The Law of Prayer Matthew 6:5-14
5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, 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 this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Through out God’s word, Jesus never condemns prayer; however, He does criticize hypocrites that pray for vain purposes- empty babbling long prayers that confuse, these or meaningless.
Jesus taught on focused prayer and those who acknowledge their total need for Him. He prescribed set laws related to prayer. These laws are as the law of gravity, or even the set laws of mathematics. They all are precise and exact; man must respect them.
The first law to prayer is the law of believing. Matthew 9:29…“According to your faith let it be to you.”
Where there isn’t faith there isn’t answered prayer; Faith is expressed best by your daily actions.
Jesus gives us an example of a faith prayer. Luke 18:1-5 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”
Secondly, there is the law of knowledge. You know what you need.
James 5:17-18NKJ Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
Thirdly, there is the law of sincerity.
Matthew 6:5NKJ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Say, “Open rewards!”
Fourthly, there is the law of persistence.
Luke 11:9AMP So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you.
Remember Abraham interceded for Sodom and Lot’s family in Genesis18- 50, 40, 30, 20, 10 righteous men.
Fifthly, there is the law of humility. Psalm 55:22NKJ Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
Prayer isn’t about getting something out of God, it’s about God getting something out of us. Through this higher contact with higher power, higher purpose might be achieved.
Lastly, there is the law of prayer structure. Matthew 6: 9-13NLT Pray like this:Our Father in heaven,may your name be kept holy. 10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.11 Give us today the food we need,12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Then Jesus reminds us that we have to forgive!
Unforgiveness stops prayer because it can’t be coming from a sincere heart!
If your prayers aren’t answered you need to if God to reveal any old hurts or unforgiveness.
Prayer.
