July 12, 2009
Teach Us To Pray
Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray , as John also taught his disciples.
Prayer is the most important thing that we can do.
It is vital that we learn to pray. It is significant that the disciples didn’t ask to be taught to preach or work miracles. They watched Jesus and realized that everthing else he did flowed from his prayer life.
Prayer is communication with God. It is our lifeline.
Prayer need not be complicated or flowery – just express yourself to God honestly and openly.
There are various ingredients of prayer:
Worship –
“When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”
Meditate on the greatness of God. Acknowledge who he is. Express to God how great you think He is. Give Him praise.
He is our Heavenly Father - the Creator and Sustainer of all things. He is our Provider and Protector.
A vital part of prayer is recognition of who God is.
Seeking Him and His Kingdom -“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.”
– Just spend time getting to know God better – to understand Him more – to allow Him to change you - His kingdom to be established in your life. (God is more interested in what you offer Him than what you ask for. He wants you, not just your shopping list.)
We need to ask that we be ‘conformed to His image. Spend some of your prayer time allowing him to transform you. The disciples spent much time with Jesus. We must do the same.
Petition – asking God for something.“Give us day by day our daily bread.”
God knows our needs before we ask, and he delights in providing for his children.
But when we ask - when we make our requests known, it shows our trust and our dependence on Him..
God said,
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Forgiveness
“And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.”
When we seek forgiveness we acknowledge our sin. This involves confession.
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins he is just and faithful to forgive us…”
Remember, sin separates us from God. As we confess our sin, it removes the barrier through grace and forgiveness. As we forsake our sin, we become more pleasing to him.
Let us pray for God’s protection and guidance - “And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.”
We need, not only forgiveness of sin, but also deliverance from the temptation to sin.
“Lord, guide us away from evil and into straight paths. Protect us from the snares of the enemy and the lure of this world.”
There are several other areas of prayer we nee to attend to -
Intercession – This is praying for others or praying on behalf of others. Don’t just pray selfishly. God is looking for people who will stand in the gap for others.
Ezekiel 22:30 “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.”
Will that be true today? Will God find those who will break out of their own narrow existence and intercede for others? Will you be one?
Fellowship – just being with God; being aware of His presence.
Can you just spend time in God’s presence without asking for something. Have you ever known someone who didn’t have time for you unless they needed something? Don’t treat God that way.
Listening – you need to give God a chance to speak to you. Just get in His presence, read you Bible, and ask God to speak to you.
PRAYER IS NOT A ONE-WAY COMMUNICATION.
How much time do you spend in prayer?
How much of that time do you spend listening?
Will you determine to spend more time with God?
NEXT WEEK - SUNDAY, JULY 19, 5 PM - SPECIAL WORSHIP AND CONCERT WITH OPEN DOOR CHURCH AND ALBANIAN CHURCH - IN THE SANCTUARY. BRING A FRIEND.
SUNDAY, JULY 26 - 11 AM MISSIONARIES BYRON AND JODIE KELCHNER WILL BE SHARING IN THE MORNING SERVICE THEIR BURDEN FOR BOLIVIA.
