Eagle Vision Community Development Corp.

Sermon: “When I Pray”

Prayer. An expression of thanks and the acknowledgment of our relationship with God through a time of worship.

Prayer is one of the most important aspects of our Christian walk, yet it is often overlooked or undervalued. When we pray, we are communicating with God, our Heavenly Father who loves us and cares for us deeply.

In the Bible, we are encouraged to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This means that we should be in a constant attitude of prayer, seeking God's guidance, wisdom, and strength in all areas of our lives. Prayer is not just something we do when we are in trouble or need something from God, but it is a vital part of our relationship with Him.

When we pray, we humbly come before God, acknowledging our dependence on Him and our need for His help. We surrender our will to His Will and ask Him to work in and through us for His glory. Prayer is a powerful tool that God has given us to bring about change in our lives and in the world around us.

Scripture tells us in James 5:16 that "the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." When we pray with faith and sincerity, God hears and answers our prayers. He may not always give us what we want, but He will always give us what we need. And even when we don't see immediate results, we can trust that God is working behind the scenes to bring about His perfect plan for our lives.

So let us commit to making prayer a priority in our lives. Let us set aside time each day to seek God's face, to pour out our hearts to Him, and to listen for His voice. Let us pray for our families, our friends, our communities, and our world, knowing that God hears and answers our prayers according to His perfect will.

When we pray, we are tapping into the power of Almighty God, who can do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). So let us pray with boldness and confidence, knowing that our prayers have the power to move mountains and change lives. May we never underestimate the power of prayer, but instead, may we rely on it as our lifeline to God, our source of strength and hope in all circumstances.

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 5:17 - "Pray without ceasing."

James 5:16 - “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

AWARDS VS REWARDS

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, I want to talk to you about the difference between an award and a reward, and how it relates to our lives as followers of Jesus.

In the world, we often see people striving for awards - whether it be a trophy, a certificate, or some other form of recognition for their accomplishments. These awards are given based on merit, talent, or hard work, and they can bring a sense of pride and satisfaction to the recipient.

But as Christians, we are called to seek something greater than just earthly awards. We are called to seek eternal rewards in heaven. In Matthew 6:19-20, Jesus tells us, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."

This passage reminds us that the things of this world are temporary and fleeting, but the rewards of heaven are eternal. When we live our lives in service to God and others, we are storing up treasures in heaven that will never fade away.

In 1 Corinthians 3:14-15, Paul writes, "If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames." This reminds us that our actions on earth have eternal consequences, and we will be rewarded or suffer loss based on how we have lived our lives.

So, let us strive not for earthly awards that will fade away, but for the eternal rewards that await us in heaven. Let us live our lives in a way that brings glory to God and blesses those around us. And let us remember the words of Colossians 3:23-24, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

May we all seek to receive the ultimate reward of hearing our Savior say to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Amen.

God won’t render me white as snow without my participation.
Christianity is a lifestyle of action.

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