A New Relationship (Part 2): Our Need to Talk to God | Women and Faith | Stephanie Schwartz

Main message: God hears the prayers of those who are united to Christ; prayer is a personal, ongoing conversation with God carried out in Jesus' authority, patterned by the Lord’s Prayer, and offered with humility and trust in God's wise answers.

Key points:

• Because Jesus paid for sin and tore the temple curtain, believers have direct access to God and a promise that He hears their prayers.
• Praying "in Jesus' name" acknowledges Jesus as mediator and calls us to pray according to His character and will.
• Use Jesus’ model (the Lord’s Prayer) as a template: begin with adoration (God’s lordship), ask for daily provision, confess sin, seek forgiveness, and request protection from the evil one.
• Prayer should include thanksgiving and dependence, not just a checklist of requests; God answers wisely (yes, no, or not yet).
• Persist in talking to God always—set regular times, but also direct your thoughts to Him throughout the day.
• Those not yet in Christ should come humbly, asking for faith (e.g., "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief") and begin by seeking reconciliation with God.

Scriptures mentioned: John 14:6, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Isaiah 59:2, Matthew 27:50-51, 1 Timothy 2:5, 1 John 5:14, John 9, Luke 11, Matthew 6:9-13, 1 Peter 5:8-9, James, Nehemiah