How Should I Pray?
Introduction:
Prayer connects us with the
creator of the universe and helps us become closer to our
heavenly father. Because of this, how should I pray? And are
there things that can hinder my prayers?
Body:
1. Hindrances To Prayer
· Wrong attitudes towards others
· Improper treatment of one's spouse; 1
peter 3:7, “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with
understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker
vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that
your prayers may not be hindered.”
· An unforgiving spirit; Matthew 6:14-15 “
for if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father
will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their
trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses.”
· Unreconciled differences; Matthew 5:24-24
“therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there
remember that your brother has something against you, leave your
gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be
reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
· Disobedience: Proverbs 28:9 He who turns
away his ear from listening to the law common even his prayer is
an abomination.”
· Selfishness: James 4:3 “US and do not
receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may
spend it on your pleasures.”
· A lack of faith: James 1:6-7 “but let him
ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave
of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man
suppose that he will receive anything from the lord.”
We must pray with trust that God will answer our
prayers as he sees fit.
Matthew 21:21-22 “so Jesus answered and said to
them, “assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not
doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but
also if you say to this mountain, be removed and be cast into
the sea, it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer,
believing, you will receive.”
2. Essentials To Acceptable Prayer
· By Christ authority
Colossians 3:17 “and whatever you do in Word or
deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God
the Father through him.
Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, with Jesus’
approval. This implies that we ask according to the will of God.
1 John 5:14 “now this is the confidence that we
have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he
hears us.”
· Sincerity and humility
Matthew 6:5-7 “and when you pray, you shall not
be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the
synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be
seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have
shut your door, pray to your father who is in the secret place;
And your father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And
when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do.
For they think that they will be heard for their many words.”
Do not pray for show or to get attention.
Matthew 15:8 “these people honors me with their
lips, but their heart is far from me.”
· Reverence and praise
Matthew 6:9 “in this manner, therefore, pray, our
father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”
Psalm 63:3 “Because your loving kindness is
better than life, my lips shall praise you.”
· A willingness to confess sins.
1 John 1:8-9 “If we say that we have no sin, we
deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our
sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
We must also have a desire to change.
Psalm 32:5 “I acknowledged my sin to you, and my
iniquity I have not hidden. I said, I will confess my
transgressions to the Lord, and you forgave the iniquity of my
sin.”
· A righteous and holy life
1 Timothy 2:8 “I desire therefore that the men
pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and
doubting.”
We should be concerned with living honest and
upright.
· A grateful heart
Ephesians 5:20 “Giving thanks for all things in
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the father.”
We must be grateful for both physical and
spiritual blessings.
Psalm 9:1 “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with
all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”
Conclusion:
Prayer is so vital to our spiritual lives that we
need to know how we ought to pray. We do not want our prayers
hindered in any way.
Lesson prepared by Bobby Stafford
January 26th, 2020
