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 990131AM

When the disciples watched Jesus pray,  they felt He was getting through. They were so moved by His prayer habits they asked Him to teach them.

What Jesus gave them was a model to steer us into prayers that God hears. When we follow Christ’s words we are praying in the Spirit. And when we pray in the Spirit we are always in touch with God. No matter how weak we may feel, no matter how distant God may seem, He is instantly accessible.

He has no busy signals, no offline problems and certainly no overload situations.

Think with me on and Voyager Two, it was the summer of 1989, ten years ago, and there 3 billion miles away, was a space probe whispering across our solar system…at the speed of light!

The communication from Voyager Two took over 4 hours to cross that distance: vast to us, tiny to the universe.

The signal was so faint it took 38 huge radio telescopes on 4 continents to pick up the signal measuring 10 quadrillionths of a watt.

(Quadrillion is 15 zeroes, almost as much as our national debt. That amount of power would only run a battery watch for less than a nanosecond or 1 billionth of a second.)

Now — Don’t lose this!  It takes 4 hours at the speed of light to make it, and the signal is so faint it’s a feat to detect it, and we are in our own solar system’s back yard — not even to a star, not even out of our galaxy!!

Yet each of us this morning had instant and direct access to God with a clear and strong signal as we got on our knees to speak to our Heavenly Father!  And in that strong, instant, clear and direct signal, the Lord Jesus wants to instruct us this morning.

In Luke 11:1, look at how to pray like Jesus said we should.

What does Jesus tell us to do? Note the progression:

Luke 11:1-9

Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say:

Our Father we are related: prayer is built on our shared relationship to god
in heaven. we are present: Prayer reaches to God’s presence in heaven
Hallowed be Your name we are reverent: prayer leads us to worship
Your kingdom come. we are subject: Prayer seeks God’s rule
Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. we are compliant: prayer seeks God’s will
v. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. we are dependent: Prayer trusts God’s provision
4 And forgive us our sins,

 

we are repentant: prayer is based on the cross of Jesus
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. we are compassionate: prayer demands we be forgiving
And do not lead us into temptation, we are careful: prayer trusts God’s care
But deliver us from the evil one.”

 

we are confident: prayer knows god has set us free

How  should we pray?

Don’t let the mechanics hold you back. He doesn’t teach us about the posture of prayer – because any posture will do.  In the Bible, people prayer in all different positions:

  • standing (Gen. 24:12-14) Genesis 24:12-14 Then he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.13 “Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.14 “Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”
  • bowing down (Ex. 34:8) Exodus 34:8 So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped.
  • sitting (Jud. 20:26) Judges 20:26 Then all the children of Israel, that is, all the people, went up and came to the house of God and wept. They sat there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.
  • head between knees (1 Kings 18:421 Kings 18:42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees,
  • facing temple (Dan. 6:10 Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
  • on face (Matt. 26:39) Matthew 26:39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
  • kneeling (Mk. 1:40) Mark 1:40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
  • smiting breast (Lk. 18:13) Luke 18:13 “And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’
  • uplifted eyes (Jn. 17:1)      John 17:1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,
  • lifting hands (1 Tim. 2:81 Timothy 2:8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Where should we pray?
Don’t let your location hold you back. He doesn’t teach us about the place of prayer – because we are to pray everywhere.  In the Bible, people prayed in all different places:

  • God’s saints prayed In God’s house 1 Kings 8:27-30  “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!28 “Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O Lord my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today:29 “that Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place.30 “And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive.
  • God’s saints prayed In a cave 1 Kings 19:9-10 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”10 So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”
  • God’s saints prayed In battle 2 Chronicles 13:14-15 And when Judah looked around, to their surprise the battle line was at both front and rear; and they cried out to the Lord, and the priests sounded the trumpets.15 Then the men of Judah gave a shout; and as the men of Judah shouted, it happened that God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
  • God’s saints prayed  in bed   Psalm 63:6  When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.
  • God’s saints prayed in a fish Jonah 2:1-2 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly.2 And he said: “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, And He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice.
  • God’s saints prayed In a closet  Matthew 6:6 “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.
  • Jesus prayed In a garden  Matthew 26:36-44 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.”37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
  • Jesus prayed in solitude Mark 1:35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
  • Jesus prayed in the wilderness Luke 5:16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
  • Jesus prayed On a mountain Luke 6:12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
  • Jesus prayed on a cross Luke 23:33-34 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.
  • Christ’s apostles prayed in a home Acts 9:39-40 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
  • Christ’s apostles prayed on a house top Acts 10:9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.
  • Christ’s apostles prayed by a river Acts 16:13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.
  • Christ’s apostles prayed in prison Acts 16:23-26 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
  • Christ’s apostles prayed by the sea Acts 21:5-6 When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.6 When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home.
  • Jesus prays in heaven Romans 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
  • We should pray everywhere 1 Timothy 2:8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

Why Should we Pray?

You might ask, “If God already knows what we need before we ask, why even bother praying?” Scripture makes a very strong case for prayer in the life of the believer.

Prayer is how we obey God. Because Jesus told us to pray. Luke 18:1 says, “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” We should pray simply because Jesus told us to and emphasized it in His life and teaching. There really is no better reason to pray then this.

Prayer is how we receive from God. Prayer is God’s appointed way of obtaining things.James 4:2 says, “You do not have because you do not ask.” Do you ever wonder why you never seem to know the will of God for your life, why you never have any opportunities to lead others to the Lord, or why you always seem to be “scraping” by? Maybe you haven’t seen answers because you’ve failed to ask God. God wants us to experience the blessings of seeing our prayers answeredÑsuch as the salvation of a loved one, or perhaps a divine healing, or a wonderful provision. But we first have to ask.

Prayer is how we become confident in God. Prayer is the way by which God helps us to overcome our anxiety and worry.  Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer is how we get ready for meeting God. Prayer is one of the ways we make ourselves ready for the return of Jesus Christ.  Luke 21:34-36 says, “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will be as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” As believers living in the last days, our lives should be characterized by watchfulness and prayer (see also Mark 13:32-33).

Whatever concerns you may have at this moment, it is always time to pray! Remember, Scripture tells you to “[cast] all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5: 7).”

TAGS: 990131AM

When the disciples watched Jesus pray,  they felt He was getting through. They were so moved by His prayer habits they asked Him to teach them.

What Jesus gave them was a model to steer us into prayers that God hears. When we follow Christ’s words we are praying in the Spirit. And when we pray in the Spirit we are always in touch with God. No matter how weak we may feel, no matter how distant God may seem, He is instantly accessible.

He has no busy signals, no offline problems and certainly no overload situations.

Think with me on and Voyager Two, it was the summer of 1989, ten years ago, and there 3 billion miles away, was a space probe whispering across our solar system…at the speed of light!

The communication from Voyager Two took over 4 hours to cross that distance: vast to us, tiny to the universe.

The signal was so faint it took 38 huge radio telescopes on 4 continents to pick up the signal measuring 10 quadrillionths of a watt.

(Quadrillion is 15 zeroes, almost as much as our national debt. That amount of power would only run a battery watch for less than a nanosecond or 1 billionth of a second.)

Now — Don’t lose this!  It takes 4 hours at the speed of light to make it, and the signal is so faint it’s a feat to detect it, and we are in our own solar system’s back yard — not even to a star, not even out of our galaxy!!

Yet each of us this morning had instant and direct access to God with a clear and strong signal as we got on our knees to speak to our Heavenly Father!  And in that strong, instant, clear and direct signal, the Lord Jesus wants to instruct us this morning.

In Luke 11:1, look at how to pray like Jesus said we should.

What does Jesus tell us to do? Note the progression:

Luke 11:1-9

Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say:

Our Father we are related: prayer is built on our shared relationship to god
in heaven. we are present: Prayer reaches to God’s presence in heaven
Hallowed be Your name we are reverent: prayer leads us to worship
Your kingdom come. we are subject: Prayer seeks God’s rule
Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. we are compliant: prayer seeks God’s will
v. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. we are dependent: Prayer trusts God’s provision
4 And forgive us our sins,

 

we are repentant: prayer is based on the cross of Jesus
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. we are compassionate: prayer demands we be forgiving
And do not lead us into temptation, we are careful: prayer trusts God’s care
But deliver us from the evil one.”

 

we are confident: prayer knows god has set us free

How  should we pray?

Don’t let the mechanics hold you back. He doesn’t teach us about the posture of prayer – because any posture will do.  In the Bible, people prayer in all different positions:

  • standing( 24:12-14) Genesis 24:12-14 Then he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.13 “Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.14 “Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”
  • bowing down ( 34:8)Exodus 34:8 So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped.
  • sitting ( 20:26)Judges 20:26 Then all the children of Israel, that is, all the people, went up and came to the house of God and wept. They sat there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.
  • head between knees(1 Kings 18:421 Kings 18:42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees,
  • facing temple( 6:10 Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
  • on face( 26:39) Matthew 26:39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
  • kneeling( 1:40) Mark 1:40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
  • smiting breast( 18:13) Luke 18:13 “And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’
  • uplifted eyes( 17:1)      John 17:1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,
  • lifting hands(1 Tim. 2:81 Timothy 2:8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Where should we pray?
Don’t let your location hold you back. He doesn’t teach us about the place of prayer – because we are to pray everywhere.  In the Bible, people prayed in all different places:

  • God’s saints prayed In God’s house1 Kings 8:27-30  “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!28 “Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O Lord my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today:29 “that Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place.30 “And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive.
  • God’s saints prayed In a cave 1 Kings 19:9-10And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”10 So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”
  • God’s saints prayed In battle2 Chronicles 13:14-15 And when Judah looked around, to their surprise the battle line was at both front and rear; and they cried out to the Lord, and the priests sounded the trumpets.15 Then the men of Judah gave a shout; and as the men of Judah shouted, it happened that God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
  • God’s saints prayed  in bed Psalm 63:6  When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.
  • God’s saints prayed in a fishJonah 2:1-2 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly.2 And he said: “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, And He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice.
  • God’s saints prayed In a closet Matthew 6:6 “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.
  • Jesus prayed In a garden Matthew 26:36-44 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.”37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
  • Jesus prayed in solitudeMark 1:35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
  • Jesus prayed in the wildernessLuke 5:16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
  • Jesus prayed On a mountainLuke 6:12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
  • Jesus prayed on a crossLuke 23:33-34 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.
  • Christ’s apostles prayed in a homeActs 9:39-40 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
  • Christ’s apostles prayed on a house topActs 10:9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.
  • Christ’s apostles prayed by a river Acts 16:13And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.
  • Christ’s apostles prayed in prisonActs 16:23-26 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
  • Christ’s apostles prayed by the seaActs 21:5-6 When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.6 When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home.
  • Jesus prays in heavenRomans 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
  • We should pray everywhere 1 Timothy 2:8I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

Why Should we Pray?

You might ask, “If God already knows what we need before we ask, why even bother praying?” Scripture makes a very strong case for prayer in the life of the believer.

Prayer is how we obey God. Because Jesus told us to pray. Luke 18:1 says, “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” We should pray simply because Jesus told us to and emphasized it in His life and teaching. There really is no better reason to pray then this.

Prayer is how we receive from God. Prayer is God’s appointed way of obtaining things.James 4:2 says, “You do not have because you do not ask.” Do you ever wonder why you never seem to know the will of God for your life, why you never have any opportunities to lead others to the Lord, or why you always seem to be “scraping” by? Maybe you haven’t seen answers because you’ve failed to ask God. God wants us to experience the blessings of seeing our prayers answeredÑsuch as the salvation of a loved one, or perhaps a divine healing, or a wonderful provision. But we first have to ask.

Prayer is how we become confident in God. Prayer is the way by which God helps us to overcome our anxiety and worry.  Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer is how we get ready for meeting God. Prayer is one of the ways we make ourselves ready for the return of Jesus Christ.  Luke 21:34-36 says, “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will be as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” As believers living in the last days, our lives should be characterized by watchfulness and prayer (see also Mark 13:32-33).

Whatever concerns you may have at this moment, it is always time to pray! Remember, Scripture tells you to “[cast] all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5: 7).”