Private Prayer

Matt. 6:5-6

INTRODUCTION

In His sermon on the mount, Jesus taught His disciples the Power of Private Prayer...

As opposed to prayer done to be seen of men - Mt 6:5 “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.

To ensure that the Father in heaven hears and responds to our prayers - Mt 6:6 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.

In this thought we shall Look more fully on Private Prayer...

To consider other advantages of this form of spiritual devotion!

To encourage its adoption in our daily walk with God!

1st thing About Private Prayer

CULTIVATES OUR SPIRITUAL NATURE

THROUGH REGULAR EXERCISE...

THROUGH REGULAR PHYSICAL EXERCISES.

Our bodies are Developed through Regular Physical exercise

The spirit of man also benefits through regular spiritual or godly exercise - 1Ti 4:7-8 " But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come."

The Practice of prayer is a form of spiritual exercise

•Prayer is the spiritual gymnasium in which we exercise and practice godliness.

•Prayer is educative. The person who prays grows; and the muscles of the soul turn from rubber bands to bands of iron

The opposite is also true: "Seven days without prayer makes one weak." - Allan E. Bartlette

THROUGH FREEDOM FROM DISTRACTION...

Where else but in the privacy of one's closet or room...

*Can we fully concentrate our efforts in communion with God?

*Question is can we even engage in prayer without outside distractions?

*By noise or movements from others as we try to listen to others pray.

*By concern of how we sound as others listen to us pray.

THROUGH EMPHASIS ON PERSONAL CONCERNS...

Public prayer by its nature rarely addresses the specific needs of the individual!

Private prayer provides opportunity for us to pour out our souls to God

[The cultivation of our spiritual nature is greatly enhanced by Private Prayer because it also...]

FORMS A HABIT OF CLOSE COMMUNION WITH GOD

CONSIDER THE LAW OF HABIT...

We are all creatures of habit, we cannot help but form habits.

Habits can be bad or good

Any one who allows himself to engage in a sinful practice over time finds themselves enslaved by force of habit to sin -John 8:34 Jesus said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.

For Anyone who engages in a regular godly practice, the formation of habits can be a good thing.

THE HABIT OF PRIVATE PRAYER IS NO EXCEPTION…

Regular practice of private prayer soon forms a habit that lends itself to the development of close communion and fellowship with God.

Once the habit of close fellowship with God has been formed, we cannot help but be influenced by the constant presence of God.

Prov. 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.

[With the help of habitual close communion with God, private prayer also…]

PRESERVES US FROM MANY EVILS

THE SOURCE OF OUR WORST EVILS...

Is it not our own lusts and passions?

James 1: 14-15 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

James 4- 1-3

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yetfn you do not have because you do not ask.You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

The lusts of the flesh wage war against what the Spirit desires - Paul said in Ga 5:16-17 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish

Controlling the self is a difficult challenge.

Prov. 16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city

PRIVATE PRAYER CAN HELP...

The problem of pride can be treated with humbling oneself in prayer, confessing one's own sins and inadequacies before an Almighty God!

The problem of revenge can be addressed when imploring forgiveness from God who says,

"Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord"

How can the problem of anger, wrath, malice...

Harbor in our heart as we pray the help of the Spirit? Paul Ro 8:26 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.

That same Spirit who Paul said, fruit is "love, joy, peace,longsuffering..."?

[Yes, Private Prayer can be instrumental in controlling the flesh while at the same time cultivating the godly virtues of the soul!

[Consider also that Private Prayer…]

[Yes, private prayer can be instrumental in controlling the flesh while at the same time cultivating the godly virtues of the soul!

[Consider also that secret prayer...]

SECURES FOR US MUCH GOOD

PRAYER IS MORE THAN PSYCHOLOGICAL...

Yes, it does help us in a subjective or reflective way…

But it also reaches out to God, who hears our prayer. Psalms 65:2 "O You who hear prayer,

To You all flesh will come."

He will reward one openly - Mt 6:6

Especially when we ask according to His Will -

1Jn 5:14-15 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

PRAYER HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CHANGE GOD'S PLANS...

The prayer of Hezekiah when he turn his face to the wall in 2kings 20: 1-6 gave him 15 more years.

The prayer of the Ninevites as they Repented before God and were spared their lives and their city - Jonah 3:1-10

PRAYER IS TAUGHT AS EFFECTIVE...

For receiving our daily supply Mt 6:11 Jesus said, Give us this day our daily bread.

For Overcoming temptation - Mt 26:42 Jesus Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”

For escaping the wrath to come - Luke 21:36 “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

[Since the God who hears Our prayer is our Father in heaven who delights in those who pray in private, dare we neglect that which seals so much good for ourselves?

Finally, we note that Pivate Prayer…

ENABLES US TO PROMOTE GOOD AND HAPPINESS FOR OTHERS.

THROUGH SECURING GOD'S FAVOR IN THEIR BEHALF...

The prayers of Abraham did more to save Lot than any riches

The intercession of Moses saved the nation of Israel

We too can secure much good for others through intercession for them..

•We can bless our nation by praying for our leaders - 1Ti 2:1-3

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

•We can bless our preachers' efforts by praying for them - 2Th 3:1 Paul said Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,

We can bless our sick brethren by praying for them - James 5:16 Confess your trespassesfn to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

THROUGH THE EFFECT SUCH PRAYING HAS ON US...

The iceburg never promotes the growth of vegetation

The frosts of winter do not cause the bud and tender flowers to spring forth

The heart filled with envy, jealousy, and revenge has no power to win souls to Christ

But the soul of a person who through Private Prayer...

•Has subdued his evil passions

•Has cultivated his spiritual virtues

•Can be a lasting influence for good, a living illustration of the saving power of the gospel to transform souls!

CONCLUSION

*Perhaps they do not believe in the power of prayer.

*Perhaps they do not believe in the power of God who answers prayer.

But we have seen "The Power of Private Prayer" which...

*Cultivates our spiritual nature

*Forms a habit of close communion with God

*Preserves us from many evils

*Secures for us much good

*Enables us to promote good and happiness for others

If we desire to be good and do good, let us make Private Prayer a habit in our lives. Then our Father who sees in secret will surely reward us openly…!