How to Pray for the Church

Kids Words: Pray, Knowledge, Worthy, Thankful

TITLE: HOW TO PRAY FOR THE CHURCH

OUTLINE:

I. Pray to be Filled with the Knowledge of God’s Will

II. Pray to Live Lives Worthy of the Lord

    A. Four traits of a Christian’s life that are pleasing to our Lord

    B. Three reasons for joyful thankfulness

Main Point: Christians are to be filled with the knowledge of God and live lives worthy of the gospel.

OUTLINE

 I. Pray to be Filled with the Knowledge of God’s Will

Quote: “The knowledge of his will” is the knowledge of what God has done through Jesus Christ. This “will” is not concerned primarily with God’s private plan for individual believers; it is rather his salvific will as he accomplishes his plan of salvation.” – David W. Pao

 II. Pray to Live Lives Worthy of the Lord

Quote: “Spiritual wisdom and understanding” help us know what is truly important in life from God’s perspective. God gives us knowledge to lead us to deeper faith, greater virtue, and more devout service.” – D. Garland

Quote: Peter O’Brien, states this is “an expression that describes not a frightened attitude in the presence of a superior, but behavior that honors the Lord because it arises out of glad obedience to him.”

A. Four traits of a Christian’s life that are pleasing to our Lord

1.  (V.10b) bearing fruit in every good work
2. (V.10c) Increasing in the knowledge of God
3. (V.11a) being strengthened with all power

Quote: The outworking of his divine power is not in spectacular miracles but is for great endurance and patience, particularly in the face of opposition! By enduring patiently as they suffer, Christians show that they have their hope set on God. – O’Brien

4. (V.12a) giving thanks to the Father

B. Three reasons for joyful thankfulness

1. (V.12b) who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
2. (V.13) He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son
3. (V.14) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins