WEBVTT 00:04.336 --> 00:11.802 [SPEAKER_00]: As we continue our series on Seeking God, today we'll explore the beauty of Seeking God through prayer. 00:12.903 --> 00:18.929 [SPEAKER_00]: How amazing is our Father that He wants to commune with us, with you, with me. 00:20.170 --> 00:23.633 [SPEAKER_00]: Take a second to fathom how incredible that truly is. 00:24.745 --> 00:32.779 [SPEAKER_00]: Today may your heart be stirred to take advantage of the unbelievable gift of prayer as you experience God today. 00:33.580 --> 00:35.664 [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcast. 01:04.238 --> 01:18.789 [SPEAKER_00]: Our Scripture for today comes from Matthew 6, verse 6, Scripture says, but when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your father who is in secret. 01:22.587 --> 01:36.414 [SPEAKER_00]: the fact that God listens to us as his children changes the landscape of prayer from empty phrases uttered into the abyss to direct communication with the creator and sustainer of all. 01:37.875 --> 01:41.517 [SPEAKER_00]: When you pray, you are heard by your Heavenly Father. 01:42.637 --> 01:50.301 [SPEAKER_00]: And it's because He listens to us that prayer is one of the most wonderful and powerful avenues to pursue Him. 01:51.564 --> 01:56.067 [SPEAKER_00]: May we learn to dialogue in greater ways with our Heavenly Father. 01:56.727 --> 02:00.890 [SPEAKER_00]: As we open our hearts to all He would show us today about prayer. 02:02.211 --> 02:10.796 [SPEAKER_00]: Matthew 6 verses 7 through 8 says, and when you pray, do not keep up empty phrases as the Gentiles do. 02:11.577 --> 02:16.420 [SPEAKER_00]: For they think they will be heard for their many words, do not be like them. 02:23.659 --> 02:28.184 [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus inaugurated an entirely new perspective on prayer. 02:29.465 --> 02:39.795 [SPEAKER_00]: Prior to Jesus, God's people would pray out of obligation or ritual, begging a seemingly distant God to move on their behalf. 02:41.477 --> 02:46.362 [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus taught that God knows our needs before we even ask. 02:47.687 --> 02:53.974 [SPEAKER_00]: He taught that God is a good father who longs to respond to the needs of his children. 02:55.335 --> 03:06.968 [SPEAKER_00]: And in John 15 verse 7 he taught, if you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. 03:08.835 --> 03:13.179 [SPEAKER_00]: God's desire is to respond favorably to our prayers. 03:14.239 --> 03:22.006 [SPEAKER_00]: He always has our absolute best in mind, and longs to satisfy the desires of our hearts. 03:24.428 --> 03:36.378 [SPEAKER_00]: The key to effective communication with God is first to trust that He is a good father, who listens, and longs to answer the prayers of His children. 03:37.865 --> 03:39.686 [SPEAKER_00]: after gaining proper perspective. 03:40.466 --> 03:50.410 [SPEAKER_00]: We need to spend significant time allowing God to fill us with His desires for us, fashioning our hearts into a reflection of His. 03:51.950 --> 03:56.392 [SPEAKER_00]: God will not give you what He knows is less than His best. 03:57.522 --> 04:02.024 [SPEAKER_00]: Rather, he longs to fill you with a desire for what is best for you. 04:02.644 --> 04:08.947 [SPEAKER_00]: Then come along and satisfy that desire in magnificent and miraculous ways as you pray. 04:10.207 --> 04:21.012 [SPEAKER_00]: Jeremiah 33 verse 3 says, Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. 04:23.099 --> 04:27.921 [SPEAKER_00]: When you call out to your Heavenly Father, trust that He will answer you. 04:29.181 --> 04:33.262 [SPEAKER_00]: He longs to fill you with the knowledge and desire for His will. 04:34.463 --> 04:36.183 [SPEAKER_00]: He longs to speak with you. 04:37.844 --> 04:41.245 [SPEAKER_00]: You can have His heart and know how He feels. 04:42.706 --> 04:49.748 [SPEAKER_00]: The Holy Spirit who dwells within you, longs to reveal to you the perfect plans of your Heavenly Father. 04:51.349 --> 04:59.065 [SPEAKER_00]: spend time in prayer, listening for the heartbeat of God, and allowing him to fill you with the knowledge of his will. 05:23.600 --> 05:37.804 [SPEAKER_00]: as we begin, meditate on God's purposes for prayer, allow scripture to fill you with trust and faith in God's ability to both listen and speak to you. 05:39.244 --> 05:48.587 [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus says in Matthew 6, verses 7 through 8, and when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do. 05:49.527 --> 05:51.348 [SPEAKER_00]: For they think that they will be heard 05:53.788 --> 05:59.562 [SPEAKER_00]: Do not be like them, for your father knows what you need before you ask him. 06:42.727 --> 06:49.271 [SPEAKER_00]: And next, ask the Spirit to fill you with the knowledge of God's desires for you. 06:50.952 --> 06:52.392 [SPEAKER_00]: Where do you need God's wisdom? 06:53.813 --> 06:57.555 [SPEAKER_00]: What part of your life doesn't seem to be marked by the work of God? 06:59.412 --> 07:00.453 [SPEAKER_00]: Where do you need peace? 07:01.314 --> 07:02.875 [SPEAKER_00]: Joy and purpose. 07:04.676 --> 07:10.761 [SPEAKER_00]: Jeremiah 33 verse three says, call to me and I will answer you. 07:11.542 --> 07:15.585 [SPEAKER_00]: And will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. 07:54.987 --> 07:55.547 [SPEAKER_00]: and last. 07:56.508 --> 07:59.049 [SPEAKER_00]: Now pray in accordance with God's will. 08:00.369 --> 08:10.134 [SPEAKER_00]: Pray with boldness after you discover God's heart for your need, knowing that he hears you and will respond to your prayer perfectly. 08:48.613 --> 08:56.295 [SPEAKER_00]: In his book, Power Through Prayer, EMBounds shares incredible wisdom on a lifestyle of prayer. 08:57.455 --> 09:02.356 [SPEAKER_00]: May his words guide you into a deeper connection with your Heavenly Father today. 09:03.256 --> 09:09.977 [SPEAKER_00]: He says, The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. 09:10.957 --> 09:22.619 [SPEAKER_00]: He who fritters away the early morning, it's opportunity and freshness in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking him the rest of the day. 09:23.539 --> 09:31.640 [SPEAKER_00]: If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, he will be in last place the remainder of the day. 09:49.670 --> 09:52.292 [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks so much for listening to today's podcast. 09:52.732 --> 09:54.613 [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh Miller with first 15. 09:55.394 --> 09:59.196 [SPEAKER_00]: We would love to hear how first 15 is impacting your life. 09:59.857 --> 10:02.278 [SPEAKER_00]: Would you mind taking a few moments to let us know? 10:02.819 --> 10:12.025 [SPEAKER_00]: You can send us a quick note at podcast at first15.org or share it with others as well by leaving a review on your podcast app. 10:12.965 --> 10:21.388 [SPEAKER_00]: Reading about how God is using first 15 is so encouraging for our team as we work each day to help more people connect with God. 10:22.308 --> 10:29.410 [SPEAKER_00]: As always, thank you again for being here, have a wonderful rest of your day and may God bless you as you seek Him.