Living A Life Of Prayer

TEXT:

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

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

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

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

Mat 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.

THEME: LIVING A LIFE OF PRAYER

INTRODUCTION:

The Lord’s Prayer can also be likened to a letter and it is indeed a Note to God. The following is the suggested outline.

THE BRIEF OUTLINE

I. THE GREETING

1. The address: Our Father

2. The location: which art in heaven

II. THE BODY

1. Petition for the glory of God

• Hallowed be thy name

• Thy kingdom come

• Thy will be done

2. Petition for 3 essential needs of man:

• Give us this day our daily bread (The need of the present) - to the Father the sustainer of life

• Forgive us our debts ( the need of the past) – to the Son the redeemer of mankind

• Lead us not into temptation (the need of the Future) to the Holy Spirit the guide of our way

III. THE CONCLUSION

1. By full confidence – For thine is the Kingdom

2. By divine dependence – and the power

3. By humble praise – and the glory

4. By heavenly seal - Amen

The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. Jesus gives the pattern on how to pray which in fact a pattern on how to live so that our lives become a life of prayer to God.

THE DETAILED DISCUSSIONS:

I. He teaches us how to share – “Our”

II. He teaches us to act like His children – “Father”

III. He teaches us the right investment – “Who art in Heaven”

IV. He teaches us holiness – “hallowed by thy name”

V. He teaches us loyalty – “Thy kingdom come”

VI. He teaches us obedience – “Thy will be done”

VII. He teaches us how to live – “in earth as it is in Heaven”

VIII. He teaches us how to trust – “give us this day our daily bread”

IX. He teaches us forgiveness – “forgive us our debts”

X. He teaches us compassion – “as we forgive our debtors”

XI. He teaches us how to walk “lead us not into temptation”

XII. He teaches us spiritual warfare – deliver us from evil”

XIII. He teaches us submission “Thine is the Kingdom”

XIV. He teaches us respect – “the power”

XV. He teaches us worship “the glory”

XVI. He teaches us right perspective “forever”

XVII. He teaches us faith “Amen”

CONCLUSION:

Think about it….

• How can we say; "our" if we are living only for ourselves?

• How can we say; "Father" if we don’t try to act like His child?

• How can we say;” Who art in Heaven" if we are laying up no treasure there?

• How can we say; "hallowed be Thy Name" if we are not striving for holiness?

• How can we say; "Thy Kingdom come" if we are not doing our part to hasten that day?

• How can we say; "Thy will be done" if we are disobedient to His word?

• How can we say;” in earth as it is in Heaven” if we are unwilling to serve Him here and now?

• How can we say; "give us this day our daily bread" if we are not relying on Him to provide?

• How can we say; "forgive us our debts" if we harbor a grudge against someone?

• How can we say; “as we forgive our debtors if we don’t have compassion?

• How can we say; "lead us not into temptation" if we deliberately place ourselves in its path?

• How can we say "deliver us from evil" if we haven’t put on the whole armor of God?

• How can we say "Thine is the Kingdom" If we are not loyal to the King as His faithful servant?

• How can we attribute to Him "the power" if we fear what people may do or say?

• How can we ascribe to Him "the glory" if we are seeking honor only for ourselves?

• How can we say; "forever" if our eyes are focus only on the things that is temporary?

• How can we say; “Amen” if our hearts are full of doubt and unbelief?

If you have been blessed, encouraged or inspired by this sermon then it’s your turn to be an encouragement too. You can do it by sending email to this contributor at spy2rb@yahoo.com or post comment on the discussion box below.