This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Matthew 6:9-13 NIV
JESUS MEANT THAT MY PRAYERS MUST FLOW OUT OF MY PERSONAL…
1. RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD - “Our Father in heaven…”
God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day…
Luke 18:7 NCV
… If your child asks you for bread, would any of you give him a stone? Or if your child asks for a fish, would you give him a snake? Even though you're evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. So how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask.
Matthew 7:9-11 GWT
Application: I must be God’s child to expect God’s blessings.
2. RESPECT FOR GOD - “Hallowed be your name…”
The Lord Almighty says…, “A son honors his father, and a servant honors his master. I am your father—why don’t you honor me? I am your master—why don’t you respect me? Now… try asking God to be good to us. He will not answer your prayer, and it will be your fault. The Lord Almighty says, “I wish one of you would close the temple doors.... I am not pleased with you …
Malachi 1:6-10
Therefore the Eternal God declares: “I promised that your family would go in and out of My presence forever. But now I surely declare, those who honor Me I will honor, but people who choose to despise Me, I, in turn, will consider contemptible: those who hate Me will not matter to Me.
1 Samuel 2:30 VOICE
Application: I must have respect for God to expect a response from God.
3. RESIGNATION TO HIS REIGN “Your kingdom come, your will be done…”
Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.
Luke 22:42 NIV
…He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
Matthew 6:33 NLT
Application: If God is to bless my life, I must let him control my life.
4. RELIANCE ON GOD
I CAN RELY ON GOD FOR EVERY PROVISION. “Give us today our daily bread.”
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 NIV
Entrust your ways to the LORD. Trust him, and he will act on your behalf.
Psalm 37:5 GWT
Application: If I rely on God for basic stuff, God can help me with the big stuff.
I CAN RELY ON GOD FOR PARDON. “Forgive us…as we forgive others…”
In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God…without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.
Matthew 6:14-15 MP
Application: If I want to be forgiven, I must choose to be forgiving.
I CAN RELY ON GOD FOR PROTECTION. “Not into temptation…deliver us…”
Fools will die because they refuse to listen; they will be destroyed because they do not care. But those who listen to me will live in safety and be at peace…”
Proverbs 1:32 NCV
How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it! “Behold, your house is left to you desolate…
Luke 13:34 NASB
Application: When I pray, God hears. When I listen, God protects.
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