EXPLORING PRAYER #3 Who You Pray Matthew 6:5-8

Matthew 6:5-8 When you pray, don t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private.

Matthew 6:5-8 Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. When you pray, don t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

#3 Who You Pray 1. He is the sovereign who is

It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. Psalm 66:16-19

But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me. Psalm 66:16-19

#3 Who You Pray 1. He is the sovereign who is 2. He is the God who responds

#3 Who You Pray 1. He is the sovereign who is 2. He is the God who responds 3. He is the God who blesses

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

#3 Who You Pray 1. He is the sovereign who is 2. He is the God who responds 3. He is the God who blesses 4. Prayer is a powerful tool in the hands of the Christian if you remember Who you pray.

EXPLORING PRAYER #4 How You Pray Matthew 6:5-8

#4 How You Pray 1. Don t focus on the words you pray but on the one to whom you pray.

Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: I thank you, God, that I am not like other people cheaters, sinners, adulterers. Luke 18:9-14

I m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income. But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner. Luke 18:9-14

I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Luke 18:9-14

#4 How You Pray 1. Don t focus on the words you pray but on the one to whom you pray. 2. Jesus gives us permission to focus on our needs with simplicity and humility.

And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners: purify your hearts, James 4:6-10

for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. James 4:6-10

#4 How You Pray 1. Don t focus on the words you pray but on the one to whom you pray. 2. Jesus gives us permission to focus on our needs with simplicity and humility. 3. Prayer helps to align our heart with His heart.

EXPLORING PRAYER #4 How You Pray Matthew 6:5-8