The Rock Weekly – September 23, 2026

  • Corporate Prayer Class & Foundations Class both at 6pm tonight. 
  • Altar Initiative begins October 1; Altar Night of Worship on Friday 10/2 at 7pm in the Sanctuary

What Makes Us Want to Pray?

The Scriptures call us to devote ourselves to prayer (Col. 4:2)—to give ourselves to prayer intentionally, consistently, and steadfastly. The question I want us to consider is simple but important: What actually fuels a life devoted to prayer?

We can all agree that prayer matters, and there are many good reasons to pray. Scripture gives us many examples of people devoted to prayer for us to emulate. It also reminds us of what prayer can produce in our lives, our families, our church, and our city.

As right and good as these motivations are, there are deeper, more fundamental motivations for a life devoted to prayer.

In our Corporate Prayer class, we have been looking at four of them: Who God is. Who we are. What God desires. And how His desire unfolds in His story.

A few weeks ago, I preached about who we are: a people purchased by the blood of Jesus and made into a kingdom of priests. This Sunday, I want to focus especially on the first foundation:

Who is the God to whom we pray?

Years ago, while preaching on this subject, I asked a question that has stayed with me:

How do you motivate a blind man to behold the beauty of the rising sun?

You can tell him how important the sunrise is. You can bring him to the overlook every morning. You can surround him with people describing its beauty. But ultimately, his deepest need is not greater motivation.

He needs his eyes opened.

Perhaps this is one of our deepest needs in prayer as well.

We do not simply need more exhortation to pray. We need the Spirit of God to open the eyes of our hearts so that we can see the beauty, worth, holiness, and majesty of the One before whom we pray.

As we prepare for The ALTAR Initiative in October, our aim is not simply to add more prayer meetings or minutes of prayer. We are learning a rhythm of turning our attention to Jesus—morning, noon, and evening.

Because when our eyes are opened to see Him, prayer increasingly becomes not merely something we ought to do, it becomes a response to Someone worth beholding.

Blessings,
Pastor Matt and your Rock Staff

 

 

IMPORTANT SERVICE & WEEKLY INFORMATION:

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WORSHIP & PRAYER SERVICE  7:00pm *Children’s Ministry available*
Facebook Live:  https://www.facebook.com/rockchurchco
The Rock Online Livestream:  https://www.therock.org/live/

 

FOUNDATIONS CLASS – 6:00pm Wednesdays through 9/23
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/99757846764?pwd=Tm8zQ0JQWk1xeHFBcEU5anNFN1l4dz09

 

YOUTH ~ ABIDE YOUTH (6th – 12th Grade) – WEDNESDAY NIGHT – 7:00pm
Invite a friend and come have a great time. If you have any questions, email jaden@therock.org

 

FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTION – 1st & 3rd Saturday of each Month
https://www.therock.org/foodbank/
Email Lindy@therock.org if you would like to volunteer or have questions.

 

SUNDAY PRE-SERVICE PRAYER & COMMUNION – 8:15am
In the Prayer Room (behind the Sanctuary). All are welcome.

 

SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE – 9:45am  *In-Person & On-line*
           Facebook Live:  https://www.facebook.com/rockchurchco
The Rock Online Livestream:  https://www.therock.org/live/

 

OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE  Here are some ways you can partner with The Rock as you practice generosity – our regular tithe/giving, compassion help, missions, and our food bank.  Click on the following link or graphic.  www.therock.org/give

 

Have a Question, Need Prayer, Help, Feel Alone, or Disconnected?

Please email us at family@therock.org and put QUESTION, PRAYER, NEED HELP, or CONNECT ME at the top of your email.