How to Pray, Part 2
(Matthew 6:5-13)(Immanuel, 3.6.2022)
PRAYER IS NOT….
1. Prayer is not a performance.
2. Prayer is not a formula.
3. Prayer is not talking God into blessing you.
4. Prayer is not giving God advice.
5. Prayer is not a checklist.
1. Prayer is a way of life.
- As we breathe without ceasing, so must we pray without ceasing…. If I am to pray without ceasing, then every second must be suitable for prayer, and there is not one unholy moment in the hour, nor one unaccepted hour in the day, nor one unhallowed day in the year. Charles Spurgeon
2. Prayer is an expression of love.
- In prayer, we experience God’s love for us.
- In prayer, we express our love for God.
- In prayer, we express our love for others.
3. Prayer is about all of life.
- It is good to remember that we are utterly dependent, moment by moment, breath by breath, on our Father, and we can run to him. We can come to him, and we can ask him for the things that we need. Juan Sanchez
4. Prayer is focused on God.
- Prayer asks God to bless in ways consistent with His purposes.
- Prayer aligns us with God’s purpose.
5. Prayer is a means by which God accomplishes His purposes.
- God uses our prayers to effect His plans.
- God uses our prayers to bless others.
- God uses our prayer to form us.
- 6. Prayer is in Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone.
- Pray until you can pray; pray to be helped to pray, and do not give up praying because you cannot pray. For when you think you cannot pray, that is when you are praying. Charles Spurgeon