Statistics and surveys today tell us that most people in America (and around the world) say that they are spiritual but not "religious." They are not interested in what would be called "institutional religion." They also say they value "spirituality" and are "spiritual" themselves. It is important in this series to understand what "spiritual-ness" actually is and is not. Paul's prayer, which we look at this week, focuses on the point that we should expect and seek profound, life-changing spiritual experiences of the love and joy of God.
Join us on our journey on prayer. It is how we grow into deeper intimacy with God, yet to so many people, it feels out of their reach. Our goal through the next 13 weeks is to make prayer more tangible and relatable. We want you to begin to pray (if you never have), pray more authentically, and spend time with God in ways that He becomes the object of your worship. In every religion in the world, prayer is central to what communion with God is supposed to look like…it is the heart of what we believe. As with any relationship, communication is central. By knowing who Jesus is and experiencing His grace, we will encounter Him and grow in faith and maturity. Hopefully in a few weeks you will understand our definition of prayer, which is adapted from Tim Keller’s book on prayer: “Prayer is a continuing conversation that God has started through His Word and provided by His grace, which eventually becomes a full encounter with Him.”
