HOW TO PRAY

Matthew 6:9-13

INTRODUCTION

a. There is much talk about prayer in this time

1. Prayer in schools or at graduation etc.

2. The proper role of church and state

b. It is somewhat interesting to see the role prayer has in the history of our country

1. A convention was called in 1787 in America to revise the Articles of Confederation. For weeks delegates reviewed ancient history and analyzed governments of modern Europe in search of insights. But nothing suited the circumstances of this infant nation. Finally, one of the distinguished gentlemen, Benjamin Franklin, addressed the group. Referring to their meager progress, he said, "In this situation of this assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth and scarcely able to distinguish it when it is presented to us, how has it happened that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings?" Those early leaders were not all evangelical Christians, yet many of them believed in a sovereign God and sought His wisdom in the affairs of state.

2. Edward Everett Hale, who was U.S. Senate chaplain from 1903-1909, was asked one day, "Do you pray for the senators, Dr. Hale?"

"No," Chaplain Hale responded. "I look at the Senators and pray for the country."

3. Not long ago I saw a neat little sign in a principal's office that stated, "In the event of nuclear attack, fire, or earthquake, the ban on prayer is temporarily lifted."

c. Today I want to explore the issue of personal prayer and its role in the life of the believer

d. How to Hug illustration

I. THE ATTITUDE OF PRAYER

a. Prayer should always put us in our rightful place before God

1. Jesus told a story of two men who prayed

a. One proud and eloquent - went unheard

b. The other - quiet and repentant - was heard

b. Prayer should humble us

1. When we kneel we express submission and humility

a. Have you ever watched a bird sleeping on its perch and never falling off? How does it manage to do this?

The secret is the tendons of the bird's legs. They are so constructed that when the leg is bent at the knee, the claws contract and grip like a steel trap. The claws refuse to let go until the knees are unbent again. The bended knee gives the bird the ability to hold on to his perch so tightly.

c. Paul writes that we are to "Pray without ceasing" - a constant attitude of prayer or dependence on God

II. THE EVENT OF PRAYER

a. Prayer is both an attitude and an event

b. The scripture Howard read this morning was the model prayer Jesus taught His disciples. We call it the Lord's Prayer

c. What should we do when we pray

1. Jesus said to find a quiet, private place

2. Talk to God - There is no special or secret language

3. Let me suggest this Outline for your prayer

a. A-C-T-S

1. Adoration

2. Confession

3. Thanksgiving

4. Supplication

III. THE WORK OF PRAYER

a. To change you and to mold you into the will of God

b. Prayer is used by God to strengthen you - it is the exercise of the spirit

1. People who have had an arm in a cast for a lengthy period of time can tell you what happens when the plaster is finally removed. The muscles of the arm have atrophied; that is, they have shrunk and become weak because they have not been used.

2. Should be regular

a. "Papa's in there praying, and there isn't any food!"

b. Must make time to pray

c. Prayer moves the hand of God to act

d. Prayer is an adventure that allows you to affect the lives of many people simply by praying for them

IV. COMMUNION

a. On that first night Jesus shared the Bread and Cup and then went to pray

SHARE THE BREAD

SHARE THE CUP

READ JOHN 17

BOW IN PRAYER

HYMN # 232 "I MUST TELL JESUS"

HYMN # 359 "BLEST BE THE TIE THAT BINDS" VERSE 1