The Lord’s Prayer Pt 4

Matthew 6:5–15 ESV

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

This is the 4th part of a 5-part series on the Lord’s Prayer. Our prayers are very important. It is more than the words we use. It is how we approach prayer and the condition of our heart. Jesus demonstrates this by taking time out to talk about how our prayers should be conducted and a template on how we should pray.

Week #1

Recognize and reverence the name of our Heavenly Father. The name is holy and sanctified and we should show honor and respect.

Week #2

Confess and believe in our heart that we really want to see the kingdom of God come and the will of God to come to pass as it is in heaven.

Week #3

Ask for our physical and spiritual needs. One is not greater than the other.

Week #4

Today, forgive as we have been forgiven.

Matthew 6:12 ESV

and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

We all have baggage in some form or another. We hold on to things like a shield. We think this will protect our hearts. It may block future hurt, but it also blocks future joy. It is not healthy and it will inhibit our prayers.

How can we hold on to anger, bitterness, and un-forgiveness when God has gone to such great links to forgive us. What right do we have to hold onto it. Look what we have been forgiven of. We think the wrong someone else did to us is worse than what we did to Christ. Did someone beat you? Did someone nail 9 inch spikes into your feet or your hands? Have you had a spear thrust into your side? Jesus offers forgiveness and reconciliation!

Luke 23:34 ESV

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

And we hold on to our anger and bitterness. Do our prayers seem to be unfruitful. We want revival. Revival starts in us first.

He is the master and we are His servants. Are His servants unforgiving?

Matthew 18:24–30 ESV

When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.

10,000 talents = 200,000 years of income. For the average income, 3.48 Billion Dollars

Colossians 2:13–14 ESV

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

100 Denarii = 4 months wages or $5,800

This is still a chunk of change. 4 months vs 200,000 years. There is not much of a comparison.

But when someone has wronged us, it is hurtful and angering to us. We hold on to it and will not let it go. Then we wonder why our prayer lives do not have the power they should or we do not hear from God like we want. We have been forgiven EVERYTHING and we are unable to forgive little. It may not seem like little, but in the grand scheme of things, it is very little. When we put things in the perspective of eternity, it helps us to let go of bitterness and forgive like we should.

vs

Mark 2:3–5 ESV

And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

faith of the friends - we do not travel this world alone. The faith of friends contribute to the healing of another

We are celebrating the day our King rode into Jerusalem triumphantly.

Matthew 21:9 ESV

And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

He rode in fully knowing in less than a week He would be taking your and my debts or sins to the cross.

John 15:13 ESV

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Our prayers may not bear the power they should because we may be an unforgiving servant instead of the friends who go out our way to help each other.

Matthew 6:12 ESV

and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Conclusion:

A - Acknowledge

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

B - Believe

Acts 16:31 (ESV)

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”

C - Confess

Romans 10:9–10 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.