The Model Prayer

The

Matthew 6:5-8 (NKJV)

The Model Prayer

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.[a]

7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

Notice what Jesus doesn't teach the disciples,

 He doesn't teach them about the posture of prayer because any posture will do, in the Bible people prayed standing, lifting up their hands, sitting, kneeling, lifting up their eyes, bowing down, placing their head between their knees, pounding on their breast, facing a temple, etc, etc. There was no specific posture. People in the Bible prayed in battle, in a cave, in a closet, in a garden, on a mountainside, by a river, by the sea, in the street, in God's house. First Timothy says "Let men pray everywhere." In the Bible people prayed in bed, in a home, in a fish even. On a housetop, in a prison, by the sea, in solitude, in the wilderness, on a cross, and so forth.

 He doesn't tell them about the times of prayer, people prayed in the early morning, three times a day, in the evening, before meals, after meals, at the ninth hour, at bedtime, at midnight, day and night, today, often, when they're young, when they're old, in trouble, everyday and always. Jesus doesn't tell us a specific time, or a specific posture.

John the Baptist taught his disciples to pray

Jesus was asked by His disciples to teach them how to pray.

Jesus did more than teach them He gave them a Model Prayer to guide them in their praying:

Matthew 6:9-15 (NKJV)

9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

13 And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.[b]

Let’s look at the Model prayer in a bit more detail:

A. Our Father( v 9) :

You can only call God Father if you have a relationship with Him, if you are born again through the blood of Jesus. The Koran states that God has no children thus the followers of the Koran do not call ‘Mohamed’ their father.

We ought to hallow Him praise Him glorify Him before we come to Him to request anything. The 1st verse gives us the opportunity to do this.

Thank and praise God that because of Jesus’ obedience at the cross and His shed blood, you can call God your Father

‘God inhabits the praises of His people’

B. God’s Priorities( v 10):

Your kingdom come Your will be done .In John 5 :19 & 30 we see that Even Jesus could do nothing by Himself , only what He heard the Father say He must do JESUS did. We should do like wise IN prayer .

Without prayer we will not see the will/plan of God accomplished in our lives/ministry.

God’s priorities are:

 Your family

 Your Church

 Your nation

C. God’s Provision v 11:

God is not a God that wants His children to be in want but notice that our needs are only addressed after we have given our will over To the Father.

D. Repentance , Forgiveness &Getting along with People( v 12):

Jesus is our example of forgiving those who nailed Him to the cross and ridiculed Him (Luke 23:34 ) (Eph 4:32 )Sin is a debt that causes a heavy burden. If not dealt with, it can totally weigh a person down until he /she is totally ineffective as a Christian.Unforgiveness is a sure way of not having your prayers answered..

Mark 11:25-26 (NKJV)

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. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”[

Matthew 6:14-15 (NKJV)

14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Mark 11:25-26 (NKJV)

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. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”[

Matthew 6:14-15 (NKJV)

14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 5:23-24 (NKJV)

23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

E. Power over the devil (v13):

We all need a hedge of protection around us and our loved one’s .Commit yourself , loved ones and your possessions to God daily.

F. Divine Partnership (v13):

Praise Him because He has delivered you from every evil work & preserving you for His heavenly Kingdom

2 Timothy 4:18 (NKJV)

18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

Luke 12:32 (NKJV)

32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom

You are being transformed into the image of Christ from glory to glory by the Holy Spirit (2Cor 3:18 Heb 2:9-10 )

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV)

17 pray without ceasing,

Matthew 26:41 (NKJV)

41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

TYPES OF PRAYER:

Supplication&Petition

A humble earnest entreaty or request made on behalf of ourselves, other believers or people in authority

Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

Agreement

Matthew 18:19-21 (NKJV)

19 “Again I say[a] to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.

Intercessory

Romans 8:26 (NKJV)

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us[a] with groanings which cannot be uttered.

The Holy Spirit will not do our praying for us but we will be able to pray with His ability

Praying for needs

Mark 11:22 -24The Message (MSG)

24 That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything.

Audible & Silent

There are times when we can only pray in silence God hears even those prayers.

PRACTICAL PRAYING:

Conditions we have to meet to have our prayers answered:

Heb 11:1 &6

‘Now faith is the substance of things hoped for , the evidence of things not seen’

v.6 ‘But without faith it is impossible to please HIM, for he who comes to God must believe that He is , and that He is a rewarded of those who diligently seek Him’

No Un-forgiveness

Is it in line with the word of God

Faith (A mustard seed amount will do)

Always pray the solution never the problem- Pray the Word

Pray until you experience a release/victory

Expect a response (become quiet and listen)

Write down what you hear from the Holy Spirit Keep a prayer diary

Remember : ‘A delay is not a denial’

Thanksgiving: Thank God before you see the manifestation or answer

When you have done all you know to do and prayed then STAND

No matter what the situation, no matter how dark it seems around us we can bring about change if we will only start to pray and persevere in pray until we have a breakthrough. Prayer and Peace are closely connected (Phill 4:6-7) Those who entrust their cares to the Lord instead of fretting over them will experience the Peace of God to guard them from nagging anxiety…..

Jer 29:11-14 Then you will call upon me and go and pray to Me , and I will listen to you…

Kneeling – our heart attitude, humbleness

We Triumph – In His presence we triumph

AMEN

Let’s pray…