When Jesus Prayed... He kept it personal Psalm 63:1 O God, you are my God! I long for you! My soul thirsts for you, my flesh yearns for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

When Jesus Prayed... He made it His highest priority Mark 1:35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.

When Jesus Prayed... He gave His Father undivided attention Eugene Peterson I can be active and pray; I can work and pray; but I cannot be busy and pray. I cannot be inwardly rushed, distracted, or dispersed…. Usually, for [prayer] to happen there must be a deliberate withdrawal from the noise of the day, a disciplined detachment from the insatiable self.

When Jesus Prayed... He spoke big, bold prayers Matthew 21:21–22 Jesus answered them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, if you believe, you will receive.”

Why doesn’t God always say “yes”? Our motives are wrong James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

Why doesn’t God always say “yes”? Our motives are wrong We are walking in sin Psalm 66:18 If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear....

Why doesn’t God always say “yes”? Our motives are wrong We are walking in sin 1 John 3:21-22 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.

Why doesn’t God always say “yes”? Our motives are wrong We are walking in sin James 5:16 The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Why doesn’t God always say “yes”? Our motives are wrong We are walking in sin “No/not yet” leads to greater glory Matthew 26:39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”

Why doesn’t God always say “yes”? Our motives are wrong We are walking in sin “No/not yet” leads to greater glory Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Why doesn’t God always say “yes”? Our motives are wrong We are walking in sin “No/not yet” leads to greater glory “No/not yet” leads to intimacy and power

When Jesus Prayed... He didn’t quit early Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Application Find your wilderness Start today Make your requests bold and specific