Grown Up Prayer Time

Matthew 6:16 NLT

16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.

Summary: Prayer provides the opportunity for us to have conversations with God that will transform our lives.

We must increase our prayer lives: individually and corporately if we want to obtain the promises that God has made us. We will be intentional about it.

Henry, a senior citizen, kneels and prays every night. He “starts by silently reciting the Lord’s Prayer and then asks for his loved ones to be kept safe and well.” It’d be unremarkable—if not downright commendable—for any follower of Jesus to say the same. The difference is that Henry isn’t sure if he believes in God. “‘I wonder why I don’t stop doing it,’ Henry says. ‘Sometimes I feel it’s a kind of hypocrisy’”

Kitten Prayer - The story is told of a young girl who was saying her bedtime prayers while her parents knelt beside her. “Dear God, bless Mommy and Daddy and my little brother, Tommy. God, I would really like a pony, but if You can’t get me a pony, a kitten would do. Amen.”

Get off of the milk and on to the meat. How do we mature in the faith? I understand we need the FAITH of a CHILD, but we need the PRAYERS OF THE MATURE!

Let’s look at the life and words of Christ to answer this question.

Matthew 6:1–16 NLT

1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 9 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. 10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today the food we need, 12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. 14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. 16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.

God is instructing us to continue to practice the basics: Giving, Prayer, Fasting, Today, we are going to be talking about prayer. Prayer provides the opportunity for us to have conversations with God that will transform our lives.

In 2022, we must increase our prayer lives: individually and corporately if we want to obtain the promises that God has made us. In 2022, we will be intentional about everything that we do. Especially about prayer.

Scientists are studying prayer today for health related issues pouring millions of dollars into research. Keep in mind that science is designed to study the natural not the supernatural.

During His earthly mission, Jesus prayed often and modeled a life of prayer that is an example and pattern for all believers to follow. Jesus’ regular practice of prayer compelled His followers to plead, “Lord, teach us to pray.”

The principles Jesus shared with them are relevant to every generation. Let’s look at some of these principles:

1. Why Jesus Prayed

Luke 5:15–16 NLT

15 But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

1. Solitude and communion with God (Luke 5:16—getting away and getting alone)

a. People were flocking to hear Jesus preach and to have their diseases healed, but Jesus made sure he often withdrew to quiet, solitary places to pray. Many things clamor for our attention, and we often run ourselves ragged attending to them. Like Jesus, however, we should take time to withdraw to a quiet and deserted place to pray. Strength comes from God, and we can only be strengthened by spending time with him.

b. In contrast to his earlier freedom to minister in "the towns" (v. 12), Jesus must now make a practice of finding solitude in deserted areas.

c. we live in a “multitasking” society, which is constantly seeking ways to get as many different things done as possible. Sadly, this type of mindset can creep into our prayer lives. If we’re not actually doing something else while we pray, we’re tempted to think about other things. Jesus’ example is key; we need to set aside special time devoted only to our Heavenly Father. In that quiet place, apart from all distractions, we can share the deepest thoughts of our hearts as we also listen for His voice.

d. Where can you go to find a private place of prayer?

2. Decision making - selecting His disciples

Luke 6:12–13 NLT

12 One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. 13 At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names:

a. The Gospel writers note that before every important event in Jesus’ life, he took time to go off by himself and pray. This time Jesus was preparing to choose his inner circle, the 12 disciples. Make sure that all your important decisions are grounded in prayer.

b. Don’t go through life flipping a coin to make decisions.

c. Discernment comes as you spend time with God!

3. Jesus needed refreshing & Power for ministry (spiritual warfare, healing)

Mark 1:35–42 NLT

35 Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. 36 Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 37 When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” 39 So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons. 40 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” 42 Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.

a. He was ready to go “somewhere else”

b. You need power for ministry, sometimes even when “Everyone is looking for you,” you don’t need to be found. You need the power more than companionship

c. Power to preach (teach, witness)

d. Power to do spiritual warfare

i. Don’t attempt without prayer

e. Power to heal…immediately

Hebrews 5:7 NLT

7 While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.

John 11:42 NLT

42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.”

4. For results

a. Christ prayed expecting results

b. He was intentional about His prayers.

c. We must be intentional and full of belief.

2. Guiding principles for prayer

Matthew 6:1–8 NLT

1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

1. Show and hypocrisy disdained

a. Pomp and Circumstances take away from God’s glory and causes one to focus on the individual instead of God.

b. Prayers should be offered with discretion in order that God is glorified.

c. This is not saying not to have corporate prayer rather He is warning us to watch our motivation.

2. Always “when,” not “if” you pray ( See Matthew 6:5,6,7)

a. Jesus assumes that we are going to give, pray, and fast

3. Pray in secret (Matthew 6:5,6)a. If you don’t pray as much in private as you do in public, your relationship with Christ is in serious trouble.

4. Pray meaningfully, intentionally (Matthew 6:7,8)

a. No vain babbling.