"A Simple Man's Guide to Prayer"

Presented on October 19, 2025

Main text: Luke 11:1-13

Preached by Pastor Rich Chasse

Summary

This sermon focuses on Jesus teaching His disciples how to pray, using what is commonly referred to as the Lord's Prayer as a model. The pastor emphasizes that the twelve apostles were uneducated, common people whom Jesus taught about prayer over three years of ministry. The sermon explores both the 'how' and 'what' of prayer, explaining that prayer is a conversation with God over matters of mutual concern, requiring both set times of prayer and continual prayer throughout the day. The pastor uses a Hot Wheels analogy to illustrate how daily prayer time gives momentum for praying throughout the day. The sermon also addresses Jesus' parables about persistent prayer, emphasizing that we should continue praying not because God is reluctant to answer, but because He is a good and loving Father who desires to bless His children.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You today as Your beloved children, grateful for the privilege of prayer that You have given us through Jesus Christ. As we gather to study Your Word and learn about prayer, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to what You want to teach us today. Help us to be receptive to Your Spirit's leading and to apply these truths to our own prayer lives. We pray that our time together would draw us closer to You and to one another. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Ice Breaker

What is one childhood toy or game that you remember spending hours playing with, and what made it so captivating to you?

Key Verses

1. Acts 4:13
2. Luke 11:1-4
3. Matthew 6:9-13
4. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
5. Luke 11:5-13
6. Luke 18:1-5

Questions

1. How does knowing that the disciples were 'uneducated and common men' encourage you in your own relationship with God?
2. What does it mean to 'hallow' God's name in our prayers, and how can we practically do this?
3. The pastor mentioned that prayer is 'a conversation with God over matters of mutual concern.' What are some matters that concern both you and God?
4. How can we balance having set times of prayer with 'praying continually' throughout our day?
5. What role does obedience play in our prayer life, based on the passages from 1 Peter 3:12 and Proverbs 28:9?
6. In the parable of the persistent friend, what is Jesus teaching us about God's character versus the character of the reluctant neighbor?
7. How do you handle situations where God seems to say 'no' to your prayers or doesn't answer in the way you expected?
8. What does it mean that God answers our prayers because He is good, not because of our persistence or earnestness?

Life Application

This week, establish a daily 'kicker box' time - a set time each day to meet with God in prayer and Bible reading. Use this time to pray through God's agenda (His name being hallowed, His kingdom coming) and your needs (physical, spiritual, and protection). Let this daily time give you momentum to pray continually throughout your day, remembering that you're talking to a good and loving Father who desires to bless you.

Key Takeaways

1. Prayer is a conversation with God over matters of mutual concern, not just a religious ritual
2. We need both set times of daily prayer and continual prayer throughout the day
3. Prayer is a family privilege available to us because of our relationship with God through Christ
4. Persistent prayer is encouraged not because God is reluctant, but because He is a good Father who loves to give good gifts
5. God answers our prayers because of His goodness and love, not because of our effort or earnestness

Ending Prayer

Lord, thank You for the incredible privilege of prayer that we have as Your children. Help us to be faithful in setting aside time each day to meet with You, and give us hearts that continually turn to You throughout our days. Teach us to pray according to Your will and to trust in Your goodness when answers don't come as we expect. May our prayer lives reflect our confidence in You as our loving Heavenly Father who delights to give good gifts to His children. Help us to be persistent in prayer, not giving up or losing heart, knowing that You hear us and love us deeply. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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"Choosing Good, Better, or Best"

Presented on October 12, 2025

Main text: Luke 10:38-42

Preached by Pastor Rich Chasse

Summary

This sermon explores the story of Martha and Mary from Luke 10:38-42, focusing on the importance of discernment in making choices between good, better, and best. The pastor emphasizes that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem ("the kingdom of God is at hand") when he visited Martha's home. While Martha was distracted with serving - a good thing - Mary chose the best thing by sitting at Jesus' feet to learn. The message isn't that serving is wrong, but that we need discernment to recognize the most important moments. The pastor extends this to modern life, discussing how everything we do is spiritual, the importance of putting God at the center of all aspects of life rather than compartmentalizing, and learning to discern between our potential and our calling. He challenges listeners to ask what God wants them to do each day and to avoid assuming their mission is everyone else's mission.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather together today to study Your Word and learn from the story of Martha and Mary, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to what You want to teach us. Help us to set aside our distractions and preconceived notions so that we can truly hear from You. Give us discernment to understand not just the words on the page, but how You want to apply these truths to our lives today. We pray that through our discussion, You would draw us closer to You and to one another. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Ice Breaker

If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be and what would you want to ask them?

Key Verses

1. Philippians 1:9-10
2. Luke 10:38-42
3. Romans 12:2
4. Colossians 3:17
5. Matthew 6:33

Questions

1. In the story of Martha and Mary, why do you think Martha felt it was appropriate to interrupt Jesus' teaching to complain about her sister?
2. The pastor mentioned that Martha was doing a 'good thing' but Mary was doing the 'best thing.' Can you think of a time in your life when you had to choose between something good and something better?
3. What does it mean to you that 'everything is spiritual'? How might this perspective change the way you approach your daily activities?
4. The sermon suggests we often compartmentalize our lives, keeping God in one area while living differently in others. Where do you struggle most with this?
5. How do you discern between your own dreams and expectations for your children versus what God might be calling them to do?
6. The pastor used the analogy of being a 'prayer mail carrier' rather than a 'prayer warrior.' What's the difference, and which approach resonates more with you?
7. Martha's problem wasn't her serving, but her attitude toward her sister. How can we guard against comparing our service to others or feeling resentful about our responsibilities?
8. What are some practical ways we can develop better discernment to recognize the 'Mary moments' when we need to stop and focus on Jesus?

Life Application

This week, practice asking God each morning: 'What do You want me to do today?' Before making decisions - whether big or small - take a moment to consider whether you're choosing the good option or the best option. Also, identify one area of your life where you've been compartmentalizing God out, and intentionally invite Him into that space by representing His name in your words and actions there.

Key Takeaways

1. Discernment is about choosing between good, better, and best - not just right and wrong
2. Everything we do is spiritual because we represent Christ in all areas of life
3. We should put God in the middle of everything rather than compartmentalizing our lives
4. Our calling comes from God, not from culture, social media, or even well-meaning parents
5. The problem isn't always what we're doing, but sometimes our attitude or timing in doing it

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for the example of Mary who chose to sit at Your feet and learn from You. Help us to have hearts like hers that recognize the important moments when we need to stop everything else and focus on You. At the same time, give us servant hearts like Martha's, but without the wrong attitudes or comparisons. Help us to discern between good and best in our daily choices, and to remember that everything we do is an opportunity to represent You. Guide us by Your Holy Spirit as we seek to follow Your calling on our lives rather than the expectations of others. May we be faithful 'mail carriers' in prayer and in service, showing up consistently day after day. We ask all of this in Your precious name, Amen.