"Lord, teach us to Pray"
Notes
Transcript
Luke 11:1 “Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.””
Obviously John had indicated to his followers the “correct” way to pray. The disciples of Jesus have prayed to God since they were small children. Devout Jews, schooled in the Law. In spite of their past experience, they ask the Lord to “teach us to pray”. They must have seen something in Jesus that indicated He made use of prayer in a way they needed to apply to themselves.
Many of us are in the same place. We wonder, why/how we should pray, how often, to what emotional intensity, etc. We have been praying most of our lives; yet we need to be taught how to pray.
Our focus:
-- what prayer is (shown by O.T. –David, Daniel)
-- who we pray to – the greatness of God
-- when prayer is acceptable (the king dictates it)
-- what sort of prayers should we pray
Prayer is an Exchange of Minds.
Prayer is an Exchange of Minds.
God and Man are Similar, but Different.
BOTH HAVE “MINDS”, but God has THE MUCH BETTER MIND!
MAN :
His mind influenced by his flesh
Falls short of perfection
God:
Perfect mind, geared completely toward Holiness and Goodness.
God’s creation – made to have a relationship with God!
Designed as a LOVE AFFAIR!
Prayer is not a ritual, but a conversation.
From the beginning, God has built a RELATIONSHIP!
THE GRAND IDEA!
From the beginning – Eph 1:1-10
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.
Designed for intimacy – Heb 10:19-23
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Involves a exchange of the “minds”!
He already knows what WE need..
We need to know what HE wants!
God has set the Terms of our Communication. Rom. 8:26-27
Romans 8:26–27 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Not only a “Conversation”.
The King grants us an audience. We are not just one in a crowd, but we have unlimited, intimate, productive time with Him.
What does it mean when we treat prayer as a “have to” activity?
Our two great connections to God:
Scripture - God’s mind opened to us.
Prayer - Our minds opened to God.
Prayer throughout the Old Testament
First mentioned concerning Seth, son of Adam. Gen. 4:25-26
Genesis 4:25–26 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.” And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the Lord.
Abraham “built an altar”, and “called upon the name of the Lord” – Gen 12:8; 13:4
Gen 12:8 “And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.”
Gen. 13:4 “to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord.”
Under the Law, much depended on the mediation of the priest. Deut 21:5
Deut 21:5 “Then the priests, the sons of Levi, shall come near, for the Lord your God has chosen them to minister to Him and to bless in the name of the Lord; by their word every controversy and every assault shall be settled.”
Eli blessed the prayer of Hannah. 1 Sam 1:17
1 Samuel 1:17 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.”
Prayer during the Exile
In this time, temple service, sacrificial structure were gone.
Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel – examples of private prayer
Nehemiah – prayed for self, people - Neh. 9:6-7
Neh. 9:6-7 “You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You. “You are the Lord God, Who chose Abram, And brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans, And gave him the name Abraham;”
Daniel – 3 times daily – Dan 6
Many of the psalms are prayers: Ps. 42:2; 63:1; 84:2, etc.
Ps. 42:2 “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”
Ps. 63:1 “O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.”
Ps. 84:2 “My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”
Jesus’ Prayers - Lk 3:21; 6:12; 22:39-46; Jn. 17:1-23; Lk. 18:1-14; Mt. 6:9-14
Jesus’ baptism
Lk 3:21 “When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.”
All night on the mountain
Lk 6:12 “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”
In the garden, on last night
Lk 22:39-46 “Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.””
At the last supper
John 17:1-23 “Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. “I pray for them. I do not…”
In his teaching
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”
Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
In this manner, therefore, pray:
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 forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
The early church – Acts 2:42; 4:31; 6:4, 6; 12:5 13:1
Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Acts 4:31 “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”
Acts 6:4-6 “but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.”
Acts 12:5 “Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.”
Acts 13:1 “Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.”
God’s Will in Prayer - Phil 4:1-8; 1 Th 5:17; Jas 5:13-20
Phil 4:1-8 “Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
1 Th 5:17 “pray without ceasing,”
Jas 5:13-20 “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”
God Desires our Prayers.
God Desires our Prayers.
He regulates our communication with Him.
In His Holiness, Goodness, and Justice, God wants us to pray to Him.
Only those who desire to seek Him will be heard.
This is based on desire, not talent.
Elements of acceptable prayer - Matt. 6:5-15
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:
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 forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Acceptable prayer is:
NOT to be seen of men; rather “in the secret place”
NOT trying for eloquence (“vain repetition”); rather, knowing that God knows our hearts.
NOT by “asking amiss” – James 4:1; rather, having the right purposes and goals in our prayers.
NOT with a “double mind” – James 1:5-8; rather, asking in faith, without doubting.
NOT while living an evil life – 1 Pet 3:12; rather, Begging God to resolve our sin and build walls against temptation.
ACCEPTABLE prayer includes:
PRAISE, THANKSGIVING – Ps. 100
A Psalm of Thanksgiving.
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Most of our prayers could well be taken up in honoring God, expressing gratitude.
PENITENCE - Job 42:5-6; Ps. 51
Job 42:5-6 ““I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.””
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David When Nathan the Prophet Went to Him, After He Had Gone in to Bathsheba.
Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight—
That You may be found just when You speak,
And blameless when You judge.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.
Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion;
Build the walls of Jerusalem.
Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,
With burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.
SUPPLICATION, INTERCESSION - 1 Tim. 2:1; 1 Th. 5:17
Express your needs, those of others…1 Tim 2:1 “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,”
“Pray without ceasing” – 1 Th 5:17 “pray without ceasing,”
Benefits of Acceptable Prayer.
Benefits of Acceptable Prayer.
Peace - Phil. 4:6-7
Phil. 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
“peace” also translated “reconcile”, “greetings” (Acts 7:26; 15:33). God’s “greetings” and “reconciliation” guards our hearts and minds through Jesus.
Acts 7:26 And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?’
Acts 15:33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.
The “way of escape” 1 Cor. 10:13
1 Cor. 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Wisdom - James 1:5
James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
Material Blessings - Matt. 6:33
Matt. 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Spiritual Healing - James 5:16
James 5:16 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
Forgiveness - Matt. 6:12
Matt. 6:12 “And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.”
Accurate messaging to the Father - Rom. 8:26-27
Rom. 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”