Pray Like Jesus

Before Anything Else

Jarrett Stephens August 16, 2026 33:45
0:00 33:45

About This Sermon

Jarrett Stephens introduces the series "Pray Like Jesus" with a message titled "Before Anything Else." He teaches from Luke 3, Luke 6, Mark 1, and Luke 5 to show that prayer was not a duty for Jesus but a life to share with his Father. Jesus prayed before ministry began, before major decisions, and habitually before each day. This rhythm was not merely what he did; it was who he was.

Jarrett warns that Satan will use busyness, complacency, and self-sufficiency to keep believers from intimacy with God. He calls the church to fight back by establishing a routine and getting alone with God, limiting distractions so that prayer becomes a delight rather than a box to check.

Scripture: Mark 1:35; Luke 3:21-22; Hebrews 5:7; Luke 5:16; Mark 6:46; Luke 6:12-13; John 15

Study Guide

A few ideas to carry with you, discuss with your group, or revisit during the week.

Practical Takeaways (5)
  1. For Jesus, prayer wasn't a box to check; it was a life to share.
  2. Jesus prayed before ministry, before decisions, and before the day began.
  3. Prayer was not just what Jesus did; it was who he was.
  4. Satan uses busyness, complacency, and self-sufficiency to prevent intimacy with God.
  5. Getting a routine and getting alone with God are practical ways to grow in prayer.
Discussion Questions (4)
  1. What do Luke 3:21-22 and Luke 5:16 show us about how Jesus approached prayer?
  2. Which of the three enemies of intimacy, busyness, complacency, or self-sufficiency, do you most often face?
  3. What would it look like for prayer to be a life you share rather than a box you check?
  4. What is one practical step you could take this week to establish a routine of meeting with God?

From the Series

Pray Like Jesus

Pray Like Jesus

Prayer was never an afterthought in the life of Jesus. It was the foundation of everything He did. Before the crowds, before the miracles, before the cross, Jesus continually met… Read morePrayer was never an afterthought in the life of Jesus. It was the foundation of everything He did. Before the crowds, before the miracles, before the cross, Jesus continually met with His Father. In Pray Like Jesus, we’ll journey through the Gospels to discover how Jesus prayed in every season of life. We’ll see His pattern of daily dependence, His prayers for others, His surrender in suffering, and His unwavering trust in the Father. More than learning about prayer, we’ll be invited to experience the same relationship with God that shaped every moment of Jesus’ life. Whether your prayer life feels vibrant or you’ve struggled to know where to begin, this series will help you grow in confidence, intimacy, and dependence on God as you learn to pray like Jesus. Show less
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