SF484 - LIFE ON THE ROCK - THE CHARACTERISTICS OF POWERFUL PRAYER (Matthew 6 5-15)
SF484
LIFE ON THE ROCK
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF POWERFUL PRAYER
Matthew 6:5-15
INTRODUCTION
Basic Presuppositions
1. Prayer is answered
2. Prayer is grounded in redemption
3. Prayer is a responsibility
4. Prayer has no substitute
5. Prayer involves men not methods
6. Prayer must proceed all Christian activity
7. Prayer has tremendous power.
8. Prayer involves work
9. Prayer is governed by laws
10. Prayer must be learned
Four Elements Of Prayer
1. Adoration
Praising God for who he is...
His person
His character
His attributes
2. Confession
Agree with God about the seriousness of your sin.
3. Thanksgiving
Expressing gratitude to God for what he has done ‑ His actions
4. Supplication
Request/Intercession based on needs
Page 2
1A. PRAY REGULARLY (5a)
“when you pray...”
1 Thessalonians 5:17
pray continually;
2A. PRAY SINCERELY (5b)
“not like the hypocrites...”
James 5:16
...The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
3A. PRAY PRIVATELY (6)
“go into room...”
We need to pray privately before we can pray in public.
4A. PRAY CONFIDENTLY (7-8)
“your Father knows what you need before you ask”
John 14:13
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.
5A. PRAY INTIMATELY (9a)
“Our Father...”
By Creation
By Conversion
Page 3
6A. PRAY REVERENTLY (9b)
“hallowed be your name...”
“hallowed” = to be or make holy!
Recognize God’s Holiness
1 Peter 1:16
for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Psalms 99:9
Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy.
Respect God’s Holiness
Psalms 89:7
In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him.
7A. PRAY EXPECTANTLY (10a)
“your kingdom come...”
Through the conversion of unbelievers
Through the commitment of believers
Through the commencement of Christ’s earthly rule
Page 4
8A. PRAY SUBMISSIVELY (10b)
“your will be done...”
God’s Permissive Will
The vast comprehensive will of God.
Isaiah 14:24
The LORD Almighty has sworn, "Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.
God’s Perfect Will
What you would want for your life if you had sense enough to know what is best!
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
9A. PRAY HUMBLY (11)
The substance
“bread” = all our physical needs
The source
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
The subjects
“Give us”
The schedule
“This day”
Page 5
10A. PRAY REPENTANTLY (12,14-15)
You are guilty of sin
God is willing to forgive through Christ
2 Corinthians 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
You must confess your sin!
You must be willing to forgive in order to receive forgiveness! (14-15)
God will deal with us the same way we deal with others!
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
11A. PRAY DEPENDENTLY (13)
Prayer for protection
Psalms 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Prayer for direction
Proverbs 3:5‑6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; {6} in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Page 6
APPLICATION
How Is Your Prayer Life?
Can / Do YOU PRAY...
Regularly
Sincerely
Privately
confidentially
Intimately
Reverently
Expectantly
Submissively
Humbly
Repentantly
Dependently