How Should We Pray

Bible Passage: Mt 6:5-13

Introduction

For the first time in nearly two years, I didn’t exercise for 12 full days. We walked a lot and one evening my red ring on my watch was almost closed so I walked on the treadmill on the boat for about 10 or 15 minutes. But I didn’t run at all from the day we left for our trip until the day after we got back. I thought it would be difficult for me. But it turns out I’m pretty adept at being lazy. But we’re back now and I’ve run four out of the last seven days. Before we left, I had been prepping for a really long run so I was running at least 20 miles a week. This week I’m back to 16 miles so far. Not sure if I’ll run again today or not. So why should you care? Well I’ve noticed these last few days that brief hiatus didn’t completely derail me, but my legs feel kind of like they’re full of led. I’ve had some days of soreness like when you first start exercising, not as bad, but I can tell I took a long break. Plus I ate like a lot so I’m carrying a little extra with me, so it’s harder.

Now lets change the direction of this little revealing discussion. Yes, that means I’m going to ask you some questions. During our Bible Study this week that covered last weeks sermon on our reluctance to pray … some Bible scholar said, if you want to make people uncomfortable just start asking about their prayer life. So are you ready to feel uncomfortable, cause we’re going there. How many of you would say, I’m a prayer warrior … when I start to pray Satan gets nervous? How about I’m someone who prays on a daily basis, maybe no demons are quaking, but I’m a least giving it a go? How about I say grace before I eat and I can still remember, Now I lay me down to sleep … remember that terrifying we teach kids to pray and then wonder why they can’t sleep after we just told them to ask God to take care of them if they die in their sleep? Or maybe you’re in this category of I know prayer is something I should be doing, but if I’m honest my prayer life is weak. I’ll be honest with all of you. I pray daily, but I don’t think any beings are sweating it.

1. How You Should Not Pray

Matthew 6:5–8 “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. 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. “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. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Don’t pray openly like the hypocrites

Love to stand and pray in synagogues and street corners

They want to be seen praying

They have received their reward

Don’t engage in meaningless babble

Don’t preach your prayers

Get to the point

Be persistent

Pray in Secret

Prayer is for an audience of one

Talk to God like your friend

Recognize your Friend created the Universe

Maybe you know someone who lives life like Jesus described here, but not necessarily with regard to prayer. This is the person you know who has an example of something bigger and better for every situation you might experience. If you’ve observed a red-tailed hawk flying through your backyard they’ve seen a bald eagle swoop down out of the sky grab a rainbow trout and proceed to eat it while perched on a tree limb right in front of them. If you’ve had a cold, they survived an outbreak of malaria with a side of flesh-eating bacteria thrown in for good measure. If you don’t know anybody like this pay attention to the reactions from the people around you the next time you start to tell a story. If you see eye’s rolling … well then you are probably that friend. I know this, because I have to be careful not to do it myself.

2. How You Should Pray

Matthew 6:9–13 “Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Adoration (Adore Him)

Tell God Why You Adore Him

Praise His Attributes

Try to remember His names

Confession (Admit your sins)

Admit any wrong that comes to mind

Ask Him to forgive you

Ask Him to show what you’re missing

Thanksgiving (Thank Him)

Thank Him for salvation

Thank Him for what matters to you

Thank Him for His patience with you

Supplication (Ask Him)

Ask Him for help for others (family, friends, coworkers, others)

Ask Him for help loving others

Ask Him for guidance for yourself

Do you remember the first time you started to fall in love with someone. You wanted to talk to them as often as you could. Unfortunately, Pam lived in Fort Ashby and was long distance to call from here to there. I caught a little heat for some very long phone conversations. You really want to connect with the people you love. This is one of the reasons I encourage you to read your Bible every day. I promise you if you will dig into it and learn more about the God we serve, you’re desire to communicate with Him will grow. As you learn to communicate, you will want more and more of it. Not only can you get to know Him you can change the lives of those around you by praying for them. I’m convinced if we want to see revival spread through God’s church this is where it has to start.