Rooted in Prayer

Using the image of healthy-looking trees toppled by a storm because of shallow roots, the sermon urges listeners to be deeply rooted in Jesus through prayer. It asks whether believers are people who pray or people of prayer, with a life saturated in continual prayer, drawing on Colossians, Matthew, Acts, Romans, 1 Thessalonians, Ephesians, Philippians, and James. It warns that distraction, insincere repetition, shame, and praying alone can leave a prayer life shallow. It reminds hearers that the Spirit intercedes and that Christ their high priest sympathizes, and it closes with a challenge to make homes, marriages, and the congregation places of prayer, followed by an invitation.