Explore Prayer About

Open menu

Explore Prayer About

Loading note…

Walk through Scripture. Grow in faith. Together.

Explore Prayer About For Churches Privacy Terms

The Prayers You're Not Proud Of | Steven Furtick | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

The Prayers You're Not Proud Of

Elevation Church • Aug 30, 2026 • 60 min

Start 3-Day Devotional

Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

God does not measure our prayers by how polished, perfect, or holy they sound, but by the humility of our hearts when we approach Him. Even when we feel exhausted, distracted, or defeated, bringing raw and honest prayers to God is far better than keeping our struggles to ourselves. As we cry out in our weakness, God responds not with harsh judgment, but with unexpected provision and the divine strength needed to rise up and move forward.

Themes

Humility in PrayerGod's ProvisionHonesty with GodRighteousness by FaithPerseverance

Pastor's Points

1.

Expect provision that you can't predict

2.

Expect a process that isn't pretty

3.

Expect prayers you're not proud of

Key Points

1.
Expect provision that you can't predict, knowing God often supplies your needs through unconventional or unexpected sources.
2.
Expect a process that isn't pretty, because spiritual breakthrough often requires persistence, discomfort, and unglamorous effort.
3.
Expect prayers you're not proud of, remembering that raw and honest prayers expressed to God are always better than prayers left unsaid.
4.
God does not evaluate prayer based on self-righteousness or moral perfection, but on the humility of a broken heart seeking mercy.
5.
Righteousness under the New Covenant is not earned through sinless behavior, but received as a gift through faith in Jesus Christ.
6.
Honest mumbles and weak groans offered in humility can be turned by God into miraculous strength and divine breakthrough.
7.
God does not always give us the easy escape we ask for; instead, He supplies the spiritual nourishment and grace needed to rise again.

Sermon Moments

“The prayer that you're not proud of is better than the prayer you won't pray.”

“The question isn't are you holy enough? It's are you humble enough?”

“The righteousness that comes by faith in Jesus Christ is not from being sinless. It's from being forgiven.”

“God can turn a mumble into a miracle.”

“You can expect God to move, but you don't get to tell Him how to do it.”

“Sometimes obeying is praying.”

“The process doesn't have to be pretty for the prayer to be powerful.”

“He said dead, not bread. And the Lord said, 'This time, I'm not going to give him what he asked for. I'mma give him what he needs.'”

This Week

Stop delaying prayer until you feel holy enough or emotionally composed; bring your raw and unfiltered feelings directly to God today.

Practice opening up about your real struggles within a trusted Christian community instead of trying to act self-sufficient.

Focus on daily obedience to God's direction, trusting that simple faithfulness in routine tasks is a powerful form of living prayer.

Guard against slandering others or comparing yourself to them, focusing instead on humbling your heart before the Lord.

When facing overwhelming exhaustion or wanting to quit, ask God for the daily spiritual nourishment you need to keep moving forward.

Be open to receiving help or provision from unexpected sources, recognizing that God often uses unconventional means to sustain you.

Rely completely on the righteousness of Christ whenever shame or past mistakes try to silence your voice in prayer.

Remember This

The prayer you are not proud of is far better than the prayer you refuse to pray, because God meets humble hearts with grace and sustaining strength.

A Challenge for You

God is saying, check your head because I am not going to give you an escape. I'm going to give you what you need to make it through this trial... You prayed 'I give up,' and God said 'Get up.'

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.

Read each passage, or hear where it was taught.

James 5:16-18

Psalm 58:6-8

Luke 18:9-14

Romans 8:26

1 Kings 17:1-6

1 Kings 17:8-9

1 Kings 18:42

1 Kings 19:3-6

Matthew 7:9-11

Continue this series

I Know That Voice

Part 2 · Current

The Prayers You're Not Proud Of

Steven Furtick · Elevation Church

Aug 30, 2026

Sermon

Filled By Faith

Steven Furtick · Elevation Church

Aug 23, 2026

Sermon

Death By Echo (Run It Back)

Steven Furtick · Elevation Church

Aug 16, 2026

Sermon

What If I Got It Wrong?

Steven Furtick · Elevation Church

Aug 9, 2026

Sermon

Take Your Notes On The Boat!

Steven Furtick · Elevation Church

Aug 2, 2026

Sermon

When Jesus Is Your Jury

Steven Furtick · Elevation Church

Jul 26, 2026

Sermon

It's Hard to Hear God

Steven Furtick · Elevation Church

Jul 19, 2026

More from Steven Furtick

Continue learning from this pastor

Sermon

You’ve Got God On Your Side

Steven Furtick · Elevation Church

Oct 9, 2026

Messages for what you're walking through

Related teaching for similar life moments

Sermon

Window Pain

Marcus Mecum · 7 Hills Church

Oct 12, 2026

Podcast

A Conversation About Life, Faith, and Victory with Pastor Sharon Daugherty Pt 2

Sharon Daugherty · Victory Church

Oct 9, 2026

Sermon

Favor That Can Be Seen

Joel Osteen · Lakewood Church

Oct 5, 2026

Sermon

Live Ready

Jared Moore · One Life Church

Oct 4, 2026

Related Sermon Notes

Shared themes: Perseverance

Sermon

Leaving a Long Legacy

Mark Batterson · Times Square Church

Oct 5, 2026

Explore more Sermon Notes

Browse all sermon notes