Prayer – A Matter of the Heart
Text: Matthew 6:5-15
Jesus here teaches the major principles of prayer. By using this model, He reveals each and every aspect of prayer. Praying “in this manner” will help us know how to pray and how to pray in faith and power.
Outline
I. Structure of Prayer
II. Spirit of Prayer
III. Substance of Prayer
I. Structure of Prayer
P raise “Hallowed be thy name”
R epent “forgive us our sins”
A sk “give us this day, deliver us”
Y ield “thy will be done”
II. Spirit of Prayer
Repentance is the spirit of prayer. Jesus included this in the prayer. He also reminded us after the model prayer that if we forgive then we will be forgiven. (v. 14-15). Repentance is a specific confession of a specific sin, with a commitment by faith to refuse that choice ever again.
III. Substance of Prayer
“Your kingdom come, your will done …for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (v. 13). The very substance of our prayer s should be focused on God working in us for His purpose and to accomplish His will for His glory. This type of prayer given by someone with this heart and on this substance is a prayer that God loves to hear and answer.
