More on Prayer

Luke 11:1-13

Introduction

1.      Like the disciples of Jesus, we need to learn how to pray

2.      The Bible is our textbook for prayer – the Old Testament and the New

3.      Our lives will be changed as we learn to pray  

Discussion

1.      Give honor to God’s Name

a.       Egyptian gods (one list gave 14 different gods) – Osiris, Ra, Isis, Bastet (god of cats)

b.      Gods of Canaan – Baal, Ashtoreth

c.       Gods of others – Molech and Rompha (Acts 7:43)

d.      Exodus 3:13-15

e.       Exodus 20:7; John 17:3-6  

2.      Pray for God’s Kingdom

a.       God’s Kingdom is the realm in which He rules through His Messiah – 1 Pet 2:9

b.      Jesus preached the kingdom

c.       Jesus prayed for the kingdom

d.      Jesus commanded that they seek first the kingdom  

3.      Seek help for your needs

a.       The prayer is that God will give them food for that day

b.      Paul prayed for healing and was told, “No” – 2 Cor 12:7-10 which satisfied him (see also 1 Tim 5:23; 2 Tim 4:20)

c.       Paul’s list of needs – 1 Tim 6:6-10  

4.      Seek forgiveness for your sins

a.       This assumes a relationship in which one may have confidence in the grace of God

b.      This forgiveness is only granted on the basis of our forgiveness of others

c.       This forgiveness extends to all sins that are confessed (1 John 1:9)  

5.      Seek strength for righteousness

a.       “Lead us not into temptation” – Remember Rom 8:28

b.      Another promise of God - 1 Cor 10:13

c.       A path to success – Heb 12:1-2

d.      On the positive side, see Matt 5:14-16, 48

e.       One is either “for” or “against,” you cannot be neutral - Matt 10:32-33  

Conclusion

1.       Prayer is a way of moving us from where we are to where we ought to be

2.      It is about more than getting everything that you want, but of learning to be what God wants you to be

3.      Reminder:  baptism is a prayer to God for a “clean conscience” – 1 Peter 3:21