You asked for it Series

YOU ASKED FOR IT SERIES

QUESTION: What is the right way to pray?

July 27, 2008, Mike Barnett

Prayer is simply, communication with God.

talking
listening

Barriers to effective prayer:

Lack of time which is a priorities issue.

· This barrier is removed when I proactively protect my prayer and Bible reading time with God at all cost.

Lack of perceived results which is a weariness issue.

· This barrier is removed when I choose to persist and not quit in prayer despite great odds, knowing that God will show up in a very tangible way eventually if I just hang in there expecting his will to be done!

Lack of knowledge which is an ignorance issue.

· This barrier is removed when I receive enough teaching on prayer to implement a game plan like Jesus gave his disciples in Luke 11:1-12

QUESTION: WHAT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO PRAY?

Teaching on prayer: Luke 11:1-12

Luke 11:1-12 says:

1One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

2He said to them, "When you pray, say:
   " 'Father,^[^a]
   hallowed be your name,
   your kingdom come.^[b]
3Give us each day our daily bread.
4Forgive us our sins,
      for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.^[^c]
   And lead us not into temptation.^[d]' "

5Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'

7"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness^[e] he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

9"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

11"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for^[f] a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

NOTE: Jesus gave his followers an outline to follow when they really wanted it. V. 1

THE PRAYER OUTLINE JESUS GAVE HIS DISCIPLES – LUKE 11:1-13:

A. Honor and worship God.

STEP # 1 - V. 2a – "Father, hallowed be your name", represents the worship and praise segment.

· God wants me to come into his presence with a respectful and grateful demeanor, in a spirit of worship.

IMPLICATION: Our prayers are hindered and less effective when we do not worship God first and foremost in prayer.

2. Surrender your will to God.

STEP # 2 - V. 2b - "Your kingdom come, your will be done", represents the surrender segment.

· God wants me to come to him with "empty hands".

IMPLICATION: Our prayers are hindered and less effective when we don’t surrender our lives and agendas to God.

3. Ask God for your needs and desires.

STEP # 3 - V. 3 – "Give us each day our daily bread", represents the petition segment.

· God wants me to come to him with my burdens.

IMPLICATION: Our prayers are hindered and less effective when we do not specifically ask for what we need, even though God already knows what it is.

4. Ask for forgiveness for your sins and give forgiveness to those who have sinned against you.

STEP # 4 - V. 4a – "Forgive our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us", represents the forgiveness segment.

· God wants me to come to him with a humble heart and a soft conscience.

Forgiveness includes:

A. Sins against God and others that I need to repent of and confess.

1 John 1:8-9 says:

8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

B. Sins others have committed against me that I need to release to God.

Matthew 6:9-13 says:

9"This, then, is how you should pray:
   " 'Our Father in heaven,
   hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
   your will be done
      on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
      as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
   but deliver us from the evil one.^[^a]' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

IMPLICATION: Our prayers are hindered and less effective when we do not receive and give forgiveness.

5. Ask for protection from sin.

STEP #5 - V. 4b -"And lead us not into temptation", represents the "focused mind & heart" segment.

· God wants me to come to him with my weakness so he can be my strength and wisdom in return.

IMPLICATION: Our prayers are hindered and less effective when we don’t seek God’s protection and guidance.

6. Be persistently tenacious and do not give up.

Vs. 5-10 - The persistence segment.

Vs. 5-10 says:

5Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'

· God wants me to come to him again and again until I have assurance that He has answered my prayer.

Hebrews 11:1 says:

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

IMPLICATION: Our prayers are hindered and less effective when we give up and loose heart.

NOTE: As a Christ follower, it is my responsibility to keep praying until the prayer has been answered, redirected by the Spirit, or the burden lifted.

7. Be specific in detailing what you want.

STEP # 7 - Vs. 9-13 – The "specific request" segment.

Vs. 9-13 says:

(Matthew’s version says: “How much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him”) Matthew 7:12

· God wants me to come to him with detailed and specific requests.

IMPLICATION: Our prayers are hindered and less effective when we are not specific in our prayer request.

TRUTH: Many professing Christians ask God for their needs but never practice the other elements of a vital prayer life such as Worship, Thanksgiving, Surrender, Forgiveness, “Seeking Protection/Wisdom” and Perseverance and therefore never really experience the fullness of God’s power in prayer.

Philippians 4:4-8 says:

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 says:

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire".

How can a Christian pray always?

· After a Christian has left their quiet time to go out into the world, it is possible for them to be in a state of prayer throughout the day by practicing affirmations and thanksgivings to God.

Examples:

“God, I thank you for answering my prayer in your way and in your time for the good of all concerned”.

“Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of Heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows”.

“God, I love you, I am sorry, please forgive me, thank you”.

“Jesus have mercy on me a redeemed sinner”.

“God, I thank you that my sins are forgiven, I am redeemed and I have new life in Christ.

“God is love and perfect love casts out all fear”

“There is nothing but God and God is love. Devine love prospers me in all my affairs”.

“God you are good all the time and I receive your goodness and give it back to you by giving to others in need”.