The Disciples Prayer
Matthew
6:9-13
Intro:
Ya know for all my life
I have heard this prayer referred to as the Lords prayer, and I realize and
understand why. But really it is a model prayer for His disciples, you see
Jesus had just finished teaching how not to pray. The Lords disciples wanted to
know how they should pray, Jesus provided them with a model. Well you and I can
learn something from this model prayer. I personally believe prayer is
something that we all take for granted and for the most part do even take
seriously today. This week the Lord has been really dealing with me in regards
to prayer, and how in isn’t used today. Tonight lets look at this model prayer
apply it to our lives and seek revival for ourselves, our churches and our
nation.
The Lords model Prayer lends itself to
two divisions
(1) Petitions that relate to the nature
of God
(a) “Our father which art in heaven” our relationship to God
V Prayer is for God’s family, his children
talk to Him
V Being a child of God doesn’t mean were on
speaking terms
(b) “Hallowed be thy name” our reverence for God.
V God must be revered, honored and
understood holy.
V God has made himself known to us through
creation, scriptures and Christ.
V To hallow God is not to take His name in
vain. Not necessarily, words, but deed, and actions, even the heart.
V To hallow God is to praise Him, not just
in behavior but also from the heart.
(c) “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done” our resignation before God.
V In Luke
V If you are a believer the
V God’s kingdom must be established through
the whole world, we should have a desire to spread that kingdom, witness.
(2) Petitions that relate to the needs of
man
(a) “Give us this day our daily bread” a request for provision.
V God is our source
V Live one day at a time and trust God to
provide for that day.
V Pray for the needs of others “our” not
mine.
V God will not do for me what He has
already prepared me to do for myself.
(b) “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” a request for
pardon.
V These debts aren’t monetary, they are
moral and spiritual
V If we can claim God as our Father we have
experienced the once and for all forgiveness of salvation.
V Daily forgiveness or sanctification must
be experienced as often as needed, we are not perfect.
V We cannot earn forgiveness by forgiving
others, it isn’t merited.
V Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus tell us that we
cannot be forgiven unless we first forgive, not just say okay I will get along.
V Unforgiveness will build a wall between
you and God; it is your wall not the other person’s.
(c) “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” a request
for
protection.
V Lets be clear on one thing, God doesn’t
tempt anyone (Jam
V God allows us to be tempted not so we can
fail, instead He give us the opportunity to prove our faithfulness to Him.
V God affords His children the opportunity
for protection from temptation, being tempted isn’t a sin, giving into
temptation is a sin. If we want protection, we can follow what Christ told His
disciples, (Mat 26:41) Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the
spirit indeed is willing, but
the flesh is weak.
Conc.
Without a proper prayer
life our Christian walk will be lonely, yes we will have our salvation but
without fellowship. I want to encourage you tonight to reflect on your prayer
life, where it is and where God would have it to be. He desires a personal talk
with us time to speak with us and tell us how much He loves and cares about us.
We are important to God, and He should be important to us. Take time to study
what God wants for you and seek His will and direction, if we all take
responsibility for this in our individual lives then we all will be following
God in the same direction at the same time. Stand with me please.