Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
A reminder - Please: Turn off your cell phone or set to vibrate only Turn off sound to all electronic devices Use the nursery or cry room if your child is fussy Get up during the preaching only if absolutely necessary (please sit in back if you must leave early)
The Proper Purpose & Practice of Prayer Matthew 6:5-15 Prayer is simple, yet complex How can a human talk to the Creator? How can God hear all those prayers? How does prayer work? How does God know what to do? What is a good prayer? What should we pray for?
Background Matthew Religious people are usually more concerned about what is done than why it is done The Scribes thought they were righteous because the kept the Law according to their own interpretation
Background Matthew The Pharisees thought they were righteous because they did righteous deeds: alms, prayer, fasting Matthew 6:1 - True righteousness is concerned about motive as well as action Alms given to gain honor from men only receive that reward
The Proper Purpose of Prayer Matthew 6:5-6 Hypocrites pray to be seen of men Luke 20:46,47 Luke 18:9-14 The Pharisee “prayed thus to himself” The publican sought God
The Proper Purpose of Prayer Matthew 6:5,6 What is the motivation of the prayer? Praying in secret – Matthew 6:6 Praying in public – John 11:41-42; Acts 3:1; 21:5; 12:12: Keep your practice of prayer – Dan. 6:10 Congregational prayer – Acts 2:42 Pray to talk with God – without concern of who else may hear
The Proper Practice of Prayer Matthew 6:7-8 No repetitious prayers that lose meaning No repetition as if God can’t hear you Persevere in prayer – George Mueller Believe God and trust Him to answer Philippians 4:6,7; Isaiah 26:3-4
Conclusion Matthew 6:5-8 Proper Purpose = Talk with God (not to impress men) Proper Practice = Talk to God in simple faith and then trust Him to answer (not vain repetition as if to either impress Him or get Him to listen)
Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ