Here are some notes I took from Pastor Pete Geli’s sermon given on 16 March 2013 at Santa Barbara Seventh-day Adventist Christian Church.
Ask-Believe-Claim
The reason we should pray often is that Satan is at war against the church. We are a target of the enemy. We don’t stand a chance by ourselves. Prayer is the opening of our heart to God. Jesus alone can save us.
Revelation 12:17
The dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
In the Bible, the dragon is Satan and the Woman is the Church and Christ’s followers.
Jesus Wants to Restore Us to Holiness. There is a special prayer in Matthew 6 and in Luke 11:1-4:
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
Disciples Prayer begins and ends with God. There are seven principles found in the Disciples Prayer.
1. Inclusiveness
2. Focused
3. Reverent
4. Hopeful
5. Obedient
6. Trustful
7. Be Grateful
By keeping Jesus Holy and Worship Him, alternative worship will not come to the church. Following God’s will means we have no time to be carnal in our Christian walk. Walk the walk as Jesus did. It all comes down to a matter of love. Jesus rested, blessed and sanctified the Sabbath day.
Trust that Jesus is able to provide for us as we ask for forgiveness of our debts. Keep the Faith!