From Calvary Chapel of Roswell

Pastor Jim Suttle

Msg #509                       Wednesday, June 04, 2008

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…“Lord, teach us to pray…”

So He said to them, “When you pray, say: (Lk 11:1-2)

How do we pray?  What do we pray?  Such questions are often in the hearts of Christians.  Many struggle, knowing there is more in prayer…but not even knowing how to start.   I love this passage, because it actually begins with Jesus praying…and His disciples watching….when He is done praying – in essence they ask – how do you do that?  Lord, teach us to pray, like you do…

Jesus answer is to give them and us what is often called “The Lord’s Prayer”.   Yet, it is really a prayer that He gave to us – to help teach us to pray.  I want to challenge you, not as a “have to” or bondage – but as a tool to help you, that you would consider using the Lord’s prayer as a template for prayer at least once a day.   Try it for a week or so and see if it helps.  Again, don’t just quote it as if the repetition of the words is what Jesus meant.  Instead, let it guide you from subject to subject and expand on that with real and present words.  Consider the basic flow:

Our Father in heaven

Begin with relationship – talk to Him as your Father.  Talk about and pray about the greatest commandment- to love the Lord with all your heart.  Pray for those who God brings to mind that they would have this heart – knowing God

Hallowed be Your name

Continue with worship.  Just consider the greatness, holiness and wonderfulness of God.  Talk to Him of His ways – be still and know again that He is God.  Thank Him, pray to know Him and His character more.

Your kingdom come

Talk to God about heaven.  Consider the reality of what is coming.   Talk to Him about the very real possibility that His coming could be soon…even today.  Pray for and allow your expectancy to rise.  Pray for whoever comes to mind that they would be ready for His coming…that they would be saved.

Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Surrender your will afresh to God.  Jesus told us that this would be a daily battle, one where we need to continually say “Your will, not mine be done”.  Pray for guidance, pray for heart for the things God has for you to do.   Seek His will.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Talk to God and look to Him in dependence.   Let it be a time where you afresh make sure you are not leaning on your own strength, understanding or that of others.  Look to God as the source of power for all He has for you that day.

And forgive us our debts

Be cleansed by the washing of His Word.  Seek that there would be nothing hindering your relationship with Him.   Deal with sin daily.

As we forgive our debtors.

Ask God to search your heart for bitterness.  Make sure that you are giving others the grace that God gives you.  In simple ways – the more you know your own forgiveness in the previous step – the naturalness of this next step.  For me, if I find bitterness or unforgiveness in my heart – I go back a step and see again God’s forgiveness for me.  When that gets right…this next step is natural.

And do not lead us into temptation

Know that temptations await you daily – temptations in three areas – lust, covetousness and pride (1Jn 2:16).  Ask the Lord to lead you away from your weaknesses.  Recognize the need for his help in dealing with your flesh.

But deliver us from the evil one.

Know that we have an enemy that hates us, because he hates Jesus.  He is scheming against you (Eph 6) – but you can stand in the Armor of Christ.   Seek exactly that, even working through the armor in Eph 6 – just praying to stand against satan and his work

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

This is a good way to end prayer….filtering your heart and prayers through this.

All for His kingdom…everything else is passing.  Seek His Kingdom.

All by His power – that prayer would bring you to dependence afresh

All for His glory – that in all you seek and do – He would be honored

I could elaborate on each of these things for a long time – yet, I am struck afresh by how wonderful this prayer is that Jesus gives us – helping us cover the key issues in our lives and prayers – consistently.   I encourage you, try praying through this prayer – and elaborating on each of the above items, at least once a day for the next week or so…and you will be amazed at how wonderful of an example Jesus has given us in this prayer.

Lord, teach us to pray!  

Jim

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