The Right Kind of Prayer!!!

Praying with Purpose: Unlocking the Power of the Model Prayer

Bible Passage: Matthew 6:9–13

Summary: In our text, Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray, and He offers a model prayer that encompasses worship, submission, petition, forgiveness, and spiritual warfare.

Application: We are encouraged as believers to approach prayer with intentionality! Prayer helps to strengthen our relationship with God, seek His will, and align our lives more closely with Christ's example.

Teaching: Prayer is not merely a ritual, in other words, it’s not just something we do on Sunday morning because it’s a part of the service, but prayer is a means of communication with God that shapes our hearts and lives according to His will.

And as the old folks use to say, when you pray and pray right, God hears and He answers prayer!

1. Acknowledges God's Holiness

Matthew 6:9 “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.”

Our Father in heaven: The right kind of prayer comes to God as a Father in heaven. It rightly recognizes whom we pray to, coming with a privileged title that demonstrates a privileged relationship.

i. It is true that God is the mighty sovereign of the universe who created, governs, and will judge all things – but He is also to us a Father.

ii. He is our Father, but He is our Father in heaven. When we say “in heaven,” we remember God’s holiness and glory. He is our Father, but our Father in heaven.

The word Hallowed in the Greek is (hagiazo) which means to be held in reverence and holy awe.

You could explore how recognizing God as 'Our Father' changes the entire approach to prayer from one of formality to intimacy. By emphasizing God’s holiness, believers are encouraged to approach Him with reverence while maintaining a relationship that invites closeness. This opening sets the tone of worship and humility, aligning with the Christocentric notion that Jesus provides access to the Father. Through this lens, prayer becomes a foundation for transformation as it begins with a heartfelt acknowledgment of God’s nature and His position in our lives.

2. Aligns with God's Will

Matthew 6:10 “Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.”

The right kind of prayer has a passion for God’s glory and agenda. His name, kingdom and will have the top priority.

i. Everyone wants to guard their own name and reputation, but we must resist the tendency to protect and promote ourselves first and instead put God’s name, kingdom and will first.

ii. Jesus wanted us to pray with the desire that the will of God would be done on earth as it is in heaven. In heaven there is no disobedience and no obstacles to God’s will; on earth there is disobedience and at least apparent obstacles to His will. The citizens of Jesus’ kingdom will want to see His will done as freely on earth as it is in heaven.

iv. A man can say, “Your will be done” in different ways and moods. He may say it with fatalism and resentment, “You will do your will, and there is nothing I can do about it anyway. Your will wins, but I don’t like it” or he may say it with a heart of perfect love and trust, “Do Your will, because I know it is the best. Change me where I don’t understand or accept Your will.”

You can’t pray for God’s will to be done and still try to do things your way!

Perhaps discuss the importance of aligning our desires with God’s Kingdom and will. Here, submission is presented as essential to prayer; it reflects the surrender modeled by Christ in His earthly ministry. In our struggles, we are encouraged to prioritize God’s plans over our personal ambitions. This line of prayer prompts a personal alignment that might refine and define our purposes according to His divine will, highlighting that transformative prayer seeks not just personal gain but the furtherance of God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

3. Asks for God's Provision

Matthew 6:11 “Give us this day our daily bread.”

ii. “The prayer is for our needs, not our greeds.

This prayer calls us to live each day, trusting in the Lord! The right kind of prayer, moves us to an area of dependency!

Encouraging believers to pray for daily sustenance underscores the need to trust in God’s ongoing provision, which can transform lives challenged by worry. This acknowledgment of God’s provision aims to strengthen our faith journey by fostering a daily reliance on His grace and abundance.

4. Adopts Christ's Forgiveness

Matthew 6:12 “And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.”

Sin is represented here under the notion of a debt, and as our sins are many, they are called here debts. God made man that he might live to his glory, and gave him a law to walk by; and if, when he does any thing that tends not to glorify God, he contracts a debt with Divine Justice.

Praying for forgiveness is a necessary aspect of our prayer life! Because we all do something and have done something to where we need God to forgive us every day!

And we can’t expect God to forgive us, if we don’t want to forgive nobody!

Mark 11:25 ““And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Matthew 18:21–35 “Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.””

Consider focusing on forgiveness as a mutual and necessary aspect of the prayer life, as demonstrated in Jesus' teachings and sacrificial love. This reflects Christ’s redemptive work, offering forgiveness to sinners and teaching us to forgive others as a response to receiving grace. Highlighting forgiveness as both vertical (from God) and horizontal (to others) suggests a transformative path to healing and harmony, which is deeply Christocentric. Prayers for forgiveness can inspire believers to embody Christ's forgiveness in their relationships.

5. Appeals for Divine Protection

Matthew 6:13 “And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.

Maybe stress the need for God’s protection from temptation and evil, reminding believers of the spiritual warfare surrounding them. By turning to Christ, who overcame temptation, believers can find strength and resilience in prayer. This petition calls for divine guidance, acknowledging human weakness and the need for God’s deliverance. Christ’s victory over sin and death assures that prayerful requests for protection and guidance can be answered, promoting a life liberated from fear and empowered by Christ’s own overcoming of the world.

6.Gives Praise to God

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”