The Lord's Prayer "How Not to Pray".
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The Lord has great purpose for His people to pray. Every believer is called to a life of deep and abundant communication with God.
Prayer is prayer?
Prayer is talking to God; communication with Him.
Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire? - Corrie ten Boom
Does prayer direct your life or do you keep it safe for emergencies only?
Jesus taught His closest followers how to pray.
(Recite the Lord’s Prayer)
I’m inviting you to join me in receiving our Lord’s guidance on prayer.
READ Matthew 6:5-8
Before Jesus taught the disciples how to pray. He taught them how NOT to pray.
1. Prayer is between you and God.
1. Prayer is between you and God.
“Hypocrite” = pretender
Jesus is not speaking against public prayer. He stands against praying for the sake of worldly recognition.
Synagogue prayers were led by a member who stood in front of an audience. To be invited brought great distinction.
Pray in secret alone where there are no disctractions.
Don’t allow others into the conversation.
“Reward”
v. 5 (wages earned)
v. 6 (given, granted from above.)
Waiting on a check in the mail Vs. Birthday Car.
The world will give you what you deserve. God gives to His children with unconditional love.
Your heavenly Father wants to spend quality time with you.
Don’t pray to gain applause. Talk to your Father.
2. Prayer is meant to be simple.
2. Prayer is meant to be simple.
“Gentiles”, In Graeco-Roman religions, repetition was used to pester the god’s so they would grant someone’s request.
Formal methods
Magical phrases
“Babbling” - Lot’s of words without saying anything.
“I can’t pray like he/she can...”
Prayer is not dependent on your performance or mechanics.
Jesus is warning His followers to avoid this trap.
God cares more about the attitude of your heart and your intentions than He does about your words.
Focus on the quality of prayer time than the quantity.
Just talk to Him openly and honestly. Be yourself. He delights in you.
3. Prayer is meant for relationship.
3. Prayer is meant for relationship.
“God knows the things you need before you ask Him.”
Why does He want us to pray then?”
I love to hear my children talk about their days. I just love to hear them and be with them.
It is not many words that God responds to, but an attitude of prayerful dependence.
He wants you to want Him above everything else.
“I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire:to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking him in his temple.” - Psalm 27:4
“and my people, who bear my name, humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” - 2 Chronicles 7:14
“I love those who love me, and those who search for me and find me.” - Proverbs 8:17
“Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; let those who love your salvation continually say, ‘The Lord is great!” - Psalm 40:16
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” - Psalm 105:4
We enter into prayer because we delight in the Lord. He delights in His children to seek His face.
Let’s come into His presence with thanksgiving in our heart.