A. FAST AND PRAY THE US PETITION
“Lord, when I pray, I’ll follow this pattern: My Father in heaven, may Your name be holy, in my life on earth as Your name is holy in heaven. 10May Your kingdom come in my life on earth as Your kingdom rules in heaven. May Your will be done in my life on earth as Your will is done in heaven. 11Give me daily bread for this day. 12And forgive the consequences of my sin, as I forgive the sins of those who hurt me. 13Do not let me be tempted to do evil and protect me from the evil one, for You have the ability to answer this prayer. Let Your kingdom rule my life, may You get credit when these prayers are answered” (Matthew 6:9-13, The Prayer Bible).
THY PETITIONS PRAYING FOR GOD’S GLORY
“In Heaven” 1. Thy name be hallowed. Worship.
2. Thy kingdom come. Guidance.
3. Thy will be done. Yield.
Semi-Conclusion: “On earth as in heaven.”
THE HINGE PRAYING FOR OUR PROVISIONS
4. Give us our daily bread.
US PETITIONS PRAYING FOR OUR SPIRITUALITY
“On Earth”
5. Forgive us our debts. Pardon.
6. Lead us not into temptation. Victory.
7. Deliver us from the Evil One. Protection.
Conclusion: Kingdom, power and glory.
B. FAST AND PRAY FOR FORGIVENESS
1. This is not asking for forgiveness at salvation. You are a believer, you called on “The Father.” The sins of Christians.
2. This prayer is based on relationship. “If we say we have not sinned” (1 John 1:8, 10).
a. God’s children sin.
b. They are conceived in disobedience.
c. They must confess and ask for forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
d. The Father will forgive them.
e. Forgiving others demonstrates their faith.
3. We can sin ignorantly or volitionally.
4. Wholehearted fasting and praying demonstrates repentance. “For godly sorrow worketh repentance” (2 Cor. 7:10).
5. What is God’s greatest quality? Forgiveness. “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity” (Micah 7:18).
6. Fasting does not obtain forgiveness. Fasting while praying for forgiveness is an outer reflection of inner sincerity.
C. FAST AND PRAY AGAINST TEMPTATION
1. Opportunity knocks once, temptation knocks the door down!
a. You are not praying don’t lead me. “He leadeth me” (Ps. 23:2).
b. You are not praying don’t tempt me. “God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any one” (James 1:13).
c. You are not praying don’t let me be tempted. That would deny the type of world we live in.
God would not tempt us, because He is good.
God could not tempt us, because He is holy.
2. You are praying, “Lead me not into temptation that will overwhelm me.”
a. Life is a test, not to flunk us, but to approve us.
b. The purpose is overcoming. “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling” (Jude 24).
c. God gives victory. “This is the victory that overcomes the world” (1 John 5:4).
3. How to fast and pray about your temptation.
a. Be vigilant. “Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation” (Matt. 26:41).
b. Be specific. Pray for deliverance from specific evil and the place (environment) of evil.
c. Be expectant, pray for victory now, and in the future.
d. Be ready to act. “Flee these things” (1 Tim. 6:11).
e. Be bigger than your temptation. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man” (1 Cor. 10:13).
D. FAST AND PRAY FOR DELIVERANCE
1. From a powerful presence. The original says, “The evil one” who is satan.
2. He is more powerful than us all, therefore we need divine help.
3. Faith. “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
4. Four principles to guard yourself:
a. Respect – fear God, but realize satan is crafty and a liar.
b. Remove – don’t hang around evil, “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22).
c. Resist – “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
d. Readiness – “Watch and pray” (Mark 14:38). “Put on the whole armor of God . . . stand against the strategy of the devil” (Eph. 6:11).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc. Go to www.Hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
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Dr. Towns' email is ELTowns@liberty.edu
Dr. Towns’ web address is www.elmertowns.com
