The Dynamics Of Prayer Series

The dynamics of prayer

Luke chapter 11:1-13

Matthew 6:9-13

Introduction-

Wednesday, we were in Bible and looking at prayer and the Lord’s Prayer from Luke chapter 11. As we were discussing and looking at these verses, it became clear to me that as a body of believers, we need to look at prayer.

We need to stop- Now I lay me down to sleep prayers and start praying prayers that make a difference in our lives and the life of the church.

It is where we are as a church, because without prayer, we will not move forward to go to the next level the Lord is preparing for us.

The Lords prayer is recorded in 2 places.

Luke chapter 11 is a paraphrased way with an illustration of a man knocking on a neighbor’s door for bread and being persistent till he came to the door and gave the man what he needed.

Matthew 6 is the Lord’s prayer that most of us memorized as a kid and ends with the fact if we don’t forgive others, God won’t forgive us.

Matthew 6”9-13 (Read from Bible.)

(5) “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogue and on street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.”

Here are some questions you need to ask yourself.

1. Do I have to be taught to pray?

2. If I am praying, am I praying for the right reasons and to the right person?

3. I s there a wrong way to pray? Is there anything wrong with memorizing recited prayers?

To answer the first question, I would have to say yes, we have to be taught to pray.

John the Baptist was Jesus cousin, but he was also a man of prayer.

He taught his disciples to be men of prayer.

Jesus disciples saw the value of prayer and asked Jesus to teach them to pray!

Jesus gave them a model prayer- one that can teach us many lessons about prayer.

It is for our guidance.

Prayer is communication with God- God’s children talking to their heavenly Father, and Jesus their redeemer.

Some stinking thinking is why pray?

If God knows everything, then prayer would be worthless and we would be letting God know about things He already knows.

God tells his children that they should come to Him like little children to their Father.

He tells us James 1:5- (paraphrased)God tells us He desires to give us wisdom and (6) “But when we ask, he(we) must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. He is a double-minded, unstable in all he does.”

Kids prayers (childlike faith)

Dear God, I would like to live 900 years like the guy in the Bible.

Dear God, if you watch me on Sunday Morning, I’ll show you my new shoes.

Dear God, I bet it is very hard for you to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are only 4 people in my family and I don’t know how you do it.

My brother is a rat. You should have given him a tail.

Dear God, please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before, you can check.

The longer we are Christians, and the longer you study God’s word. It should change the way you pray and the things that you are praying for.

God word promises us:

I will never leave you- (His presence) even thou we have problems.

I am your shield- (His protection) though bad things sometime happens.

I will strengthen you- (His power) He strengthens us by some of the things we go through.

I will help you- (His provisions)

And those times that the world seems to be springing out of control- he says:

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Does everyone pray the same way-no!

Is there anything wrong with memorized recited prayers- no !

Provided that you have a relationship with the Lord that you are praying too.

C.S. Lewis said- most people he counseled over the years acknowledged that they knew they needed to pray, but they just didn’t know what to pray.

They did not know what to pray because they were not in the habit of praying.

They were not in relationship with the Lord.

If the only time that you attempt to communicate with God is when you are throwing up a prayer of desperation, A hail Mary if you will- you will not find the words to say.

Prayer is communication with God. It is God’s children talking to their heavenly Father.