Prayer Is To The Father

Introduction

Visiting Frank Lucas in DC. We spoke differently because of our relationship.

Not just a representative in the US House, but a friend and neighbor.

Your conversations is related to your relationships.

True for prayer life as well.

Jesus has stated “how not to pray…”

Last week “why we pray…”

Now we see the “how to pray.”

Ultimately…

Your prayer life corresponds to relationship.

Jesus lays out this pattern, this model…

“How” not “what” to pray.

Irony of the countless recitations of these words, often by those who have no idea what it means for God to be Father.

Begin prayer by centering on God.

“Our Father in heaven.”

New language.

Tension of Near and Far.

Not too familiar but also not too unknown.

God is both near and far.

Pray for God’s Glory

As we begin, final statement, “as in heaven also on earth.”

Hallowed = to revere. But to treat as holy. Root word.

Holy = Categorically separate

Tools and incense in the Temple.

Don’t treat these things as common, they are categorically separate.

But, we’re talking about the name of God.

Name represents characteristics. Not the same today.

Are we asking for God to be different?

May the character of God be treated as separate.

And may we realize that God is categorically different.

Do we realize how different God is?

And as He is known in heaven, may He be known on earth.

Pray for God’s Reign

Kingdom = Rule

God’s sovereignty.

Many parables center around this teaching. KoG/H.

What defines a kingdom? Where a king reigns.

So, let’s think about this, where does the King reign?

Well, it starts in the individual. Salvation. Then entered into the protection of the King.

From individual to families, churches, communities.

State, Nation, World.

But it has to start with the individual.

What we prioritize. What we value. What we support.

As He reigns in heaven, so should he reign here.

Pray for God’s Will

God’s will / His desires.

May they be done.

Done = take place, be born, or to produce fruit.

God’s will is a process.

At least for now.

But if God’s will is to become real, it requires a couple of things:

I must surrender my will.

I must know His will.

Thankfully, it is revealed in Scripture.

Desire requires knowledge as revealed in Scripture.

Conclusion

A week away from the anniversary of engagement.

That deep breath before I walked into her apartment with a ring in my pocket.

Sometimes, there is a deep breath before I make a difficult phone call.

This deep breath helps to put me in the right frame of mind.

John Stott compares these three statements to a deep breath before prayer to put a person into the right frame of mind.

Begin prayer by focusing on God.