Faith and prayer
Prayer is a calibration
- The model prayer – Luke 11:2-4; Matthew 6:8-13
- This is not just empty phrases (Matthew 6:7-8).
- He said in Matthew 6:9 to pray “in this manner.”
- This prayer resets our hearts (priorities) according to God’s will (priorities).
- Jesus starts by introducing God as our Faither in heaven to plant the idea that we are God’s children and God deserves our honor. We are subject to Him. Put aside our focus on ourselves and look at God and His priorities.
- Matthew 6:9 – Honor God daily
- Matthew 6:10 – Pray for God’s purposes to be accomplished. Remembers Matthew 26:39, 42.
- Matthew 6:11 – Pray for our physical needs. See Matthew 6:33-34
- Matthew 6:12 – Pray for forgiveness daily.
- Matthew 6:13 – Pray for help with temptation.
- These are the things that should be our priorities in prayer.
Prayer is a test.
- Jesus tells us repeatedly to “ask and receive.” Matthew 7:7; 18:19; 21:22; John 14:13-14; 15:7, 16. It is our opportunity to ask God for what we need.
- Solomon in I Kings 3:5-9.
- How is it a test? Look at the caution we are given in James 4:2-3. Is the desire of our heart to seek the will of God, or to seek our own passions? Matthew 6:5. What are our motives for praying?
- Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21.