PIOUS PRAYERS 虔誠的禱告 Sermon on the Mount Series Matthew 6:5-13

Introduction Living a true pious life Our outward religious life is consistent ◦ With an honest heart and a sincere intent ◦ As when we are in private Human vanity and religious hypocrisy, even in Prayer

Mat 6:5-13 And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward. (6) But you, when you pray, enter into your room. And shutting your door, pray to your Father in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly. (7) But when you pray, do not babble vain words, as the nations. For they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard.

Mat 6:5-13 (cont.) (8) Therefore do not be like them, for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask Him. (9) Therefore pray in this way: Our Father, who is in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name. (10) Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. (11) Give us this day our daily bread; (12) and forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors. (13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Wrong kind of praying With a very clear purpose to be seen, for appearance. It is wrong to use prayers as a tool for self- promotion When prayer is done in this way, he is a hypocrite Not about prayer type(s), but rather about the motives of prayer

How we should pray (1) Analogy on prayer behind closed doors: ◦ It is both literal and figurative ◦ When you give alms  Giving is by hand (right hand)  Giving not letting your left hand knowing (figurative)  Meaning: To keep your good deed hidden from man

How we should pray (2) You are to pray: ◦ Literal: In private ◦ Figurative: In your room/storeroom ◦ The meaning: Most sincere – not for public consumption Question: would you say the same and in the same way? Prayer needs to be sincere, as how you would pray in private, alone with God.

How We Should Not Pray Example of pagan prayers ◦ No mechanical prayers as in incantations ( 咒語 ) ◦ Do not be conniving: to nag or guilt-trip God into doing what you want ◦ Pray while knowing God already know your needs ◦ If you know your need is already met, would you repetitively plead?

The Lord’s Model Prayer (1) The model prayer ◦ Addressing God, our Father ( 到父前 ) ◦ Worship God ( 敬拜頌 ) ◦ Human needs ( 祈求 ) ◦ Doxology ( 讚美頌 )

The Lord’s Model Prayer (2) Worship God ( 敬拜頌 ) – love God ◦ Hollowed be thy name:  The very first thing! Not hollow be my name!  Not for our own vanity ◦ Thy kingdom come:  God’s dominion and power to rule  God as king, has the right and ability to impose power ◦ Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven:  God’s will on us and we follow His will  That God’s will be perfectly carried out and perfectly fulfilled

The Lord’s Model Prayer (3) Human needs ( 祈求 ) ◦ Give us today –  God knows!  Most trusting and intimate reliance on God in faith ◦ Forgive other’s debt  Our relationship with our neighbor  Our fellowship with our brothers and sisters ◦ Lead us not into temptation  Meaning: Let us not fall into sin, help us not to sin

The Lord’s Model Prayer (4) Doxology ( 讚美頌 ) ◦ Acknowledge who God is ◦ Refocus on God ◦ Again worship!

What is the reward for prayer? Sought from the right person - God, not man. A prayer that pleases God – Our reward is God’s pleasure Prayed on the right things or right purpose ◦ Heavenly relationship with God ◦ Earthly relations with self and neighbors

Applications Prayer should not be a form of spiritual arrogance Jesus is not forbidding praying in public or public prayers Nor is Jesus saying all prayers should be private

Conclusion Not about praying the exact words ◦ Fundamentals in prayer – Right attitude, purpose and content. ◦ As a model and a list of agenda to pray on Pray on “Love thy Lord” Pray on Human needs in the context of the Kingdom ◦ Our physical needs – translates our reliance on God in faith ◦ Our relationship others - “Love thy neighbor” ◦ Our spiritual health - holiness