If Jesus is with us everywhere we go wouldn’t you expect that we would talk to Him about things all day long?

What is prayer?

Talking to God – asking God for things

We take prayer for granted – we have access to our almighty maker and ruler (even better than direct access to the Prime minister)

He loves us – wants us to talk to Him and wants to give us good things Matt7:7-12

God is a person, not a rock or statue or someone you perform for, he wants to listen

We are sinful and need forgiveness – we can pray for this through Jesus 1John1:7-2:2

We are told/commanded to pray

Eph6:17-18, 1Thess5:16-18, Rom12:12, Col 4:2

How should we pray?

Using words Matt6:7

Any time and all times

About any thing

Work at prayer – learn from the bible about who He is and how people in the bible prayed

- copy people, especially the prayers of the bible, persevere and then try again

So why don’t we pray?

Don’t trust God (don’t understand Him) – maybe don’t think he cares or

that my life/concerns are too trivial for

Don’t think God is able to change things

We don’t feel we are worthy to ask God for things

Satan doesn’t want us to pray 1Pe 5:6-8

We fall asleep

We forget/ get distracted by other things or even our own thoughts

We are too busy/caught up in the moment/consumed with our lives.

We put off praying until a better/quieter time when we might be able to concentrate

Shame

Anger –feel let down, feel that when God has kept saying no to my prayers he has not been listening

We don’t listen to our conscience or God

We think God knows it all – why should I pray?

Keep trying to control our lives by ourselves

Too busy thinking and stewing/being anxious to take time to pray

Don’t feel ready to pray

We don’t plan to pray

The ideas here also reflect ideas from the helpful book:

“Prayer and the Voice of God”, by Phillip Jensen

And also thoughts discussed at WOW (Women of the Word).

On the 23rd October they are going on a Bus Trip to the Hunter Valley Gardens to see the spectacular rose gardens and enjoy a picnic lunch. Why not join us? Even if you miss out on a seat in the bus (numbers limited to the first 25 to subscribe) you could join our group by meeting us at the gardens themselves. See Betty Clark  p:4362 2898 or Lindsay Pritchard p: 4389 1825.

Tuesdays at Ten meetings are held between 10 am and noon at the Rugby Club next to the School, Berkeley Rd, Berkeley Vale. Newcomers welcome.

This year, two events will be held – a Women only event on Friday night 12 November 2010, and a Family Day event on Saturday 13 November 2010.

The Friday night will be a time for women to come along and create and decorate their own gingerbread house. The evening begins at 7:15pm, with light refreshments on arrival. There will also be a chance to join in some Christmas carols, and there will be a guest speaker, Wendy MacKenzie, who will look at the question ‘How do I find enjoyment in my life when things don’t always go right?’

On the Saturday morning, 13th November 2010, is a special time when family and friends can get together to create a gingerbread house. The morning begins at 9:30am, and light refreshments are provided. Children need to be a least 8 years of age, and need an adult to supervise them. Mike Plaege, a pastor at The Lakes, will also give a fun and interesting kids talk.

Please click here to register online. Your tickets will then be emailed to you.

We hope to see you there!

Here we will join together for morning tea bring a small plate of something to share, an urn will be available for tea or coffee.

Alison Homestead c1885 brings the past to the present with a Museum full of interesting artifacts and history from the past. A large part of the homestead has recently been restored and will bring back memories of yesterday.

Contact Lindsay Pritchard for further information p: 4389 1825

We began by seeing that God is the creator of the world. He made everything and He rules as King over that world. God created a beautiful place for His people to live. They were happy and lived under His rule.

Our memory verse for this week is Genesis 2:15.

Aug 1st after Church@5 including dinner, or

Aug 8th at 10:30 during church at Berkeley High including child minding.

Would you like to investigate Christianity in a relaxed envirnonment where you can ask any question or just listen? Do you have a friend or neighbour you know will benefit from this course?

This is a terrific opportunity to check out Christianity for yourself. We’ll be reading through Luke’s Gospel together to discover who Jesus is, why he came and what relevance he is to our lives today. You can ask as many questions as you like or remain silient, it’s up to you.

The course continues each Sunday for 5 weeks, 10:30-12 noon at Berkeley Vale High School (Morning tea, Creche and child minding included) or after church@5, also at Berkeley Vale High School over dinner.

If you would like to attend please RSVP to Michael Plaege on 4388 3337 or 0412 916 709

We hope you and/or a friend can come along!

Wear something khaki, brown, green or camouflage or at least old clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.

Mark Harvey

When: 7:00pm-9.00pm Tuesday nights during school terms. Continues 20th July 2010.
Where: The Lakes Church Office.
Contact: Margrett Westerman p: 4389 7611, m: 0414 781705, e: margrett@internode.on.net

The original Recovery sermon series can be purchased here or listen to The Lakes sermons by choosing “Celebrate Recovery” in the” Series” filter.

We meet at The Lakes church office. Anonymity and confidentiality is guaranteed.

Contact Steve at church or Russell Windon for more info.

The original Recovery sermon series can be purchased here or listen to The Lakes sermons by choosing “Celebrate Recovery” in the” Series” filter.

4 Cottesloe Rd, Jilliby, (off Dickson Rd)

Rugby Union game Wallabies Vs All Blacks on the big screen from 7.30pm.

Optional sleep over in shed, bring your own gear.

Cost: $5.00 plus drinks (gold coin)

Feel free to bring a mate.