SWEET ''OUR'' OF PRAYER (8 OF 8)
Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18
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Sweet ''Our'' of Prayer (8 of 8)
Series: Talking to God
Jonathan McLeod
Matthew 6:1-18
''Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven...''' (Matt. 6:9a).
I NEED GOD
Some of us find it very difficult to ask others for help. [Talk about a time I said that I didn't need help, but later I realized that I did.]
Prayer is our declaration that we need God. But what about when we don't pray? What does our prayerlessness say about us? None of us who are Christians would say that we don't need God. So why do we sometimes not pray?
[Read Matthew 6:1-18.]
SHOWOFFS DON'T IMPRESS GOD
Jesus tells his disciples, ''When you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites'' (v. 5). '''Hypocrites' originally referred to Greek actors who wore different masks to play various roles.'' A hypocrite is a religious performer.
When hypocrites pray, ''they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners'' (v. 5). Why? ''That they may be seen by others'' (v. 5). Is it a sin to pray in public? No. It's not wrong to pray and be seen; it's wrong to pray to be seen. Real prayer is humble. God wants real prayer from us, not a performance.
Jesus declares, ''Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward'' (v. 5). What is their reward? The admiration of people who can't see the hypocrite's heart. They are fooled, but God isn't.
GO TO MY ROOM?
Jesus goes on to say, ''But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you'' (v. 6). The Greek word (ta ...
Series: Talking to God
Jonathan McLeod
Matthew 6:1-18
''Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven...''' (Matt. 6:9a).
I NEED GOD
Some of us find it very difficult to ask others for help. [Talk about a time I said that I didn't need help, but later I realized that I did.]
Prayer is our declaration that we need God. But what about when we don't pray? What does our prayerlessness say about us? None of us who are Christians would say that we don't need God. So why do we sometimes not pray?
[Read Matthew 6:1-18.]
SHOWOFFS DON'T IMPRESS GOD
Jesus tells his disciples, ''When you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites'' (v. 5). '''Hypocrites' originally referred to Greek actors who wore different masks to play various roles.'' A hypocrite is a religious performer.
When hypocrites pray, ''they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners'' (v. 5). Why? ''That they may be seen by others'' (v. 5). Is it a sin to pray in public? No. It's not wrong to pray and be seen; it's wrong to pray to be seen. Real prayer is humble. God wants real prayer from us, not a performance.
Jesus declares, ''Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward'' (v. 5). What is their reward? The admiration of people who can't see the hypocrite's heart. They are fooled, but God isn't.
GO TO MY ROOM?
Jesus goes on to say, ''But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you'' (v. 6). The Greek word (ta ...
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