Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
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Prayer is a Basic Expectation
People were created to speak and walk with God.
In the Garden, God walked with Adam and Eve daily.
(Genesis 2-3)
Immediately after the Fall, men spoke with God regularly and directly.
(Genesis 4)
Faithful people pray.
The Ancient Faithful spoke plainly and regularly with God.
Abraham (Genesis 12-21)
Moses (Exodus 2-17)
Joshua (Joshua 1-10)
David (1 Samuel 16 - 2 Samuel 7, Psalms)
Ezra (Ezra 9-10)
Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1-6)
Job (Job)
Daniel (Daniel 6)
The New Covenant Faithful spoke plainly and regularly with God.
The first disciples (Acts 1)
The early church (Acts 2)
Peter ( Acts 9, 11)
Paul (Acts 14)
John (Revelation 1)
Jesus was characterized by prayer.
He woke early to pray (Mark 1)
He left the crowds to pray (Mark 6)
He prayed alone before big decisions (Luke 6)
He went into desolate places to pray (Luke 5, 9)
He taught his disciples to pray (Matthew 6)
He modeled prayer for his disciples (Matthew 26)
We are invited to pray throughout the Scriptures.
We are told to pray in every situation.
We are taught how to pray in every situation.
When interceding for wicked people (Genesis 18)
When interceding for God’s people (Numbers 14)
When giving thanks for prayers answered (1 Samuel 1)
When giving thanks for unexpected good gifts (2 Samuel 7)
When asking for wisdom (1 Kings 8)
When praising God for salvation (Jonah 2)
When facing the wickedness of bad people (2 Kings 19)
When desperate for deliverance (Nehemiah 1)
When facing the consequences of personal sin (Psalm 51)
When facing the sin of God’s people(Ezra 9)
When facing the sin of a nation (Daniel 9)
When pleading for the rescue of the lost (Romans 10)
When reflecting on God’s sovereignty (Romans 16)
When praying for wisdom and hope (Ephesians 1)
When praying for strength (Ephesians 3)
When thanking God for his people (Philippians 1)
When praying for missionaries (2 Thessalonians 3)
When praying for peace (1 Timothy 2)
When thanking God for a faithful brother or sister (Philemon 4-7)
When longing for the return of Jesus (Revelation 22:20)
How you pray sheds light on why you pray.
Two ways to pray.
The wrong way to pray
They “love” to stand and pray in the synagogues and streets.
Actively seeking opportunities to pray publically.
They pray in order to be seen.
Hoping for the praise of men
Result: Man’s Attention
The right way to pray.
Go into “your room.”
The storage closet
The place you won’t be found or expected
Shut the door.
The only lockable room in the house
Make yourself inaccessible
Result: God’s Attention
How you pray will teach you whose attention you crave.
If your prayer life consists primarily of public moments, your heart craves the attention of men.
If your prayer life consists primarily of private moments in secret places, your heart craves the attention of God.
Our Father is in the Secret Places
He doesn’t just see you, he’s with you.
Notice the shift that’s taken place.
“…your Father who sees in secret…” (Matthew 6:3)
“…your Father who sees in secret…” (Matthew 6:18)
“…your Father who is in secret…” (Matthew 6:6)
In your secret seeking, you’ll find him.
He’s there with you, when you speak to him secretly.
He’s hearing you and helping you in your private prayers.
The reward of our Father who is and sees?
His company (he is)
His attention (he sees)
His help (he rewards)
A few thoughts, and some advice.
Public vs. Private?
It’s time to run an audit.
Your public prayer life should be dwarfed by your private prayer life.
Your public prayers should be...
an overflow of worship, not an opportunity to be worshiped
an expression of gratitude, not a felt obligation
an extension of your care, not a facade of care
directed toward God (actually, not just apparently)
Your Father is THERE, with you, when you pray.
Rid yourself of the heresy of a distant God.
When you feel his distance, it’s a feeling problem (not a distance problem).
Your Father, who’s there, sees you.
You are known and understood.
Your prayers are heard and taken seriously.
Your Father, who’s there and sees, rewards your labors in prayer.
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