Francis Chan: Is There a Right Way to Pray?

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message emphasizes the importance of slowing down in our busy lives to prioritize time with God and others. We've been taught that busyness is a badge of honor, but Jesus' example shows us that He always made time for prayer and people. By learning how to pray effectively, we can cultivate intimacy with God and live a life that reflects His priorities.

Key Scripture References

• Luke 11:1-4 - Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray by giving them principles for effective prayer. He starts by saying "Father" which was a radical concept at the time, introducing intimacy with God.
• Matthew 6:9-13 - The Lord's Prayer is given as an example of how to pray. However, Jesus teaches us that we shouldn't just repeat it mindlessly, but rather learn from its principles and apply them in our own prayers.
• Luke 11:2-4 - When the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray, He says "When you pray say Father...". This emphasizes the importance of addressing God as a loving Father, not just a distant deity.
• Isaiah 6:1-5 - The vision of Isaiah shows us that even angels cover their faces in reverence before God's throne. This highlights the awe and fear that should accompany our approach to God, yet Jesus invites us to call Him "Dad".
• Revelation 4:6-11 - The description of God's throne in Revelation emphasizes His majesty and power. Yet, Jesus teaches us to approach Him with the intimacy of a child calling out to their father.
• Matthew 7:21 - Jesus says that not everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but those who do the will of His Father. This emphasizes the importance of living out our faith in practical ways.

Key Takeaways

• We need to prioritize time with God and others in our busy lives.
• Effective prayer is not just about repeating words, but learning from principles and applying them in our own prayers.
• Addressing God as "Father" or "Dad" can help us cultivate intimacy with Him and live a life that reflects His priorities.
• We should approach God with awe, reverence, and fear, yet also with the confidence of a child calling out to their father.