Prayer
Watch or listen to
the full sermon here.
Preached by Pastor Mike Woodard
Follow The Valley Church
In our series Little Victories, we’ve explored how small, consistent spiritual practices can have a profound impact on our lives. From little victories of obedience to Scripture reading and worship, these everyday habits shape us over time. Today, we conclude this series by focusing on another essential spiritual discipline: prayer.
Why Little Victories Matter in Prayer
Much like athletic muscle memory, our spiritual muscles develop through consistent practice. Just as I learned lessons playing basketball on my neighborhood culdesac that prepared me for the court, our prayer lives benefit from consistent, intentional moments of connection with God. When we practice daily prayer, we strengthen our “spiritual muscle memory,” allowing us to respond with prayer instead of fear, worry, or frustration when life’s circumstances arise.
Three Misconceptions About Prayer
In Matthew 6:5-8, Jesus addresses common misconceptions about prayer that can discourage believers:
Length – A powerful prayer isn’t measured by how long it is.
Volume – Loud or public prayers don’t equate to effectiveness.
Vocabulary – Fancy words or religious jargon aren’t necessary.
Instead, Jesus invites us to cultivate prayer with consistency, sincerity, and faith.
1. Consistency Over Length
Consistency matters more than duration. Just as habits form muscle memory in sports, a consistent prayer life weaves seamlessly into your daily routine. Pray in the morning, while driving, before bed, or even in response to life events. Over time, these small victories of consistent prayer become an automatic, natural part of life.
2. Sincerity Over Volume
God desires your heart, not your performance. Honest, candid, and heartfelt prayers are what matter most. Whether you’re praying about challenges, joys, or questions, God listens. You are never too small or too busy to pray—He cares deeply about every detail of your life, from the universe’s creation to your personal needs.
3. Faith Over Vocabulary
Faith fuels prayer. When we pray believing in God’s power and His promises, we pray proactively, not just reactively. Faith-filled prayers increase our confidence in God’s ability to work in ways beyond our comprehension. Prayer becomes a powerful habit that strengthens our trust in Him.
Practical Guidance: The Lord’s Prayer & ACTS
Matthew 6:9-13 gives us a model for prayer—the Lord’s Prayer—which we can use as a template to build a habit of daily communication with God. A practical acronym, ACTS, can help structure your prayers:
Adoration – Praise God for who He is.
Confession – Acknowledge sins and ask for forgiveness.
Thanksgiving – Give thanks for His provision and blessings.
Supplication – Present your needs and the needs of others.
Using this structure can help organize thoughts, especially when distractions arise, and make prayer a sustainable daily practice.
Building a Habit of Prayer
Creating a routine can simplify prayer and help you stay consistent. Some practical tips include:
Assigning specific days for different prayer focuses (family, church, personal growth).
Starting small, with manageable timeframes or shorter prayers.
Using Scripture and the Lord’s Prayer as a guide.
Remaining patient and persistent—even missed days don’t erase progress.
Faith-filled prayers are seeds planted for the future, often bearing fruit long after they are prayed. Jesus modeled this in John 17 when He prayed for us, demonstrating the enduring power of intercession.
Conclusion
Winning little victories of prayer is not about long speeches, eloquent words, or public recognition. It’s about faith, sincerity, and consistency. Prayer strengthens your spiritual life, transforms your response to challenges, and draws you closer to God. Start today by setting aside time, using ACTS, and cultivating a habit of proactive, faith-filled prayer.