Week 25 - Free Weekend Program For Street & Vulnerable Children

Matthew 6: 5-13

Theme : Teach Us How to Pray,

God is not concerned about the physical posture or place of our prayer, he doesn’t condemn where we choose or how we stand, sit or kneel, but He warns against our desire and most obviously our LOVE to be seen by men.

We love standing because it makes us more visible, easy for public recognition, we crave the applause and the praise of men and this is all we get, in a way, it’s all we really want - the praise of men; praise for piety, praise for knowledge, for service etc, it’s like sugar, so we are more inclined to public prayer than private prayer, but God is saying, don’t be like that!

There is nothing wrong with public prayer, but we are admonished to pray more frequently in private and if opportunity comes for public prayer, don’t shy away instead seek to make God your focus not man.

Private prayer gives no room to pride or hypocrisy, we are able to say exactly what we mean and mean exactly what we say; open and sincere with God in regards to all that’s true and real in our hearts.

This is done by faith, it is an act of true faith because God is invisible; we approach Him through His son, Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and man, believing that He exist Heb. 11:6.

God who sees in secret takes notice of our heart’s desire, pantings, the request of our hearts and lips, rewarding us with good things we are praying for, both for time and eternity - temporal and eternal blessings. (John Gill Commentary)

Some of these Eternal blessings are : Fear of God, Knowledge of Christ, Obedient heart, Peace with God, Joy and Comfort of the Holy Spirit, etc

Temporal blessings are health, provision, family, marriage, children, good government, education, talents, skills-man-ship etc

Additionally, avoid vain repetition, God will not hear us because we speak repeatedly and continually none stop; He knows all that’s in our hearts before we ask. We are prone to these things or the Lord will not advise against them. Like the worshippers of Baal, unbelievers practice these things, the Baal worshippers were so desperate to the point of cutting themselves, but as believers, we have faith in God, we trust His love for us , we are confident that He cares about us. He proved His love by sending Christ to die for us; we learnt that from Romans 5:7-9

Matthew 6: 9 tells us how to pray,”

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

it doesn’t mean we should memorize these words and repeat them verbatim, no! Christ disciples never did, but the Lord clearly directs us to pray after this manner; we are taught to use this pattern.

First, Come to God through Christ, acknowledging His Fatherly love and grace towards you. We became sons by adoption and are grateful for this. ‘Our Father’ mean this prayer is not just for you but for others as well. He is your Father and the Father of all believers in Jesus Christ; what a great family He has brought us into.

Second, He is in heaven, He rules over the unseen world, He reigns as king, this will help us as we look upward and set our hearts on things that are above. Our 3rd hymns says - “ You’re my friend and You’re my brother even though You’re a king! He is king over heaven and earth. Acknowledge this as you pray.

Third, Praise Him for who He is, He is Holy and His name is Holy, we praise Him for the perfection of His work in our hearts, for the gift of faith, implanting grace, obedience and holiness in our heart. We acknowledge His mercies and steadfast love.

Fourth, Your kingdom come! God’s kingdom is Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit, so we pray for the success of the gospel; the conversion of God’s elect. Pray that Christ will dwell in your own heart richly by faith. Pray that you may know Him, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent for this is eternal life. John 17:3

Fifth, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, not the will of wicked men or satan or the will of man - flesh but God’s will. God is sovereign, His counsel will stand regardless. Proverbs 19:21:23. Through prayer, we receive strength and assistance by the Holy Spirit to submit to God’s will. Luke 22:42-43

Sixth, give us this day our daily bread. Not weekly, monthly or yearly, but daily. We need Him daily, without Him we can do nothing. John 15:5, He is not saying we can do somethings without Him, He said we can do NOTHING. Our lives are empty without Him, seek him daily for sustenance, for provisions, both physical and spiritual. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6.

Start early, don’t wait to figure things all out, pray to God. Thank Him for what you have and ask Him for all you need, ALL of it. Practice daily devotion, practice continally! Keep at it with the same energy, diligence you use in practicing football, brushing your teeth regularly, apply same, become a slave of righteousness (a slave of good habit) like we learnt in Romans 6:18.

Seven, “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” God’s mercies are new every morning, learn to confess all known sins and receive the forgiveness, peace and comfort that follows afterwards. This is a daily delight, don’t miss it!

in addition, endeavour to forgive others as well, remembering how God has generously forgiven you. It’s not about your feeling, I don’t feel like it; no! It’s not by feeling, It’s by faith. Thank God for His mercies towards you and pray for God’s grace, his blessing on those that have offended you. Matthew 5:44, obedience will produce true joy in your heart.

Finally, “And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” God is able to keep us, He leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name sake. Psalm 23:3, pray that He will keep you from temptation and from the evil one. Our flesh is prone to temptation (prone to wander from the God we love - our 5th hymn), but the Holy Spirit is our helper, He undergirds us, strengthens us against sin by the power of His grace.

Prayer is so important, once Jesus told his disciples “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” prayer will give you strength to resist temptation -sin

I will end with a quote by spurgeon “Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God. We know not what prayer can do.

I would rather teach one man to pray than ten men to preach.”