down – Matt Maher
Here’s My Heart – Crowder
Our God – Chris Tomlin
The Heart of Worship – Matt Redman
How He Loves – Crowder
After All (Holy) – Crowder
10,000 Reasons – Matt Redman
Praise You In This Storm – Casting Crowns
Your Love – Brandon Heath