Good Morning to one and all!
I'm so glad you're all here this morning!
We’re talking about prayer, a believer’s basic communication with God.
Prayer and developing a “prayer life” is vital to a living a victorious life in Christ and receiving the things we have need of!
As we covered previously, a great many people have and do struggle with prayer!
Even Jesus' disciples..
We're in good company!
And because our prayers can become hypocritical, habit-forming, connected with only certain places, vain repetition, self-glorifying and self deceptive, Jesus taught us how we’re to pray!
Matthew 6:5-7
When we understand how vital it is to pray regularly, sincerely, secretly and thoughtfully, we’re ready to learn more about HOW to pray effectively.
Anybody with me?
Good!
Jesus said, " In this manner, therefore, pray.." Matthew 6:9
The Lord’s Prayer is a “model prayer” that is to be prayed through. It’s “after this manner”, in this way, like this, that we’re to pray.
Jesus was giving us words, phrases, thoughts that are to be the points that make up our praying! When we pray through the Lord’s Prayer we find the scope of what God wants us to pray.
I wonder how much of our praying is being prayed the way Jesus taught us to pray?
Within this prayer there are two parts:
1.) The holiness and will of God
2.) God meeting our personal needs
First, I want to deal with the “holiness and will of God” in prayer!
OUR FATHER..
Matthew 6:9
This is the way we’re to open in prayer is to address God as “Our Father”!
By praying this way we’re taught to “whom” we’re to pray!
Jesus is teaching that WE as children of God, are to address Him as our loving, compassionate, merciful, gracious, forgiving, Father.
Notice, He’s not “My Father but “Our Father”!
That means several things:
God is not everyone's Father!
1. Remember, Jesus said to the religious leaders, “You are of your father the devil." - John 8:44
Only those who’ve received Christ as Savior and are “born again” have the right and privilege to be called “children of God” John 1:10-12
"For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15
2. You’re not the only child in the family!
God has no favorites – I know you may have thought you were, but guess what, YOU AREN'T!
We all belong to the same family and we all have the same common interests, cares, and responsibilities in the family!
The “Father” wants us to know that we’ve got some “siblings” and therefore can’t be selfish in prayer!
God is no respecter of persons - Acts 10:34
Because we have a heavenly Father that means:
We have someone whom we can trust!
Our welfare, as children, is always on His mind!
In fact, you can trust a loving father’s heart even when you can’t figure out why he’s doing what he’s doing!
We have someone that will provide!
Later in Matthew 6 Jesus talks about “worry” ( vv.25-34). He said don’t worry about having enough food, water, or clothes.
In fact, it’s a sin to worry because Jesus commanded us not to do so!
Matthew 6:34
I know some of you who say, “I’m not worried, just concerned”!
But if your CONCERN is keeping you up at night, ruining your health, keeping you depressed,
I'm sorry, it’s WORRY!
I've seriously have got the cure for worry...
KNOWING AND TRUSTING YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER!
“Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of these things, but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, etc. Matthew 6:32-33
Jesus said the Father even takes care of the birds Matthew 6:26. Have you ever seen a worried bird? Do birds get high blood pressure and bad nerves? No, they just go out each day knowing there’s going to be a worm or seed somewhere.
We have someone that will protect!
We don’t have to live in fear, even in the most difficult circumstances!
Even when you don’t know what’s going on in your life, as long as you know your Father’s heart you can conquer any fear!
If God is your Father He’s also in charge and makes the final decision!
When you make your request sometimes He’ll say “yes”, but because He’s your Father sometimes He’ll say “no” for His greater purpose!
We have someone that’s available anytime we call!
No matter what I’ve got going on during the day, my boys know they can always get my attention if they need me!
I may not be able to talk long but I want them to know that my work at church doesn’t get in the way of my being their father.
Though God is Ruler of the universe, and has called me to preach, it doesn’t get in the way
We have someone that will discipline!
As our Father He has the right to correct us! Good fathers discipline their children and God disciplines His own.
Hebrews 12:6-11
WHICH ART IN HEAVEN...
There's a few things I want you to see:
This is where our prayers are to be directed!
To God’s THRONE is in heaven!
The New Testament speaks of three heavens:
There's the atmosphere surrounding the earth.- Matthew 6:26
There's the outer space of heavenly bodies. - Matthew 24:29, Revelation 6:13
And there's the place above and beyond this physical dimension where God’s presence is fully manifested.- 2 Peter 3:8-10
Since we’re praying to our Father in heaven we’re to approach His throne boldly, yet in reverence and godly fear!
Because He’s in heaven He has power over things in the earth!
We need to be reminded in prayer that our Father in heaven isn’t subject to earth’s limitations!
Earth doesn’t have the final say in our lives. God rules from heaven and not from the earth and can do anything we need Him to do!
"For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist."
Colossians 1:16-17
Hallowed Be Thy Name - Matthew 6:9
Because He is in heaven His name is to be “hallowed”!
Hallow – to set something apart as unique or special.
When we “hallow” His name we’re saying, “…Lord, there’s none like you.You alone are holy! You’re above, before, and over all!
Lord, you’re in a class all by yourself. You’re God and God alone!”
That’s why we praise Him – because of who He is!
In Scripture God has many “names”:
1. Elohim – The mighty creator who can speak worlds into existence - Genesis 1:1
2. El Elyon – God most high - Psalms 57:2
3. El Shaddai – God of strength - Psalms 91:1
4. El Roi – God who sees - Genesis 16:13
5. El Olam – Everlasting God - Genesis 21:33
Then there’s Jehovah, the most sacred name of God, which speaks of His self-existence. He told Moses, “I Am that I Am” Exodus 3:14
God needs no assistance!
Because Jehovah alone can’t describe Him, He’s be given the name:
1. Jehovah-shalom – The Lord is my peace - Judges 6:24
2. Jehovah-nissi – The Lord is my banner - Exodus 17:15
3. Jehovah-raah – The Lord is my shepherd - Psalms 23:1
4. Jehovah-rapha – The Lord is my healer Exodus 15:26
5. Jehovah-tsidkenu – The Lord is my righteousness Jeremiah 23:6
6. Jehovah-jireh – The Lord is my provider - Genesis 22:14
We’re talking about the “names” of God, which Jesus said is to “hallowed”.
You don’t need to know all his names to know God – you just need to know that when you pray, “Our Father”, He’s everything you’ll ever need!
THY KINGDOM COME...- Matthew 6:10
This is the first “request” AND should be the FOCUS of all of our requests!
Kingdom – A government or country headed by a king; a realm or domain.
The Father has a kingdom and He is Lord and King over it!
With all the rebellion & injustice, God’s kingdom is needed on earth NOW!
So when we pray, “Thy kingdom come”, we’re asking God to make His Kingdom here on earth!
It’s through prayer that we tap into victory, healing, deliverance!
But you don’t get the BENEFITS of the kingdom if you’re not willing to SUBMIT to His Kingdom's rule!
People want the “blessings” of serving God without the “commitment” to God!
They want a “savior” but NOT a “Lord” – if He’s not Lord of all He’s not Lord at all!
NEWS FLASH!
His “Kingdom” is only coming to those who SERVE the King!
You can only serve Him by loving Him with all your heart and committing to Him!
Thy Will Be Done In Earth As It Is In Heaven - Matthew 6:10
There are four wills that struggle for the man's obedience:
1. Man’s own will - Romans 12:1-2; Romans 7:15; Galatians 5:17
2. Other men’s will - 1 Peter 4:2
3. Satan’s will - John 8:44
4. God’s will Ephesians 5:15-17; Philippians 2:13; 1 John 2:17
It makes sense that we should want what God wants, when He wants it, the way He wants it!
Yet “God’s will” is a struggle for so many of us.
The biggest problem we face, is we “want” God’s will but we "want" it our way
And then have a hard time letting go of our own will!
We spend much time asking God to approve our program rather than becoming involved in His!
Like the pastor who gets the call to take on a much larger church!
Notice, we’re half way through the Lord’s Prayer and OUR requests haven’t even come up yet!
Do you know why?
Because they don’t even start until verse 11!
Wait! What?
We aren't front and center in God's program?
How could that be???
SHOCKER!
God’s person, His program, and His priority comes first!
I know that a BIG DISAPPOINTMENT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE TODAY..
There are three aspects to God’s will:
1. Comprehensive will – His far-reaching plan for His creation. Nothing will prevent what God has ordered to happen.
2. Perfect will – Has to do with what He desires for us. He’s not willing that any perish, etc.
3. Submissive will – It’s what He allows because He’s given us a choice.
Though God has a perfect will, He won’t force it upon us! We’ve got to desire it!
Mary prayed right – “Be it unto me according to THY word” - Luke 1:28
God’s will is flawless and perfect in every last detail, yet the fact that we have to pray
“Thy will be done” means it’s possible for Him NOT to do it!
Why do we oppose God’s will so?:
1. We’re not really sure we can trust God!
2. We want our way no matter what God says – we want what looks, feels, and tastes good.
We want it the way we want it, when we want – the exact opposite of God’s will!
God’s concern is that we pray God’s will to be done on EARTH as it is in HEAVEN!
So How exactly is God's will done in Heaven?
1. Immediately – not one millisecond transpires.
2. Perfectly – no debate or confusion but full conformity to the will of God.
3. Absolutely – There’s nobody in heaven with a will independent or in conflict.
So, I suppose you want to know, what's the big difference between doing “His” will and “your” will?
When you do HIS will you THEN get to pray for His daily bread, His forgiveness, and His deliverance from temptation.
When you do YOUR will you get to find your own bread, deal with your own sins, and try and protect yourself from the devil’s attacks.
If we’re willing to say, “God, your will be done”, and really mean it regardless of what we want, our prayers are going to get God’s ears OPENED in heaven!
"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."
1 John 5:14-15
The objective of our prayer is NOT to change God's will but to align our will with His!
Brian Monzon Ministries