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Week 5 | February 8th

The Call and The Cost

Prayer was central to the life of Jesus. He prayed at the most ordinary moments, and at the most critical ones. He prayed with Scripture, He prayed alone, He prayed with friends, He prayed for His enemies, and He surrendered Himself to the will of the Father in prayer.

In this series, we’re going to look at the prayer life of Jesus. We’ll listen as He teaches us how to pray, and we’ll follow His example in the way He prayed.

As we pray like Jesus, we’ll grow in our relationship with the Father, our dependence on the Spirit, and our alignment with His mission.

Notes Table Talk
Tonderai Bassoppo-Moyo
Garment Of Praise

Brooke Ligertwood, Passion

God I'm Just Grateful

Elevation Worship, Chandler Moore

Jesus Take Your Place

New Song Worship

Alpha and Omega

Bethel Music

I. Salvation Was Never Meant to End With Me

Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Good works include:

  • Evangelizing the lost

  • Teaching the truth of God's Word

  • Discipling believers toward maturity

  • Baptizing those who respond in faith

  • Giving generously to meet tangible needs

  • Mourning with those who mourn and rejoicing with those who rejoice

  • Praying for others

We are saved by grace and formed by God for lives marked by good works.

II. One of the Works We Are Called To Is Pray for Others

John 17:20-26 ESV

"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."

  1. Jesus prays beyond Himself

  2. Jesus prays beyond His immediate circle

  3. Jesus prays for future believers

Praying for others is not a spiritual gift; it is a Christian responsibility.

III. To Stop Praying for People Is a Serious Matter

1 Samuel 12:18-23 NIV

Then Samuel called on the Lord, and that same day the Lord sent thunder and rain. So all the people stood in awe of the Lord and of Samuel. The people all said to Samuel, "Pray to the Lord your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king." "Do not be afraid," Samuel replied. "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right."

  • Samuel calls it sin to cease praying

We often justify withdrawal where Scripture calls for intercession.

IV. Why We Struggle to Pray for Others

  1. Blame – Adam in the garden

  2. Competition – Cain and Abel

  3. Bitterness – Jonah and Nineveh

  4. Cold Love – Love growing cold in the last days

When self is at the center, prayer for others always diminishes.

V. The Second Adam Shows Us a Different Way

Matthew 5:43-48 NIV

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jesus prays for enemies

Jesus loves beyond reciprocity

Jesus silences the flesh and speaks love

The first Adam protects self.

The second Adam pours out love.

VI. How We Are Called to Pray

1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

SPIT posture:

  • Supplication - Humbly asking God to meet needs that only He can supply.

  • Prayer - Ongoing relational communication with God that aligns our hearts with His will.

  • Intercession - Standing before God on behalf of others, appealing for His mercy and intervention.

  • Thanksgiving - Expressing gratitude to God in acknowledgment of His goodness and faithfulness.

VIII. The Sustaining Power: Love Arrested by Christ

  • This posture is impossible without love

  • Love flows from Christ living in us

  • Prayer for others is sustained by intimacy with Jesus

Sermon Series - Pray Like Jesus || Jesus Prayed for Others || John 17:20–26 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

  1. The message reminded us that we are saved by grace and formed by God for good works, including praying for others.
    How does viewing prayer for others as a responsibility, not just an option, challenge the way you think about your faith?

  2. In John 17, Jesus prays not only for His disciples, but for future believers, even those He would never meet face to face.
    Who are the people God might be inviting you to pray for beyond your immediate relationships or comfort zone?

  3. Scripture calls it sin to stop praying for others, even when it feels justified by hurt, frustration, or disagreement.
    What tends to make you withdraw from praying for certain people, and how might God be calling you back into intercession?

  4. The message contrasted the first Adam, who protected self, with Jesus, who poured out love even for enemies.
    How would your prayers change if love, rather than self-protection or reciprocity, became the driving force behind them?

Series Title: Becoming Like Jesus

Power Verse: "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." — 2 Corinthians 3:18

Week 2: Transformational Discipleship - (Jesus calls Peter)

We pursue Transformational Discipleship by practicing habits that change how we live (spiritual disciplines).

  1. What are some habits we can practice this week that help us be more like Jesus?

  2. How can you show Jesus’ love to others in your home, school, or friends this week?

  3. What changes in your heart happen when you spend time following Jesus every day?

Series Title: Becoming Like Jesus

Power Verse: "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." — 2 Corinthians 3:18

Week 2: Transformational Discipleship - (Jesus calls Peter)

We pursue Transformational Discipleship by practicing habits that change how we live (spiritual disciplines).

  1. What are some habits we can practice this week that help us be more like Jesus?

  2. How can you show Jesus’ love to others in your home, school, or friends this week?

  3. What changes in your heart happen when you spend time following Jesus every day?

Series Title: Becoming Like Jesus

Power Verse: "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." — 2 Corinthians 3:18

Week 2: Transformational Discipleship - (Jesus calls Peter)

  1. How can you help someone else this week like Jesus would?

  2. What is one thing you can do today that makes you more like Jesus?

  3. Who can you learn from to become more like Jesus?

Series Title: Becoming Like Jesus

Power Verse: "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." — 2 Corinthians 3:18

Week 2: Transformational Discipleship - (Jesus calls Peter)

  1. How can you help someone else this week like Jesus would?

  2. What is one thing you can do today that makes you more like Jesus?

  3. Who can you learn from to become more like Jesus?