1. Beginning a new season the right way
Look at these scriptures and circle the word pray or prayer as we go
Beginning a new season right
School
Football & soccer
Election season drastically change our country
New relationships
Parenting a changing family
Work
Also as a church – discipleship year
We want to learn to pray first
Pray first before
Start the day: Jesus thank you will be good
- the kids leave the house: leader not a follower
we have that work meeting
We send that text or [PLEASE}
Post on FB
Before we play in the game [NEXT SLIDE – text]

2. To pray first would change they way we live, the way we feel
But we don’t do it as a good idea
We do it because Jesus is the center of our lives
And its what He did

3. Jesus modeled a “PRAYfirst” life!!
In the Gospel of Luke, every new season or stage of Jesus’ life and mission began in prayer
The scriptures are some you will be praying through in our devotional guide starting tomorrow
Look at them – every one is an example of prayer as a new season is about to start
3:21 – Jesus begins his public ministry
6:12-13 Jesus begins the ministry of the 12 disciples
9:28-30 Jesus begins his journey to Jerusalem as the Christ that must suffer and die
22:41-42 Jesus begins his trial and suffering
24:49 Jesus preparing disciples to begin the church
This is Jesus – the son of God
He does nothing without beginning in prayer
And yet in our life – we can treat prayer as an afterthought or last resort
But to follow Jesus and to be like Jesus is to pray first
Look at John 5:19 & what Jesus says when asked to explain his miracles, his teaching and his lifestyle

4. “Jesus gave them this answer: ‘I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” (Jn 5:19)

5. When we PRAYfirst, we depend on God
When we PRAYfirst, we depend on God. When we don’t PRAYfirst, we depend on ourselves.
That’s what Jesus shows us in John 5:19
I don’t start a new season
I don’t say yes to that job
I don’t decide what to do – unless God shows me
Week of school – already exhausted
New sports
New job
New attempt to work on a relationship
Jesus said – come to me
How? Prayer

6. When we PRAYfirst, we start in peace & end in victory
When we PRAYfirst, we start in peace & end in victory. When we don’t PRAYfirst, we start in fear & end in frustration
When we prayfirst like jesus – we live in victory like Jesus
Not just the end but the beginning
Start knowing we are loved
Knowing we are provided for
When we don’t prayfirst – we start in fear
We react, we misunderstand, we lash out, we panic, we settle
For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord

7. WE MUST DO WHAT JESUS DID 1. Make time for prayer
Depend on God is to make time in prayer
Fit bit / track calories
Track fantasy football
Time for
Make time – calling to begin this as a lifestyle
To Prayfirst

8. WE MUST DO WHAT JESUS DID 1. Make time for prayer 2
WE MUST DO WHAT JESUS DID 1. Make time for prayer 2. Make a place of prayer
Jesus would withdraw
He would pray in a certain place
Prayer without a place is worry pretending to be prayer
Find a place to pray – to focus on victory when everything around you says defeat

9. WE MUST DO WHAT JESUS DID 1. Make time for prayer 2
WE MUST DO WHAT JESUS DID 1. Make time for prayer 2. Make a place for prayer 3. Make His Word our guide for prayer
God’s word – that gives us certainty when everything in us is confused
Prayfirst devotions
Luke
Make time
Find a place
Focus on his word
God make this real in my own life
Here is my life and my need
Speak and show me
Enemy wants to take away prayer / starts with word
As you will read look – prayer always leads to power
Urgent with the important

10. WE MUST DO WHAT JESUS DID 1. Make time for prayer 2
WE MUST DO WHAT JESUS DID 1. Make time for prayer 2. Make a place for prayer 3. Make His Word our guide for prayer 4. Make prayer relational not formal
Our father!!!! - personal
God wants to be with you.
He is for you.
He is watching
He loves you
You’re not alone – won’t know that unless you PRAYfirst

11. AND MY COMMUNITY’S DESTINY.
P R A Y E R D E C I D E S
MY LIFE’S LEGACY,
MY FAMILY’S VICTORY
AND MY COMMUNITY’S DESTINY.
Grandma Franco – fam born in Italy, youngest, lost it all
legacy in prayer // over 13 great grandchildren
PRAYFIRST
Family’s victory
-they need my spiritual victory not world success
Community’s Destiny
Ecoff elementary – cut suspensions in half
Bensley – some of the best SOL scores
CRC –
Gendetesfa – new church
Praying for our schools coming up
(if my people who are called by my name

12. “Dear Jesus, Today I believe I can have a new beginning & season through You. Help me to PRAYfirst (about, in, for, with) I want to depend on You and be filled with Your peace & victory.”
Fill it out
Downstairs – reminders and helps for you to prayfirst
And to show the world around us to pray first
Wristbands – FREE
Tshirts - $5 person
Photobooth
Prayer groups – love for you to start one
FOOD & KIDS GAMES
Lord – before we do it / before we go back home – we pray first these very words