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Learning How To Include God In the Small Things | Guided Prayers · Central Christian Church

• 0:04
  SPEAKER_00: Today, as we pray together, we're going to meditate on one of Jesus' most profound invitations, found in John 15 4.
• 0:15
  SPEAKER_00: Jesus tells his followers, abide in me and I in you.
• 0:21
  SPEAKER_00: To abide means to remain, to make our home in Christ, to stay close to him and depend on him moment by moment.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_00: It's not about striving harder or for more.
• 0:34
  SPEAKER_00: It's about simply staying connected to the one who was our source of life.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: As we pray, let's quiet our hearts and practice abiding.
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_00: Let's make space to be with Jesus, trusting that as we remain in Him, He remains with us.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_00: Let's begin by taking three slow deep breaths.
• 0:59
  SPEAKER_00: Let your body rest, relax your jaw, soften your shoulders, and release any tension you're carrying.
• 1:09
  SPEAKER_00: Become aware of God's presence with you in this moment.
• 1:28
  SPEAKER_00: Now spend the next minute simply reflecting on the goodness of God.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_00: Remember his faithfulness, his kindness, and the ways he has sustained you.
• 1:40
  SPEAKER_00: Let gratitude rise in your heart as you consider all he has done and the gift of his presence in your life.
• 2:16
  SPEAKER_00: Imagine every conversation, every responsibility, every joy, and every challenge while abiding in Jesus.
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_00: Picture yourself remaining close to him, drawing your strength, peace, and wisdom from his presence.
• 2:34
  SPEAKER_00: And just as importantly, become aware of this beautiful promise.
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_00: As you remain in him, he remains in you.
• 3:28
  SPEAKER_00: Depend on me, stay with me, remain in me.
• 3:33
  SPEAKER_00: As we abide in Christ, we stop striving to sustain ourselves and begin receiving what only He can provide.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_00: Take the next two minutes to talk with God.
• 3:46
  SPEAKER_00: Is there any area of your life where you've been relying on your own strength?
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_00: Where do you feel weary, disconnected, or distracted from his presence?
• 3:59
  SPEAKER_00: Bring those places before him.
• 4:02
  SPEAKER_00: Ask him to draw you back into deeper communion with him and to help you become aware of him throughout your day.
• 5:17
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for not leaving us where you found us.
• 5:21
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for your patience and grace when we fall back into old habits and patterns, even after you've shown us a better way and set us free.
• 5:32
  SPEAKER_00: You have never given up on us and you never will.
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for the gift of your presence.
• 5:39
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you that you choose to abide with us, dwelling with us every moment of every day.
• 5:48
  SPEAKER_00: Today we want nothing more than to abide.
• 5:52
  SPEAKER_00: Teach us what that looks like in the ordinary moments of life.
• 5:56
  SPEAKER_00: Help us make small decisions that keep us aware of your presence and draw us back to you whenever we begin to drift.
• 6:06
  SPEAKER_00: May we remain in you today, trusting that as we do, you will bear your fruit through our lives.
• 6:14
  SPEAKER_00: In your name we pray.
• 6:16
  SPEAKER_00: Amen.