Living Waters Christian Fellowship - Lake Nacimiento - California

11:1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”

Matthew 6
13 ... For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Introduction Prayer is in great need and short supply today. Nothing is more important, nor more neglected. Enemy fights is more than anything.

Most powerful prayer, husband and wife in agreement, yet very low percentage.

I. Definition of Prayer Communication with God in the spirit realm. Putting all your begs in one ask-it. Lion saying grace over a missionary.

National Day of Prayer.

Just talking to God, anytime, anywhere, and listening.

II. Attitude of Prayer v1

11:1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

Jesus and John set the example of a prayer life - even to make others jealous. Prayer is something to be treasured and desired.

Matthew 6
5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
6 “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
7 “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

So prayer should be sincere, non mechanical, as a loving, trusting relationship between Father and child.

III. How to Pray

Is form necessary? A short emergency prayer my dad prayed when we jackknifed - O Lord! And it worked.

So, we don’t want a rote form, but this is a general framework, some essential components:


A. Recognize God as Father v2

2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven

A Father has resources, wisdom, and love and concern for His children. Listens when they share their hearts with Him. Attentive to their needs. We pray to our Heavenly Father.

B. Recognize His position - enthroned in Heaven v2

2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven

The highest place in the universe, the Throne of God, the ultimate position of power and authority.

Recognizing Him as Father, and as Sovereign of the universe builds up our faith when we pray.

C. Hallow His Name v2

2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Name - not just a word of identification, but also character, nature, reputation.

Hallowed means holy, sacred, unlike any other name.

Have you found yourself wanting to repeat this part of the prayer? Hallowed by You Name. Vain repetition?

This part of prayer may be repeated - Holy, Holy, Holy.

Isaiah 6
2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
3 And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!”

Rev 4
8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,

Vain repetition? No, continual worship, adoration, praise.

D. Acknowledge this age and the age to come v2

2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

This means something is coming which is not yet here. It’s been established, and it’s growing, but it has not completely taken over yet. This is a prayer for it to expand, increase, for “mercy drops.”

1. Kingdom - God’s authority and reign. In this age, other things are allowed authority and reign, and when these things are contrary to God’s reign, things do not go well. Jesus said when there was healing, deliverance from demonic power, “The Kingdom of God has come to you.”

Rev 21
4 “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Rev 11
15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

2. Will - now people have free will, with mixed results. In our free will, we want to say “Amen” to His will. We want this now in our individual lives, families, communities, nations, on the Earth as a whole.

2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

E. Ask for daily provision v3

3 Give us day by day our daily bread.

The basics of what we need to survive. Daily, like manna. Constant dependence on God our Father, who opens His hand and feeds every living thing. Will He not much more supply our needs? Maybe not always our greeds, but our needs.

F. Seek forgiveness for missing the mark of love v4

4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.

What, Jesus knows we are not perfect and need to ask forgiveness, all the time, as a regular part of our prayers? Can you say, “Thank You Lord”?

Two conditions for this part of the prayer:

1. The Atonement - no forgiveness happens apart from this.

2. Willingness to forgive others who are obligated to us.

In other words, to live under grace, giving and receiving mercy

Matthew 6
14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.

G. Request protection from ourselves and the enemy v4

4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”

1. Ourselves - we recognize our susceptibility to be led into bad decisions, temptation to do things which are unloving, unwise. “Don’t let us be tempted beyond what we are able to bear.”

2. The evil one - things the devil might try do to us, steal, kill, destroy


H. Say “Amen” with faith Matthew 6:13b, John 14:13-14

13b For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

John 14:13-14
13 “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

So, “In Jesus’ Name, Amen” isn’t just a signal that the prayer is over. It brings the very kingdom, power and glory of God to bear upon the words of our prayers, and pronounces a powerful “So be it!”

The Name of Jesus is our trump card. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t pray in the Name of Jesus. May as well not pray at all.

13b For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

John 14:13-14
13 “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

Conclusion

11:1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”

Matthew 6
13 ... For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Application to My Life