Praying The Lords Prayer
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 21 viewsNotes
Transcript
Praying, here he goes again. I was thinking a few weeks ago about our worship WHEN WE ARE praying the Lords Prayer. I wondered if our congregation payed attention to the words, the focus, the meaning, the privilege we share of being able to prayer this way that JESUS TAUGHT US TO PRAY!
Praying, here he goes again. I was thinking a few weeks ago about our worship WHEN WE ARE praying the Lords Prayer. I wondered if our congregation payed attention to the words, the focus, the meaning, the privilege we share of being able to prayer this way that JESUS TAUGHT US TO PRAY!
This These next 8 weeks, I am going to take us through the Lords prayer and hopefully, when I am finished, we all will have a more focused and heartfelt time while praying this loving prayer to our Father.
This These next 8 weeks, I am going to take us through the Lords prayer and hopefully, when I am finished, we all will have a more focused and heartfelt time while praying this loving prayer to our Father.
The Lord’s Prayer: 8 Studies for Individuals or Groups: With Notes for Leaders Getting the Most out of The Lord’s Prayer
Countless times every day, in the worship of the church and in the personal devotion of many Christians, these words spring to life—“Our Father, who art in heaven.” The prayer is sung, recited in unison, mumbled mindlessly at times and, at other times, choked out through sobs of pain or remorse. For two thousand years Christians on every continent, and in every language, have lifted this prayer to God. When you take these words on your lips, you stand on sacred ground.
But what exactly was Jesus trying to communicate to us when he spoke this prayer? Did he intend that his followers would simply repeat the prayer, or was he giving us a pattern to follow in our own pursuit of prayer—or both? Prayer is one of those aspects of the Christian life that we don’t fully understand, and yet Jesus enthusiastically invites us to pray. We can pray about a need for days or years and nothing seems to happen, but Jesus challenges us to keep at it. Prayer takes time and energy and discipline, and yet Jesus, even at his busiest, always put a priority on prayer. Maybe our prayers seem weak and ineffective because we haven’t really listened to Jesus or learned from his example.
We call it the Lord’s Prayer, but really it is the Disciples’ Prayer. Jesus was showing his followers (including us) how to pray. The essential elements are all included. Our prayers simply adapt the requests to fit our own needs and circumstances.
I am starting a “SERIES” because there is just so much to cover in this prayer. along with the scripture. This will be like an 8 week Bible Study.
I am starting a “SERIES” because there is just so much to cover in this prayer. along with the scripture. This will be like an 8 week Bible Study.
I am going to start this morning with a few facts. There are only 65 words in this prayer.
I am going to start this morning with a few facts. There are only 65 words in this prayer.
The lesson today comes from the Book of Matthew 6:5-15.
The lesson today comes from the Book of Matthew 6:5-15.
5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 9 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread. 12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’ 14 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 9 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread. 12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’ 14 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
Have you ever been in total darkness? At my house on Crumstown, it can get completely dark. Last fall one night, I could not see even when I hit my cell phone screen, “pitch black” I believe is a term. Kinda like when we have fallen away from God. As we pray this prayer, do you ever focus on visualizing what you feel our Father looks like? What His presence would feel like?
Have you ever been in total darkness? At my house on Crumstown, it can get completely dark. Last fall one night, I could not see even when I hit my cell phone screen, “pitch black” I believe is a term. Kinda like when we have fallen away from God. As we pray this prayer, do you ever focus on visualizing what you feel our Father looks like? What His presence would feel like?
What we have come to call the Lord’s Prayer was spoken in the middle of Jesus’ Sermon one the Mount--- a long talk or message that Jesus gave about how to live as a Christian in then as now, an evil world. Jesus gave the prayer to his followers in the context of some very practical words on when and where and how to pray.
What we have come to call the Lord’s Prayer was spoken in the middle of Jesus’ Sermon one the Mount--- a long talk or message that Jesus gave about how to live as a Christian in then as now, an evil world. Jesus gave the prayer to his followers in the context of some very practical words on when and where and how to pray.
I myself have been known to pray the “lazy” prayer. Shame on me.
I myself have been known to pray the “lazy” prayer. Shame on me.
Matthew 6:5–9 (ESV) 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”
Matthew 6:5–9 (ESV) 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”
Luke 18:10–14 (ESV) tells us: (This scripture further explains who Jesus is talking about, the hypocrites). 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18:10–14 (ESV) tells us: (This scripture further explains who Jesus is talking about, the hypocrites). 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Back in the OT, in:2 Kings 4:32–34 “32 When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. 33 So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord. 34 Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm.”
Back in the OT, in:2 Kings 4:32–34 “32 When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. 33 So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord. 34 Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm.”
Do any of you just want to fun away for an hour or two? To talk to God, tell Him what’s on your mind? We get caught up in “noise”, activity, having to talk and tell everyone everything. I used to be that way. Make it a priority to leave all this noise and hustle/bustle and go to a place t talk to God. Trust me, after doing this a few times, you will start to look forward to this each day.
Do any of you just want to fun away for an hour or two? To talk to God, tell Him what’s on your mind? We get caught up in “noise”, activity, having to talk and tell everyone everything. I used to be that way. Make it a priority to leave all this noise and hustle/bustle and go to a place t talk to God. Trust me, after doing this a few times, you will start to look forward to this each day.
Powerful healing, understanding, kindness and love comes from going “BEHIND THE CLOSED DOOR”
Powerful healing, understanding, kindness and love comes from going “BEHIND THE CLOSED DOOR”
In verse 7-9 we read Jesus talking about “babbling” any babblers in here this morning?
In verse 7-9 we read Jesus talking about “babbling” any babblers in here this morning?
Matthew 6:7–9 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Matthew 6:7–9 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Some people rattle on and on. saying the same thing or phrase over and over. We are taught, really told point blank here by Jesus, don’t do that. Don’t babble, don’t repeat, God is capable of understanding your prayers before we even pray them.
Some people rattle on and on. saying the same thing or phrase over and over. We are taught, really told point blank here by Jesus, don’t do that. Don’t babble, don’t repeat, God is capable of understanding your prayers before we even pray them.
In my study, the word “dysfunctional prayer” is used. I thought that was kind of harsh until I thought about. I wondered if any on my prayers have been “dysfunctional?” Of course they have been. What about praying in secret? Does that completely rule out “public prayer?” Explain”
In my study, the word “dysfunctional prayer” is used. I thought that was kind of harsh until I thought about. I wondered if any on my prayers have been “dysfunctional?” Of course they have been. What about praying in secret? Does that completely rule out “public prayer?” Explain”
With public prayer, we are praying usually with a group. Are we praying to showoff our scriptural skills, are we boasting of what service we have done, are we trying to outdo others with service or knowledge? While praying in a group, remember, HUMILITY-HUMILITY-HUMILITY.......Do not try to outdo but we must EDIFY GOD AND EACH OTHER. AMEN!!!!!!!
With public prayer, we are praying usually with a group. Are we praying to showoff our scriptural skills, are we boasting of what service we have done, are we trying to outdo others with service or knowledge? While praying in a group, remember, HUMILITY-HUMILITY-HUMILITY.......Do not try to outdo but we must EDIFY GOD AND EACH OTHER. AMEN!!!!!!!
What do you all think Jesus was saying or teaching? Was He saying to pray these exact words? No, He again, was giving the disciples then as well as you and I today a guideline, an outline, to go by so that we can go to our Father is all aspects of prayer. Praise, repentance, thanksgiving and asking (or supplication.)
What do you all think Jesus was saying or teaching? Was He saying to pray these exact words? No, He again, was giving the disciples then as well as you and I today a guideline, an outline, to go by so that we can go to our Father is all aspects of prayer. Praise, repentance, thanksgiving and asking (or supplication.)
In the OT, children addressed their father as ABBA, or dearest father. Have you ever used the word Abba when pray to God? Are your emotions any different if you have? As you start your prayer next time try it, “Dearest Father” or Abba, dearest Father. Get your heart and mind in the place for your conversation.
In the OT, children addressed their father as ABBA, or dearest father. Have you ever used the word Abba when pray to God? Are your emotions any different if you have? As you start your prayer next time try it, “Dearest Father” or Abba, dearest Father. Get your heart and mind in the place for your conversation.
In closing today, I want to ask you all a “leaving question.” Do most of your prayers focus or emphasize God’s gentle presence with us as we approach Him in prayer or does your heart focus on God’s awesome majesty?
In closing today, I want to ask you all a “leaving question.” Do most of your prayers focus or emphasize God’s gentle presence with us as we approach Him in prayer or does your heart focus on God’s awesome majesty?
Before you pray this week, reflect quietly for a few minutes on the person you are going to speak to. Think about God’s greatness, his wisdom and his love then switch your focus with your words on your love for Him.
Before you pray this week, reflect quietly for a few minutes on the person you are going to speak to. Think about God’s greatness, his wisdom and his love then switch your focus with your words on your love for Him.
AMEN
AMEN
Let us now stand and turn in our Hymnals to page 473 and sing “Lead me Lord.”
Let us now stand and turn in our Hymnals to page 473 and sing “Lead me Lord.”