Today we’re going to begin a study on prayer. Prayer is spoken of by believers often, yet do we really understand the significance of it; the value behind its potential? Do we understand the power a believing heart has before God; power to change our situations, live quiet and peaceable lives, be whole and healed, and make a difference for others? Today we are going to set the tone for prayer. We are going to open our spiritual eyes, change our attitudes and become effective prayer warriors for Christ and His kingdom.
Scriptures:
Matthew 6: 5-8: 5 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Berean
Luke 11: 1b, 2: 1 …“Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” 2 And He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. NAS
Matthew 6: 9, 10: 9 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. NAS
Psalm 100: 4: Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and bless his name! Aramaic
Psalm 95:2: Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! ESV
When we come to God for prayer, start out praising Him. Thank Him for many things, as you begin to thank Him for what He’s done in your life, you will begin to repent. Find places your attitude is wrong, you’ve complained, haven’t forgiven, lost patience, doubted, were discontent. Once you do this, then state, “Lord, cause Your will to be done in my life. What do You need me to do for You today.”
Luke 22:42: “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Berean
Luke 9: 23: And he said before everyone, “Whoever is willing to come after me, let him deny himself, let him take up his cross everyday, and let him come after me.” Aramaic
Acts 17: 28: “For it is by him that we have life and we move and exist; so also some of the wise men among you have said: “Our lineage is from him.” Aramaic
John 1:4: In him was The Life and The Life is The Light of men. Aramaic
Luke 11:3: Give us each day our daily bread. NAS
Matthew 6: 11: ‘Give us this day our daily bread. NAS
Matthew 6: 25-33: 25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. NAS
Luke 6: 38: Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” NLT
Luke 16: 13: No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Berean
Luke 11:4a: And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. Berean
Matthew 6: 12: And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Berean debt-opheilema-idea of something owed, under obligation; a fault; something due that is accruing
Romans 13: 8: Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. KJ
Matthew 6: 13: And lead us not to temptation but deliver us from evil, for yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, for the eternity of eternities.’ Aramaic
Luke 11:4b: And lead us not into temptation.’” Berean
James 1: 13-15: 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. NAS
Matthew 6: 13, 14: 14 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
