Learning to Pray Like Jesus, Part 3 (Pray Sencerely)

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Pray Sincerely: Part 2—Matthew 6:7-8

Intro…   (Ill. From D. Jeremiah/22-23)

  • We’ve been talking about learning to pray like Jesus.
    • This may be the foundational message for the passage.
    • The goal of this is not to teach you to be religious, but to be right w/God thru Jesus Christ.  (Read)
  • ETS: Jesus taught His disciples not to voice empty words to God in prayer.—Don’t pray empty prayers!

I. The expectation to pray…  “When you pray…”

  • We are commanded to pray—1 Samuel 12:23, Psalm 32:6
  • Prayer/communion w/God is part of what makes humans special.
    • Man was created to be in communion w/the Creator.
    • God expects us to like we expect our cars to start…
      • Here’s the problem—He gives us the choice if we want to…
  • So God teaches us how to do what we’re expected to do.
    • I must teach my kids to do what I expect of them… ____
  • So, 1st He told us to pray privately…

II. Don’t pray empty prayers…  “do not heap up empty phrases…”

·          How did the gentiles pray?

o         These were practitioners of pagan religions…

o         They would repeat mere words over & over.—2 Kings 18:26, Acts 19:34—it was much like babbling.

o         B/c they thought they’d be heard for their many words.

§          What if your kid asks for something…

·          I love the translation, “heap up empty words”—Picture Lucy episode.

·          So, how do I know if my prayers are reaching heaven?

o         The true test of prayers is shown by how much your heart is engaged in the prayer.—Is you mind & heart engaged—engage lever on the riding lawn more.

·          God’s not going to hear you just b/c of those words!!—7b.

o         Matthew 22:37—God’s interested in your heart & mind.

o         Man-made gods are in it for the actions.

III. God knows what you need…

  • He already knows what you need!!—He’s not waiting for you to pray b/c of ignorance on his part!
    • You have: financial problems, prob. In your marriage, addiction, prob. At work, a sick loved one—God knows.
  • Question: Why pray? (I’m not sure I can really answer that.)
    • I should just be able to let Him handle it.
    • 1st, He’s always worked thru people & their prayers.
      • Genesis 1:26-28—Dominion over animals, plants, mult.
      • Gen. 12—Brought redemption thru man
      • James 4:2—You have not b/c you ask not…
        • Have you ever said, “God knows what I need.”
    • 2nd, He wants communion w/you.
      • He wants you to talk to Him—He created you for communion.
      • How bad does God want communion w/ you?—He sent His only son when your sins had separated you from Him.

Closing…

  • Are your prayers piling up on the ceiling?
  • Billy, how can I become a person of true prayer?
    • Confession & repentance
    • Sacrifice—Take time for undisturbed prayer
      • No more excuses.  Just do it!
    • Focus—Be disciplined

The story is told of a father who, b/c his wife was at a meeting one night, was at home with his little son trying to get him to go to bed.  After his dad had tucked him in, the little boy called his dad, “Dad, I need a drink of water.”   The dad took the little boy a glass of water.  Not long after that, the boy yells for his dad again, “Dad, I need to use the bathroom.”  This, of course went on for a while longer and the dad, finally having enough said, “Son, no more!  You stay in bed and go to sleep.”  After a few minutes the dad heard the sound of little footsteps up stairs, and went to the bottom of the stairs and said, “Son, I said get in bed & stay there.  I’m not going to tell you again.  If I have to come up there again you’re going to get a whipping!”  For a moment there was silence.  Then the little boy’s voice, w/some worry, said, “Daddy, when you come give me a whipping, could you bring me a drink of water?”

1 Samuel 12:23 (ESV) 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

Psalm 32:6 (ESV)Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.

If I expect my kids to know what I mean when I say, clean up your room, I have to show them.  A clean room isn’t a relative term.  My kids don’t have the option of saying, “Dad, this is clean for me even though it may not be for you.  Prayer is not a relative term.  God expects us to pray, so He shows us what He means when he talks about how to pray.  Coming to prayer meetings does not constitute prayer.  Waking up early in the morning to pray doesn’t constitute prayer. 

1 Kings 18:26 (ESV) 26 And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made.

Acts 19:34 (ESV) 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

I’m reminded of an episode of I Love Lucy when she & Ethel go to work in a chocolate factory.  Lucy was working on a conveyor belt trying to wrap pieces of chocolate.  She somehow got behind & began to put the chocolate in her mouth and the pieces of chocolate begin to go through to the next room un wrapped & not ready.  Often our prayers are like that, they heap up, unwrapped, not ready to enter into the presence of God.

Matthew 22:37 (ESV) 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

James 4:2 (ESV) You do not have, because you do not ask.

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