Heartfelt Prayer

Spiritual Habits  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  43:29
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Spiritual Habits: Prayer Matthew 6:5-15

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Sermon Title: The Heartfelt Prayer: Lessons from the Lord's Example
Theme: Embracing simplicity and sincerity in our prayers as taught by Jesus.
Matthew 6:5–13 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. 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 lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

The Heart of Prayer

Matthew 6:5–8 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.
Luke 18:9–14 ESV
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 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.”
Prayer Should Be Biblical
“Pray then like this:”
According to Scriptures
According to God’s Character
Prayer Should Be Humble
James 4:6 ESV
6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:10 ESV
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
God does not OWE you anything!!
Prayer Should Be Sincere
Psalm 145:18 ESV
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Luke 18:11–12 ESV
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.’
James 4:2–3 ESV
2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Are you separating needs and wants?… Seeking God’s will not your own?
Quote: "Sincerity is the key to prayer, for God sees the heart." — A.W. Tozer
Illustration: Consider a child asking their parent for something with genuine need and trust, not with pride or performance.
Prayer Should Be Private / Purposeful
Matthew 6:6 ESV
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.
Mark 6:46 ESV
46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.
Luke 5:16 ESV
16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Luke 11:9 ESV
9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Do you heap up empty phrases?
Are your prayers organized and specific? - Gideon = fleece
Quote: "The secret of prayer is praying in secret." — Leonard Ravenhill
Illustration: A quiet, secluded spot where one can focus solely on communicating with God, away from distractions.
Application: Cultivate a personal and humble prayer life by setting aside private time each day to speak with God sincerely.
Quote: "True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that - it is spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth." — Charles Spurgeon

The Posture of Prayer

Matthew 6:9–13 ESV
9 Pray then like this: “Our Father 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 lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Acknowledging God’s Holiness
Isaiah 6:3 ESV
3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
He is our father in HEAVEN - He is the Alpha and Omega - He has the name that is above all names - He dwells in unapproachable light - He is beyond all understanding !!
Illustration: Like recognizing the authority and wisdom of a mentor before seeking their guidance.
Seeking God’s Will
Matthew 6:10 ESV
10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Romans 12:2 ESV
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Do you mean this when you pray it?
Quote: "In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart." — John Bunyan
Illustration: A sailor who adjusts their sails to follow the wind, trusting the direction it leads.
Dependence on God’s Provision
Philippians 4:19 ESV
19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 7:11 ESV
11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Quote: "To pray is to accept that we are, and always will be, wholly dependent on God for everything." — Timothy Keller
Quote: "God does nothing but by prayer, and everything with it." — John Wesley
Illustration: A child who looks to their parent for daily bread, trusting in their provision.
Application: Focus your prayers on honoring God, aligning with His will, and trusting in His provision for your needs.

The Content of Prayer

Forgiveness and Provision by Prayer
Matthew 6:12 ESV
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Luke 6:37 ESV
37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;
Matthew 18:35 ESV
35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Quote: "To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." — C.S. Lewis
Illustration: A person releasing a heavy burden when they choose to forgive someone who has wronged them.
Intercession through Prayer
Colossians 1:3 ESV
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
Hebrews 7:25 ESV
25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Romans 8:26 ESV
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
1 Timothy 2:1 ESV
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
Quote: "Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference." — Max Lucado
Ecclesiastes 4:10 “10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”
Illustration: A traveler who seeks protection under the shadow of a sturdy shelter during a storm.
Persistence in Prayer
1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV
17 pray without ceasing,
Matthew 7:7–8 ESV
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Persistent Widow
Luke 18:1–8 “1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?””
John’s Parents
Abraham
Paul
Jesus
Quote: "Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness." — Martin Luther
Illustration: A gardener who continuously tends to a plant, knowing that growth takes time and care.
Application: Adopt a prayer life marked by forgiveness, seeking God’s protection, and persistent communication with Him.
Group Questions
Reflecting on Matthew 6:5-13, what does Jesus teach us about the attitude we should have in prayer?
How can humility transform our prayer lives, and what does James 4:10 suggest about the role of humility in prayer?
Why is sincerity important in prayer, and how does Psalm 145:18 encourage us to approach God with truthfulness?
In Matthew 6:6, Jesus emphasizes the importance of private prayer. How can creating a private prayer space impact your relationship with God?
What does it mean to acknowledge God’s holiness in our prayers, and how can Isaiah 6:3 shape our understanding of God’s character?
Discuss the significance of seeking God’s will in prayer, as expressed in Matthew 6:10. How can this perspective change our requests?
How does Philippians 4:19 encourage us to rely on God’s provision, and in what ways can we express this dependence in our daily prayers?
Matthew 6:12 speaks about forgiveness in prayer. Why is forgiving others crucial to our own spiritual health and prayer life?
What role does seeking God’s protection play in our prayers, as suggested by Psalm 121:7? How can this assurance affect our faith?
1 Thessalonians 5:17 calls us to pray without ceasing. What are some practical ways to incorporate persistent prayer into our daily routines?
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