Thankful For The Power And Comfort Of Prayer

THANKFUL FOR THE POWER AND COMFORT OF PRAYER

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually;

18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be cheerful no matter what;

17 pray all the time; 18 thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

INTRODUCTION: As we continue this series on thankfulness, I wanted to teach you all on the thought of being thankful for prayer. Prayer is such an important part of the Christian’s ministry and blessing, that it deserves a regular reminder. We need to be reminded of the importance and blessing of prayer, in order that we also remain thankful for it.

1. THE TEACHING ON PRAYER – MATT 6:9-13

Matthew 6:9-13 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 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'

a. All Prayer is Addressed to God The Father

b. Prayer by Nature Begins With Worship

i. “Hallowed”: make your name Holy

c. Prayer by Nature is Steeped in Reverence

d. Prayer Communicates a Desire for God’s Kingdom

e. Prayer Acknowledges a Desire for His Will

f. Prayer Seeks Relief for our Needs

i. “Give”: God is the source of blessing

ii. We appeal to His mercy

g. Prayer Asks God’s Protection in our Weakness

i. “Forgive”: send away

Mattoon writes in his commentary, …

The whole town had gathered in the courthouse for the trial. The prosecuting attorney called his first witness, an elderly woman, to the stand. He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?" She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a young boy. And, frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a rising big shot, but you haven't the brains to realize you will never amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you."

The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?" She replied, "Why, of course I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. I used to baby-sit him. And he, too, has been a real disappointment to me. He's lazy, bigoted, and has a drinking problem. The man can't build a normal relationship with anyone, and his law practice is one of the shoddiest in the entire state. Yes, I know him."

At this point, the judge rapped the courtroom to silence and called both counselors to the bench. In a very quiet voice, he said with menace, "If either of you ask her if she knows me, I'll hold you both in contempt of court!"

Beloved, God knows us. He knows what we think and what is going on in our hearts. He knows especially about our sinfulness. This is why we are to seek His forgiveness.

ii. Lead us not

ILLUSTRATION:

• I cannot say "our" if I live only for myself.

• I cannot say "Father" if I do not endeavor each day to act like His child.

• I cannot say "who art in heaven" if I am laying up no treasure there.

• I cannot say "hallowed be Thy name" if I am not striving for holiness in my own life.

• I cannot say "Thy kingdom come" if I am not doing all in my power to hasten that wonderful event or looking forward to His return.

• I cannot say "Thy will be done" if I am disobedient to His Word and doing my own will.

• I cannot say "in earth as it is in heaven" if I'll not serve Him here and now.

• I cannot say "give us this day our daily bread" if I am dishonest or seeking things by deception.

• I cannot say "forgive us our debts" if I harbor a grudge or bitterness against someone.

• I cannot say "lead us not into temptation" if I deliberately place myself in the path of temptation.

• I cannot say "deliver us from evil" if I do not put on the whole armor of God.

• I cannot say "Thine is the kingdom" if I do not give the King the loyalty due Him from a faithful subject.

• I cannot attribute to Him "the power" if I fear what men may do or make the crowd my master instead of Him.