Thrive Week 4

This message invites us into a radical reimagining of prayer—not as an obligation we trudge through, but as a desperate desire born from recognizing our true calling. Drawing from Luke 11:1, we encounter disciples who didn't need to be lectured about prayer; they watched Jesus operate in supernatural power and begged him to teach them. The key insight here is profound: they prayed because they longed to live powerful lives, not the other way around. We often think great followers of Jesus were powerful because they prayed, but the truth is they prayed because they believed they were called to extraordinary lives of love, grace, and power. When we truly grasp who we are in Christ, whose we are, and why we're here—when we refuse to settle for mediocrity and comfort—prayer transforms from moving a refrigerator into sharing a feast. The cultural drift we experience constantly lulls us into thinking life is about getting by, raising ordinary kids for ordinary success, and avoiding pain. But when we take seriously our call to follow Jesus—to forgive enemies, serve the powerless, and make the kingdom visible—we discover we cannot do it alone. Prayer becomes not duty but lifeline, not obligation but gift. Paul's example from Ephesians 6 shows us this beautifully: imprisoned in chains, he doesn't pray for release but for boldness to declare the gospel. That's the heart of someone who remembers their mission and knows their desperate need for divine power.