Sermons from Good News: have a daily prayer schedule (with a preamble)

Preamble: As a confession, I still battle with maintaining disciplines on a daily basis, even this far into my adult life, personal growth, and walk with God. Even as of this week, even though I've had (and taken advantage of) multiple opportunities to spend plenty of time with Him, pray, and meditate deeply on Scripture, it still doesn't take much to distract me. Especially in seasons of waiting (which I currently am in the midst of), I can let myself fall prey to distraction and forget what it took for me to remember my salvation in Christ, and the freedom that comes with it.

On Sunday, March 12 of this year, I had a rare day off from not just the busy-ness of my schedule but the totality of factors that made it an extended season of constantly being overwhelmed with things. My original intent was to catch up on sleep, only I was too anxious to fall asleep. So I got up out of bed, went to my desk, got my Bible and my journal out, and prayed. During this time, the following verse came to me:

When they had pasture, they were filled; They were filled and their heart was exalted; Therefore they forgot Me. Hosea 13:6

As a result, I received a huge conviction from God: I had forgotten Him. Not only that, but I had forgotten Him for at least a year. What followed was a conversation (on paper) between Him and me, and a realization that what I had been doing for our relationship at that time was not enough.

The below sermon, which my pastor had delivered the evening prior, is what began to get me back on track. At the very least, committing to dedicate time with God needed to be a start. Since then, I have set aside time with Him. It has been both very rewarding when I've been faithful to Him and to this commitment, as well as a sobering reminder as to how quickly and easily I can fall off these commitments. Now, to the notes of the sermon that God used to turn me around back to Him:

Church 3/11/2023

Offertory scripture:

Your giving has a purpose.

Mark 14:3-8

Sermon message:

Thesis: have a daily prayer schedule

Setting times—regular and consistent times—to pray is important.

What you schedule for is what you accomplish.

The Jews scheduled prayer 3x a day.

Daniel 6:10

Psalm 55:17

Genesis 19:27

Mark 15:25

Genesis 24:63

Mark 15:33

Genesis 28:11

Mark 15:34,37

God honors scheduled prayer.

Jesus prayed.

Luke 5:16

Matthew 14:23

Mark 1:35

Scheduled prayer is important.

Acts 3:1-8

A miracle took place during time of scheduled prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Daily scheduled prayer reminds us we are followers of Christ.
It acknowledges that God is important.
It disciplines our bodies.
It opens the door for blessings in our lives.

Matthew 10:24

Matthew 6:9-10

1 Corinthians 2:14
Prayer disciplines our bodies and minds.

1 Corinthians 9:27

Matthew 6:11-13

Philippians 4:19

Spend time in daily scheduled prayer.