Praying for Justice

The Lord instructs the disciples and all who are listening how to pray. Remember before this instruction he warns them not to be hypocritical.

The message Bible proceeds this prayer Like this “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

7–13  “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: ().

Prayer is a vital important part of the Christian life. Its in prayer we connect to God. the fact that he is a prayer-answering God should motivate us the to prayer more. The Psalmist said I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. 2  Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. . ().

my voice and my pleas for mercy.

my voice and my pleas for mercy.

2  Because he inclined his ear to me,

2  Because he inclined his ear to me,

therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

Christian prayer is “an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies” Christian prayer is the end product of a long process of change and development in God’s relation to men. So with the importance of prayer what is the first request besides giving honor to His Name. Jesus said we should ask that

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Praise. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 1745). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.

Thy Kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. So what does that mean? The kingdom of God is the fulfilment of Gods perfect will. That means it will be the situation that God has designed in heaven.

The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof;

The world, and they that dwell therein.

2  For he hath founded it upon the seas,

And established it upon the floods. ).

).

Since we serve the God of Justice we can only imagine that His will is Justice comes to earth as it is already in heaven. Then we will see what Amos was saying when he said 24 But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.

In our prayer we are to ask that God’s will be done on earth. What is his will?

That we seek him, we love one another, we seek peace, we have joy, we have good health, we live with as his children being people of light. The will of God is God’s sovereign governance of all that comes to pass. The Bible teaches that God’s providence over the universe extends to the smallest details of nature and human decisions. The will of God is not simply a passive plan, its the blueprint for his creation. Everything we do should be in the will of God! That’s why we need to ask God Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. as the Psalmist has said.

Think about it church. How much better would this world be if his will be done. There would not be blood shed in the streets of Chicago. We wouldn’t corrupt governments. We would not have poverty and injustice. We should say I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.

We can actively participate in his will coming to earth. Our role is actively living in obedience to his word! Jesus said in  When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. (). We have many who do not understand the word of God and for that reason it is not being applied but distorted! It similar to the parable 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” ().

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Its in prayer we reconnect with God. This is why the model prayer creates the stage for us to be intimate with God! Look at this prayer as we move from Gods will to our request :

Give us this day our daily bread,

12  and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

13  And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

These 3 request are important to us

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Provisions

Give this day our daily bread… We have to be satisfied that the Lord will give us what we need. Paul said do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus. ()

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Promises

We can be forgiven. The catch is that we have to forgive others. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him .

Protection

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. ().

but deliver us from evil. ().

(). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

So we are to request God’s protection. He is our very present help in the time of trouble! David said yeah do i walk through the valley of the shadow of death I fear no evil for thy rod and they staff the comfort me.