The “How To” of Prayer

The “How To” of Prayer

Prayer:Lord Jesus, for too long we’ve kept you out of our life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will we close the door when we hear you knocking. By faith, we gratefully receive your gift of salvation. We ready to trust you as our Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. We believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing our sins and giving us the gift of eternal life. We believe your words are true. Come into our heart, Lord Jesus, and be our Savior. Amen.

Luke 11:1-4

1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

Introduction

➢ Prayer is the most central discipline because it ushers us into everlasting communion with God.

➢ Prayer brings us into the deepest and highest work of the human spirit.

➢ Prayer is at the root of all personal godliness. ~William Carey

➢ Prayer involves us “rightly” asking. James 4:3"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

➢ God does nothing but in answer to prayer. ~John Wesley

➢ Prayer is to religion what original research is to science. ~P.T. Forsythe

1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

1. You need a relationship. One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”Luke 11:1

The Scripture says, “one day Jesus was praying.” The disciples were present, but they were not involved. While Jesus prayed, they observed Him. Christ never seemed to pray with the disciples. What was the reason for this? I believe He wanted them to ask Him about the most important aspect of His ministry, and He also wanted to teach them that prayer is a personal relationship and responsibility. Corporate prayer should never be a substitute for private time with the Father.

Next, the disciples said,“Lord, teach us to pray.” This implies that knowing how to pray is not automatic, or something they could do without His instruction. As young Jewish men, the disciples had been brought up in the synagogue, where they had been taught to pray. They daily read and repeated prayers in the synagogue. However, Jesus prayers differed from what they had been taught. They prayed; He prayed. They spoke words; He secured results.

A MAN was praying one day in a church in England. His English was terrible and broken. He was doing a horrible job destroying the king’s English. A lady who was hearing his prayers was just beside herself as this man spoke in this manner. After he said “amen” she said, “Young man, that was the worst grammar and articulation I have ever heard in my life. I am disgusted that you would talk like that.”

He turned, looked at the woman, and said, “But lady, I wasn’t talking to you.” Prayer is communication with God.

1. You need a relationship.

2. You must give reverence. “‘Father, hallowed Luke 11:2 The first thing we learn is that we never come alone to prayer. God is our Father. When we approach God, we are to bring other people’s concerns with us, as well. Most of us go to prayer with our own shopping lists: our financial needs, our career needs, and so forth. Our prayers are selfish if they don’t include the concerns of others. God will ask, “Where is everybody else? Therefore, we are to begin prayer by thinking of others as well as ourselves.

Second, we address God as “Father.” We identify who He is. One definition of the word father is “source.” We must confess that He is the Source who can provide for the needs of everyone. Whatever your problem, the Father has the answer. Draw near to God, for He is your Father.

The word hallowed means reverenced, set apart, or sanctified. We are to worship the Father as the Holy One.

1. You need a relationship.

2. You must give reverence

3. You must acknowledge the Ruler. be your name, Luke 11:2 When you pray, honor all the attributes of God’s holiness, such as His love, faithfulness, integrity, and grace. Worship Him. Adore Him. Exalt Him. Magnify Him. Glorify Him. After you pray, keep honoring Him in your life and all your relationships. “Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore” (Psalm 113:2).

1. You need a relationship.

2. You must give reverence

3. You must acknowledge the Ruler.

4. You must have resignation. your kingdom come. Luke 11:2 A true person of prayer is committed to God’s kingdom and what He wants to accomplish. We should always ask God to fulfill His desires before our own. Therefore, if you have problems, find someone else who has problems and start helping to solve them. If you need someone to pray for you, pray for someone else. If you need financial help, give to someone who has less than you do. In prayer, and in everything we do, we are to think about God’s kingdom first.

1. You need a relationship.

2. You must give reverence

3. You must acknowledge the Ruler.

4. You must have resignation.

5. You can ask for resources. Give us each day our daily bread.Luke 11:3 God’s provision is daily, not all at once. We cannot store it up and then cut off communication with God. And we dare not be self-satisfied. If you are running low on strength, ask yourself-how long have I been away from the Source.

1. You need a relationship.

2. You must give reverence

3. You must acknowledge the Ruler.

4. You must have resignation.

5. You can ask for resources.

6. You can solicit redemption. Forgive us our sins, Luke 11:4 “When you pray, consider those with whom you are in relationship.” Check to see if anyone has anything against you or if you are holding anything against anyone. Don’t expect answers to prayer if you ask God to forgive you but refuse to forgive others.

1. You need a relationship.

2. You must give reverence

3. You must acknowledge the Ruler.

4. You must have resignation.

5. You can ask for resources.

6. You can solicit redemption.

7. You must be willing to reciprocate. we also forgive everyone Luke 11:4 When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he made forgiveness the cornerstone of their relationship with God. God has forgiven our sins; we must now forgive those who have wronged us.

1. You need a relationship.

2. You must give reverence

3. You must acknowledge the Ruler.

4. You must have resignation.

5. You can ask for resources.

6. You can solicit redemption.

7. You must be willing to reciprocate.

8. You can see rescue. who sins against us. Luke 11:4 To remain unforgiving shows we have not understood that we ourselves deeply need to be forgiven. Think of some people who have wronged you. Have you forgiven them? How will God deal with you if he treats you as you treat others?

In conclusion,

1. You need a relationship.

2. You must give reverence

3. You must acknowledge the Ruler.

4. You must have resignation.

5. You can ask for resources.

6. You can solicit redemption.

7. You must be willing to reciprocate.

8. You can see rescue.

IF I put a million dollars in your physical bank account, you are a guaranteed millionaire. But if you don’t know how to write a check, that which is guaranteed cannot be enjoyed. Too many of us who’ve got bank accounts full of God’s blessing are forgetting to sign our checks. We forget to draw from that spiritual reservoir, or we don’t understand how to draw from that spiritual reservoir to live the successful Christian life.