Bryan's First Lesson since being gone! 7/23

Hi all... here is my first lesson since being gone...

Where the heart is (prayer)

Matthew 5:43-48
When is it hardest to pray? Who is it hardest to pray for? Our enemies. The Lord says to love them and pray for them because it is easy to pray for our loved ones, but there aren't rewards in that since it is easy. So what does it take for us to pray for our enemies since it isn't easy? A heart that is in the right place with God because you cannot do it alone.

Matthew 7:7-11
Age old question: Is it wrong to pray for things you want? No... the verses clearly indicates that God wants you to come to Him and ask Him for things. He desires to reward us. However, He knows what is best for us and sometimes when we don't get certain things we feel like He is punishing us when in reality He is keeping us from harm. So what does it take to ask God for things in the appropriate manner? A heart that desires ultimately for God's will to be done. A heart that is willing to listen just as much as ask.

Prayer is a conversation that builds a relationship with our Father, not a voice messaging service to leave our desires and wants with and expect to see results in 7-10 business days. It is an ongoing relationship that requires the act of laying our heart out there just as much as it requires us to listen and to be ready to hear His desire for our lives.

Challenge: to go into prayer with a prepared heart to allow God to speak and be ready for whatever His will is in our life whether or not we agree.