SPEAKER: Pastor Russel Moldovan

This sermon, part of the “Interpersonalism” series, focuses on how our relationship with God grows through prayer, just as it does through reading His Word. The preacher begins by reminding us of Jesus’ great commandment to love God and love others, noting that while the series has mostly centered on relationships with people, this message highlights our direct relationship with God. Scripture teaches us that prayer is communication with God—both speaking and listening—and that a prayerful attitude makes the Bible come alive in our hearts. Prayer is mentioned hundreds of times in the Bible, showing its importance, but God does not always answer with a simple “yes.” Instead, His answers may be “no,” “not yet,” “if,” or even “instead,” always aligning with His perfect wisdom and timing. Even when we struggle to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

The sermon then explores the ancient practice of fixed hours of prayer, rooted in Jewish tradition and continued by early Christians and monastic communities. From morning, noon, and evening prayers in the book of Acts to the Desert Fathers’ seven daily prayers and the Benedictine monks’ eight, believers have long paused throughout the day to reconnect with God. The pastor shares how he now sets alarms at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to stop and pray, sometimes alone, sometimes with others, turning each moment into an opportunity for ministry. A story about a Brooklyn pastor who prayed daily for apartment residents illustrates how prayer can transform a church’s outreach. The message concludes with a challenge: may we be both a Bible-believing and prayerful church, confident that when we live this way, God will bring spiritual growth, breakthroughs, and victories in our lives and community.