Main Thought
Sometimes, things that should be simple can become complicated. Coming to God in prayer should be simple! But we complicate it with our desire to be “great.” Sometimes, we want to feel great. If we feel anxious, hurried, upset, or unfocused, then we might not pray. Sometimes, we want to sound great. We want to say the right things in the right way. This creates an unattainable and unsustainable standard that no one can meet. We might even want to look great, earning our right to speak with God because of the good things we do. These complications often keep us from talking to God at all. They cause us to feel distant from God. Instead of complicating prayer, God wants us to come to Him like children. Children don’t hide their feelings. They play and lose focus all the time. Children blurt things out and aren’t concerned with how they sound. And children don’t mind being a little messy. God is a good Father who just wants His children to speak with Him.
Main Passages
33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.
- Mark 9:33-34
13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
- Mark 10:13-15
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
- Revelation 3:20
Discussion Questions
What stood out to you from last Sunday’s sermon, the Main Thought, or the Main Passages above?
Have you ever complicated prayer with a desire to be “great” in some way? If so, how?
What adjustment can you make to come before God like a child?