Teach Us To Pray

February 08, 2026

Teacher: Pastor Dave Brown

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

— Matthew 7:7-11 (Luke 11:9-13)

3 Reasons for Unanswered Prayers:

1. Not “no” but “not yet”
2. Complex Goods
3. Evil Exists

God does not delay to give what he has promised; rather, by delaying he stretches desire. By stretching desire he enlarges the soul. By enlarging the soul he makes it capable of receiving what he is preparing to give.

— Augustine

God always gives us just what we need, himself.  He even works to stretch our hearts so that we are able to receive what he gives.

Safety and security are two idols we let go unchecked in the American church.

“Safe? ... Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you”

— C.S. Lewis

Gracious Father,
you are the God of peace,
the sovereign King who gathers one Kingdom from many nations
and calls us to belong wholly to you and to one another;

Teach us to be with you before we strive to do for you.
Quiet our anxious hearts,
loosen our grip on lesser allegiances,
and form in us the mind of Christ.

Where opinions differ, give us charity.
Where fears rise, give us trust.
Where we are tempted to divide, make us one.

As we seek the future of Redeemer Church,
guide us by your Spirit.
Grant us wisdom in discernment,

patience with one another,
and courage to follow wherever you lead.
 

Make us a praying people before we are a decisive people,
that our life together may reflect the peace and unity of your Kingdom.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.