Prayer
As Jesus started His earthly ministry He started calling His disciples, healing the sick and teaching the masses.
In Israel there is a mountain, a large hill that makes a natural sound stage. This is where Jesus preached the Sermon on the mount Matt.5:1 through Matt.7:29
Part of that Sermon on the Mount (Matt.6:5 - 13)pertains to praying, and that is what I would like us to look at today.
Matt.6:9 - 13 being what is sometimes call the Lord's Prayer. Although it should rightly be call the Lord's model prayer.
This model prayer appears twice in the Gospels, in Matt.6:9 -ff and Luke 11:2 -ff
These 2 times are actually 2 separate times that Jesus quoted this model prayer. The 1st was during the "Sermon on the Mount", the 2nd occurred after He had stayed with Mary and Martha, His disciples had witnessed many miracles, many wonders, and had seen the power of prayer in Jesus ministry.
In Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
Once again Jesus quoted the Model Prayer.
Some may just believe in praying that prayer word for word, that's fine.
But look at the wording in "Matt.6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye"
the word manner might be suggesting a precept or a guide.
But What does it mean to pray?-- proseuchomai
pros-yoo'-khom-ahee
From G4314 and G2172; to pray to God, that is, supplicate, worship: - pray (X earnestly, for), make prayer.
What is prayer?--- the general term; "supplication" with imploring earnestness (implying the supplicant's sense of need)
Have you ever wondered if your prayers could be more effective, I have.
The disciples evidently felt the same.
Luke 11:1 one of them said to Jesus "Lord, teach us to pray"
Matt.6:5-8 I feel gives some prerequisites to praying.
1- Pray to God not to men.( thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are )
2- Pray from the heart ( enter into thy closet )
3- Pray sincerely ( use not vain repetitions )
4- Pray expecting ( your Father knoweth what things ye have need of )
Lets look at Matt.6:9 -13
After this manner--- Not neccasaryily a liturgy but maybe a suggested outline or formula so to speak.
Perhaps as we pray we can sense certain focal points of our hearts toward God.
---- Recognizing God ---- ( Spiritual alignment with God)
Our Father which art in Heaven--- acknowledging our identity with our Spiritual Father.
---- Praising God ---- (adoration )
Hallowed be thy Name-- acknowledging the greatness and power of God
---- Yielding to God --- ( submission )
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven--- acknowledging the ruler ship of God in Heaven, the future ruler ship of God on earth. revealing His sovereign, ultimate Will -- yielding ourselves to His Kingship today in our minds hearts and soul.
Col.1:12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Col.1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
Col.1:14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Luke 17:20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation;
Luke 17:21 nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."
---- Relying upon God --- (petitioning your request unto God )
Give us this day our daily bread.--- acknowledging God's mercy, kindness, love and care for us.
---- Repentance ----( turning from sin and turning to God )
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. -- acknowledging God's ability to forgive, His willingness to forgive and the changed life that His forgiveness brings.
---- Holiness toward God ---( following God's precepts in His Word )
And lead us not into temptation-- acknowledging that God can guide our steps as we yield to His direction.
---- Walking with God ---( Trusting God )
deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever -- Acknowledging that there is no power on earth that can snatch us out of His hands. Because He is the Kingdom He is the Power, He is the glory.
If we belong to His kingdom, we can come boldly before His throne of Grace.
He has all power in Heaven and earth, nothing is impossible for God.
He deserves all the Glory.
1 John 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
1 John 5:15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.