Discipleship Part 3
Why do we stop or forget to pray?
When our immediate needs are met, it is easy to rely on self-sufficiency instead of turning to God in prayer. Prayer is less about bending God's will to match our requests and more about surrendering our self-will to let Him transform us into His image. But prayer is not about using complex words; it is simply about bringing our honest hearts to God and trusting Him with our daily worries.
“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7
"Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done." — Luke 22:42
--------------------------
Message Notes
“Discipleship: Prayer and Its Transforming Power” Part 3
Mount of Olives | August 23, 2026 | Matthew 7:7-11
Pastor John Steward
Prayer of the Day
Heavenly Father, thank You for the assurance that when we pray, You answer our prayers and supply what we need. Help us to never doubt that You hear our prayers, and being the loving Father that You are, You will not leave us in the void, even though sometimes we feel discouraged. Thank You for Your grace and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture Reading
Matthew 7:7-11
"Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Message Notes
Luke 22:39-46
He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not come into the time of trial." Then he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done." [Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.] When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial."
John 12:24
Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Memory Verse:
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Study Questions – Read Matthew 7:7-12
ICEBREAKER – Getting started:
- What was the best gift you ever received from your parents? Did you ask for it?
OBSERVATION – What does the text say?
- What central truth about God does Jesus stress in verses 7-12?
INTERPRETATION – What does the text mean?
- How have you experienced this in your life?
APPLICATION – How can you apply the text?
- How does the condition of your spiritual foundation now compare to what it was like one year ago?
- How does the condition your prayer life now compare to what it was like one year ago?
- Might you be able to give yourself and Jesus time each day to communicate?
- How do you see yourself in communication with God?