How to Pray Continually When Life Never Slows Down

When I was 19, gave my life to Christ, I When I was 19, gave my life to Christ, I was privileged to have a guy older, was privileged to have a guy older, was privileged to have a guy older, about 10 years older than me, that took about 10 years older than me, that took about 10 years older than me, that took an interest in me. He came to me and he an interest in me. He came to me and he an interest in me. He came to me and he said, "I want to disciple you." said, "I want to disciple you." said, "I want to disciple you." This guy's name was Eric Mixon. He's This guy's name was Eric Mixon. He's This guy's name was Eric Mixon. He's from my hometown. from my hometown. from my hometown. Just a great, great guy, great family, Just a great, great guy, great family, Just a great, great guy, great family, had been through kind of a similar story had been through kind of a similar story had been through kind of a similar story that I had with addiction and some that I had with addiction and some that I had with addiction and some brokenness and some trouble here and brokenness and some trouble here and brokenness and some trouble here and there. And so it meant a great deal to there. And so it meant a great deal to there. And so it meant a great deal to me that he offered to disciple me. And me that he offered to disciple me. And me that he offered to disciple me. And so so so we started meeting and going through we started meeting and going through we started meeting and going through this curriculum together. And a part of this curriculum together. And a part of this curriculum together. And a part of what we were doing was memorizing what we were doing was memorizing what we were doing was memorizing scripture. scripture. scripture. And so we started with our very first And so we started with our very first And so we started with our very first verse, Psalms 119:11. verse, Psalms 119:11. verse, Psalms 119:11. "I have hidden my word in your heart "I have hidden my word in your heart "I have hidden my word in your heart that I might not sin against you." that I might not sin against you." that I might not sin against you." And we moved on to some other verses, And we moved on to some other verses, And we moved on to some other verses, kind of one verse every week, 2 kind of one verse every week, 2 kind of one verse every week, 2 Corinthians 5:17. "If anyone's in Corinthians 5:17. "If anyone's in Corinthians 5:17. "If anyone's in Christ, he's a new creation. Old things Christ, he's a new creation. Old things Christ, he's a new creation. Old things have passed away, new things have come." have passed away, new things have come." have passed away, new things have come." And so we kept plowing through these And so we kept plowing through these And so we kept plowing through these verses and eventually we got to verses and eventually we got to verses and eventually we got to my favorite verse, which is just a super my favorite verse, which is just a super my favorite verse, which is just a super short verse, two words, one of my short verse, two words, one of my short verse, two words, one of my favorite verses, favorite verses, favorite verses, 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

"Pray continually." "Pray continually." Now, at 19 years old, a new believer, Now, at 19 years old, a new believer, Now, at 19 years old, a new believer, new Christian, new Christian, new Christian, when I read that, when I read that, when I read that, I was like, "Well, that seems I was like, "Well, that seems I was like, "Well, that seems kind of difficult, right? Like, what kind of difficult, right? Like, what kind of difficult, right? Like, what what does Paul mean by that?" And and what does Paul mean by that?" And and what does Paul mean by that?" And and and more importantly, God, what what am and more importantly, God, what what am and more importantly, God, what what am I supposed to take away from that? I supposed to take away from that? I supposed to take away from that? "Pray continually." "Pray continually." "Pray continually." So then you zoom out So then you zoom out So then you zoom out and you look at verses 16, 17, and 18 and you look at verses 16, 17, and 18 and you look at verses 16, 17, and 18 and then it really gets and then it really gets and then it really gets challenging because verses 16, 17, and challenging because verses 16, 17, and challenging because verses 16, 17, and 18 say this, "Rejoice always, 18 say this, "Rejoice always, 18 say this, "Rejoice always, pray continually, in everything give pray continually, in everything give pray continually, in everything give thanks." Rejoice always, Rejoice always, pray continually, pray continually, pray continually, in everything in everything in everything give thanks. give thanks. give thanks. But there's something really important But there's something really important But there's something really important in those verses. It's the conversation I in those verses. It's the conversation I in those verses. It's the conversation I want to have today. Paul is not trying want to have today. Paul is not trying want to have today. Paul is not trying to overwhelm us with those verses. He's to overwhelm us with those verses. He's to overwhelm us with those verses. He's not trying to set this spiritual high not trying to set this spiritual high not trying to set this spiritual high bar that none of us in this room can bar that none of us in this room can bar that none of us in this room can live up to.

live up to. live up to. It's something entirely different. It's something entirely different. It's something entirely different. Those verses aren't a mistake. It's not Those verses aren't a mistake. It's not Those verses aren't a mistake. It's not just some kind of cute thing that Paul just some kind of cute thing that Paul just some kind of cute thing that Paul said. said. said. When he said, "Pray continually," it had When he said, "Pray continually," it had When he said, "Pray continually," it had purpose to it. There's a reason purpose to it. There's a reason purpose to it. There's a reason why he put those two words in these why he put those two words in these why he put those two words in these verses. There's a reason why every verses. There's a reason why every verses. There's a reason why every believer should know those verse that believer should know those verse that believer should know those verse that verse and those words. It's a It's a verse and those words. It's a It's a verse and those words. It's a It's a There's a reason that all of us in this There's a reason that all of us in this There's a reason that all of us in this room should embrace those two words. room should embrace those two words. room should embrace those two words. My senior year of high school, I needed My senior year of high school, I needed My senior year of high school, I needed to fill an elective. to fill an elective. to fill an elective. And so my dad convinced me And so my dad convinced me And so my dad convinced me to to to be a part of FFA. be a part of FFA. be a part of FFA. Do we have any any FFA students, Do we have any any FFA students, Do we have any any FFA students, graduates, people who have gone through graduates, people who have gone through graduates, people who have gone through the program? Yeah. the program? Yeah. the program? Yeah. I grew up in rural Oklahoma. I grew up in rural Oklahoma. I grew up in rural Oklahoma. I know FFA in Houston's a big deal. I I know FFA in Houston's a big deal. I I know FFA in Houston's a big deal. I know in rural Oklahoma, FFA is a whole know in rural Oklahoma, FFA is a whole know in rural Oklahoma, FFA is a whole different thing, right? So in my different thing, right? So in my different thing, right? So in my hometown, FFA was a really big deal.

hometown, FFA was a really big deal. hometown, FFA was a really big deal. So I signed up, showed up the first day So I signed up, showed up the first day So I signed up, showed up the first day of class. of class. of class. Here's the problem. I had hair down to Here's the problem. I had hair down to Here's the problem. I had hair down to my shoulders, and I didn't own one pair my shoulders, and I didn't own one pair my shoulders, and I didn't own one pair of boots. of boots. of boots. I made it through halfway the first day, I made it through halfway the first day, I made it through halfway the first day, halfway through the class. And they were halfway through the class. And they were halfway through the class. And they were like, "Hey, you know what? Thanks for like, "Hey, you know what? Thanks for like, "Hey, you know what? Thanks for coming. We're going to let you go Let's coming. We're going to let you go Let's coming. We're going to let you go Let's go find something else for you." Now go find something else for you." Now go find something else for you." Now that story is a different conversation that story is a different conversation that story is a different conversation for a different sermon. Suffice to say, for a different sermon. Suffice to say, for a different sermon. Suffice to say, I didn't make it. So, I go to the I didn't make it. So, I go to the I didn't make it. So, I go to the guidance counselor and they're we got to guidance counselor and they're we got to guidance counselor and they're we got to plug you in somewhere. And so, they put plug you in somewhere. And so, they put plug you in somewhere. And so, they put me in try this this other elective. me in try this this other elective. me in try this this other elective. Students, by the way, you have no idea Students, by the way, you have no idea Students, by the way, you have no idea how lucky you are. Some of the electives how lucky you are. Some of the electives how lucky you are. Some of the electives you have today are just incredible. you have today are just incredible. you have today are just incredible. You're making like 3D models. You're You're making like 3D models. You're You're making like 3D models. You're doing all this crazy stuff. Here's the doing all this crazy stuff. Here's the doing all this crazy stuff. Here's the elective my guidance counselor sent me elective my guidance counselor sent me elective my guidance counselor sent me to for round two my senior year, small to for round two my senior year, small to for round two my senior year, small engines. engines. engines. Small engines. Small engines. Small engines. Anybody else take small engines in high Anybody else take small engines in high Anybody else take small engines in high school? Yeah, a couple of us. So, I go school? Yeah, a couple of us. So, I go school? Yeah, a couple of us. So, I go to small engines. I lasted 4 days in to small engines. I lasted 4 days in to small engines. I lasted 4 days in small engines.

small engines. small engines. Yeah, I ain't you know, that's Yeah, I ain't you know, that's Yeah, I ain't you know, that's it's not important where I wound up or it's not important where I wound up or it's not important where I wound up or what I eventually what I eventually what I eventually filled that elective hour with. filled that elective hour with. filled that elective hour with. I was in small engines long enough to I was in small engines long enough to I was in small engines long enough to learn something pretty simple, pretty learn something pretty simple, pretty learn something pretty simple, pretty basic. Here it is. basic. Here it is. basic. Here it is. Without the engine, Without the engine, Without the engine, you're not doing anything. You're not you're not doing anything. You're not you're not doing anything. You're not going anywhere. Doesn't matter if it's a going anywhere. Doesn't matter if it's a going anywhere. Doesn't matter if it's a weed eater, lawn mower, power washer, weed eater, lawn mower, power washer, weed eater, lawn mower, power washer, car, fill in the blank. Without the car, fill in the blank. Without the car, fill in the blank. Without the engine, engine, engine, nothing's happening. nothing's happening. nothing's happening. When Paul writes pray continually in When Paul writes pray continually in When Paul writes pray continually in these verses, these verses, these verses, here's what he wants us to understand. here's what he wants us to understand. here's what he wants us to understand. Prayer is the engine that drives our Prayer is the engine that drives our Prayer is the engine that drives our spiritual formation. spiritual formation. spiritual formation. So, in this conversation we've been So, in this conversation we've been So, in this conversation we've been having these past few weeks about having these past few weeks about having these past few weeks about spiritual formations and spiritual spiritual formations and spiritual spiritual formations and spiritual disciplines, disciplines, disciplines, when Paul writes those words, "Rejoice when Paul writes those words, "Rejoice when Paul writes those words, "Rejoice always, pray continually, in everything always, pray continually, in everything always, pray continually, in everything give thanks." Prayer is in the middle give thanks." Prayer is in the middle give thanks." Prayer is in the middle for a purpose. for a purpose. for a purpose. Because that's where prayer is supposed Because that's where prayer is supposed Because that's where prayer is supposed to be, in the middle of everything, to be, in the middle of everything, to be, in the middle of everything, always.

always. always. Prayer is the engine that drives our Prayer is the engine that drives our Prayer is the engine that drives our spiritual formation. And so, for some of spiritual formation. And so, for some of spiritual formation. And so, for some of you in this room, they maybe you feel you in this room, they maybe you feel you in this room, they maybe you feel stuck. Maybe you you feel stagnant. stuck. Maybe you you feel stagnant. stuck. Maybe you you feel stagnant. You've been a Christian for a long time. You've been a Christian for a long time. You've been a Christian for a long time. Maybe you're a new Christian. Maybe you're a new Christian. Maybe you're a new Christian. Here's what want you to understand. If Here's what want you to understand. If Here's what want you to understand. If if prayer is not a part of your life, if prayer is not a part of your life, if prayer is not a part of your life, and I say this just genuinely, and I say this just genuinely, and I say this just genuinely, I want to be kind when I say this. If I want to be kind when I say this. If I want to be kind when I say this. If prayer is not a part of your life, there's not going to be a lot of fruit. there's not going to be a lot of fruit. There's not going to be a lot of There's not going to be a lot of There's not going to be a lot of formation. formation. formation. Because prayer is the engine that drives Because prayer is the engine that drives Because prayer is the engine that drives all of it. all of it. all of it. So, here's what I want you to know. So, here's what I want you to know. So, here's what I want you to know. You can build this into your life. You can build this into your life. You can build this into your life. You can build in a lifestyle, a habit, You can build in a lifestyle, a habit, You can build in a lifestyle, a habit, and a practice where you really do truly and a practice where you really do truly and a practice where you really do truly live out those words that Paul wrote, live out those words that Paul wrote, live out those words that Paul wrote, where you can pray continually. I want where you can pray continually. I want where you can pray continually. I want to show you how to do it. I want to show to show you how to do it. I want to show to show you how to do it. I want to show you what scripture tells us and how what you what scripture tells us and how what you what scripture tells us and how what it encourages us to do so that we can it encourages us to do so that we can it encourages us to do so that we can have this lifestyle, this habit of have this lifestyle, this habit of have this lifestyle, this habit of praying continually. It requires just a praying continually. It requires just a praying continually. It requires just a few things, and I want to share them few things, and I want to share them few things, and I want to share them with you. Number one, with you. Number one, with you. Number one, if you're going to pray continually, if you're going to pray continually, if you're going to pray continually, requires us, each and every one of us, requires us, each and every one of us, requires us, each and every one of us, to realize that prayer is not an action to realize that prayer is not an action to realize that prayer is not an action you perform, but an atmosphere that you you perform, but an atmosphere that you you perform, but an atmosphere that you exist in.

exist in. exist in. Prayer is not an action you perform. Prayer is not an action you perform. Prayer is not an action you perform. It's an atmosphere It's an atmosphere It's an atmosphere that you exist in. In verse 17, Paul is that you exist in. In verse 17, Paul is that you exist in. In verse 17, Paul is calling us to some deep deep waters of calling us to some deep deep waters of calling us to some deep deep waters of our faith. our faith. our faith. Prayer becomes the the very air that we Prayer becomes the the very air that we Prayer becomes the the very air that we breathe. That's what our pastor has breathe. That's what our pastor has breathe. That's what our pastor has said. Prayer is the air. said. Prayer is the air. said. Prayer is the air. It's the steady background rhythm of our It's the steady background rhythm of our It's the steady background rhythm of our lives and through the Holy Spirit, lives and through the Holy Spirit, lives and through the Holy Spirit, we can remain in constant open contact we can remain in constant open contact we can remain in constant open contact with our heavenly Father. And so, when with our heavenly Father. And so, when with our heavenly Father. And so, when adversity hits in the middle of our day, adversity hits in the middle of our day, adversity hits in the middle of our day, we instinctively know to ask God in that we instinctively know to ask God in that we instinctively know to ask God in that moment for wisdom. moment for wisdom. moment for wisdom. When we experience a win, When we experience a win, When we experience a win, when we experience joy, when we experience joy, when we experience joy, we instinctively, immediately, we offer we instinctively, immediately, we offer we instinctively, immediately, we offer up gratitude to our heavenly Father. up gratitude to our heavenly Father. up gratitude to our heavenly Father. When we bump into the brokenness of the When we bump into the brokenness of the When we bump into the brokenness of the world around us, people, loved ones, world around us, people, loved ones, world around us, people, loved ones, co-workers, neighbors. co-workers, neighbors. co-workers, neighbors. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> We immediately pause in that moment and >> We immediately pause in that moment and >> We immediately pause in that moment and we pray, "God, help them. God, be with we pray, "God, help them. God, be with we pray, "God, help them. God, be with them."

I want to be careful though. Here's what I want to be careful though. Here's what I I don't want us to walk away doing I I don't want us to walk away doing I I don't want us to walk away doing this. I don't want us to walk away this. I don't want us to walk away this. I don't want us to walk away in that statement of prayer in that statement of prayer in that statement of prayer is not an action. It's not an is not an action. It's not an is not an action. It's not an atmosphere. I don't want to uproot atmosphere. I don't want to uproot atmosphere. I don't want to uproot these disciplined habits that we have in these disciplined habits that we have in these disciplined habits that we have in our lives where we start our day with our lives where we start our day with our lives where we start our day with prayer. We end our day with prayer. The prayer. We end our day with prayer. The prayer. We end our day with prayer. The those moments, those structured moments those moments, those structured moments those moments, those structured moments are important. are important. are important. But Paul said it's got to be both. But Paul said it's got to be both. But Paul said it's got to be both. You read scripture and over and over You read scripture and over and over You read scripture and over and over again you're going to see in the Old again you're going to see in the Old again you're going to see in the Old Testament Daniel three times a day he Testament Daniel three times a day he Testament Daniel three times a day he prayed, morning, noon, night. Same thing prayed, morning, noon, night. Same thing prayed, morning, noon, night. Same thing in the life of David, similar rhythms. in the life of David, similar rhythms. in the life of David, similar rhythms. You get to the New Testament, you see it You get to the New Testament, you see it You get to the New Testament, you see it in the life of Christ most especially. in the life of Christ most especially. in the life of Christ most especially. Jesus often withdrew to the lonely Jesus often withdrew to the lonely Jesus often withdrew to the lonely lonely places and did what? Prayed. Paul lonely places and did what? Prayed. Paul lonely places and did what? Prayed. Paul same way, pray, pray, pray, pray. Paul same way, pray, pray, pray, pray. Paul same way, pray, pray, pray, pray. Paul would say, "If you could do anything for would say, "If you could do anything for would say, "If you could do anything for me, pray for me." me, pray for me." me, pray for me." And so they had these habits, these And so they had these habits, these And so they had these habits, these disciplines built into their life, but disciplines built into their life, but disciplines built into their life, but that was not it. that was not it. that was not it. There was more than that. There was more than that. There was more than that. If prayer only happens when your eyes If prayer only happens when your eyes If prayer only happens when your eyes are closed are closed are closed and your hands are folded in a quiet and your hands are folded in a quiet and your hands are folded in a quiet room, room, room, you've missed the point.

you've missed the point. you've missed the point. We cannot limit prayer to a time, a We cannot limit prayer to a time, a We cannot limit prayer to a time, a place, place, place, a position, or a posture. a position, or a posture. a position, or a posture. Here's what prayer is supposed to look Here's what prayer is supposed to look Here's what prayer is supposed to look like. like. like. Remember the old AM/FM band radios? You Remember the old AM/FM band radios? You Remember the old AM/FM band radios? You used to have them in the car, you'd have used to have them in the car, you'd have used to have them in the car, you'd have the old stereo systems in your living the old stereo systems in your living the old stereo systems in your living room. room. room. And you had to take that tuning knob, And you had to take that tuning knob, And you had to take that tuning knob, right? And you had to just what? Dial it right? And you had to just what? Dial it right? And you had to just what? Dial it in in in just right. just right. just right. Waking up in the morning, Waking up in the morning, Waking up in the morning, opening up scripture, a cup of coffee in opening up scripture, a cup of coffee in opening up scripture, a cup of coffee in your hand, and praying to God, rolling your hand, and praying to God, rolling your hand, and praying to God, rolling out of your bed, your knees hit the out of your bed, your knees hit the out of your bed, your knees hit the ground, you start your day in prayer. ground, you start your day in prayer. ground, you start your day in prayer. That's like taking that knob on that That's like taking that knob on that That's like taking that knob on that radio and tuning it in until what? You radio and tuning it in until what? You radio and tuning it in until what? You hear the voice on the other end. hear the voice on the other end. hear the voice on the other end. That's what that morning prayer is. It's That's what that morning prayer is. It's That's what that morning prayer is. It's you tuning your heart, your spiritual you tuning your heart, your spiritual you tuning your heart, your spiritual ears to do what? To hear ears to do what? To hear ears to do what? To hear from our heavenly Father. from our heavenly Father. from our heavenly Father. Here's what atmospheric prayer is. It's Here's what atmospheric prayer is. It's Here's what atmospheric prayer is. It's turning the volume up and leaving it on turning the volume up and leaving it on turning the volume up and leaving it on in the background of your life all day in the background of your life all day in the background of your life all day long.

That's the difference. And it's both. That's the difference. And it's both. It's those spontaneous moments and it's It's those spontaneous moments and it's It's those spontaneous moments and it's those moments that we have built in those moments that we have built in those moments that we have built in discipline into our life. Scheduled discipline into our life. Scheduled discipline into our life. Scheduled prayer, it tunes our heart to hear the prayer, it tunes our heart to hear the prayer, it tunes our heart to hear the right frequency. Atmospheric prayer, right frequency. Atmospheric prayer, right frequency. Atmospheric prayer, once again, once again, once again, is keeping the radio, the volume turned is keeping the radio, the volume turned is keeping the radio, the volume turned up all day long. Here's the challenge. up all day long. Here's the challenge. up all day long. Here's the challenge. The enemy knows that prayer is the The enemy knows that prayer is the The enemy knows that prayer is the engine. engine. engine. The enemy knows that living for Christ, The enemy knows that living for Christ, The enemy knows that living for Christ, that growing in him, being formed by that growing in him, being formed by that growing in him, being formed by him, building these habits we've been him, building these habits we've been him, building these habits we've been talking about into our life require the talking about into our life require the talking about into our life require the engine, that prayer life to be active. engine, that prayer life to be active. engine, that prayer life to be active. And so the enemy wants nothing more than And so the enemy wants nothing more than And so the enemy wants nothing more than to put these barriers in front of you to put these barriers in front of you to put these barriers in front of you to keep you from doing just that. to keep you from doing just that. to keep you from doing just that. In my life, I don't know about you, In my life, I don't know about you, In my life, I don't know about you, it's probably true for most of us in it's probably true for most of us in it's probably true for most of us in this room, there are two really common this room, there are two really common this room, there are two really common barriers that we bump into barriers that we bump into barriers that we bump into each and every day when it comes to our each and every day when it comes to our each and every day when it comes to our prayer life. And if we're going to have prayer life. And if we're going to have prayer life. And if we're going to have a life that truly does pray continually, a life that truly does pray continually, a life that truly does pray continually, we've got to break through these we've got to break through these we've got to break through these barriers. And here it is, break through barriers. And here it is, break through barriers. And here it is, break through the barriers the barriers the barriers of busyness of busyness of busyness and brokenness.

and brokenness. and brokenness. If we're going to pray continually, If we're going to pray continually, If we're going to pray continually, we've got to through, we've got to break we've got to through, we've got to break we've got to through, we've got to break down, tear down down, tear down down, tear down the barriers of busyness and brokenness. Here's what I would encourage you with Here's what I would encourage you with today. Here's what I would say to you. today. Here's what I would say to you. today. Here's what I would say to you. Prayer does not require your life to Prayer does not require your life to Prayer does not require your life to slow down. slow down. slow down. All of us in this room, students, All of us in this room, students, All of us in this room, students, man, you're busy. Back to school is man, you're busy. Back to school is man, you're busy. Back to school is right in front of you. I know you've got right in front of you. I know you've got right in front of you. I know you've got a lot going on. You're thinking about a lot going on. You're thinking about a lot going on. You're thinking about things. Some of you are seniors in high things. Some of you are seniors in high things. Some of you are seniors in high school. You're thinking about college. school. You're thinking about college. school. You're thinking about college. It doesn't matter what grade like you've It doesn't matter what grade like you've It doesn't matter what grade like you've got so much. got so much. got so much. Your schedule is busy with tutoring and Your schedule is busy with tutoring and Your schedule is busy with tutoring and sports and your parents have all these sports and your parents have all these sports and your parents have all these things they want you to do. things they want you to do. things they want you to do. And you're trying your best, man, you're And you're trying your best, man, you're And you're trying your best, man, you're just busy, busy, busy. Moms in the room, just busy, busy, busy. Moms in the room, just busy, busy, busy. Moms in the room, man, goodness gracious. man, goodness gracious. man, goodness gracious. You've got so much going on in your You've got so much going on in your You've got so much going on in your life. Businessman, businesswoman, life. Businessman, businesswoman, life. Businessman, businesswoman, doesn't matter. All of us in this room, doesn't matter. All of us in this room, doesn't matter. All of us in this room, man, we're busy. man, we're busy. man, we're busy. We're busy. We're busy. We're busy. But prayer does not require your life to But prayer does not require your life to But prayer does not require your life to slow down.

slow down. slow down. It's a great story. The lady named It's a great story. The lady named It's a great story. The lady named Susanna Wesley. Susanna Wesley. Susanna Wesley. She was the mother of the famous She was the mother of the famous She was the mother of the famous evangelist John Wesley. I love this evangelist John Wesley. I love this evangelist John Wesley. I love this story. story. story. 1700s, 1700s, 1700s, 19 children. 19 children. 19 children. You think you're busy? You think you're busy? You think you're busy? 19 children. 19 children. 19 children. No dishwasher, No dishwasher, No dishwasher, no washing machine, no dryer, no washing machine, no dryer, no washing machine, no dryer, no modern conveniences. 19 kids, you no modern conveniences. 19 kids, you no modern conveniences. 19 kids, you think Susanna Wesley was busy? think Susanna Wesley was busy? think Susanna Wesley was busy? Listen to this. Listen to this. Listen to this. They said when she wanted to pray and They said when she wanted to pray and They said when she wanted to pray and needed to pray, needed to pray, needed to pray, she would sit in her rocking chair, she would sit in her rocking chair, she would sit in her rocking chair, she would take her apron and pull it she would take her apron and pull it she would take her apron and pull it over her head. over her head. over her head. The children said this, "We knew The children said this, "We knew The children said this, "We knew that when the apron was up, that when the apron was up, that when the apron was up, Mom was in the Holy of Holies." None of us are too busy to pray. None of us are too busy to pray. If we're going to pray continually, If we're going to pray continually, If we're going to pray continually, we've got to break through that barrier, we've got to break through that barrier, we've got to break through that barrier, that that false reality, that thing that that that false reality, that thing that that that false reality, that thing that the enemy whispers, "You don't have the enemy whispers, "You don't have the enemy whispers, "You don't have time. You don't have time."

Prayer is not a reward Prayer is not a reward for when your schedule clears up. for when your schedule clears up. for when your schedule clears up. It's the anchor It's the anchor It's the anchor that holds you steady while life is that holds you steady while life is that holds you steady while life is moving fast around you. moving fast around you. moving fast around you. I want to challenge you this week I want to challenge you this week I want to challenge you this week in the middle of your day, in the midst in the middle of your day, in the midst in the middle of your day, in the midst of your crazy schedule, in the midst of of your crazy schedule, in the midst of of your crazy schedule, in the midst of all the things you have going on, all the things you have going on, all the things you have going on, practice short micro prayers. practice short micro prayers. practice short micro prayers. Sprinkle them into your day. Sprinkle them into your day. Sprinkle them into your day. Let me give you a couple examples. Lord, Let me give you a couple examples. Lord, Let me give you a couple examples. Lord, give me wisdom right now before I make give me wisdom right now before I make give me wisdom right now before I make this decision. That's a micro prayer. this decision. That's a micro prayer. this decision. That's a micro prayer. How about this one? How about this one? How about this one? Father, thank you for this moment. Thank Father, thank you for this moment. Thank Father, thank you for this moment. Thank you for this win. Thank you for this you for this win. Thank you for this you for this win. Thank you for this gift. God, help me to find peace. God, help me to find peace. God, I'm scared. God, I'm nervous. God, God, I'm scared. God, I'm nervous. God, God, I'm scared. God, I'm nervous. God, I'm anxious. Be with me. I'm anxious. Be with me. I'm anxious. Be with me. God, be with my love my loved one right God, be with my love my loved one right God, be with my love my loved one right now. They're looking. They're searching. now. They're looking. They're searching. now. They're looking. They're searching. They need you. They need you. They need you. Those are micro prayers. I want to Those are micro prayers. I want to Those are micro prayers. I want to challenge you this week. Sprinkle those challenge you this week. Sprinkle those challenge you this week. Sprinkle those throughout your day.

throughout your day. throughout your day. Put those in the middle of all the Put those in the middle of all the Put those in the middle of all the decisions and all the deadlines and all decisions and all the deadlines and all decisions and all the deadlines and all the things that you have going on. And then second, And then second, when it comes to that barrier of when it comes to that barrier of when it comes to that barrier of brokenness, here's what I would say to brokenness, here's what I would say to brokenness, here's what I would say to you. you. you. Prayer does not require spiritual Prayer does not require spiritual Prayer does not require spiritual makeup. makeup. makeup. We don't have to come come to God in We don't have to come come to God in We don't have to come come to God in moments of time of prayer and put on our moments of time of prayer and put on our moments of time of prayer and put on our spiritual makeup. spiritual makeup. spiritual makeup. All of us in this room are broken. All of us in this room are broken. All of us in this room are broken. All of us are beaten up. All all us are All of us are beaten up. All all us are All of us are beaten up. All all us are bruised. Too many of us treat prayer bruised. Too many of us treat prayer bruised. Too many of us treat prayer like we're getting ready for a formal like we're getting ready for a formal like we're getting ready for a formal event. event. event. We think we have to clean up our We think we have to clean up our We think we have to clean up our attitude, wipe away the doubts. We have attitude, wipe away the doubts. We have attitude, wipe away the doubts. We have to find those six-syllable lofty to find those six-syllable lofty to find those six-syllable lofty theological words. If you're waiting to talk to God until If you're waiting to talk to God until you feel like you've got it all you feel like you've got it all you feel like you've got it all together, together, together, you'll spend your entire life in you'll spend your entire life in you'll spend your entire life in silence.

silence. silence. Our prayer shouldn't be a polished Our prayer shouldn't be a polished Our prayer shouldn't be a polished performance. performance. performance. They should flow naturally They should flow naturally They should flow naturally from the most honest, unfiltered, from the most honest, unfiltered, from the most honest, unfiltered, genuine, real parts and pieces of our genuine, real parts and pieces of our genuine, real parts and pieces of our lives. It's that simple. It's that simple. They should flow from the most honest, They should flow from the most honest, They should flow from the most honest, genuine, authentic, transparent, real genuine, authentic, transparent, real genuine, authentic, transparent, real places of our life. And here's the places of our life. And here's the places of our life. And here's the truth, God knows anyway. truth, God knows anyway. truth, God knows anyway. God knows anyway. We don't have to put God knows anyway. We don't have to put God knows anyway. We don't have to put spiritual makeup on to come before our spiritual makeup on to come before our spiritual makeup on to come before our heavenly Father heavenly Father heavenly Father and pray. and pray. and pray. It's a great quote by John Bunyan. He It's a great quote by John Bunyan. He It's a great quote by John Bunyan. He says this, says this, says this, "In prayer, "In prayer, "In prayer, it's better to have a heart without it's better to have a heart without it's better to have a heart without words than words without a heart." words than words without a heart." words than words without a heart." Let me say that again. Let me say that again. Let me say that again. It's better It's better It's better to have a heart without words to have a heart without words to have a heart without words than words without a heart. God's not than words without a heart. God's not than words without a heart. God's not evaluating your vocabulary when you evaluating your vocabulary when you evaluating your vocabulary when you pray.

pray. pray. He's looking at your authenticity. He's looking at your authenticity. He's looking at your authenticity. He's looking for your honesty. He's looking for your honesty. He's looking for your honesty. A two-word prayer born out of absolute A two-word prayer born out of absolute A two-word prayer born out of absolute desperation carries infinitely more desperation carries infinitely more desperation carries infinitely more weight in heaven than a 10-minute weight in heaven than a 10-minute weight in heaven than a 10-minute monologue filled with lofty theological monologue filled with lofty theological monologue filled with lofty theological jargon that you do not feel in your jargon that you do not feel in your jargon that you do not feel in your heart. Stop trying to pray like the person you Stop trying to pray like the person you think you should be think you should be think you should be and start praying from where you are. and start praying from where you are. and start praying from where you are. I'll say it again. I'll say it again. I'll say it again. Stop praying Stop praying Stop praying like the person you think you should be like the person you think you should be like the person you think you should be and start praying from where you are. and start praying from where you are. and start praying from where you are. Honest, authentic, Honest, authentic, Honest, authentic, real. real. real. Push through and past that barrier of Push through and past that barrier of Push through and past that barrier of brokenness. You're not too broken to brokenness. You're not too broken to brokenness. You're not too broken to pray. None of us in this room are too pray. None of us in this room are too pray. None of us in this room are too far away or too messed up far away or too messed up far away or too messed up to pray.

We're going to pray continually. We're going to pray continually. Going to push past those barriers of Going to push past those barriers of Going to push past those barriers of busyness busyness busyness and brokenness. Here's the last thing I would say Here's the last thing I would say to all of us in this room when it comes to all of us in this room when it comes to all of us in this room when it comes to how we pray continually, it's this. to how we pray continually, it's this. to how we pray continually, it's this. Requires us to treasure prayer Requires us to treasure prayer Requires us to treasure prayer as a privilege as a privilege as a privilege and resolve to persevere. and resolve to persevere. and resolve to persevere. Church, if I could say anything to you Church, if I could say anything to you Church, if I could say anything to you today, I would say this. Don't ever lose your sense of wonder Don't ever lose your sense of wonder over what prayer actually is. over what prayer actually is. over what prayer actually is. Don't lose it. Don't lose it. Don't lose it. How precious, supernatural, sacred of a How precious, supernatural, sacred of a How precious, supernatural, sacred of a gift prayer is. Remember under the old gift prayer is. Remember under the old gift prayer is. Remember under the old covenant, covenant, covenant, prayer and prayer and prayer and coming into the presence of God required coming into the presence of God required coming into the presence of God required blood. It required animal sacrifices, a blood. It required animal sacrifices, a blood. It required animal sacrifices, a special priest, stepping behind a heavy special priest, stepping behind a heavy special priest, stepping behind a heavy curtain. curtain. curtain. None of us had the opportunity to engage None of us had the opportunity to engage None of us had the opportunity to engage God.

God. God. But when Jesus died on the cross, what But when Jesus died on the cross, what But when Jesus died on the cross, what happened? That temple curtain was split happened? That temple curtain was split happened? That temple curtain was split straight down the middle from top to the straight down the middle from top to the straight down the middle from top to the And through our relationship with Christ And through our relationship with Christ And through our relationship with Christ and through his Holy Spirit, each and and through his Holy Spirit, each and and through his Holy Spirit, each and every one of us who are Christ followers every one of us who are Christ followers every one of us who are Christ followers have direct 24/7 access to the God who have direct 24/7 access to the God who have direct 24/7 access to the God who created created created the heaven and the earth. Do you understand that? Do you understand that? We have access to the creator of the We have access to the creator of the We have access to the creator of the universe. universe. universe. You don't need an appointment. You don't You don't need an appointment. You don't You don't need an appointment. You don't need a mediator. Through the Holy Spirit that lives Through the Holy Spirit that lives inside of you, inside of you, inside of you, you can cry out, "Abba Father," at any you can cry out, "Abba Father," at any you can cry out, "Abba Father," at any moment, place, or time. Prayer is a gift, and I want to Prayer is a gift, and I want to encourage you because it's a gift, encourage you because it's a gift, encourage you because it's a gift, persevere. persevere. persevere. Don't ever give up in your prayers. Don't ever give up in your prayers. Don't ever give up in your prayers. Don't ever give up in your prayers. I I Don't ever give up in your prayers. I I Don't ever give up in your prayers. I I just know that there are people in this just know that there are people in this just know that there are people in this room room room and you've been praying for stuff.

and you've been praying for stuff. and you've been praying for stuff. There's a specific thing you're praying There's a specific thing you're praying There's a specific thing you're praying for, and you've been praying for it for for, and you've been praying for it for for, and you've been praying for it for for what feels like an eternity, and for what feels like an eternity, and for what feels like an eternity, and maybe it has been years and years of maybe it has been years and years of maybe it has been years and years of prayers. I've told the story before, but my mom I've told the story before, but my mom prayed diligently for my father, who was prayed diligently for my father, who was prayed diligently for my father, who was so far removed from God so far removed from God so far removed from God for 25 for 25 for 25 years. years. years. And about a year before he passed away, And about a year before he passed away, And about a year before he passed away, he finally gave his life to Christ and he finally gave his life to Christ and he finally gave his life to Christ and had this had this had this beautiful, incredible transformation in beautiful, incredible transformation in beautiful, incredible transformation in his life. That's a story for another his life. That's a story for another his life. That's a story for another day, but I'm just telling you, I've seen day, but I'm just telling you, I've seen day, but I'm just telling you, I've seen it in my own life over and over again. it in my own life over and over again. it in my own life over and over again. Don't give up on the things you're Don't give up on the things you're Don't give up on the things you're called to pray for that God has put in called to pray for that God has put in called to pray for that God has put in front of you. front of you. front of you. You keep praying the heavens down. You keep praying the heavens down. You keep praying the heavens down. Silence is not absence. Silence is not absence. Silence is not absence. A delay is not denial. Keep knocking. A delay is not denial. Keep knocking. A delay is not denial. Keep knocking. Keep seeking. Keep bringing your heart Keep seeking. Keep bringing your heart Keep seeking. Keep bringing your heart to the Father. to the Father. to the Father. And here's the here's this really And here's the here's this really And here's the here's this really simple, beautiful truth.

simple, beautiful truth. simple, beautiful truth. Listen to this. Listen to this. Listen to this. We should continue to pray We should continue to pray We should continue to pray until we come to the world where prayer until we come to the world where prayer until we come to the world where prayer is swallowed up with praise. is swallowed up with praise. is swallowed up with praise. Did you hear that? Did you hear that? Did you hear that? As Christ followers, As Christ followers, As Christ followers, we should keep praying diligently, we should keep praying diligently, we should keep praying diligently, fervently until we come to the world fervently until we come to the world fervently until we come to the world where prayer is swallowed up with where prayer is swallowed up with where prayer is swallowed up with praise. When I was studying this week praise. When I was studying this week praise. When I was studying this week and I came across this, it rocked me to and I came across this, it rocked me to and I came across this, it rocked me to my core. There are certain aspects of our prayer There are certain aspects of our prayer life that are only for this side of life that are only for this side of life that are only for this side of eternity. eternity. eternity. There will be a time when we stand There will be a time when we stand There will be a time when we stand before our heavenly Father and we before our heavenly Father and we before our heavenly Father and we understand, we see things clearly. understand, we see things clearly. understand, we see things clearly. And the petitions and the prayers And the petitions and the prayers And the petitions and the prayers will cease. I said, "Oh God, I said, "Oh God, forgive me forgive me forgive me for not being more diligent for not being more diligent for not being more diligent in my prayer life." in my prayer life." in my prayer life." I I want to show up before you on that I I want to show up before you on that I I want to show up before you on that day and I want to be used up.

day and I want to be used up. day and I want to be used up. I want my prayer life to be used up. I want my prayer life to be used up. I want my prayer life to be used up. God, I don't want to show up before you and I don't want to show up before you and you say, "Terry, wh- where was the you say, "Terry, wh- where was the you say, "Terry, wh- where was the prayer? prayer? prayer? The engine, that's the engine that's The engine, that's the engine that's The engine, that's the engine that's that's meant to drive so much of your that's meant to drive so much of your that's meant to drive so much of your spiritual formation and you neglected it spiritual formation and you neglected it spiritual formation and you neglected it for all these years." You keep praying until you come to the You keep praying until you come to the world where prayer is swallowed up with world where prayer is swallowed up with world where prayer is swallowed up with praise. praise. praise. Don't ever give up. Don't ever give up. Don't ever give up. It's a great story. It's a great story. It's a great story. 2011, 2011, 2011, the tsunami that hit the coastline of the tsunami that hit the coastline of the tsunami that hit the coastline of Japan. Japan. Japan. There was an earthquake in the Pacific There was an earthquake in the Pacific There was an earthquake in the Pacific Ocean. Ocean. Ocean. One of the largest ones ever recorded. I One of the largest ones ever recorded. I One of the largest ones ever recorded. I think it's the fourth largest think it's the fourth largest think it's the fourth largest earthquake, most powerful earthquake earthquake, most powerful earthquake earthquake, most powerful earthquake ever recorded. ever recorded. ever recorded. It produced waves that were up to 133 It produced waves that were up to 133 It produced waves that were up to 133 ft. ft. ft. The wave that struck parts of Japan The wave that struck parts of Japan The wave that struck parts of Japan 133 ft moving check this out moving 133 ft moving check this out moving 133 ft moving check this out moving 450 mph.

450 mph. 450 mph. In just a few moments. In just a few moments. In just a few moments. And all it took was just a few moments. And all it took was just a few moments. And all it took was just a few moments. The minute the earthquake hit just a few The minute the earthquake hit just a few The minute the earthquake hit just a few moments before that wave was descending moments before that wave was descending moments before that wave was descending on parts of the city. Over 15,000 people on parts of the city. Over 15,000 people on parts of the city. Over 15,000 people were swept away within minutes. were swept away within minutes. were swept away within minutes. The husband and wife Yoko and Yasuo The husband and wife Yoko and Yasuo The husband and wife Yoko and Yasuo been married for 20 years. been married for 20 years. been married for 20 years. Yoko the wife worked in a high-rise Yoko the wife worked in a high-rise Yoko the wife worked in a high-rise building there in the part of the city building there in the part of the city building there in the part of the city where the wave hit. where the wave hit. where the wave hit. Knowing that she couldn't leave and Knowing that she couldn't leave and Knowing that she couldn't leave and knowing that there was no way out and knowing that there was no way out and knowing that there was no way out and knowing that she was stuck in that place knowing that she was stuck in that place knowing that she was stuck in that place she sent her husband she sent her husband she sent her husband what turned out to be what turned out to be what turned out to be her last text. her last text. her last text. Five words. It's the last time he heard from his It's the last time he heard from his wife. wife. wife. The days that followed The days that followed The days that followed Yasuo this loving husband that loved his Yasuo this loving husband that loved his Yasuo this loving husband that loved his wife so dearly he walked up and down the beach.

he walked up and down the beach. He would check the hospitals, elementary He would check the hospitals, elementary He would check the hospitals, elementary schools, the shelter camps schools, the shelter camps schools, the shelter camps every day. every day. every day. Couldn't find her. Most of the other survivors who had Most of the other survivors who had family members members that had been family members members that had been family members members that had been lost they eventually just gave up their lost they eventually just gave up their lost they eventually just gave up their their search. But not Yasuo. But not Yasuo. At the age of 56 At the age of 56 At the age of 56 you know what he did? He took up scuba you know what he did? He took up scuba you know what he did? He took up scuba diving. The age of 56. The age of 56. Ever since that day Ever since that day Ever since that day to present day, to present day, to present day, 736 736 736 times, times, times, he's plunged into the cold, dark waters he's plunged into the cold, dark waters he's plunged into the cold, dark waters looking for his wife. Recently, he was interviewed. Recently, he was interviewed. The story has blown up on social media, The story has blown up on social media, The story has blown up on social media, and so and so and so someone interviewed him and said, "Hey, someone interviewed him and said, "Hey, someone interviewed him and said, "Hey, why why are you still searching? why why are you still searching? why why are you still searching? Through all these years, it's Through all these years, it's Through all these years, it's 15, 16 years removed now. 736 times, 15, 16 years removed now. 736 times, 15, 16 years removed now. 736 times, don't you think you've done enough?"

don't you think you've done enough?" don't you think you've done enough?" He said, "No. He said, "No. He said, "No. Her last wish, her last text was, 'I Her last wish, her last text was, 'I Her last wish, her last text was, 'I want to come home.' want to come home.' want to come home.' I'm going to keep looking I'm going to keep looking I'm going to keep looking cuz that's what love does. cuz that's what love does. cuz that's what love does. That's what love does. That's what love does. That's what love does. Love keeps searching. Love keeps searching. Love keeps searching. Love keeps looking. Love keeps looking. Love keeps looking. I want you to think about those words. I want to go home. I want to come home. I want to go home. I want to come home. Every single one of us in this room, Every single one of us in this room, Every single one of us in this room, we were created with that exact same we were created with that exact same we were created with that exact same deep, restless ache in each and every deep, restless ache in each and every deep, restless ache in each and every one of our souls. one of our souls. one of our souls. I want to go home. We feel it every day when we're We feel it every day when we're exhausted by the busyness. We feel when exhausted by the busyness. We feel when exhausted by the busyness. We feel when we're weighed down by our own we're weighed down by our own we're weighed down by our own brokenness. We feel it when life doesn't brokenness. We feel it when life doesn't brokenness. We feel it when life doesn't make sense. We feel it when we bump into make sense. We feel it when we bump into make sense. We feel it when we bump into hardship and difficulty and pain. We're hardship and difficulty and pain. We're hardship and difficulty and pain. We're all longing for a home, for peace, for a all longing for a home, for peace, for a all longing for a home, for peace, for a relationship with the God who made us.

relationship with the God who made us. relationship with the God who made us. And here's the challenge, and I want you And here's the challenge, and I want you And here's the challenge, and I want you to hear this. to hear this. to hear this. Too many of us, oftentimes, Too many of us, oftentimes, Too many of us, oftentimes, we think that prayer is trying to track we think that prayer is trying to track we think that prayer is trying to track down a distant, uninterested God, down a distant, uninterested God, down a distant, uninterested God, hoping if we shout loud enough in our hoping if we shout loud enough in our hoping if we shout loud enough in our prayers prayers prayers that he might notice us. Nothing can be further from the truth. Nothing can be further from the truth. Long before you ever took a step toward Long before you ever took a step toward Long before you ever took a step toward God, God, God, God came looking for you. He came looking for each and every one He came looking for each and every one of us who trapped in the noise, of us who trapped in the noise, of us who trapped in the noise, covered in the mess, feeling unworthy, covered in the mess, feeling unworthy, covered in the mess, feeling unworthy, broken. broken. broken. He doesn't wait for each and every one He doesn't wait for each and every one He doesn't wait for each and every one of us to get our life together. He dives of us to get our life together. He dives of us to get our life together. He dives into the depths of our reality, into the depths of our reality, into the depths of our reality, into the brokenness of this world.

You don't need fancy words. You don't need fancy words. You don't need to put on an act. You don't need to put on an act. You don't need to put on an act. Prayer is simply a lost child crying out Prayer is simply a lost child crying out Prayer is simply a lost child crying out to a father who never stops looking. the words, "Lord, I want I want to come the words, "Lord, I want I want to come home." home." home." You'll find that he's already standing You'll find that he's already standing You'll find that he's already standing there right beside you. there right beside you. there right beside you. Here's what I would say to you. Here's what I would say to you. Here's what I would say to you. Pray Pray Pray continually. continually. continually. He He He is is is listening. listening. listening. And for those of you in this room who And for those of you in this room who And for those of you in this room who are searching, who are looking, who are are searching, who are looking, who are are searching, who are looking, who are hurting, who are broken, I love Matthew hurting, who are broken, I love Matthew hurting, who are broken, I love Matthew chapter 14. chapter 14. chapter 14. When Peter tries to walk on the water When Peter tries to walk on the water When Peter tries to walk on the water and he has a prayer that he prays in the and he has a prayer that he prays in the and he has a prayer that he prays in the midst of midst of midst of his moment of sinking, he says three his moment of sinking, he says three his moment of sinking, he says three words, words, words, "Lord, save me."

"Lord, save me." "Lord, save me." "Lord, save me." If you're in this room and you feel like If you're in this room and you feel like you're sinking, Lord save me. Lord save me. Lord save me.