A Wake-Up Call to Prayer: Overcoming Unmet Expectations and Temptation

Pastor Darren Gerald

September 14, 2025

This sermon addresses the importance of prayer in the Christian life, particularly in overcoming temptation and dealing with unmet expectations. The pastor emphasizes the need for believers to communicate their expectations clearly, both to others and to God, and to be willing to change those expectations when necessary. He highlights Jesus' example in Gethsemane, where Christ demonstrated the importance of persistent prayer and submission to God's will, even in the face of great suffering and disappointment from His disciples.

Key Points:
- Unmet expectations often lead to stress and frustration in relationships
- Christians must either communicate their expectations clearly or be willing to change them
- Prayer is essential for overcoming temptation and aligning our will with God's
- Jesus expected His disciples to pray with Him, even when they were tired
- The church is called to prioritize and "compartmentalize" prayer in their busy lives
- Strong Tower church is implementing a new prayer strategy, including regular prayer meetings and the use of the Bless app for neighborhood prayer

Scripture Reference:
- Matthew 26:36-46 (Jesus praying in Gethsemane)