Introduction:

What is prayer?*

            1.         Prayer is sharing and fellowshipping with God (Matthew 6:9). It is not enough for a person to have a knowledge of God as he walks through life. He needs to have times when he can get alone with God and concentrate his thoughts and attention upon God. He needs such times with God just as he needs such times with his family and friends. Man was not made to live in isolation from people nor from God. He must have times when he is in the presence of both man and God and can concentrate his thoughts and attention upon both (see note—§ Matthew 6:8).

            2.         Prayer is surrendering to God (Matthew 6:9). The believer surrenders himself and his time to God. There is no such thing as prayer without a person and time. A person must submit himself to God before he wills to pray, and even then he must take the time to pray. A person who has surrendered himself to God and is surrendering or taking his time to talk with God is praying (see note 1—§ Matthew 6:9).

            3.         Prayer is requesting and pleading with God (Matthew 6:10). It is demonstrating one’s need and dependence upon God. It is pouring out one’s heart in need and trusting God to meet one’s need.

            4.         Prayer is acknowledging and praising God (Matthew 6:9-10, 13). It is acknowledging God as the Sovereign and Majestic Lord to whom belongs the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever.

1.            The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).

a)            There is surrender (v.9)

(1)           To our Father in heaven (v.9a)

(2)           To God’s holy name (v.9b)

(3)           There is request and plea (v.10-13a)

(4)           For God’s kingdom (v.10a)

(5)           For God’s will (v.10b)

(6)           For daily bread (v.11)

(7)           For forgiveness (v.12)

(8)           For deliverance (v.13a)

b)            There is praise and commitment (v.13b)

2.            Christ’s Doctrine of Prayer:

a)            That men should pray is taken for granted (Matthew 6:5).

b)            The Sacredness: is seen in the command for privacy (Matthew 6:6)

c)            The Persistent:  is seen in the friend coming at midnight (Luke 11:5-9; 18:1-8)

d)            The Conditions: is seen humility

(1)           Absence of self-righteousness (Luke 18:9-14)

(2)           Display of repetition (Matthew 6:7)

(3)           Necessity of faith and a forgiving spirit (Mk 11:24-26)

(4)           Of agreement in social prayer (Mt 18:19)

(5)           Submission to the will of Christ, “in my name” (Jn 14:13).

3.            Prayers Offered by Christ

a)            The High-priestly Prayer

(1)           Christ Prays for Himself (John 17:1-5)

(2)           Christ Prays for His Disciples (John 17:6-19)

(3)           Christ Prays for All Believers (John 17:20-26)

b)            The Prayer in Gethsemane s (Mt 26:36-44; Mk 14:22-40; Lk 22:39-46).

c)            The Prayers on the Cross (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34)

(1)           The Word of Forgiveness (Luke 23:34) 

(2)           The Word of Salvation (Luke 23:42-43)

(3)           The Word of Affection (John 19:25-26)

(4)           The Word of Anguish  (Matthew 27:46)

(5)           The Word of Suffering (John 19:28)

(6)           The Word of Victory  (John 19:30)

(7)           The Word of Contentment (Luke 23:46)

d)            General Conclusions.

The following conclusions as to prayer may be drawn from the records of Christ’ prayers:

(1)           Prayer is the highest exercise of man’s spiritual nature.

(2)           It is natural to the soul even in perfect accord with God.

(3)           It is not only the expression of need, the supply of which is sought of God, but by the example of Christ it is the highest expression of trust, submission and union with God.

(4)           It is to be used both in solitude and in society; it is personal and intercessory.

(5)           It may be accompanied by the plea of Christ’s name, and for Christ’s sake.