HOW TO PRAY
Matthew 6:5-15
INTRODUCTION:
1. Prayer
is a wonderful privilege enjoyed by Gods children.
a) Through
prayer we receive mercy and grace to help in time of need Hebrews 4:14-16.
b) Through
prayer we can find peace that will guard our hearts and minds Philippians
4:6-7.
2. But
the privilege of prayer assumes our prayers will be heard.
a) Not
all prayers are acceptable to God Proverbs 28:9 "He that turneth
away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an
abomination".
b) Not
all prayers are heard by God.
i) Isaiah
59:1-2 Behold, the LORDS hand is not shortened, that it cannot save;
neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated
between you and your God, and your sins have his face from you, that he will
not hear."
ii) James
5:16 "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much."
3. Consider
Matthew 6:5-15.
a) Not
the "Lords Prayer", but rather a model prayer. Ex: "Forgive
us our debts."
b) Cannot
pray this prayer today word for word. Ex: "thy kingdom come."
4. What are some of the characteristics of prayer that pleases God?
DISCUSSION:
I. How
not to pray.
A. Not
to be seen of men 6:5.
1. Jesus
spoke of the hypocrites who loved to pray while standing in the synagogues or
on the street corners. These men have their reward.
2. Instead,
we are to go into our closet (private chamber) to pray. This is not a
condemnation of all public prayer. Consider Acts 27:35 "And
when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of
them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat."
B. Not
to be heard of men 6:7.
1. Jesus
criticized their use of vain repetitions 6:7.
2. Jesus
was not criticizing all repetition.
a. Consider
Jesus prayer in the garden of Gethsemane - Matthew 26:36-44, particularly
verse 44 "And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third
time, saying the same words."
b. Consider
Pauls prayer that his thorn in the flesh be removed II Corinthians
12:7-8 "For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might
depart form me."
II. How
to pray.
A. Adoration
6:9.
1. Our
Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Vines "the
opposite of common."
2. Consider
Psalm 111:9 "He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded
his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name."
"Reverend" is an attribute ascribed to God, not man.
B. Confession
6:12.
1. Forgive
us our debts (sins). See I Peter 3:12 "The eyes of the Lord are over
the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the
Lord is against them that do evil."
2. In
order to receive forgiveness, we must possess an attitude of forgiveness
Matthew 6:14-15 "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
C. Thanksgiving.
1. Though
this is not explicitly mentioned in Matthew 6.
2. Consider:
a. Philippians
4:6 "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
b. I
Thessalonians 5:17-18 "Pray without ceasing. In everything give
thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
c. I
Timothy 2:1 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men:"
D. Supplication
6:11-13.
1. Includes
the past (forgive us our debts), the present (give us our daily bread), and
the future (lead us not into temptation).
2. Again consider Philippians 4:6 along with I Timothy 2:1
CONCLUSION:
1. Prayer is a wonderful privilege enjoyed by
children of God when they pray as they ought.
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