The Transforming Power of Prayer Matthew 6:5-13 May 11, 2003 Sermon Outline: Place of Prayer - Where should you pray?      Matt 6:5-6 Persistent Prayer - How much should you pray?      Matt 6:7-8 Predictable Prayer - Can you surprise God?      Matt 6:8 Prayer Praise - Is prayer a form of worship?      Matt 6:9 Prayer Petition - What should you pray for? People - Matt 6:10 Provision - Matt 6:11 Pardon - Matt 6:12 Protection - Matt 6:13 Prayer Period - How often should you pray?      Matt 6:11 Prayer Power - Where does the answer to prayer come from?      Matt 6:13 The Transforming Power of Prayer Matthew 6:5-13 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Place of Prayer - Where should you pray? Matthew 6:5-6 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Daniel 6:10 "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." He prayed in his chamber on his knees. Jesus prayed in front of his disciples - John 17 and other places Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane - Matthew 26 Where should you pray? Where we need to, but never for show. I found several versions of this poem on the internet but was unable to determine who first wrote it: "The proper way for a man to pray," Said Deacon Samuel Keys, "And the only proper attitude Is down upon his knees." "No, I should say the way to pray," Said Rev. Dr. Wise, "Is standing straight with outstretched arms And rapt and upturned eyes." "Oh, no, no, no" Said Elmer Slow. "Such posture's way too proud. A man should pray with eyes fast closed and head contritely bowed." "Last year I fell in Hodgkin's well, Headfirst," said Syrus Brown, "And both my heels were stickin' up And my head was a pointin' down. "And I made a prayer right then and there, The best I'd ever said. The prayin'est prayer I ever prayed Was standin' on my head." Persistent Prayer - How much should you pray? Matthew 6:7-8 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: … As much as you need to - no more, no less. It said "use not vain repetitions" not just plain "repetitions." David prayed for his sick child for seven days and seven nights in a row. (2 Sam 12) Apparently Daniel prayed for three weeks. Daniel 10:13 The Angel answering Daniel's prayer explained that he was held up by the " prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me" 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. We should pray until our concern becomes confidence. Predictable Prayer - Can you surprise God? Matthew 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. The favorite saying of a minister friend of mine is, "There is no panic in heaven, only plans." Romans 8: 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. We should pray until our confusion becomes a decision. Seek the spirit Prayer Praise - Is prayer a form of worship? Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Hebrews 13:15-16 15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. We should start with gratitude and let it become worship. Prayer Petition - What should you ask for? Matthew 6:10-13 Thy kingdom come , Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: People - Verse 10 1 Timothy 2:1-2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Jesus prayed for his disciples - John 17 Provision - Verse 11 James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Pray until our lack becomes plenty. Pardon - Verse 12 Psalm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: We should begin with sorrow for our sins and pray until we know God has forgiven us. Protection - Verse 13 James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. We should pray until our fear becomes faith. Prayer Period - How often should you pray? Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread. Daniel 6:10 "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day , and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." Hebrews 13:15-16 "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually , that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." 1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing." We should pray only once. Start now and stop when you get to heaven. Prayer Power - Where does the answer to prayer come from? Matthew 6:13 … For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. John 15 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. We should pray expecting an answer. Review outline CONCERN ---> CONFIDENCE CONFUSION ---> DECISION GRATITUDE ---> WORSHIP LACK ----> PLENTY SORROW ---> FORGIVENESS FEAR ---> FAITH Prayer Power Berean List (Acts 17:11) Matthew 6:5-13, Luke 11:1-13 Place of Prayer - Matt 6:5-6, Daniel 6:10, John 17, Matt 26:36 Persistent Prayer - Matt 6:7-8, 2 Samuel 12:15-19, 1 Thess 5:17, Daniel 10:13 Predictable Prayer - Matt 6:8, Romans 8:26 Prayer Praise - Matt 6:9, Psalm 105:3-4, 1 Thess 5:18, Heb 13:15-16 Prayer Petition Matt 7:7      People - Matt 6:10, 1 Tim 2:1-2, James 5:16, John 17      Provision - Matt 6:11, James 1:5, James 4:3, Luke 11:3      Pardon - Matt 6:12, 1 Pet 3:7, Psalm 66:18, Luke 11:4      Protection - Matt 6:13, James 1:13-14, Matt 26:41-42 Prayer Period - Matt 6:11, Dan 6:10, Heb 13:15-16 Prayer Power - Matt 6:13, Luke 11:9-10, 1 Tim 2:8, Matt 21:21