The Language Of Prayer

“The Language of Prayer”

(Pastor Craige LeBreton)

A few weeks ago…I had a discussion with my pastor…

We were discussing prayer…we were talking about its necessity…

And it’s power…we were talking about the misunderstanding…

of those who pray…how they pray…and what…they pray for…

and their understanding…of the meaning of prayer…

Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines prayer as…

An address…as a petition…to God…in a word…or a thought…

Or…an earnest request or wish…

Have you ever needed…to talk to God…and you don’t know…

what to talk about…?

How many times do we ask ourselves…How should I pray…?

Or…what should I pray for…?

Do you ever wonder…if God hears and understands…your prayer???

I want to share some thoughts with you…about the one…

who taught us to pray…and some thoughts…about the most famous…

prayer in the world…this prayer has often times…been called…

The Lord’s Prayer…but it is more appropriately called…

The “Model Prayer”…

I would also like to share some thoughts…about the words He used…

when He prayed…and the meaning of those words…

in His native language…Aramaic….

Text: Matthew 6:5-15

5 ¶ And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9 ¶ After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in 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 lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

This prayer…this model prayer…was prayed…by Jesus Christ…

to instruct the disciples…so that they could instruct others…

And before Christ had instructed the disciples…on prayer…

He had been dictating…the outward manifestations…

Of Christian characteristics…and Christian conduct…that will be…

Exhibited in the true believers…and genuine disciples…

During His sermon on the mount…

Jesus was teaching His disciples that…Praying…like giving…

Is to be done…to the Lord…not to man…in verse 5

Jesus said that people love to pray…standing in the synagogues…

Both a time and place for prayer…were customary…

in the Jewish Synagogue…of Jesus’ time…

Therefore…Jesus is not condemning the practice of public prayer…

But rather the misuse of it…

The principle of verse 6…is that the believer…should not make a show…

Of his prayer…nor of the answers…he receives to a prayer…

In such a way as to…call attention to himself…

Vs. 7…Jesus warns us…that we should not use…vain repetitions…

Babbling or speaking without thinking…

Vs. 8…Prayer is not man’s attempt…to change the will of God…

Prayer is not conquering God’s reluctance to answer…but laying hold…

of His willingness to help…

Prayer…in the life of the true believer…is an act of total confidence…

In the plan and purpose of God…

Christ did not intend for this model prayer…to be merely recited…

With empty meaninglessness…

It is also of the utmost importance that you understand…

that without Christ in your life…

without Godly repentance…and faith in Jesus Christ as your savior…

there is no way…to communicate with the Father…

John 14:6 clearly tells us:

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way... the truth… and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father…but by me…

First of all…Jesus does not simply tell us about the way…

Jesus does not hold your hand and show us the way…

Jesus is not a tour guide…leading our way…

Jesus tells us in no uncertain terms: He is the Way!!!!!!

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal savior….

If you have not repented of your sins…and asked Jesus…

To be the centers of your life…do not!!…wait another moment…

Do it right now…Do it where you are sitting…Do it today…

II Corinthians tells us: “Behold…NOW is the accepted time…

Behold…NOW is the day of salvation…(II Corinthians 6:2)

Without Christ in your life…not only do you not…communicate…

with the father…you cannot enter the Fathers house…