Part 02: Prayer Changes Things
Sermon Summary
Brandon Haire shared his powerful testimony of walking with Jesus in the workplace, demonstrating how God calls believers to be witnesses and ambassadors wherever the Lord leads them.
In this sermon, Brandon illustrates how prayer becomes the foundation for workplace revival and reformation.
The sermon culminated with Brandon's call to courage - not just in dramatic moments, but as a daily lifestyle of faithfulness. Whether making your bed, praying for difficult people, or standing firm when pressured to compromise your faith, courage is demonstrated through consistent obedience to God's calling. As Brandon concluded, "This is not a sermon, it's a lifestyle" - a reminder that revival happens when ordinary believers courageously live out their faith in extraordinary ways wherever God has placed them.
Key Scriptures
Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV) "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"
Luke 11:1-4 (NIV) "One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.' He said to them, 'When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'"
Proverbs 25:21-22 (NIV) "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you."
Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV) "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
James 4:6-8 (NIV) "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.' Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you."
Instructions for groups: Choose a few of these questions from the various categories to go deeper in the sermon and put the truths of Scripture into practice.
Discussion Questions
Scripture Study & Deeper Understanding (3 questions)
In Matthew 28:16-20, Brandon highlighted that "some doubted" even after seeing the risen Jesus. What does this teach us about the reality of doubt in our faith journey, and how can we move forward in obedience despite our doubts?
Looking at Luke 11:1-4, the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray after watching Him pray. Use the Lord’s prayer as a pattern to guide your Lifegroup in prayer
Read James 4:6-8's teaching about God opposing the proud but giving grace to the humble. What other Scripture connect to pride and humility from God’s Word?
Encouragement, Challenge & Personal Testimony (3 questions)
Brandon shared how business professors showed him Christ-like love during his family crisis. Share about a time when God showed His love through unexpected people or circumstances in your life.
The message challenged us that "when prayer becomes common, you see the invisible and do the impossible." What encouraging evidence have you seen in your own life or community when prayer became a regular practice rather than just a crisis response?
Brandon's mentor Calvin taught him that "the person staring back at you in the mirror is both your problem and your solution." How does this principle challenge your current approach to difficulties you're facing, and what hope does it offer?
Prayer (2 questions)
Listening to the Holy Spirit: We're going to take focused time to listen to the Holy Spirit and what He wants to speak to us personally based on our time in Scripture and discussion tonight. Let's sit in silence for 60 seconds and ask the Spirit to speak to each one of us.
[After the minute of silence] What do you sense the Holy Spirit highlighting or speaking to you as we prayed?Prayer Requests from Tonight's Study: What prayer requests come up for you based on our Scripture study and discussion tonight? How can we pray for you as you seek to apply what God has shown you?
Putting it into Practice (2 questions)
Brandon challenged us to set a daily alarm to pray for the hardest people in our lives to love. Who is that person for you, and how might consistent prayer for them change both your heart and the relationship?
The sermon emphasized that we are called to be "witnesses and ambassadors" in every sphere we enter. What is one specific way you can begin bringing God's Kingdom influence into your workplace, school, or community this week?