- Our first motivation in approaching God should be to know Him. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:38)
Matthew 6:6, But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father . . .
- Prayer is not about the burden of religion, but the blessing of relationship.
Matthew 6:9, “This, then, is how you should pray . . .
- Prayer is not about the words you say, but the position of your heart.
What We Do: The Process of Prayer
Matthew 6:9, “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name . . .
- WORSHIP – We must first recognize and revere God as sovereign and holy.(1 Chronicles 29:11-14)
Matthew 6:10, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
- SURRENDER – We must choose to allow Him to rule our hearts – Your way, not my way. (Matthew 6:33)
Matthew 6:11, Give us today our daily bread.
- TRUST – We must understand where are source comes from.(Matthew 6:25-26, Philippians 4:19)
Matthew 6:12, And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
- CONFESS – We must approach Him with a clean heart. (Matthew 6:24, 1 John 1:9)
Matthew 6:13, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
- RELIANCE – We must rely on His strength to uphold us when going through difficulties. (Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Peter 1:6-7)
Matthew 6:13, . . . for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
- RECOGNITION – We must gratefully declare His power and faithfulness no matter what. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
What He Does: The Helper
John 14:26 (ESV), But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
The Holy Spirit teaches us…
- How to listen to God
- How to discern God’s truth
- How to have intimate relationship with God
1 Corinthians 2:10-11, 10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
- The Holy Spirit trains, equips, and empowers us to fulfill God’s plan for our lives. (John 14:16-17, Galatians 5:16)
What’s The Result: Walking by the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-25, 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
- As we obey the promptings of the Spirit, we begin to see spiritual realities that only a person who is in constant communion with the Father can perceive. (2 Kings 6:8-19)
Philippians 4:6-7, 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- The more we obey the Spirit and the closer we grow to the Father, the stronger our faith and assurance become. (Psalm 23:4, 27:1-3, 46:1-2, 91:1-5, 112:6-7; Jeremiah 17:7-8)