How to Properly Pray Matthew 6:5-15

This past year’s election cycle… …Has been a marathon and a roller coaster Many are still trying to figure out what happened A side effect has been the enhancement of our prayer lives Now that we know the results, we must pray as much or more than ever…

I. We should Pray with our Hearts directed toward relationship “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” (Matthew 6:5, NKJV)

A. The focus of prayer is not to be personal recognition It was assumed that God’s people will pray and give alms The issue was not essentially the location or position The issue was their motivation

Matthew 6:6 “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (NKJV)

B. The focus of prayer is instead to be personal relationship The real test of our spirituality is what we do when alone The example of Christ illustrates the point

II. We should pray with our minds directed toward quality “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.” (Matthew 6:7, NKJV)

A. The focus of prayer is not to be quantity of words There is a tendency to try to manipulate God through prayer It is not a matter of some formula or our slick words “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:8, NKJV)

B. The focus of prayer is not to be information transference God is not lacking for information God is desirous of our interaction

III. We should pray with our pattern directed toward balance “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9–10, NKJV)

A. The initial focus of prayer is to be directed toward our master We need a conscious awareness of our object of prayer We should recognize the corporate context of this prayer We need to recognize the proper focus on God in prayer

Three areas of concern for god in prayer: We should affirm God’s holiness We should affirm God’s rule We should affirm God’s will “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21, NKJV)

Matthew 6:11-13 “Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (NKJV)

B. The other focus of prayer is to be directed toward our needs The second part of the prayer focuses on our needs This section deals with three essential needs of man and three spheres of time: --Bread is necessary for maintenance of life --Forgiveness is necessary for our relation to God --Help in temptation is necessary for dealing with evil

These may also relate to the trinity: When we ask for bread, the Father is our Provider When we ask for forgiveness, the Son is our Savior When we ask for help in temptation or testing, the Spirit is our Comforter

Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (NKJV)

C. The forgiveness element of prayer is directed toward equity This further explanation of the fifth petition indicates the importance of forgiveness within the family of God Our horizontal relationships with others affect our vertical relationship with God

This sample prayer is given in the context of the coming kingdom Conclusion: Prayer is straight forward and simple for those who have experienced the grace of God This sample prayer is given in the context of the coming kingdom Our concern here is not to become overly self- conscious in our praying, but to recognize the emphasis upon the place of God in prayer