MBM Youth

Matthew 6:7-8 it says,

⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

The fact that God knows your prayers before you pray doesn’t mean you should stop praying. It means you don’t need to inform God or twist his arm. “Prayer is not an assault on the reluctance of God” (A.W. Towzer). He already knows what you need and what’s best for you! So there is no need to waffle, babble or try to impress God with big words and long sentences. That’s Jesus point in Matthew 6. But, why pray if God already knows what we’ll ask? Here are five reasons.

1.     God Commands us to pray

The scriptures tell us to pray (Eph 6:18, Phil 4:6). Colossian 4:2 tells us to be devoted to prayer. If God has told us to pray to him we should pray to him!

2.     God invites us to pray

But God doesn’t just command us to pray; he also invites us. He invites us to come before him and present our requests. He does this for his glory and our good. Prayer is a relational task. God is your heavenly Father; in the Lords prayer Jesus invites you to pray to God on these terms. That he is your Heavenly Father means he is personal, loving and powerful. God loves hearing the prayers of his people. He delights in giving his children what’s best.

3.     Prayer is not one-dimensional

The question betrays the assumption that prayer is simply one thing, requests. Prayer is more than just asking God for stuff. Pray includes praise, adoration, thanks giving and confession. Prayer is multi-dimensional. These elements are good for the soul.

4.     It’s how we express dependence on God

What other way do we have of expressing our dependence on God other than prayer?

5.     Jesus prayed

Jesus prayed (Luke 6:12). If Jesus prayed to his Father how much more do we need to pray? Jesus prayed lots and long. How much more do we need to pray? Jesus himself knew the future and yet he still prayed to the God who knows the future! The fact that Jesus prays tells us that prayer is not merely tell God your problems and asking that he deal with them. Prayer in communing with and communicating to God.

Resources: Does Prayer change things? by RC Sproul

This Friday is OUTING Friday. If you’re in year 7-9 you guys are heading to Trench Reserve, Nepean River for a BBQ & Spotlight in the park. If your in years 10-12 you’re heading over the road to the Coffee Club Nepean. Don’t forget to download you permission notes and bring them signed tomorrow night!

YEAR 7-9 PERMISSION NOTE

YEAR 10-12 PERMISSION NOTE

The Launch is on again this year! Bigger and better than ever before! Registration is now open! If you register before March 29 you go into the draw to win an iPad mini. If you bring a friend to camp who doesn’t normally come to youth you get another entry (max of 5 entries).

DOWNLOAD FLYER