scripture: matthew 6:5-6:8

When you know God as your Father, it changes the way you pray.

When you know God as your Father, it changes the way you pray.

Today we are starting a new sermon series pointed at deepening our knowledge of prayer, that we might be more faithful in prayer, and better understand the immense importance of our prayers. This series will look at several diverse types of prayer made by God's people both in the New and the Old Testaments; but before we look at those prayers, it is important that we understand correctly why we pray. We pray because God rewards the prayers of the humble in faith. Here we will look at five major words in that reason in some detail: God, rewards, the prayers, humble, faith.

God rewards prayers that are sincere, and there is no need to try to impress other people. God rewards prayers that are simple, and there is no need to try to impress God.

January 21, 2018

Bible Text (KJV):Matthew 6:5-8

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Why do you pray? When we only pray to 'get' from God we are exposing a selfish motive. In this passage, Jesus teaches us to avoid praying to serve our own selfish motives. He also exposes the vanity of repetitious prayers. "Dear Lord, thank you for the food, bless the hands that prepared it..." Do you mean what you say in prayer or are you just repeating what you have learned to say?

Our approach to God in prayer must be true and trusting 1. Don't pray like the hypocrites; they're not true 2. Don't pray like the Gentiles; they're not trusting

To pray is to train our minds to be like God's.

To pray is to train our minds to be like God's.

God deeply values communication. It's the key to our relationship with him. Prayer is that line of communication. It's time spent with Him, alone, with no hindrances around you. Get into that secret place, grow your faith and your relationship.

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