The Heart of Christian Prayer
0 Amens
Intro: What comes immediately to mind? Why is one of our greatest blessings so discouraging?
Big Idea: Christian prayer delights in God as a gracious Father.
Context: Jesus instructs His followers on prayer as an expression of personal piety. Why and how we pray are very important to Jesus. Christian prayer is different than other people’s prayer.
I. The motive of Christian prayer is delighting in God who sees.
- The basic issue is where you are seeking your delight in prayer.
- Religious exhibitionists seek their delight in the applause of men.
- The Pharisees would pray 3x/day. Some apparently made sure others heard.
- Public prayer is not the problem- the problem to be seen by people.
- Hypocrites act “spiritual” in front of others to gain praise or approval.
- Some delight in hearing their own voice (Bonhoffer). They are their own audience.
- Both types of hypocrites receive their reward- paid in full. Ill. American Idol
- Christian prayer seeks delight in God’s presence- wants the Father to hear.
- Jesus expects us to pray- to earnestly, sincerely seek God with all our heart (Jer. 29).
- Many people don’t pray publicly because they don’t sound eloquent to others.
- Pray to the Father as if no one’s listening- an audience of One. Ill. Cheryl’s comment
- He rewards us with His fellowship/presence that we might find joy in Christ.
- The primary biblical image you use is important to healthy living & prayer. Ill. My dad
- Like any relationship, there are differing levels of joy. It’s not all ecstasy. Ill. marriage
- Jesus removed every obstacle to experiencing His presence in prayer (Eph. 2).
- Forgiven of our hypocrisy & other sins, we are welcome in the Father’s presence.
- Jesus also reveals the Father is different from ours- gracious, patient, involved etc.
- Prayer is not a duty to earn grace, but a delightful gift thru which we receive grace.
- If you feel guilty for not praying enough... you may have missed the point. Ill. John/mom
13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29 (NIV)
“The Pharisees’ view of God is shared by all men by nature. Even Jesus’ disciples can find it lingering in their own hearts.” Sinclair Ferguson
“Jesus hates hypocrisy- like appearing to love God when what you really love is the praise of man.” John Piper
“He refreshes our soul, satisfies our hunger, quenches our thirst.” John Stott
“Prayer is not only a duty of man but a gift of God.” John Piper
“Experiencing the intimate presence of God can humble, assure, comfort, and uplift us.” Richard Pratt
Transition: Christian prayer concerns the motives of the heart- set it apart from “religiosity.”
II. The method of Christian prayer is faith God hears.
- How we pray is just as important as why we pray.
- Here Jesus addresses the errors of the Gentiles, not the Pharisees.
- Our prayers are not to be a piling up of words.
- Prayer is not looking for the magic formula to get our wishes fulfilled. Ill. rosary
- Prayer is not an attempt to get God’s attention. Ill. Prophets of Baal/Mr. Baseball
- Prayer is not trying to fill God in on the situation. Ill. Investigator’s daughter
- Christians believe God already knows what we need.
- God is already paying attention to His children’s circumstances.
- God is ready to hear our concerns, confessions and thanksgiving.
- Pray simply, believing we simply have to ask to receive grace. Ill. Teaching J to pray
- Jesus purchased mercy & grace for our time of need- we don’t convince God (Heb. 4).
- God provides in response to prayer that we might delight in Him more than in provision.
- Every spiritual blessing is ours in Christ- but we must ask in prayer to receive it.
16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4 (NIV)
“The realization that our Creator listens should shock us into a new concern for the way we talk to Him.” Richard Pratt
“The God of the Scriptures has great blessings stored up for His people, but He has so planned it that those blessings can only be released by the prayers of His people.” Doug Kelly
“Prayer glorifies God because it puts us in the position of the thirsty and God in the position of the all-supplying fountain.” John Piper
Conclusion: Often we form our outlook on prayer thru a false religiosity or pagan notions. Jesus wants us to know we’ve got it all wrong. He corrects us that we might enjoy the great benefit of delighting in our heavenly Father who sees and hears, who offers Himself in addition to the blessings we may seek.
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