When You Pray

When You Pray

November 14,1999 Sermon at A.B.C.

Introduction:

The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Do we do this? God wants us to fellowship with Him. He wants us to share everything in our lives with Him. He wants us to talk to Him just as we do to our wife, husband, brothers, sisters, parents or children. Prayer is a must in order to be an effective Christian in this evil world. We cannot live this life in our on strength. God wants us to rely on Him and the power that He provides through the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave the model prayer. He said to pray in this manner. Yet, it does not have to be the identical prayer, word for word to be effective. He said to pray in this manner. What did He really mean by this? Today, I would like to look at the Lord’s Prayer and see just what He meant for us to pray for.

Reading of the Text:

Matthew 6:9-13:

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.

I. Begin by acknowledging God for who He is:

A. He is our Father (Prodigal son’s loving father is a picture of God)

Luke 15:

20: And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21: And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22: But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

B. And yet, He is the Lord God, the Holy One.

Isaiah 43:

3: For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

14: Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.

15: I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.

* This should both humble us and give us great confidence, to think that the Holy God of Israel, the Creator, Savior and King, loves us so much that He provided a way for us to become His children, and as His children, we can call Him Father. He gave His Son to die in our place and pay the price for our sins, so we wouldn’t have to die the second death which is eternal hell.

Hebrews 4:

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Illustration:

When John F. Kennedy was president of the United States, he had a young son named John Kennedy Jr. better known as "John John". "John John’s" relationship to JFK was different from all the great world leaders of that time. Many times he would come into the Oval Office unannounced calling out to "Daddy", and yet presidents, premiers and even kings were only allowed in by special appointment. Then, of course, they were expected to address JFK respectfully as "Mr. President". The president’s children had priviledges that no others ever had. Likewise, we are priviledged to come to God’s throne anytime, day or night and call Him Father.

II. Seek His will for His kingdom: This should be our first request of our Heavenly Father once we have come to the throne of grace. His answer to this request could and should direct the rest of our prayer.

Matthew 6:

31: Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32: (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.