“5 When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in in the synagogues, where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, Goa way by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Matthew 6:5-6 NLT
This is the beginning of Jesus words and instruction for His disciples. We often call this part of the Bible, Matthew 6:5-15, The Lord’s Prayer. You should read all of it, often. These words are really a good model for every Jesus follower. I don’t have space and time to share everything in the Bible regarding prayer. Let me just highlight a few thoughts and take-aways.
1- Clearly, Jesus wants us to pray humbly and not for show, trying to impress people. Verse 7 continues, “Don’t babble on and on…” Caution: repeating the same words, again and again, not working in heaven.
2- Also, we are to persist in prayer, when nothing appears to happen. In Luke 11:5-13 we discover, keep praying for God’s will. Verse 9, “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” Caution: God is not a genie in a bottle. We can’t rub the bottle 3 times and get our wish.
3- Finally, be faithful, daily in prayer, trusting God with the final outcome. In Philippians 4:6 we read, “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Caution: Pray for others, always. Don’t overlook praying for yourself. Verse 7, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.”
If this topic of prayer is relevant for you, join us this weekend Journey Church Cynthiana. We take a look in the Bible, Acts 4:23. How did they do it? How did the early, 1st century church Jesus started become more BOLD? How did their behavior (last week outline) and prayers (this week outline) impact their culture with Good News of Jesus?
Join us and bring a friend if you are in town. Catch a seat online if you are away and traveling. Let’s discover how to have big and BOLD prayer for everything which matters today. People matter most. Let’s do this.
See you in person Journey Sat@6pm. Try this service if you have grown tired sitting home on Saturday night. Or Journey Sun@10:30am. You can make this worship time your wake up morning for your day.
See you soon…. God is good. Go God!
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