In Prayer - YAC

Matthew 6:1–18 NIV

1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘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 today 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 the evil one.’ 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. 16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Isaiah 6:3 NIV

3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Exodus 15:11 NIV

11 Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?

1 Samuel 2:2 NIV

2 “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.

Romans 12:2 NIV

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Psalm 143:10 NIV

10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

Micah 6:8 NIV

8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Let’s Talk

1. What is something new you learned in the message?

2. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes doing acts of righteousness in secret?

3. What does the Lord’s Prayer teach us about our relationship with God?

4. During the message, Pastor Heather gave a prayer pattern from the Lord’s Prayer to

help us structure our prayers: Worship, Surrender, Dependence, Forgiveness and

Protection. How could using this pattern affect your prayer life?

5. Have you ever experienced a deeper connection with God through giving, praying or

fasting? What was that like?

6. Pastor Heather shared this quote from Jeremiah Burroughs: “Christians find that what

really makes them happy is wanting only the things that God chooses to give them. Their

happiness arises not from [the gifts they receive], but from their willingness to be

satisfied with what God gives them…[They are] learning to accept that God’s will is

best…As time goes by, Christians find increasingly that the source of real happiness is

God Himself. In heaven He is the only source of happiness.” How can you practice

finding your happiness in God Himself rather than in the things He gives or withholds?

Let’s Act

How can you actively incorporate worship, surrender, dependence, forgiveness and seeking

God’s protection into your daily prayers and life?