The Lord's prayer

Increase in Prayer

God has put this burden on my heart that we as a church need to increase in prayer. There is a direct connection between healing, growth and how much we pray. I don’t normally do this, but some of the research in this series comes from Pastor Robert Morris.

In my research he put so many things in perspective I had to share it. So I want to connect some dots for you in hopes that you will purposefully increase your prayer life. In order to do so we are going to examine in depth the Lords prayer in the book of Mathew, but I want to point out the opening in Luke .

Luke 11:1 ESV

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

Luke 11:2 (ESV)

2 And he said to them, “In this manor, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.

In this manor= With this pattern

We need to take prayer seriously

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

There are principalities attempting to over take your life and your world. If you ever had a sin that flows through your family there is a prince or a demon working in that area. We do not fight against the government. We do not fight against our boss. We do not fight against our own mind. We are fighting against evil forces, but

Ephesians 6:16 ESV

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

Notice here All. All the flaming darts. If our shield of faith, which is support by prayer, is constantly in defense position then not one of the enemies attacks will come through. Satan would be rendered powerless.

We shouldn’t be asking why is Satan attacking me?

Why are the darts getting through?

I want you to notice something about prayer:

Daniel 10:12–13 ESV

12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia,

Notice first day. God hears you the moment you speak your request. God answered on day one. God sent an messenger.

Daniels prayer on day one, but why did Daniel have to fast 21 days?

Prayer and fasting wasn’t for answers. ( You don’t have to beg) It was fighting the principalities that attempted to stop the messenger from sending the message.

Daniel 10:20–21 ESV

20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.

Notice the Term your prince. Daniel had a prince fighting in your corner.

You have a prince fighting in your corner—it’s the prince of peace.

Jesus is your prince that fights.

Philippians 4:6 ESV

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:7 ESV

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The peace of God- in Jesus Christ who is the prince of Peace fighting on your behalf.

There are principalities working in your life that have stopped you from getting where God desires you to Go. There are principalities working against this church that are stopping the growth and spread of God’s message within our town.

We must press into prayer to press out the principalities.

One more example of why prayer is important.

Mark 5:8–10 ESV

8 For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country.

I’ve never noticed this before. I have read this verse a thousand times it seems like and never noticed v10

Do not send me out of this country.

Why are the demons begging him to stay in the country?

There are strongholds in the area that they worked to build. There is a sin tendency in the area the demons worked to keep. Satan wants to keep you, your family, and your area struggling with sin.

How do we break down strong holds?

With the opposing Spirit

You need to overcome laziness. You must get up and diligently work.

One of my biggest strongholds as a kid and young adult was lying. I lied as a kid to keep form getting beat I lied as an adult because it was habbit. In order to break this stronghold. there was a time that every time I lied I stop, admit the lie, and speak the truth. It took a while. It wasn’t easy, but now my go to isn’t lying.

Fighting anxiety? Prayer is the best key against it.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV

7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Can’t seem to get your financial life under control? Practice self control. Patience. Fight greed.

As we walk through this study my prayer is that you begin to take back control of areas of your life. You begin to learn how to overcome these demonic influences in your life, your family, and your town.