PRAYER POINTERS

If you wanted someone to instruct you in golf or tennis, wouldn’t you choose someone who is good at golf and tennis?

The same goes for prayer. If you want a better prayer life, why not go to someone who excelled in the ministry of prayer? Why not go to Jesus?

One of the topics Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount was prayer. What principles for our prayer life can we find there?  Let's go to Matthew 6.

I. Prayer should be addressed to God not man (vv. 5, 6).

“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. 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. (Matthew 6:5, 6 ESV)

A. This is not a condemnation of public prayer. Jesus prayed publicly. The Lord’s Prayer was a public prayer.

B. It does mean that we must always remember who we are addressing. Prayer time is not a time to try to impress people, but to communicate with God.

C. If we talk to be heard by men, they will hear, but God will not.

II. Prayer is measured by sincerity not multiplication of words (vv. 7, 8).

“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. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:7, 8 ESV)

A.This is not a condemnation of persistence. Later in the sermon, Jesus will recommend persistence.

B. It is condemning empty repetition.

C. It is condemning the notion that the best prayers are the longest prayers.

III. Prayer should follow Jesus’ pattern, not our preferences (vv. 9-13).

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:9-13 ESV)

A. Praise should always come first.

    1. Respect for God’s names.
    2. Commitment to God’s kingdom.
    3. Submission to God’s will.

B. Petition is important but should always come second.

    1. Petition for the provision of daily needs.
    2. Petition for the pardon of past sins.
    3. Petition for the promise of future guidance.

IV. Prayer should affect our behavior, not just our mood (v. 14).

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, (Matthew 6:14 ESV)

A. Prayer may make us feel better. While that is welcome, it is not all there is to our prayer life.

B. Prayer will affect the way we relate to other people.

C. If we have received forgiveness from God, it will be difficult not to extend it to others. Something is seriously wrong if we cannot do this.

While prayer is a natural desire of the human heart, it often seems so unnatural. We should not be afraid to accept instruction. Like the disciples of old we cry out, “Lord, teach us to pray.” He will do that for you. And you will be able to enjoy a lifetime of close communication and fellowship with God.