IN THIS MANNER, THEREFORE, PRAY

1/29/89
"IN THIS MANNER, THEREFORE, PRAY"
MATTHEW 6: 9 - 13
(PAGE 1416 COME ALIVE BIBLE)
JESUS CHRIST kept the communication channel open between Himself
and the throne room of heaven. The gospels record fifteen
occasions when He prayed.
In launching His public ministry He prayed when baptized. His
prayer opened heaven in a distinct way never before or since
experienced. As John baptized Him and He prayed, the Holy Spirit
descended on Him in the form of a dove as the voice of the
Father was heard to say, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am
well pleased."
John the Baptist in that moment held God the Son in his hand,
heard God the Father with his ears, and saw God the Holy Spirit
with his eyes.
All of Christ's great works were accompanied by prayer. His
miracles were wrapped in prayer. His last breath was a prayer:
"Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit" (Luke 23: 46).
By His example He inspired His disciples to want to know how to
pray. As our model, by His practice, He instructs us to pray. By
His practice and by His proclamation, He has commended prayer.
In response to a request from His disciples He left us a model
prayer. Evidently He taught this prayer on several occasions.
Matthew records it in a form worthy of our consideration (Matt.
6: 9 - 13). Christ said we are to pray "In this manner..." That
is, we don't have to pray these exact words,
though that in itself is admirable. However, in praying we
should include the various parts of this prayer.
I. GOD'S NATURE
Four characteristics of God's nature are self-evident in the
model.
A. HIS ROLE - "Ou ...

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