SF729 - KINGDOM PRAYING - 3 HOW TO PRAY - JESUS WAY (Matthew 6 10)

Matthew 6:10

Introduction

True prayer centers on God’s glory.

John 14:13 “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

True prayer results in our joy.

John 16:24 “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.”

This is a model prayer for all Christians

There are six petitions in this prayer, the first three focuses on God’s glory, the second three focus on man’s need.

We are commanded to pray.

Luke 18:1 “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “pray without ceasing”

James 5:16 “… The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

Review

Last week we discussed God’s paternity and priority (6:9)

Today we will examine God’s program and purpose.

What is Kingdom Praying?

1A. Kingdom Praying Rejoices in the Fulfillment of God’s Program – “Thy kingdom come”

1B. He is a gracious King

Hebrews 4:16 “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

The king’s grapes are not for sale.

2B. He is the reigning King

"kingdom" = basileia ‑ rule or reign

The universal aspect of the kingdom

Psalm 103:19 “The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.”

1 Chronicles 29:11-12 “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone.”

The earthly aspect of the kingdom

“To pray, “Your kingdom come,” is to pray that God’s saving reign will be expanded even now, and much more, that God will usher in the consummated kingdom.” (D.A. Carson, 65)

3B. He is the coming King

How will the kingdom come?

Ø By the conversion of unbelievers.

This is a missionary prayer!

Ø By the commitment of believers.

This is a sanctifying prayer.

Ø By the coming “day of God”

This is a prophetic prayer.

Luke 1:32-33 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

2 Peter 3:12 “looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!”

Ø "Come" = elthato = to suddenly come

1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 “For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’ then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.”

The return of Richard the Lion Hearted!

2A. Kingdom Praying Requires Surrender to God’s Purpose – “Thy will be done”

“The will of God to which reference is made is clearly his ‘revealed’ will, expressed in his law. It is that will which is done in heaven, but not yet to any great extent on earth. On the other hand the will of God’s ‘decree’ or ‘plan from eternity’ is always being realized both in heaven and earth (Daniel 4:35; Ephesians 1:11).” (Hendriksen, 331.)

1B. We must surrender our self-serving plans.

Proverbs 19:21 “Many plans are in a man's heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand.”

Psalm 40:8 “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.”

2B. We must surrender our sinful preferences

James 4:3 “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.”

3B. We must surrender our selfish priorities

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

4B. We must surrender our total person

Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Application

How to know you are praying in the will of God

The surrender principle

“your will be done”

Ø God calls us to surrender not simply to commitment

Ø In commitment we are still in control!

The scripture principle

John 15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

The spirit principle

Romans 8:26-27 “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

Answered prayer is not for rebels!

Ø Any prayer the Holy Spirit lays on your heart will be answered.

Prayer is the Holy Spirit finding a desire in the heart of the Father, putting that desire into our hearts, and then sending it back to heaven in the power of the cross.

Are you surrendered to God and His Kingdom!

KINGDOM PRAYING
Matthew 6:10

1A. Kingdom Praying Rejoices in the Fulfillment of God’s Program – “Thy kingdom come”

1B. He is a _____________ King

Hebrews 4:16

2B. He is the ____________________ King

The universal aspect of the kingdom

Psalm 103:19

1 Chronicles 29:11-12

The earthly aspect of the kingdom

How will the _____________________ come?

Ø By the conversion of unbelievers.

Ø By the commitment of believers.

Ø By the coming “day of God”

Luke 1:32-33

2 Peter 3:12

3B. He is the _______________________ King

1 Thessalonians 5:2-3

2A. Kingdom Praying Requires Surrender to God’s Purpose – “Thy will be done”

1B. We must surrender our ___________-serving plans.

Proverbs 19:21

Psalm 40:8

2B. We must surrender our __________________ preferences

James 4:3

3B. We must surrender our __________________ priorities

Matthew 6:33