The Essence Of Prayer

The Essence of Prayer

Matthew 6:9-13

Mention: Luke 18:1 men ought to always pray and not faint

Also: 1 Thessa. 5:17 Pray without ceasing

Then: James 5:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much

Mention: Daniel 6:10 Daniel prayed three times a day

Also: Psalms 55:17 Evening, and morning and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud

Matt. 7:7 Ask and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you:

There is so much that can be said about prayer, but when the disciples approached our Lord according to Luke 11:1 they said unto Him teach us to pray as John taught his disciples.

Jesus could have said many things concerning that question but I believe He says the most important things concerning prayer!

Point: I personally believe these men already knew something about praying and the instruction they are given I have often said they are the ingredients of prayer, but I have also discovered they are the essence of prayer also.

1. The Person Unto Our Prayers

“Our Father”

I heard people say O Holy Spirit etc..,

Jesus over and over again says in the Gospels ask the Father in My name…

Mention: We are children of God crying Abba Father “Daddy”

“Hallowed be thy name” He is a holy God and there is none like Him

2. The Place Our Prayers Are Directed Unto

“Which art in heaven”

See: Rev. 5:8, 8:2-4 Prayers before the throne of God

This is very significant to me because I do not know how far heaven is but I know it is a long ways from here.

See: Daniel 10:12 from the first day that thou dist set thy heart to understand

Life Illustrations:

• I prayed for a parking place

• I prayed for a phone call

• I prayed for a family membership

See: Matt. 6:10

3. The Providence Of Our Prayers

“Thy will be done”

This is the most misunderstood part of prayer because prayer is all about the sovereign will of God

Mention: Vs.8 He knows before we even ask

Mention: 2 Cor. 12:9 My grace is sufficient for thee

Mention: Acts 12:1-7 I am sure the church prayed for them both

Then: Luke 22:42 Father if thou be willing…not My will but thine done

The hardest thing each of us as Christians is sometimes just accepting God’s will for our lives!

1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us…

He has not always answered my prayers according to my will, but according to His

Mention: Daniel 3:17-18 but if not

4. The Provision of Prayer

“Give us our daily bread”

Mention: Psalms 37:25

God is obligated to meeting our needs providing

5. The Prerequisite of Prayer

See: Matt. 6:12 Forgive us as we forgive our debtors

6. The Protection and Power of Prayer

Vs.13 Deliver us from evil

Mention: 2 Cor. 1:10 deliver us from such a great death, and doth deliver, in whom we trust will yet deliver us.

See: 2 Tim 4:18 unto His heavenly kingdom

For Thine is the kingdom, and power and glory for ever. Amen