The Lord's Prayer
Notes
Transcript
What is prayer?
What is prayer?
The simplest answer could be, “personal communication with God” or, “A pouring out our hearts to God.” This is a broad definition of what prayer means.
Yet it is more complex then that isn’t it.
D.L. Moody addressed a group of children in Edinburgh. To get their attention asked a simple question: “What is prayer?”— He wasn’t looking for a reply, having expected to give the answer himself. However to his amazement a bunch of tiny hands lifted in the air all over the room. Asking one of the boys to answer: the child replied, “Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins and thankful acknowledgement of His mercies.”
Catechism’s are important to teach children biblical truths. First having them memorize the answers then teaching them what they mean as the grow older. They are good even for ourselves too.
Other have described it as “fellowship with God through Jesus Christ, expressed in adoration, thanksgiving and intercession, through which believers draw near to God and learn more of his will for their lives.” Scripture stresses the vital role of the Holy Spirit in stimulating and guiding prayer.
What is the purpose of prayer?
What is the purpose of prayer?
Prayer is not made so that God can find out what we need. Jesus tells us: Matthew 6:8
8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
God wants us to pray because prayer expresses our trust in God and is a means whereby our trust in him can increase.
Perhaps the primary emphasis of the Bible’s teaching on prayer is that we are to pray with faith, which means trust or dependence on God.
To whom do we pray: the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit?
Jesus taught that we are to pray to the God the Father: Matthew 6:9
9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
The Father is the ultimate one to whom we are to pray to.
Though we are to address our prayers to God the Father it is through the mediation of Jesus Christ that prayers are heard. 1 Timothy 2:5
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
The Holy Spirit, is also to participate in our prayers. He is the One who prompts us to pray and teaches us what to pray for.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
When we pray it is to God the Father, through God the Son, by means of God the Holy.– Don Stewart
Facts about prayer:
Facts about prayer:
There are 650 prayers listed in the Bible.
There are approximately 450 recorded answers to prayer in the Bible.
The first time prayer is mentioned in the Bible is Genesis 4:26
26 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.
The first time “pray” is used in scripture: Genesis 20:7
7 Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”
The word “Amen” (which means “let it be,” “so be it,” “verily,” “truly”) makes its first appearance in the Bible in Numbers 5:22. In that passage God commands it to be said by a person who is yielding to his examination.
22 May this water that brings the curse pass into your bowels and make your womb swell and your thigh fall away.’ And the woman shall say, ‘Amen, Amen.’
The Bible records Jesus praying 25 different times during his earthly ministry.
In the Bible, Paul mentions prayer (prayers, prayer reports, prayer requests, exhortations to pray), 41 times.
Although prayer can (and should) be done from any bodily position, the Bible lists five specific postures:
Sitting: 2 Samuel 7:18
18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?
Standing: Mark 11:25
25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Kneeling: 2 Chronicles 6:13
13 Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the court, and he stood on it. Then he knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven,
10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed,
60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
With one’s face to the ground: Matthew 26:39
39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
With hands lifted up: 1 Timothy 2:8
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
The Bible lists at least nine main types of prayer:
Prayer of faith: James 5:15
15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Prayer of agreement (corporate prayer): Acts 2:42
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Prayer of request (supplication): Philippians 4:6
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Prayer of thanksgiving: Psalm 95:2-3
2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
3 For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
Prayer of worship: Acts 13:2-3
2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Prayer of consecration (dedication): Matthew 26:39
39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Prayer of intercession: 1 Timothy 2:1
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
Prayer of imprecation: Psalm 69:1-2
1 Save me, O God!
For the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in deep mire,
where there is no foothold;
I have come into deep waters,
and the flood sweeps over me.
Praying in the Spirit: 1 Corinthians 14:14-15
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.
What are we going to cover?
What are we going to cover?
The Lords prayer
Does God’s need our prayer?
Almost incredible promises
ask of me and I will give
asking for signs
what is prayer
how shall i pray
must i agonize
does God always answer prayer
answers to prayer
hindrances to prayer
who may pray
Homework:
Homework:
Prayer Time:
Prayer Time:
keep it simple.