Teaching on Prayer:

Introduction:

Good morning everyone, it is good to be here this wonderful morning. To be able to come to worship God this wonderful day. Last week we talk about the Golden Corral or in other words we talk about Elisha, and how he manage to stop a major conflict between Israel, and the Syrian’s. we look at some qualities that we could learn from Elisha. The (1st) point we look at was having faith and going to God in prayer, The (2nd) point we look at was to remained calm, and trust in God, and finally our (3rd) point from last week was remembering to love our enemies. So, today we are continuing with the our series of the Life of Christ. we are continuing with the sermon on the mound. So, our main passage this we comes from Mt 6:7-15

Matthew 6:7–15 NKJV

7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, 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 this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

From this passage we see that Jesus is teaching the importance of prayer to his disciples. So from this this passage from Mt on the Life of Christ, our points for today are? (1. The difference between how to Pray, and the praying in wrong way, Our (2. point is what should we be praying for, and (3. Our third point for today is God will answer our prayers if.

The difference of between how to pray, and praying in the wrong way:

Our first point is for today is seeing how Jesus taught other how to pray, compared to those who continue to pray in the wrong way. if we look at our main passage here in Mt 6:7-8 here we see the difference within just these two verse here. Mt 6:7-8

Matthew 6:7–8 NKJV

7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

From this we see that Jesus instructions start off with a warning here, he warns about using vain repetitions. what Jesus means by this is usually repeating the same prayer over and over, and there other wrong ways to pray within the scriptures. the first example of wrong prayers is doing in public just to be seen by your fellow men. If we go couple of verse back in our Bibles in our main passage of Mt to Mt 6:5-6.

Matthew 6:5–6 NKJV

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

From this passage here we come to see that the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Scribes like to be seen by their fellow men, they make their pray known, loud, or seen in public in a continuous prayer.From these passage we also must come to realize that prayer must come from the heart. we also understand that we could also pray for the wrong things that go against God, and his will Let’s turn in our Bibles to Lk 18:10-14

Luke 18:10–14 NKJV

10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise 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, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

From this passage here in the gospel of Luke, we see that Jesus is again teaching about how to approach God. Not only that look at how the Pharisee comes to God. The Pharisee is not humble, he is not being respectful to God, were as the if you look at how the Tax collector comes to pray before God. It really boils down to the point of how we approach throne of God. we also need to understand we come to God it comes from the heart. to do his will not our own. many times all have prayed to God and made request in the wrong manner. That why we have examples on how to pray like back in our main passage in Mt 6:7-15. When it comes to prayer, we must have confidence in God, and Christ, not only that we must be willing to do the will of God, and not our own. which leads us to our second point for today.

What Should we be praying for:

Our 2nd point is what should we be praying for, As Christians we usually want to pray for things that benefit us. we have to understand when it comes to pray, we have to remember who we are talking too, we are talking to God the being who created the universe. When we come to God we should be praying for our daily needs, not wants. Let’s turn in our Bibles to Mt 6:10-12

Matthew 6:10–12 NKJV

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 forgive our debtors.

From our main passage here in Mt 6:7-15, Christ here is reminding all Christians that we need to rely on God, and not ourselves, when we rely on ourselves we fall short from God and Christ. Not only are to pray for daily needs, but we are to pray for forgiveness of sins, which separate us from God. Let’s turn in our Bibles to Acts 8:14-25.

Acts 8:14–25 NKJV

14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” 24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” 25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

From this passage here in Acts Chapter 8, we come see that this the history about the actions made by the Church and the Apostles. A couple of things that we should notice is that the Apostles heard that Samaria had receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ. they then sent Peter, and John to pass on the Holy Spirit, unfortunately a young man saw this, offer to pay for this gift, but we see that Peter and John told him to Repent from this because his heart was in the wrong spot. Simon was after this gift because he want to be able to sell it himself. Because of this though Simon was sinning against God, because it was out of selfish desire not for will. Even we as Christians need to recognize that we also need to ask forgiveness our own sinful desires. Which leads us to next thing we should be praying for, which comes from our main passage back in Mt 6:10

Matthew 6:10 NKJV

10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

From our main passage back in Mt 6:7-15, here in verse 10, we see that Jesus is teaching us to also pray God’s will to be done, what this mean is to encourage other Christians to do God’s will over their very own will here on Earth, not only does this phrase encourage us, but it also reminds us that we are bought a price that we can never pay back. This leads to the next reason to why we should continue to pray. Let’s turn in our Bibles Mt 5:43-45.

Matthew 5:43–45 NKJV

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

From this passage here in Mt 5, we come to recognize that Christ is teaching about love here, including those who cause harm, wish ill upon those who cannot defend themselves. From this passage here we can also come to see that God, and Christ want us to have a love for mankind, so that means we also should be praying for Mankind. which leads to what we should be praying for next, which can be found in the book of James 5:13-15

James 5:13–15 NKJV

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

From this passage here in James, we come to see that James is reminding all Christians that we need to be pray for those who are unwell, dealing with illness, or diseases of all kinds. the reasons behind why we should be praying for those who are unhealthy is because they can no longer take care of themselves, which becomes difficult for them. Which leads to the next reason to what we should praying for. Let’s turn back to our main passage in Mt 6:13

Matthew 6:13 NKJV

13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

From this verse here within our main passage here, we come to understand that we cannot rely on ourselves. we need to pray for strength through trials and temptations that come our way. As Christians we need God in our lives, from this leads to our finally reason to what we should be praying for. Let’s turn in our Bible Phil 4:6-7

Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

From this passage in the letter to the early Church in Philippi, Paul reminds that early Church that we should be praying for everything that comes to mind. we should be praying for our daily needs, forgiveness in sin, For God’s will to be done, for all of mankind, for sick, for strength from trials, and temptation, and finally we should praying for everything within reason. Which leads to our finally point.

God will answer our Prayers if?

For our finally point which is a question, How do we know if God answers our prayers? well it very simple to know about prayers, we come to understand that Pray is a communication with God, and from our second point for today we learn that what we should be praying for. which lead to this question we as Christian usually ask, “How do we know if God will answer our Prayers? well it is very simple as a Christians we understand that we are require to do things as believer, and follower in God, and Christ. The first thing we should understand is that we know God will answer our prayers through our obedience, Let’s turn in our Bible 1st John 3:22-24

1 John 3:22–24 NKJV

22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

From this passage here in one of John letters to the early Church, we see that through our obedience towards doing the will of God, keeping his commandments, doing the things that are pleasing in his sight. we also come to understand that God is going to provide the things that are necessary for his children. which leads to our next reason how we know that God is going to answer our prayers. Let’s turn in our Bibles to John 9:30-32

John 9:30–32 NKJV

30 The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! 31 Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. 32 Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind.

From this passage here within the gospel of John, we see that this is record of a trial, against the blind man who had his eyes open by Jesus Christ. Now if we look at verse 31 here in John we should notice that God does not hear those who continue to live according to world. God only listen to those who are his, those who do his will. Which we come to understand that God will only answer those who are righteous, let’s turn in our Bible to 1st Peter 3:11-13

1 Peter 3:11–13 NKJV

11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?

From this passage here we come to understand that Peter here is quoting from the old Testament, Peter here is reminding all Christians that in how we live here on Earth are we going to do the will of God, or are we going to chase after the pleasure of world. we come to understand that God answers through our faith. Lets turn in our Bibles to Mt 21:21-22

Matthew 21:21–22 NKJV

21 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. 22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Our faith gives our reassurance in God, and in Christ. Jesus here taught his disciples the importance of Faith, but without faith how do we trust in God, and Christ. there are many more reasons for God to answer his children prayers.

Conclusion:

I hope today we learn just how important prayer is for us as Christians. There is a right and wrong way to pray, there things that we should be praying for, and finally we know that God will answer the prays of his children. I may not know what you struggle with in your daily life, but there is a being who does, and cares for you. I encourage you to reach out and talk to God through pray. if you have pray request, if you have question, if you are in need of help, if you wish to have a Bible study, or if you wish to become a child of God please come forward as we stand and sing.