
Join us for "The ACTS of Prayer," a six-week series designed to help you grow with God and others through the gift of prayer. Each week, we’ll explore different types of prayer—Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication—while addressing questions like, “Am I doing this right?” and “Why does God answer some prayers but not others?” Whether you’re new to prayer or looking to deepen your connection with God, this series will provide Biblical insights and practical tools to help you experience the power of prayer in a meaningful and guilt-free way.
Takeaway: Our Father delights in hearing from His children.
The ACTS of Prayer:
- Week 1 (Feb 2) – Introduction
- Week 2 (Feb 9) – Adoration
- Week 3 (Feb 16) – Confession
- Week 4 (Feb 23) – Thanksgiving
- Week 5 (Mar 2) – Supplication (others)
- Week 6 (Mar 9) – Supplication (ourselves)
Our Father delights in hearing from His children.
Our Father delights in hearing from His children:
- Who Do We Pray To?
Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
–Matthew 6:9-13 (HCSB)
–Matthew 6:9-13 (HCSB)
"You have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father!'"
– Romans 8:15 (HCSB)
– Romans 8:15 (HCSB)
But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name.
– John 1:12 (HCSB)
– John 1:12 (HCSB)
- Jesus is our Mediator: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus." – 1 Timothy 2:5 (HCSB)
- The Holy Spirit intercedes for us: "In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings." – Romans 8:26 (HCSB)
Our Father delights in hearing from His children:
- Who Do We Pray To?
- What Do We Say?
"Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy."
– Matthew 6:9 (HCSB)
– Matthew 6:9 (HCSB)
- Pray = "proseuchomai"
- Pros – meaning "to" or "toward"
- Euchomai – meaning "to wish, to desire, or to pray"
- Adoration – “Our Father in heaven, Your name be honored as holy.” (Matthew 6:9)
- Confession – “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)
- Thanksgiving – “Give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)
- Supplication – “And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13)
"This prayer is commonly called 'The Lord’s Prayer,' but it is actually 'The Disciples’ Prayer.' This prayer, which is repeated by many Christians, contains elements that are important for all praying… Jesus presented a model prayer for His disciples to follow.
– Dr. Louis Barbieri, Bible Knowledge Commentary
– Dr. Louis Barbieri, Bible Knowledge Commentary
Our Father delights in hearing from His children.
Our Father delights in hearing from His children:
- Who Do We Pray To?
- What Do We Say?
- Where Do We Pray?
Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
– Matthew 6:1 (HCSB)
– Matthew 6:1 (HCSB)
Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. I assure you: They’ve got their reward! But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. When you pray, don’t babble like the idolaters, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him.
– Matthew 6:5-8 (HCSB)
– Matthew 6:5-8 (HCSB)
He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke the loaves.
– Matthew 14:19 (HCSB)
– Matthew 14:19 (HCSB)
Father, I thank you that you heard Me. I know that you always hear Me.
– John 11:41-42 (HCSB)
– John 11:41-42 (HCSB)
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
– Acts 2:42
– Acts 2:42
Many had assembled and were praying.
– Acts 12:12 (HCSB)
– Acts 12:12 (HCSB)
Our Father delights in hearing from His children:
- Who Do We Pray To?
- What Do We Say?
- Where Do We Pray?
- When Do We Pray?
Give us today our daily bread.
– Matthew 6:11 (HCSB)
– Matthew 6:11 (HCSB)
- Daniel prayed three times a day – "He got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God three times a day, just as he had done before." – Daniel 6:10 (HCSB)
- David prayed seven times a day – "I praise You seven times a day for Your righteous judgments." – Psalm 119:164 (HCSB)
- Apostle Paul wrote, "Pray constantly." – 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (HCSB)
Our Father delights in hearing from His children:
- Who Do We Pray To?
- What Do We Say?
- Where Do We Pray?
- When Do We Pray?
- Why Do We Pray?
“This is the confidence we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
– John 5:14 (HCSB)
– John 5:14 (HCSB)
“Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares about you.”
– 1 Peter 5:7 (HCSB)
– 1 Peter 5:7 (HCSB)
“Our Father. Familiar words, maybe so familiar that they are no longer real. Those words were not only real, but also revolutionary to the twelve disciples. Pagan philosophers such as Aristotle arrived at the existence of God via human reason and referred to Him in vague, impersonal terms: the uncaused cause, the immovable mover. The prophets of Israel revealed the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in a warmer, more compassionate manner. But only Jesus revealed to an astonished Jewish community that God is truly Father. If you took the love of all the best mothers and fathers who have lived in the course of human history, all their goodness, kindness, patience, fidelity, wisdom, tenderness, strength, and love and united all those qualities in a single person, that person’s love would only be a faint shadow of the love and mercy in the heart of God the Father addressed to you and me in this moment.”
– Brennan Manning
– Brennan Manning
Discussion Questions //
- What comes to mind when you hear the words “pray’ and “prayer”? Why do you think most people tend to struggle with prayer?
- Who do we pray to? Read Matthew 6:9. Why do you think Jesus specifically taught His disciples to address their prayers to “Our Father in heaven”? How does that shape the way we approach God?
- What do we say when we pray? Read the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Of the four main themes (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication), which comes most naturally to you, and which is the most challenging to pray? Why do you think that is
- Where do we pray? Jesus prayed both in private and in public. Why do you think Jesus warned against making prayer a public performance? How do you balance private and prayer with others in your life?
- When do we pray? Read 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Paul says to “pray constantly.” What do you think that means? How can we develop a habit of more regular prayer?
- Why do we pray? Read 1 Peter 5:7. What does this verse reveal about God’s heart toward us? How does knowing that He cares for us impact the way we pray?
Worship Setlist //
He Lives // Crowns Down // The Truth // Trust in God
Devotional //
Each week, a new devotional will be available. This devotional is based on the previous Sunday's message, and it aims to take the message further and help you dive deeper into the topic. You can find the devotionals at the link, or sign up to receive weekly emails.
Catch Up //
You can watch or listen to past messages online!
Give //
Your financial gift to support what God is doing at The Ridge makes ministry possible. Thank you for your generosity. We cannot do any of what God has asked us to do here at The Ridge without your faithful and cheerful giving.
Recent
Archive
2025
January
February
March
April
May
2024
January
February
Prayer Plan // February 2024Honduras Day 1 // Feb. 3, 2024Truth Is - Part 5 [Notes]Honduras Day 2 // Feb. 4, 2024Honduras Day 3 // Feb. 5, 2024Honduras Day 4 // Feb. 6, 2024Two Roads Diverged in a Wood…Honduras Day 5 // Feb. 7, 2024Honduras Day 6 // Feb. 8, 2024Honduras Day 7 // Feb. 9, 2024Truth Is - Part 6 [Notes]Something You May Not KnowTruth Is - Part 7 [Notes]Can We Get Along With Others?Foretold - Part 1 [Notes]Living IntentionallyPrayer Plan // March 2024
March
Foretold - Part 2 [Notes]The Cornerstone of Our FaithForetold - Part 3 [Notes]Wrestling With the TextForetold - Part 4 [Notes]Deliverance Through CommunityForetold - Part 5 [Notes]Not My Will // Palm Sunday [Holy Week]Spring Cleaning // Holy Monday [Holy Week]Broken // Holy Tuesday [Holy Week]Last // Holy Wednesday [Holy Week]Jesus Barabbas // Maundy Thursday [Holy Week]The Old Rugged Cross // Good Friday [Holy Week]I Surrender // Holy Saturday [Holy Week]The Resurrection Changes Everything // Easter Sunday [Holy Week]Easter With The Ridge // Foretold - Part 6 [Notes]
April
Categories
Tags
1 Timothy 4:3-4
1 corinthians 13
1 peter 3
1 peter 5
1 peter
3 tips
31
Abraham
Barb
Bible
Christ centered friendships
Christ-centered friendships
Christ
Control
David
Deuteronomy 31:8
Elijah
Gideon
God's Word
God's faithfulness
God's will
God\'s Word
God\'s will
God\\\'s will
God\\\\\\\'s will
Gods Word
Gods name
Gods voice
Gods will
God
Good Samaritan
Holy Spirit
Isaac
Isaiah 41
Isaiah 53
Isaiah
James 1:22
James 4:14
Jesus is coming
Jesus
Jonathan
Josiah
Lazarus
Live at Peace
Matthew 26:38-39
Messiah
Old Testament
Paul
Philippians 2
Pneumatology
Psalms
Romans 6:9
Saul
Savior
Scripture
Significant Others
Talented
Word of God
You Say
a mother's prayer
a mother\'s prayer
a mothers prayer
a new thing
abandon
abby conner
abide
abiding
absolute truth
accountability
acts 1:8
acts 2:42-47
acts of prayer
actsofprayer
acts
adam and eve
adam etris
adam
adoration
adulteror
adultery
adultry
advent
agape love
agape
alls well that ends well
anchored
andrew archer
andrew
angels sing
anger
anguish
anxiety
apostles
appreciation
archer
arch
are you prepared
art of neighboring
attributes
austin michels
austin
authorities
authority
baptism sunday
baptism
barabbas
barb banhart
barb barnhart
barnhart
be a friend
be still
be strong and courageous
be transformed
beauty from ashes
becoming fearless
believers
believe
betrayal
better neighbors
better
be
brandy gibson
brandy
broken
bronze serpant
bruce lane
bruce
burnout
cancel culture
cancel
care
carols
celebrate others
celebration sunday
changes
change
character
chestnut ridge church
christian leaders
christian life
christianity
christian
christmas with the ridge
christmas
church defined
church design
church family
church
circles
cleaning the temple
clinging to jesus
colossians 1:13
communication
community
compassion
concentric circles
confession
conflict
connection
contentment
courage
coveting
covet
created for community
crisis in israel
cross
crowd
crucifixion
cultivate the soil
culture
daughter
death
debt
delaney
desires
deuteronomy 31:6
devotional
devotion
disagreement
discernment
do not fear
do not steal
doers
don't panic
don\'t panic
do
dual citizenship
early church
easter sunday
easter with the ridge
easter
eight commandment
elderly
elections
election
empathy
encouragement
end times
endurance
ephesians 3:14-23
ephesians5:21
eternal impact
eternal king
eternal life
eternal security
eternity
etris
exhausted
extended family
face to face
faithful in the small things
faithfulness
faith
false witness
family of God
family
famous last words
father
fear less series
fear less
fearless
fear
fifth commandment
finding
first commandement
first commandment
foretold
forgiveness
forgiven
forgive
forgiving
forsaken
foundation
four tips
fourth commandment
free from sin
freedom
freely given
free
friendships
friendship
friends
friend
garden of gethsemane
generosity
generous
get ready
getting along
gibson
gifts
give thanks
gloria
godly leaders
gods faithfulness
good enough
good friday
good works
gospel
government
grace and truth
grace hill
grace
grateful
gratitude
great commission
greed
grief
grieve with others
groups
growth
hard heart
haring
he has come
he will be called
healthy lifestyle
health
heart
heaven
hell
helping
hill
holy living
holy monday
holy saturday
holy tuesday
holy wednesday
holy week
holy
homecoming
hondruas
honduras
honor
hope
huggins
humble
humility
hurricane helene
husband
i do but do i
i might have a problem
ian young
ian
identity of God
identity
idolatry
idols
immovable
in all things
in christ
inspired
intimacy
invitation
israel
jamie huggins
jamie
jill wargo
jill
john 8:1-11
john 8:10-11
john
josh rhodes
josh
joy
judas
judgemental
judgement
judge
judging
katie lemley
katie
key relationships
kim sheets
kim
kindness
kingdom of heaven
king
kinsman redeemer
know the truth
la ceiba
lamb of God
lane
language
last supper
laziness
leadership
legacy
lemley
life
light of the world
light
listening
live generously
living intentionally
living victoriously
living water
logos
loss
love one another
love
loyalty
luke 10:42
luke 23:34
lust
lying
made new
manna
margin for more
marriage matters
marriage
martha
matthew 22:37-39
matthew 23:24
matthew 6:3-4
maundy thursday
mediator
melissa parker
melissa
mental health
mercy
michelle lemley
michelle trimmer
michelle
michels
mikvah
ministry
mission trip
missions
money
morality
moses
murder
neighbor
new family
new testament
new testatment
new year
new
ninth commandment
o holy night
ourselves
overcome evil with good
palm sunday
parables
parable
parenting
parents
parent
parker
passover lamb
passover
pastor tim haring
pastor tim
pastors
pastor
path of life
path of victory
peacemaker
peace
people of god
people
perfecter
perfector
persecution
perserverance
perseverance
persistence
perspective
philippians 4:6-7
philippians
phone
physical health
pioneer
point of church
point
possessions
power of the past
pray like paul
prayer life
prayer plan
prayer
praying
pray
prepare
promises of God
proverbs
provision
psalm 139
purpose
quality time
race
reading
read
reconciliation
recreated
redeemed
redeemer
redemption
reflection
reflect
rejoice
relationship with God
relationships
relationship
relative truth
religion
religious leaders
remember
respond
response
rest
resurrection
retaliation
return
revenge
rhodes
riches
roger sealey
roger
role model
romans 12:12
romans 12:15
romans
rulers
rules
running the race
sabbath day
sabbath
sacrifice
salvation
schedule
sealey
seasons
second coming
second commandment
secure
seek the truth
selfish
selflessness
selfless
separation
sermon on the mount
serve Jesus
serve others
serve
serving others
serving
set free
seventh commandment
shame
share the gospel
share the truth
sharing the good news
sheep and goats
sheets
signs
sing
sin
sixth commandment
social media
soft heart
sower
speaking the truth
speak
speech
spending
spiritual gifts
spiritual leaders
spiritual relationships
spring cleaning
stand firm
stealing
stewardship
stillness
still
strained
straining out gnats and swallowing camels
strength
submit
substitutionary atonement
succession
suffering
supplication
support
surrender
take time
talents
technology
temptation
ten commandements
ten commandments
tender heart
tenth commandment
ten
thankfulness
thanksgiving
thanks
the dishonest manager
the good samaritan
the lost coin
the lost sheep
the lost son
the parables of jesus
the persistent widow
the plot
the point of church
the primary purpose of the church
the prodigal son
the purpose of the church
the rich fool
the sheep and goats
the sower
the talents
the ten virgins
the two foundations
the wedding banquet
the word of God
the word
theology
third commandment
third person
thoughts
through thick and thin
throught thick and thin
tim haring
time management
time
tim
titus
transformation
treasure
trials
tribulation
triggered
trimmer
trinity
trustworthy
trust
truth about people
truth is
truth matters
truthiness
truth
two foundations
two lies and the truth
ukraine
unbelievers
uncertainty
unclean
victorious
victory
volunteer
wargo
wealth
wedding feast
weep
what's the point?
what\'s the point?
what\\\'s the point?
what\\\\\\\'s the point?
what\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s the point?
whats the point
whatsthepoint
when we pray
who am i
who i am
who we are
wife
wisdom
words
works of God
work
worry
worship
wronged
you are forgiven
young