All last year we were in one sermon series: Preach Jesus. The point of that was simply that you and I would see Jesus. But, once you see Jesus: what's next? You worship Him. But then what? What's next? There is a simple phrase Jesus used over and over again when interacting with people, "Follow Me." Jesus was inviting people (then and now) to go with Him on a journey. He was offering to be their guide, and as their guide, he was going to take them to places they could not and would not go without Him..  The words "Follow Me" were mission-critical for the church. It was an invitation to a way of life. So, for much of the year to come, we are going to talk about "going through the motions" with Jesus. How are you following Him?

Until we learn to go through the motions and rhythms and disciplines of our faith journey, we will not experience all that Jesus has to show us. Prayer is the first essential movement of going deeper with Him.  There was a prayer rhythm to Jesus' life.  What is your rhythm? Maybe you can pray in the early morning - before daylight time. Maybe you can pray before you take that first sip of coffee. Maybe you could pause to pray at lunchtime or at bedtime.  In the weeks to come, we will be laying out for you many rhythms of prayer that you can weave into your life.

 Going Through the Motions of Prayer

When the Church Prays

Acts 12

"Prayer does not fit us for the greater works; prayer is the greater work."  - Oswald Chambers

When the Church prays...

#1 God Shows up

       v5, "...the church prayed very earnestly..."

#2 The Impossible becomes Possible

       see v6-11

#3 The Church is Stirred

       see v12-17

#4 The Enemy is Bound

       see v18-23

#5 The Kingdom Expands

       see v24