Mt Pleasant :: Randy Forrester: Prayer and the Friendship of God

St. Andrew's Church

Bible Study

Don't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon:

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Sermon Notes

Growing in faith means growing in prayer. Scripture gives ample teaching on what mature prayer looks like. From Psalm 25, we learn:

1. Prayer is Lifting Up Our Souls to God
   • V. 1: "To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul"
   • This requires trust that God is real and he cares about us
   • Prayer is bringing the real me (my soul - my life) into the presence of a real God who really cares
2. We Can Ask God for Guidance
   • V. 4-5: "Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me"
   • Before listing off our requests, which are based on how we view a situation, we might seek first God's perspective
   • Asking for God's guidance requires humility (we don't know everything) and patience
3. We Can Ask God for Mercy
   • V. 6: "Remember your mercy, O Lord"
   • Confession is a personal practice of prayer that brings freedom, not condemnation
4. We Can Ask God for His Presence
   • V. 16: "Turn to me and be gracious to me"
   • When the troubles of our hearts are "enlarged" what we need most is God's presence
   • In Christ and by the Spirit, God is always with us, even if we don't feel it
5. Prayer's Reward is the Friendship of God
   • V. 14: "The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him"
   • The highest reward of personal prayer to God is not answered prayers (though God does answer prayers!), but a deeper friendship with the Lord

Sermon Application

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you like to pray? Why or why not?
2. What is the last thing you requested of God in prayer?
3. Read Isa 55:8-9. Why is this verse important when we seek God's guidance?
4. Can you still ask for God's mercy if you can't think of specific sins to confess?
5. Give of an example of the Lord "turning to you" in a time of distress? What happened? What did it feel like?
6. Would you describe your relationship with the Lord as a friendship?

Questions?

Do you have a question about today’s sermon? Email Randy Forrester (

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