Text: Matthew 6:9a – “ In this manner, therefore, pray…”
We are in a study of the Sermon on the Mount. We said that chapter 5 deals with the internal part of the Kingdom and Chapter 6 here starts dealing with the external part of the citizen of the Kingdom. Chapter 5 also deals with the righteousness we are to possess as Kingdom citizens, and chapter 6 shows the righteousness we are to practice. Both chapters emphasize the motive behind our behavior.
He starts with the emphasis on applying the Kingdom principles to real-life and powerfully applies it in verse 33. We are in the area of praying – we are considering it in two parts – the Essentials in Prayer and the Elements in Prayer. We started with the first part – the Essentials in Prayer.
We saw two aspects – the prayers that God Rejects (boastful and babbling), and the prayers that God Receives (sincere and simple)
Now over the next four days, we will be looking at the Elements of Prayer as Jesus describes them. He gives us 9 aspects that make up an acceptable prayer to God. This is called the Lord’s prayer, however, the true Lord’s Prayer is found in John 17. This is a model, an outline that He gave to His Disciples.
Look at this prayer as it is given in Luke 11:1-4 – “Now it came
to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His
disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his
disciples.”
So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”
As He was praying the Disciples saw the power of His time talking with God. So they asked, “Lord, teach us to pray…”
In our verse today, Matthew 6:9a we read, “In this manner” the NASV translates it as, “In this way”. This tells us that this is:
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NOT a liturgical prayer
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NOT a rote prayer
- · NOT a prayer of any special powers
Notice the use of the word “therefore.” When you see the word “therefore” always ask yourself what is the therefore there for. It is a hinge connecting the following statement with the previous statement. What were the previous statements? Jesus is connecting this to the elements we have studied – this prayer is:
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Not Boasting
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Not Babbling
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It is Sincere
- · It is Simple
So, we see that He gives us an example from which to build our own times of prayer.
We will look over the next three days about the 9 aspects that make up this model for us.
Today, take time to consider your prayer time with the Father. What
is it like? How can it be better? Am I actually taking time to pray every day?
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