Sermon Handout
- Matthew 6:5-15
5And 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.
6But 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.
7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Luke 11:1 (KJV) 1And 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.
MMM: Prayer is when we approach the Father in the name of the Son by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Walking Points:
•The Lord’s Prayer is not a formula that guarantees our desired result. Praying the exact words does not automatically secure healing, employment, money, or any
other circumstance I specify. The main purpose of the Lord’s Prayer (any prayer) is to commit us to God’s name, God’s kingdom, and God’s will. We learn to agree with God! Matthew 6:10 (KJV) 10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
•The Lord’s Prayer is not a lesson in accepting disappointment.
It tells us to ask. Ask for bread. Ask for forgiveness. Ask for protection. Ask for deliverance. Jesus forms people who ask boldly while trusting the Father with the answer.
20 Questions That Help each Us How to Pray Biblically
1. What is prayer as defined by Scripture, and how is it different from regular conversation with God?
2. Why pray?
3. What makes prayer work?
4. What does it really mean to pray in Jesus’ name? 5. What is biblical faith?
6. How does one increase their faith in God? 7. Is there a wrong way to pray, and why?
8. What prayers does God not answer, and why?
9. Is there a prayer formula that always works? If so, what is it? 10. Is putting out a fleece like Gideon a lack of faith?
11. Does prayer always “work”?
12. What happens when prayer fails? What do I do now? 13. How should we deal with unanswered prayer?
14. How much prayer is enough?
15. doesn’t an unanswered request prove that I failed or did not have enough faith?
16. Isn’t prayer mainly about getting God to carry out my plans or at least endorse them? 17. If God already knows and rules everything, is prayer necessary?
18. Are longer prayers and more religious words more effective?
19. Does God guarantee health and wealth if I claim them or give enough money? 20. Does my private conduct and refusal to forgive have anything to do with prayer?
Our goal is to address ALL these questions and more during this series on Learning to Pray like Jesus from Jesus!