Jesus invites us to pray and to pray often - consistently and persistently. He gives us the framework for how to pray like him. But what do we do when there is no answer? What's our hope when God seems to be silent?

Jesus told his followers to pray to avoid temptation. But before we can pray that with a clear conscience, there are some things we need to ask ourselves first.

The habit of prayer is a big part of being a follower of Jesus. But it's hard and frustrating and often times we don't really know how to pray. God already knows my needs, so why pray? Because the purpose of prayer is to surrender your will, not impose it.

When Jesus prayed, his followers saw something much different than what they were used to in their prayers. One of them had the courage to ask, teach us to pray! Jesus provides a model for his disciples that places prayer in the context of relationship with our heavenly Father. Can we be willing to ask Jesus - how do we pray like you? 

Building habits that bring about real change starts with how we see and what we believe about ourselves - our identity. As we worship God in his fullness, the process of being transformed into the likeness of Jesus becomes even more evident because we are learning to submit to the assurance of God’s presence in our lives.

Serving others through deed and action is a natural byproduct of the internal change brought about through following Jesus. However, we should not generously help others out of a prideful, selfish desire to be seen. The natural outflow of drawing closer to Jesus and seeking to imitate him is being able to use our lives for service to others.

The rapid growth and use of technology in our lives can bring many positives but there can also be some real consequences. It is easier than ever to hide behind screens, to live in the realms of anonymity and lose the relational and social capital that matters. Jesus shows us that the simple habit of gathering around a table for a meal can be powerful and help us in a season of great division and disunity.

A new year brings a unique opportunity for change and transformation. While there are many voices trying to influence us to change certain parts of our lives, real, long-lasting change is found in the ways and disciplines of Jesus. He models for us a lifestyle that can affect every area of our lives. He knew prayer would be critical to our well-being and instructs us in the framework for a dynamic connection with God.

The beginning of a new year is a wonderful opportunity to look back and look forward. Where did we struggle? Where did we grow? Most of all, where did we see the presence of God in our lives? It's good to take time to remember what God has done as we consider the plans and concerns about this new year. God’s faithfulness in the past reminds us that we can trust him for the challenges of the future.

Merry Christmas! Thank you for joining us on this special night as we celebrate together. Grab a candle, enjoy some familiar carols and allow God's light to shine bright.