Pray then like this - The Lord’s Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

I have a friend who’s birthday is today. I have known him for 25 years.

So growing up, we knew each other really well. One day, he said I was acting differently. Not all the time, just every now and then. But I was acting differently sometimes even to him.

I’m a pretty real person. I’m usually the same here as I am anywhere. So I didn’t know what he was talking about.

And then, one day… He started acting differently. Then I realized what he meant. We started acting differently with each other under a specific circumstance.

When we were around a girl that we liked.

I realized that I would be talking to him, but I would act or say different things because there was a girl around that I had a crush on. And I would be interacting with him, but I was really putting on a performance for her.

Turn to Matthew chapter 6.

“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.”

We are going to start by looking at what not to do.

Praying to look good.

“That they may be seen by others”

“They have received their reward”

You are talking to the God of the Universe, yet you are praying so others might think better of you?

Remember who you are praying to: Father

I mentioned that you are praying to the God of the Universe.

And there are other names for God

King of kings

Lord of lords

The God who heals

God my Rock

Everlasting God

The one God

God Almighty

Prince of peace

And that leads into the meat of this passage. Pick it up in verse 9.

“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.”

Jesus isn’t saying you have to pray exactly this way. He say “Pray then LIKE this”

This can be broken up into 5 different themes.

Pray then like this

Adoration:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name”

Worship, praising God for who He is and what He has done. Expression of reverence and love.

Jehovah, Holy, Living God, Omnipotent, Good, Merciful, Prince of Peace, Omniscient, King of Kings, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Infinite, Creator, Compassionate, Savior, Truth

Surrender:

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Alining our hearts.

Surrender the small and the big things.

Every area of your life.

Idols we need to surrender, Plans we have, Desires of our hearts, Every area of life

Petition:

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

Coming to God and asking humbly for big and small things.

Asking

Humbly

Small things and big things

Coming to God

Help with school, hard situations, family, do well in sports, friends, basic needs, things you want

Confession:

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

Admitting guilt of sin, and asking God for forgiveness.

Greed, Lying, Envy, Selfishness, Wrath, Jealousy, Pride, Laziness, Lust, Deceit, Hatred, Idolatry, Not loving others, Unforgiving, Gossip

Supplication:

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

The act of begging or pleading earnestly.

I can’t do this on my own. God I need you.