You can’t control what anyone else says or does. People may attack you, speak evil of you, and hate you, but you can’t control them. However, you can change yourself by giving yourself to prayer. The issue is not what they did but how you respond to what they did.

Sermon Notes 

You can’t control what anyone else says or does. People may attack you, speak evil of you, and hate you, but you can’t control them. However, you can change yourself by giving yourself to prayer. The issue is not what they did but how you respond to what they did. 

Key Scriptures: 

Psalm 109; Luke 11:9-10; I Thessalonians 5:15-18; James 5:16

Key Points:

1. Prayer is not something you do but something you are. It’s impossible to be in prayer and stay bitter or hateful. Your response to everything others do should be prayer. Don’t just be in trouble; be in prayer. 
2. Decide what you give yourself to. Your life is determined by what you give yourself to. You can give yourself to worry and fear, or you can give yourself to prayer. But hope, joy, and comfort only come from prayer. Don’t accept the titles the world gives you, but take the title of “prayer” over your life.
3. Prayer is where you go to deal with what was dealt to you. You will never give yourself to prayer if it’s always about everyone else. Trials and setbacks will happen, but if you want to walk in victory and have joy regardless of the trouble you face, you must give yourself to prayer. Life is going to happen. The issue is not what happens to you but how you deal with it.
4. Keep bitterness from out of your heart by bringing it to your knees in prayer. If it’s in your knees, it can’t get in your heart. Serve an eviction notice on the hatred and bitterness that has penetrated your heart by taking it to prayer. Offense is an event, but being offended is a choice. Refuse to give yourself to offense and give yourself to prayer instead. When you give yourself to prayer, God will take care of your enemies. 
5. Pray about everything. If you try to figure out situations with logic or seek revenge, you will not fix them. Some issues can only be fixed with prayer. So, pray fervent prayers of thunder that are effective in their working. A miracle is in motion when you begin to pray. 

Final Thoughts:

If you want to walk in victory and joy, you can’t just pray now and then; you must give yourself to prayer. Life will happen, and trouble will come, but you must decide to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks to God in everything.