Lord Teach Me to Pray

Introduction

Puritan prayers

Spurgeon’s Prayers

Recite one of them

How do you get to where your prayers are that beautiful? That’s really not the question, but it reflects a desire to connect with God on a deeper level.

I can personally say that one of the greatest ways for you to learn to pray is to go through trials and difficulties that force you to depend upon God and call out in desperation.

This year has been one of those years for me. It has caused me to learn in the school of prayer and dependence upon God how to pray in a more personal and deeper way.

Honestly, I am grateful for moments and seasons like that because they deepen our faith and we come out closer to God. No one likes the experience in the moment, but if you taste and see that God is good, especially in your prayer life, you will develop a deeper walk with God and praying will become second nature to you.

However, sometimes we need someone to hold our hand and give us the baby steps. Jesus did this when His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray. Now, Matthew doesn’t record that they asked this question, but Luke does in his account in Luke 11:1

Luke 11:1 ESV

1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”

It’s as if they heard one of these prayers we were just talking about and were so awestruck by the connection Jesus had with the Father. It was so different than how the Pharisees prayed. They couldn’t help but want to learn how to pray like that.

Jesus then gave this response:

Matthew 5:7–15 ESV

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.

Pray

Recap

Don't pray for show (Like the Hypocrites/actors)

Don't use vain repetitions (Like the Pagans)

Heathens would repeat mantras or say the name of the pagan God over and over again as a way of trying to manipulate the God.

Modern equivalent would be praying the rosary or canned prayers you say over and over again without thinking.

When you pray make it personal and simply talk with God. That is what moves the heart of God.

The disciples could have asked Jesus to teach them anything, but they noticed how he prayed and its connection to the power that he had to do the things he did. What they asked him to teach them was how to pray.

1. Begin with a focus on who God is

Worship, adoration, praise, personal relationship (father)

2. Pray for the Kingdom of God

Your will be done

3. Pray for Your Needs

Recognize needs versus wants

Jesus said to pray for daily needs. We should never get into a mindset that we would like for God to take away our dependence upon him. So many people find themselves wanting so much that they no longer have to come to God for what they need. This is not what Jesus told us to pray for, but instead told us to ask God for our daily needs.

4. Pray for forgiveness and restoration

With God

With Others

5. Pray for Deliverance from Temptation and Trials