EQUIPPING THE BRIDE ACADEMY Series II: Pray First!

Don’t

Matthew 6:5–8 CSB

5 “Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 When you pray, don’t babble like the Gentiles, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. 8 Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask him.

(v.5) Starts off with a Don’t list

Don’t pray to be noticed

Don’t use prayer as a time to display your knowledge or try to cajole God into answering your prayers

You don’t need to beat around the bush with God. God would rather have a deep time of intimate prayer with you rather than hear you repeat how many theological terms you know

Do’s

Luke 11:1 CSB

1 He was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.”

Intro:

The Lord’s Prayer: Matthew 6:9-13 NKVJ

Matthew 6:9–13 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.

CONNECT WITH GOD RELATIONALLY—

Matthew 6:9 NKJV

9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

(v.9a)–In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven,

Is he your Father, and are you willing to accept his plea to adopt you?

Have you received the gospel of Jesus Christ for yourself?

If you have not, now is the acceptable time of salvation. • Admit that you’re a sinner and need a Savior • Believe that Jesus died for you and rose again on the third day • Choose Jesus as your Savior and invite Him to be the Lord of your life • Surrender your life in obedience to Him daily If you have received Jesus...thank Him for his amazing grace and gift of salvation to you!

For those who know Christ, let’s rest a little bit on this phrase “Our Father”?

Tell me some of the traits of an ideal father?

Kind

Gentle

Compassionate

Love-suffering

Protective

Passionate

Faithful

Sacrificial

Firm

Consistent

Summary: You may have a father who displays some of these characteristics but even the best father does not display these characteristics perfectly, and most Father’s are strong in some of these but still a work in process on many. “OUR FATHER” as absolutely perfect in all of these characteristics already.

-And the most amazing part about him is that these are his communicable attributes. Those are the attributes that he shares with us.

-God has incommunicable attributes

Omniscience-He knows what you feel before you express, He knows what you will be thinking before it hits your brain, He knows is touch with the feelings of my infirmities.

Omnipotent-He already knows, and he can do something about it. He is all-powerful he can change any contingency or outcome. There is nothing you could ask him within his will that he cannot bring to pass

Omnipresence-You will never get a busy signal with God, You will never drop a call with God, There only break in the signal between us and God will be our unrepentant sin.

Immutable-He is unchanging. He does not play favorites. He is consistent. All of his children get fairness and justice from him.

Transistion-This leads to the second portion

WORSHIP HIS NAME

(v.9b)—Hallowed be Your name.

This is an interesting word, what do you think “Hallowed means?”

Hallowed-Honored, Separate, Sanctify his name

List names that God/Jesus attributes to Himself Pray that God will help you live a godly lifestyle that is aligned with His Word and is consistent with who He is

PRAY HIS AGENDA FIRST

Matthew 6:10 NKJV

10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

(v.10)–Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Focus on what God is focused on:

What is God focused on?

Pray for the lost—Jesus is passionate about unbelievers.

Acts 1:8 NKJV

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Pray for unity in the body of Christ: globally, nationally, locally, and at MBC Pray for justice

John 17:21 NKJV

21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Pray for your personal spiritual growth and maturity

2 Peter 3:18 NKJV

18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

DEPEND ON HIM FOR EVERYTHING

Matthew 6:11 CSB

11 Give us today our daily bread.

Petitions:

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;

(v.6) The greatest outlet for worry and anxiety is prayer, because it is on our knees that we can put our troubles, concerns, request on the shoulders of God.

(v.11)–Give us this day our daily bread.

Tell the Lord about your cares; and trust Him to satisfy your desires and supply your needs.

FORGIVE AND BE FORGIVEN

Matthew 6:12 NKJV

12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.

(v.12)– And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

This is a time of self-examination. This is a time to do some soul searching. This is also a time for you to look for deep seated bitterness in your heart from the pain of past, or present relationships so that you can forgive.

Examine yourself for areas that need forgiveness

Repent of areas that need forgiveness.

Forgive others who have offended you.

ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Matthew 6:13 NKJV

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.

(v.13)– And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Recognize your true enemy and depend on the power of the Holy Spirit for victory

Examine your life for areas where you struggle with obedience to God’s word

Ask God for a heart (and power) to resist the devil and submit to God

EXPRESS FAITH IN GOD’S ABILITY

Matthew 6:13 NKJV

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.

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

Proclaim the authority and unmatched power of God; Because God is Sovereign, you can trust (rest in) Him.