COMPASS
Learning to follow God's leading
Prayer helps bring us back to God and keeps our hearts centered on Him thoughtout the journey.
FINDING DIRECTION
Prayer helps bring us back to God.
A map helps you know where to go. A compass helps keep you headed in the right direction.
And in your journey with God, prayer works a lot like a compass.
Life can feel confusing. Fear, stress, disappointment, and uncertainty can pull us in all kinds of directions.
Prayer keeps our hearts centered on Him.
THE CONVERSATION
What is prayer?
Prayer doesn't have to be complicated. It's simply a conversation between you and God.
You don't need perfect words. You don't need a certain voice or spiritual vocabulary.
You don't have to "sound religious."
You can talk to God honestly -- about your
fears, hopes, struggles, family, future, questions, gratitude, and all of it.
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything."
PHILIPPIANS 4:6
Prayer is one of the ways we learn to bring our real lives to God instead of carrying everything alone.
GOD HEARS YOU
Is God really listening?
This is one of the biggest questions people ask when they begin praying.
Yes! God hears you.
Even when prayer feels awkward. Even when you don't know what to say. Even when emotions are messy.
Prayer isn't about performing for God. It's about connecting with Him.
Over time, prayer becomes less like a duty and more like a relationship.
TRUSTING THE DIRECTION
Sometimes God answers differently then we expect.
YES
NO
WAIT
Waiting can be difficult. But even in the waiting.
God is still working. Sometimes prayer changes circumstances. Sometimes prayer changes us.
Often, it does both.
STAYING CENTERED
Prayer keeps your heart pointed
toward God.
A compass doesn't remove mountains. It doesn't eliminate storms. it doesn't instantly make the trail easy.
But it helps keep you headed in the right direction.
Prayer works the same way.
Prayer doesn't remove every mountain, but it keeps you headed toward God.
THIS WEEKS CHALLENGE
Spend five minutes a day in prayer
Start talking with God
No pressure to be impressive. No perfect words required. Just start talking to God honestly for five minutes a day.
The goal isn't to pray perfectly. The goal is to stay connected.
Create a simple prayer list
Use your phone or journal to list things you’re thankful for, people you care about, struggles you’re facing, and prayers you’re waiting on God to answer.
Five minutes a day. You got this!
WANT TO GO DEEPER
More resources on prayer and hearing God's voice
These optional messages can help you learn how to pray, how God speaks to you, and how to apply it to your life.
Praying for other believers
Watch this short explanation has to how we should pray for one another.
The Mansion of Prayer
Pastor Chad McDonald and Pastor Scott Distler talk about how you can develop a healthy prayer life.
Worry list into prayer list
Watch this short explanation on how to turn your anxious thoughts into a prayer list.
Keep walking.
You don't have to have perfect prayers for God to hear you.
Prayer isn't about saying the right things.
It's about staying connected to God as you continue the journey.
One prayer at a time. One step at a time.