Focus On Prayer

The focus this month of March is prayer. Prayer is something which most Christians do without even thinking. We normally go through a routine of how we pray and we speak supposedly to God and if we aren’t careful it becomes a rut and a drag to pray, due to it being a repetition. I want you to consider how good is your praying? Do you rate it as a success or do you need to work on it? It sometimes concerns me when I hear someone pray and it sounds like they are praying to show how many big words they know as if they are going to get a reward for the glorious sounding prayer. The Bible lays out an example of how to pray.

Please turn in your Bible’s to Matt 6:9-13

Mt 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Mt 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Mt 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.

Mt 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Mt 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Your prayer should include;

1. Showing Honor to Our Heavenly Father (vs. 9)

2. Submission to Our Father’s will (vs. 10)

3. (Thanks) Supplying of All Our Needs (vs. 11)

4. Show compassion on others as God does with you (vs. 12)

ACC - Forms of prayer were frequent among the Jews; and every public teacher gave one to his disciples. We have the form laid out for us in our scripture reading.

1. Showing Honor to Our Heavenly Father (vs. 9)

a. Don Jaques (jackwez) - The starting place for effective prayer is the place of “hallowing” of God’s name. But what does that mean?

hal•low

1 To make or set apart as holy.

2 To respect or honor greatly; revere.

b. Barnes – This same prayer is also in Lu 11:2-4 varies from the form given in Matthew, showing that he intended not to prescribe this as a form of prayer to be used always, but to express the substance of our petitions.

c. To “hallow” God’s name is to respect and honor God. We demonstrate this by recognizing, in prayer, that He is mighty, awesome, holy. It is approaching God with the attitude described throughout the scriptures as “the fear of the Lord”.

d. Think of coming into the presence of the President of the United States. I don’t care who the President is….the office is what is respected….would you say, “ Hey what’s up Prez? Or address the president as George, Bill, or whoever it is. No you would be very self conscious of everything you do and say, Mr. President and show deep respect for him due to the awesomeness of the office.

e. How much more respect we should show our Heavenly Father when we go to him in prayer.

f. (Vs. 9) Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. It is hallow, it is Holy nothing in this world compares to our Father in Heaven. We need to show reverence to God in our prayers and not only in our prayers, but this is the House of God. Its His House so we need to show reverence in it. When you walk into the sanctuary show reverence, it’s Hallow….set aside for God’s use. Don’t holler across the isle to your friend, talk with reverence and show you honor God.

g. In some churches this is actually called "the holy table".

h. The word "sanctuary" comes from the word in Latin, "sanctus" which means "holy"

i. The starting place for effective prayer is the place of “hallowing” of God’s name. But what does that mean?

hal•low

1 To make or set apart as holy.

2 To respect or honor greatly; revere.

This sanctuary has been set aside to worship God. Lets show a holy reverence. Lets get practical

Kids – no running, no shouting

Adults – talking and laughing are good, but do it in a reverent tone (inside the sanctuary) Out in the lobby is out of the sanctuary, but we still need to be careful this building is dedicated to God. Adults: If you show reverence, then the youth and younger ones will follow your example. (We are pitiful in some of our churches) We don’t respect our sanctuaries. I remember some being called down in different groups I have been with when we have visited Catholic churches overseas. So…..look out…don’t be surprised if your pastor calls you down.

Showing Honor to God will make submission to his will easier

2. Submission to Our Father’s will (vs. 10)