Pray The Power Prayer

Pray the Power Prayer

Text: Matthew 6:9-13

Subject: What priorities does Jesus establish for prayer?

Complement: pray for God’s name and his kingdom to be established.

Big idea: Jesus invites us to pray the power prayer

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 And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]

but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’

Introduction:

I learned the Lord’s prayer as a kid and decided to pray it every day… then I learned about Daniel – he prayed 3 times per day… even when it was punishable by death…so I think I’ll do that too.

Then, I learned about casting mountains into the sea… if you have faith so tiny its like a seed…so I tired that – it would be cool right1…didn’t work…something about alignment with God’s will was off…

Transition… today we focus on what to pray for…

Read text – provide context ---sermon on the mount

1. Part 1 – God-centered

2. We pray to “Our Father”

a. see last week…

b. we are God’s children - Sons and daughters by faith in Jesus and his saving work.

c. We are not beggars or strangers

d. Direct Access to our Father is provided by the cross of Christ

3. We begin with a prayer for God – and God’s name to be regarded as Hallowed or holy.

a. So many people use our Lord’s name as slang and swearing – this is a great dishonor to our creator, redeemer and Judge.

b. The 10 commandments prohibit the misuse of God’s name.

c. To pray for God’s name to be hallowed is to pray for their salvation – which makes this an evangelistic prayer.

4. We pray for God’s reign over the affairs of the world and our own hearts - Your kingdom come

a. Since Jesus ascension his kingdom has spread all around the world – yet many people still do not know him.

b. Jesus describes this kingdom as a growing mustard seed (Mark 4:30-32)

c. This is also a prayer for Jesus to return and establish his righteous reign. (To sit on David’s throne eternally)

d. Therefore, to pray your kingdom come is a missional prayer.

5. We pray for God’s will be done on earth – this includes creating a caring and just society – in government, schools, and workplaces and families.

a. The 10 commands (Exodus 20) are actually 10 blessings for healthy relationships with God and neighbour.

Second half of the prayer focuses on practical human needs…

6. To pray for daily bread acknowledges our dependency upon God.

7. We pray for right relationships – which will require Forgiveness & repentance

a. We forgive because God in Christ forgives us when we repent.

8. We pray for protection and discernment from the snares and temptations of the evil one.

a. Though we are in spiritual conflict we are “more than conquerors through our union with Christ.

9. The closing Benediction – “yours is the kingdom and the power…” isn’t found in the most ancient manuscripts