PRAYER AND RELATIONSHIPS                                       EAST BAY FELLOWSHIP

(Series, #1)                                                                                             November 5, 2006

REMOVING RELATIONAL BIAS

TEXT: Mark 11:17

INTRODUCTION

· “The little guy didn’t even mention his surgery.  He prayed for me!”   Tina Blessit, Today’s Christian (2006)

· The two most important things in this church right now are prayer and relationships.

· Here are my directions: Pray much for others…so that we can live in peace and quietness…for…there is one who brings God and mankind together…Christ Jesus.”   1 Tim. 2:1-2, 5 (LVB; TEV)

PRAYER:

1) ESTABLISHES GOD’S OWNERSHIP

· Communion with God cannot be mixed with worldly desires.

· Every day when we wake up the Spirit of God is saying, “This is My house!”

2) EXPANDS RELATIONAL THINKING

· Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”   Acts 10:34-35 (NIV)

3) EXTRACTS A USER MENTALITY

· Perhaps more important to us than the judgment Jesus makes is the principle declares: When the house is not filled with prayer it will become a place of thievery.

CONCLUSION

· Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.  And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."   Mark 11:24-25 (NIV)