19) Praying For God’s Provision – Physically And Spiritually. Series

TEACH US TO PRAY

Part 4 – 4) Ask for God’s Provision – Physically and Spiritually.

TEXT: Matthew 6:9-13

RECAP

Turn with me to Matthew Chapter 6 please brethren.

And while we are all turning there...

Our weekly Bible Study today remains firmly focused on discovering ...

“Those things most surely believed among us” - Luke 1:1

And today, as we open the Word of God,

We will learn more about the topic of “Prayer”.

Remember previously through the Gospel of Luke,

We found one of Christ’s disciples requesting of Jesus – “Lord teach us to Pray”

And of course, through the Bible, we see Jesus doing exactly that,

As He provides both a practical example and a personal demonstration of Prayer

This is what we now more commonly refer to as “The Lord’s Prayer” in Matthew 6.

Let’s pick up our reading now in Verse number 9:

After this manner therefore pray ye: - Jesus says,

So looking to this example, and following after this fashion…

This is how we ought to pray

Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Now in the weeks gone by...

We have already learnt quite a bit from the opening of this prayer.

In fact, what Jesus does here

Is effectively acknowledge three things about God:

He recognised The Person He was praying too – Our Father

He acknowledged The Place where God resided – Which art in Heaven

And He honoured The Position God held in His life saying…

Hallowed [or rather Pure and Holy] be thy name.

Of course, Christ’s heart and His whole motivation behind praying this way

Was simply to Reverence God in His life.

This is the first example Jesus leaves for us to follow when teaching us to Pray,

It’s that we would all simply “Reverence God” through our Prayers.

You know, some of the best times I have personally experienced in Prayer,

The most intimate moments shared with the Lord...

And those times I have felt nearest to Him,

Have come when I have simply followed Christ’s example here…

And simply taken the time to Reverence God in Prayer.

Whenever I begin to focus my prayers not just on what I need…

But actually on Who God is

On Where God is at…

And on His rightful Position in my life,

Not only do I have a tendency to get my heart right with God,

But I feel so much closer to Him as well.

James 4:8 says: Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.

And Prayer is a wonderful way for us to get close to God – is it not.

We can draw closer to God…

And begin to really connect with Him in a powerful way when we Pray.

And as Jesus demonstrated here…

Learning how to Reverence God is always a good place to start.

Then moving on into verse 10 Jesus Prays: Thy kingdom come.

Now as we discovered last week,

There is also a great deal of significance behind this statement in Jesus Prayer.

For one thing - It reminds us of this certain truth…

One day God’s Kingdom will come – Amen!

And we looked at all kind’s of different verses last week,

Which even though were recorded in different books of the Bible

And written at different times throughout Israel’s History,

They all supported the promise of this one fundamental truth,

One day - God’s Kingdom will come!

For example, Revelation 11:15 declares to us a time when:

15 …The kingdoms of this world [will] become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.

Now that’s a promise – ok. It’s going to happen!

And what’s more is - Jesus knew it was going to happen.

In fact, He prayed for it to happen.

And not only was this something Christ clearly desired in His heart,

But He prayed for that day to come.

You see, the way the world is right now - Is not always how it is going to be.

There is a great deal of change ahead…

And a time when the Lord will restore balance to the earth.

I am talking about the day when God’s Kingdom comes.

Of course, what we also discovered last week was that…

God’s Kingdom doesn’t just exist on a physical plain,

Because there is actually a Spiritual aspect to God’s Kingdom as well.

The Lord’s Physical Kingdom will one day come and be established upon the earth,

This is a precious promise from God - and worthy of Praying for.

But equally as important, is recognizing the existence of God’s Spiritual Kingdom,

Because this is something that exists right now…

And can be embraced and experienced within every saved believer’s heart.