Prayer

byRev. Ronald O. McCants, Teacher

Psalm 142:2

I pour out my complaints before the LORD and tell him all my troubles.

What did Jesus' disciple ask him to teach?

Luke 11:1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.

Who should we not be like when we pray?

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others.

Who should we pray to?

6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you openly.

Prayer

Prayer is the element of being.

The strong emotions urges to prayer.

The soul is connected with Heaven.

The Christian rises above the world.

With God for a conversation.

We should not use this when praying?

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions …

What do the Father know before we pray?

• 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

• The omniscience of God is a great encouragement to prayer.

What place is our prayer directed to?

9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,

Hallowed be thy Name

The word "hallowed" means to render or pronounce holy. God's name is essentially holy.  In a special sense he is the Father of those who are adopted into his family; who put confidence in him; who are the true followers of Christ, and made heirs of life, Romans 8:14-17.

What do we want done on earth as in Heaven?

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Kingdom

God "reigns." His laws obeyed.

The gospel of Christ fills the world.

Revelations 19:16

On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.

What do we ask for daily?

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

Bread

• Everything necessary to sustain life.

• We depend upon Divine Providence.

• This teaches us a compassion for the poor.

• Renew the desires of our souls toward God daily.

Marian Anderson 

• “Prayer begins where human capacity ends.”

• She was invited by President Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor to sing at the White House in 1930’s. 

We ask forgiveness from what?

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Debts

* God only can forgive, in the same way as none but a "creditor" can forgive a debtor.

* Sins or offenses against God.

* Luke 11:4

What is it we do not want to be led into?

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.

The Model PrayerMatthew 6:9-13

Six Parts:1-3 relate to God and his honor4-6 our own concerns

After the things of God's glory, we pray for our needs in this present life.

Another View

If we forgive others, what will our Heavenly Father do?

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

• 15 Opposite of vs. 14

Good News

Jesus Christ came into the world as the great Peace-maker, not only to reconcile us to God, but one to another.

God bless you