Sermon Central
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Directing My Prayer
Contributed by Timothy Finch on Mar 14, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: Using the Lord’s Prayer as our model, a look at the upward, outward, downward, and inward direction of our prayer life.
Directing My Prayer
Matthew 6:9-14
9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "’Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (NIV)
Luke 11:1-4
1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." 2 He said to them, "When you pray, say: "’Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’" (NIV)
I. An upward quality (9-11).
A. “Our father in heaven...”
B. The focus is on a relationship with an all-powerful God.
II. An outward quality (12).
A. “Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.”
B. There is a need to treat others right.
III. A downward quality (13-14).
A. “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
B. We have a choice between heaven and hell.
