Oh how desperately we need to pray! Nothing
is more crucial, more central, or more necessary. However, what if we claim to
address God but fail to seek only His attention and approval? One who prays to
be seen by men, no matter how long, fluently or eloquently he prays, is a
hypocrite. Jesus starts with the “why” of prayer, and then He moves to the
“where” and the “how.”
Reading: Matt 6:5-15
“Pray So Grandma Can Hear”
Not as the Hypocrites
“They love to pray.” Anything wrong with
that?
Outwardly, officially, and ostensibly to
God, but …
Inwardly, really, to get man’s attention and
praise.
Hypo (under) + krites (mask) = Gk. play
actors.
They pray to prey! To promote and publicize
self.
The reward they seek is the only
reward they get.
Not as the Hypocrites
Mk 12:38 In His teaching He was saying:
“Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like
respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the
synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 40 who devour widows’
houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive
greater condemnation.”
Not as the Hypocrites
Mt 23:5-12 Woe!
Mt 23:5 “But they do all their deeds to be
noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of
their garments.”
Phylacteries
Small square leather boxes or cases. Each
held four strips of parchment inscribed with quotations from the books of the
Law. Worn by every male Israelite above 13 years of age during morning prayer,
except on Sabbaths and holidays.
Ex 13:1–10; 13:11–16; Dt 6:4–9; 11:13–21
“… bind them on your hand, on your forehead
…”
Not as the Gentiles
Praying by rote, routine, ritual, and
repetition.
Multiplying vain, empty, meaningless words.
Expecting to be heard due to their prayers’
length.
Instead –
Pray sincerely. Not for show.
Pray secretly. In your closet.
Pray simply. No words to impress.
Pray spiritually. To God and for
God.
1. Intimacy
“Our Father …”
Why not Creator, King, Master, Judge?
Accessible. Wise. Powerful. Protective.
Nurturing.
Authoritative. Instructive. Role model.
Head.
Rom 8:14-17, esp. 8:15; Gal 4:6-7. “Abba.”
“Because You are my Father I …”
2. Reverence
“… in heaven, hallowed be Your name.”
Balance: near as Father, yet above and set
apart.
Worthy of awe, wonder, adoration, amazement.
We bow. We tremble. We obey. We surrender.
God’s name = His identity, character,
person.
“I revere You because -” “Because I revere
You -”
3. Submission
“… Your kingdom come, Your will be done …”
Parallel phrases. The second interprets the
first.
God’s Kingdom = God’s rule. His will = His
desire.
Domain and dominion. Realm and reign.
Church: the people God rules. Matt 16:16-18
“Father, rule my heart, marriage, work,
money …”
4. Petition
“Give us each day our daily bread.”
Requests follow intimacy, reverence,
submission.
Nothing is too small or trivial.
Possible reference to manna, given daily.
Pray for God to give you what you work to
gain.
“Father God, just for today …” Strength,
joy, etc.
5. Contrition
“And forgive us our debts …”
Obligations resulting from our misdeeds.
We hear: “Prisoner paid his debt to
society.”
Sin costs. We owe. We confess. God pardons.
Dismiss, let go, send away, remit. Ac 2:38
“I beg You, cancel the valid charges against
me.”
6. Condition
“… as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
“As” = in like manner, to the same extent.
If you have not forgiven, God will not
forgive you.
You and I cannot afford not to
forgive!
The unforgiver is unforgiven. Mt 18:21-35
“Father, I have forgiven ______ for
_________.”
7. Dependence
“And do not lead us into temptation, but
deliver us from evil.”
Parallel phrases. The second interprets the
first.
“Do not take us where we would be tempted.”
“That is, keep us away, protect us from
evil.”
“Father, steer me clear of ________.”
8. Security
“For Yours is the kingdom and the power and
the glory forever. Amen.” (Not in all Gk. manuscripts.)
Yours is the kingdom. Reign in me!
Yours is the power. Work in me!
Yours is the glory. Shine in me!
In His Own Words
Lk 22:40 When He arrived at the place, He
said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41
And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to
pray, 42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup
from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
Intimacy. Submission. Petition. Dependence.
Possible hymns:
Hear Me When I Call
Purer in Heart, O God
Listen to Our Hearts
Did You Think to Pray?
Father, Hear Thy Children’s Call
Sweet Hour of Prayer
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