Misconceptions About Prayer Series

If we trust in Him, we pray.

If we believe in Him, we pray.

Jesus continues in the verse and lets us know that our prayers to God should be meaningful to us and use words that describe our hearts to Him. It is possible to say empty words and repeat words over and over that mean nothing to us. Some Christian traditions have chants in other languages or phrases that people are to repeat, but they are empty because the person may not mean it. Each word we say to God is important and should come from our heart no matter what it is.

Let me also say that we are not heard by God because of our many words. We are not heard by God because of the right words. We are not heard by God because our bodies are in the right positon or we have our hands in a certain way. We are heard by God because He is All-Seeing and All-Knowing and All-Powerful and He loves us deeply.

VERSE 8

Jesus teaches us that God knows the needs in our lives. He knows the ins and outs of our relationships. God has a will that is done on Earth just like it is in Heaven. Some might ask, after reading verse 8, if God already knows everything and He already has His answer ready… what is the point of prayer?

First, even though God already knows everything and He already has His answer ready, He still wants us to ask. God still wants to hear from us even though He knows what it is our hearts are longing for. He wants us to ask and He wants us to ask with right motives. We need to pray.

Second, even though God already knows everything and He already has His answer ready, our hearts need to be ready to receive the answer. God does not always answer “yes” or “no” or in the manner that we think is best. Prayer forms our hearts in faith to receive His answers. We need to pray.

APPLICATION OF VERSES 7-8

I find this interesting: Jesus teaches us very clearly in verses 7-8 that empty repetitive words are not effective in prayer. Then, in the next passage Jesus gives an example prayer in verses 9-13 (which we will look at next week). What do Christians all over the world do? We often recite the "Lord's Prayer" as part of worship services and do so over and over and over again. For many it has become mechanical and heartless. We take this passage on prayer and do exactly what He tells us not to do with it.

The prayer life that Jesus describes in these verses is one that is based on a relationship with God the Father. Jesus is trying to focus us in prayer that it is not the words we say or the amount of words we say or the order in which we say them, but our prayer life is all about the motivation of our heart.

* Prayer is very much about changing our heart to be more like His.

* Prayer molds our will to His will.

* Prayer adds to our character and shifts us to value what He values.

* Prayer means we listen to His voice and His Word.

* Prayer means we are still before God and let Him do His work.

CHALLENGE

Last week on the back of the sermon notes I had a calendar for praying for the rest of the month. I have included it again this week just in case you weren’t here. I have added a guide to the bulletin this week about praying for our country and elected officials. Our country is 2 months or so away from an election and we need to be diligently praying for our country. The guide helps us pray for our country. I hope you find it helpful.