Developing a Prayerful Heart

OBSERVATIONS:

Will not have Bible study Wednesday. Join us at New Life Christian Church @ 6:30pm

Central district spring board meeting will be here March 10, 2020 @ 6:00pm

The Choir’s Night in White was an awesome experience on last Sunday. Thank you for such a great job.

Matthew 6:5–8 ESV

5 “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. 6 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. 7 “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. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

matthew 6:5-

Introduction: Jesus teaches His disciples to pray. As Jesus begins this teaching He specifies methods and models that are not appropriate for prayer. Jesus also designates the proper manner His disciples must pray.

We Must Oppose The Indecency of Hypocritical Prayer

We must oppose the indecency of Hypocritical prayer

Matthew 6:5 ESV

5 “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.

Jesus admonishes His disciples not to pray like the hypocrites.

DEFINE Hypocrite- Actors and pretenders

Jesus teaches that the prayers of the hypocrite are done to be seen.

Hypocrites love to be seen

Hypocrites perform in the synagogues and in the street.

What is important to the hypocrite is who is around. (they pray for Crowds)

Jesus says this is not how pray is to be done. In fact to pray this way takes away the decency involved in prayer.

Application: Do not pray to be a crowd pleaser. Do not pray to be seen or receive accolades.

Transition: Prayers are not show pieces. Prayer is sincere and solemn communication towards God. Jesus teaches this principle in the next verse.

We Must Pray with Intentional Intimacy with God

matthew 6:

Matthew 6:6 ESV

6 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.

Jesus directs the disciples to make intentional efforts before God when they pray.

go into your room --- opposite of the street

Shut the door

Pray to the Father ---- there is no crowd

Illustration: Fellow was praying and his voice was too low for others to hear him. Someone called out we can’t hear him. One of the other parishioners called back, “He wasn’t talking to you”.

Application: Make God your only audience. Pray so that God hears you.

Avoid the Inappropriate Prayer of Gentiles

Matthew 6:7–8 ESV

7 “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. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

matt 6:70

DEFINE Gentiles - The term gentile is many times used pejoratively to speak of the people who do not correctly worship God.

Gentiles pray vainly. Their words are empty and repetitious.

They are not exercising faith they are going through the motions.

Illustration: The story is told of a little group of prayer warriors in Yorkshire, England, who had gathered together to make their requests known unto God.

Dr. Campbell Morgan tells the story of a little group of prayer warriors in Yorkshire, England, who had gathered together to make their requests known unto God.

A man from the city walked in and seized the first opportunity to offer a long, eloquent and impressive prayer. One dear old man who knew His God and the power of prayer could stand it no longer and broke in with the words, “Call Him Father, man, and ask something.”

Stephen F. Olford, Institutes of Biblical Preaching, Volume Seven (Memphis, TN: Olford Ministries International, 1988).

Application: Do not pray for style points. God does not count our words when we pray. God searches our hearts.