The Lord's Prayer Part 1
Series: The Lord's Prayer
August 23, 2023
Michael Boyd
The Lord’s Prayer Part One LISTEN ON MIXLR @ https://gbcsl.mixlr.com WATCH US ON YOU TUBE LIVE @ http://www.youtube.com/gracechurch-slus/live Matthew 6:5-13 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.[a] 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done,[b] on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread,[c] 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.[d]
Episode Notes
Prayer
A believer’s basic communication with God who is our Father, through the authority of Jesus Christ and assisted by the Holy Spirit.
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto, etc. (Jn.14:6).
Prayer also assists us by the Holy Spirit.
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom.8:26).
I. Principle #1 – Pray Regulary
Matthew 6:5 – When you pray
Ye have not because ye ask not” (Jam.4:2).
All through the scripture we’re admonished to pray:
Mt.6:6 – Pray to thy Father.
Mt.6:9 – After this manner pray.
Mt.9:38 – Pray ye the Lord of the harvest.
Mt.26:41 – Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation.
Lk.18:1 – Men ought always to pray and not to faint.
Eph.6:18 – Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication.
1Thes.5:17 – Pray without ceasing.
1Tim.2:8 – Pray everywhere.
II. Principle #2 – Pray Sincerely
Matthew 6:5 – Don’t’ be like the hypocrites!
Praying sincerely requires praying with the “right motive”!
That’s the reason Jesus sets out to teach us the “right” and “wrong” motives:
Wrong motive – to be seen of men
Right motive – to be heard of God!
Two important things:
A person who only prays in public but not in private is only fooling himself!
The person who only prays in public prays for 1 reason – to receive recognition and be seen of men!
B. Notice the posture of this hypocrite – he “stood praying” (vs.5):
Standing is an acceptable posture but the picture is that of pride, arrogance, and self-confidence.
Kneeling is a picture of humility, reverence, and dependence upon God.
Ephesians 3:14-19 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
III. Principle #3 – Pray Secretly
Matthew 6:6 – Shut the door!
Acts 10:9 – Peter went to the housetop to pray.
Acts 10:30 – Cornelius prayed in his house at the ninth hour.
Mk.1:35 – Jesus rose up early in the morning before day and went into a solitary place and there prayed.
Mk.6:46 – Jesus went up into the mountain to pray and continued there all night.
Lk.22:41 – Jesus withdrew himself from the three and went a stones throw away and kneeled down and prayed.
6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matt 6:6
The reward of praying in secret is two/fold:
The strength and presence of God will be on our lives!
Our needs, both material and spiritual, will be met!
2. The answer is seen in:
Renewed strength (Eph.3:20).
Provision of a necessity (Mt.6:33).
Victory over a temptation (1Cor.10:13).
Peace that passes all human understanding (Ph.4:6-7).
Soundness of mind (2Tim.1:7).
IV. Principle #4 – Pray Thoughtfully
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words
Several things that lend themselves to “vain repetition”:
Written and well-worded prayers – thinking that how we say it is bound to carry weight with God.
Ritual prayer – saying the same prayer at the same time on the same occasion!
Thoughtless prayer – saying words that sound like prayer when our mind is somewhere else!
Prayer is a matter of the “heart” and not a matter of “words” and “length”!
God doesn’t hear our prayer because it’s long & repetitious but because we genuinely pour our heart out to God!
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Pslams 51:16-17)
Times when extended times of prayer are necessary:
We feel a tug at our heart!
A special need arises!
We’re facing a great trial or temptation!
We’re about to make a major decision!
Several things that will keep us from “vain repetition”:
A genuine heart – a desire to have real fellowship with God!
Thought & concentration – really focusing on what we say!
Preparation – prepare ourselves by meditating on His Word!
There are dangers surrounding prayer:
Prayer can become hypocritical – we can pray for the wrong reasons and with the wrong motives!
Prayer can become habit-forming – we can love to pray and pray amiss!
Prayer can become connected only with certain places – we can limit God’s presence to those places!
Prayer can become empty repetition – we can take a phrase or form of prayer and make it powerful experience or make it formal and non-productive!
Prayer can become self-glorifying – we can feel we have to inform and convince God of our great need and then glory in our spirituality when the need is met!
Prayer can become self-deceptive – we can begin to think we’re heard because we pray a lot and are more spiritual!
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