What to Pray For (6 of 10)
The Lord's Prayer
Roger Thomas
Matthew 6:9-15
September 9, 2001
Introduction: Is it right to ask from God when we pray? That's real question for many people. On one hand some folk turn prayer into a Christmas wish list. They define prayer as nothing more than asking and wanting from God. But others tilt to the other extreme. To them asking makes prayer seem too greedy or maybe too personal. To some whatever asking takes place must be broad and general. After all, isn't God too busy to be bothered with the likes of us?
In a secular minded world like ours, especially, asking in prayer can be a problem. The worldview that dominates many has convinced us that a wall of separation exists between God and the real world. The spiritual, the supernatural, anything involving a personal God only exists on the other side of the wall. On this side is real life. Like or not, we are taught, we must learn to get along on our own on this side.
Jesus taught us that God expects us to ask and pray. He commands it. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matt. 7:7-11). Prayer is more than asking, but it is never less.
The Lord's Prayer divides into two halves. The first concentrates on worship or acknowledge-ment of God—our Father—thy kingdom come, they will be done. The second half turns to petition. In three different petitions, Jesus teaches us how to pray for three spheres of our lives. In this second half of the Lord's prayer, Jesus provides a check list for the kinds of concerns tha ...
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