The Manner Or Analysis Of Prayer by Charles Moore Matthew 6:9 ¶ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Introduction: Christ taught his disciples to pray “after this manner.” As we look at the concepts taught in the Lord’s Prayer it will help us to follow through with prayer in our life. A. B. C. D. I. There is surrender and acknowledgment. (v.9) There is request and plea. (v.10-13) There is praise and commitment. (v.13) What is prayer?
Prayer is sharing and fellowshipping with God. (6.9) A. B. We must have knowledge of God to walk through life. We must also have time set aside to get alone with God where we can concentrate our thoughts upon Him. We were created to have fellowship with God.
C. II.
Prayer is surrendering to God. (6.9) A. Prayer is a time of surrendering unto God – Giving Him time in our life. Prayer is a time when we submit ourselves to God. Even before prayer begins submission must be made. 1. The believer’s prayer is a time of specific response to God. a. It is a time of surrender to God and to the family of God.
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It is a time of personal denial - humanism, selfsufficiency, and all other forms of worship not pleasing to God must be laid aside. It is a time of committal and yielding to the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a time of acknowledging the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ to be our own Father. 1) It is a time when we acknowledge “Our Father” and surrender our independency to the acceptance of His will for our life. It is a time of revealing our acceptance that He is God and beside Him there is none else.
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It is a time of reflection upon the “Heavenly”, the dwelling place of God, His angels, and all saints of all time. Lev 10:3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. (KJV)
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It is a time of setting our affections on the cares of the spiritual rather than the physical things of life. 2 Sam 7:26 And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee. (KJV) 1) Our entire being is to be given to seeking the things of the spiritual world. In prayer there is the surrender of the believer’s self to the Holy Name of God. Prayer calls upon us to recognize our nothingness and worthlessness in His sight. Isa 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father;
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we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. (KJV) Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (KJV) Cite: Luke 15:18-21 The parable of the prodigal son. g. It is a time we are swallowed up in the knowledge of His Holiness – “Hallowed be thy name” – the sovereignty and majesty of God’s Being. Joh 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (KJV) 2Ch 20:6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? (KJV) Isa 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isa 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? 2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. (KJV) 1) When we reach this level in surrender, then we are ready to present our needs to God. a) b) Notice Isaiah’s example. Isa 6:1-8 Isaiah pleads with the nation of Israel to
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pray and seek God’s Face. Isa 59:1, 7, 12 III. Prayer is requesting and pleading with God. (6:10) A. It represents humanity as revealing our need and dependency upon God. It shows man as pouring his heart out to God revealing our need, trust, and commitment in Him.
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Prayer is acknowledging and praising God. (6:9-10,13) A. It is acknowledging God as the Sovereign and Majestic Lord. Eze 38:23 Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD. (KJV) B. It is recognizing the fact that God rules over His Kingdom. Isa 37:20 Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD, even thou only (KJV) C. It is honoring the fact that His power, his glory, and His kingdom is everlasting. Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (KJV) Rev 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (KJV)
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Prayer is revealing. A. The personal prayer reveals the need for more personal, intercessory, and compassionate prayer. Mt 6:6 But 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. (KJV)
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B.
Prayer when viewed as an action has an influence upon others. Mt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (KJV)
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The failure of prayer is found in that we either do not as or we ask amiss. Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. {lusts: or, pleasures}
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The Success of Prayer is found in the manner of praying. Mt 6:5 And 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. 6 But 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. (KJV)
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Prayer must be rendered with faith. Mt 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Conclusion:
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Praying, like giving, is to be done to the Lord, not to man. 1. Jesus said that hypocrites love to pray in order to be seen of men. There is a time and place for prayer. Jesus does not condemn public prayer but rather the misuse of it.
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Prayer is not man’s attempt to change the will of God but rather to discern the will of God. 1. It is not conquering God’s reluctance to answer, but laying hold of His willingness to help man achieve his will in their lives. Prayer in the live of a believer is an act of total
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confidence and assurance in the plan and purpose of God.
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