Ancient Paths - Part 2 PRAYER

Hello everyone! In case you missed it, here's the link to this past Sunday's teaching on continual prayer. If you didn't get a chance to hear it, be sure to download it and check it out!

Prayer

There may not seem to be anything novel about prayer. Everyone knows it is a primary feature of religion, and every Christian knows it is something we should be doing. But it can be so difficult. It seems like it takes extraordinary concentration to pray for any extended length of time. If you are like me and have found that to be difficult at times, we are not alone. Godly men and women throughout history have thought through why it is so easy for our minds to wonder. But there are many who have had vibrant, thriving prayer practices, which makes relationship with God extraordinarily personal. What’s the secret?

The Bible reminds us that we are in God’s presence all the time, but not in some distant kind of way, as if He’s a lifeguard scanning the beach, getting an overview of what’s happening. He’s personally orchestrating everything in our lives. He is more intimately present with us than any of us could possibly imagine. We all know that when we are in someone’s presence, its more awkward to be in silence than to communicate. The secret to constant prayer, is the realization of how thoroughly present He is with me right now! Awareness of God brings constant communication.

I would love to hear your thoughts: What makes it most difficult to praying continuously? What things distract you the most? What are some things you do to constantly remind yourself that you are in God’s presence?

Ancient Paths Part 1 mp3

You can now listen to or download Sunday's message here. Feel free to download it and share it with a friend...

Gathering

In our first teaching in the series, Ancient Paths, we talk about a practice that has been preserved for millennia: gathering. It’s so obvious –but sometimes getting to church on Sunday morning feels impossible. And yet, something eventually clicks in the brain of a Christ-follower, and suddenly gathering becomes indispensable. In fact, it is common to look back throughout history to see Christians that actually risked brutal death just to gather! What could possibly inspire that level of commitment to this practice?

In the teaching this week, we discover in the scriptures (Hebrews 10:19-25) what makes the ancient practice of gathering so irresistible. It’s not to get God-points, it’s a truth injection. Also, having other Christians active in our lives is critical. The Bible says, the church is a body, and body parts are freaky when not attached to the rest of the body! And those parts don’t do well unattached. If you lost a finger, you would throw it on ice and speed to the hospital! We can’t afford not to Gather!

I would love to hear your thoughts about this ancient practice in two ways: (1) What benefits do you experience by gathering with other believers? and/or (2) What obstacles try to get in the way of gathering?

Message Series Trailer

Ancient Paths Trailer from West Pines Community Church on Vimeo.
Join us beginning Sunday, July 20th at West Pines Community Church for an exciting new message series called Ancient Paths. Each week, you'll have an opportunity to interact with Sunday's message right here on speakupwpcc.blogspot.com.