The Disciples Prayer Matthew 6:9-15 Lord, Teach us to pray The Disciples Prayer Matthew 6:9-15

The model prayer A pattern for all praying that is outlined different ways but most often divided into two sets of elements: First set is about God and His glory: “Hallowed be Thy name” “Thy Kingdom come” “Thy will be done” Second set deals with man and his needs: “Give us this day our daily bread” “Forgive us our debts” “Lead us not into temptation”

The purpose of prayer Everything in prayer seeks to glorify God, to lift up His name, and to exalt His holiness. John 14:13, Jesus said, “Whatever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” The reason you pray, and the reason God answers is to put His glory on display. That’s the issue.

Jesus does not teach: The posture of prayer because it can be done in any position: Standing (Gen. 24:12-14) Lifting up hands (1 Tim. 2:8) Sitting (Judges 20:26) Kneeling (Matt. 1:40) Uplifted eyes (John 17:1) Bowing down (Ex. 34:8) On face (Matt. 26:39) Head between knees (1 Kings 18:42) Facing temple (Daniel 6:10) Smiting breast (Luke 18:13) The place of prayer because you can pray anywhere: In battle (2 Chron. 13:14-15) In a cave (1 Kings 19:9-10) In a closet (Matt. 6:6) In a garden (Matt. 26:36-44) On a mountain (Luke 6:12) By a river (Acts 16:13) Everywhere (1 Tim. 2:8) In bed (Psalm 4:3-4, 8; 63:6) In a home (Acts 9:39-40) In a fish (Jonah 2:1-10) On a housetop (Acts 10:9) In prison (Acts 16:23-26)

Jesus does not teach: The times of prayer because you can pray at all times: Early morning (Mark 1:35) Morning (1 Chron. 23:30) Three times a day (Dan. 6:10) Evening (1 Kings 18:36) Before meals (Matt. 14:19) After meals (Deut. 8:10) Ninth hour (Acts 3:1) Bedtime (Psalm 4:4) Midnight (Acts 16:25) Day and night (Luke 2:37; 18:7) Today (Psalm 95:6, 8) Often (Luke 5:33) In youth (Jeremiah 3:4) The circumstances of prayer because any circumstance will do: Wearing sackcloth (Psalm 35:13) Sitting in ashes (Job 1:20-21) Shaving head (Job 2:8) Crying (Psalm 6:6) Fasting (Deut. 9:28) Groaning (Psalm 6:4-6) Agony (Luke 22:44) Broken heart (Psalm 34:18) Pouring out one’s heart (Ps. 62:8) Rending the heart (Joel 1:2-12, 13) Making an oath (Acts 18:18) Making sacrifices (Psalm 20:1-3)

The right preface and perspective of prayer Preface to praying means: Prior to praying you engage in worshipping God. Jonah in 2:7-9 begins his prayer with a hymn of praise even though he was in the midst of terrible circumstances. Daniel in 9:3,4 affirmed the majesty, dignity, and holiness of God in a heart wrenching situation. Jeremiah in 32:16-23 lived in frustration, confusion, and perplexity—weeping over his brethren because of their unrepentant hearts. His prayer was one of reciting God’s majesty as well. Perspective in praying means: Giving God the privilege of displaying His power by bringing my life into conformity to His will. Psalm 86 shows this pattern where David begins with an affirmation of the majesty and character of God— NOT a petition. First, David acknowledges that God has the right to do what He wants. Second, he recognizes his submission to God’s will. Third, in verse 12, he acknowledges that whatever happens, he will praise God with all his heart and glorify Him forever.

The proper person of prayer The Fatherhood of God seen in the word “our.” “Our has reference to believing people.” The Israelites had an understanding of God’s overall care of the nation. The notion of a personal, intimate relationship with God was not familiar. Throughout the Greek and Roman world the concept of a Father God was warped and twisted. Two major philosophies dominated the world when Jesus walked the earth.

Ideas of God in History Stoicism Epicureanism The essential attribute of deity was “apatheia”= the inability to experience any feeling. The gods don’t feel anything— they are passionless, emotionless and incapable of any feeling. They are apathetic and indifferent. The essence of deity is complete serenity, complete calm, and perfect peace. Total detachment from the affairs of humanity. Similar to today’s deistic view that there is a power who got everything going—then he stepped away to watch it unfold.