This week’s topic is
Prayer A Study of Matthew 6:9-13
What is
Prayer ?
Prayer
A devout petition to God or an object of worship.
Prayer
A spiritual communion with God or an object of worship, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration or confession.
A humble prayer, entreaty or petition
SUPPLICATION
THANKSGIVING Grateful acknowledgement of benefits or favors, especially to God.
ADORATION The Act of paying honor, as to a diving being; worship
Acknowledgement of disclosure of sin; a formal profession of belief and acceptance of doctrines
CONFESSION
So, the question is…
…how do I pray?
Let’s Go To The Word of God… Jesus gives His disciples the method of praying, And as His modern day disciples and inhabitants Of the Kingdom of God, we can follow this model Of prayer that Jesus shows us in…
Matthew 6:9-13
Introducing… THE REVOLUTIONARY, AWESOME SYSTEM THAT IS SWEEPING THE NATION (KINDA, LOL)
{4x4 Prayer Model}
Matthew 6:9-13
(Upward)
Reverence
(Inward)
(Outward)
Requests
Readiness
(Downward)
Response
{4x4 Prayer Model}
Matthew 6:9-13
The Starting Place: Reverence
(Upward)
Reverence
Jesus in the first part teaches to first start off With the focus on worship (“Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name…”) This first stroke is the Called ‘Reverence’. This concept is worship based and Not need based. It begins with acknowledging the Character of God and taking time to meditate on who He is and not what He can give us. It based on adoration.
{4x4 Prayer Model}
Matthew 6:9-13
The Downward Stroke: Response
Jesus’ second element Of prayer is found when He says ‘Your Kingdom Come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This is called the response to God’s character. After we focus on worship we must then respond to who He is. This involves yielding to the control of the Holy Spirit and recommitting to God’s kingdom purposes. Our response should show our need for the Will of the Lord to be done above all else.
(Upward)
Reverence
(Downward)
Response
{4x4 Prayer Model}
Matthew 6:9-13
The Inward Stroke: Requests
(Upward)
Reverence
(Inward)
Requests
(Downward)
Response
“Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as forgive those who trespass against us.” This element of prayer is meant for heartfelt requests, with themes of provision of purity. God is able to provide for his people (Philippians 4:19) and to make us pure. Another aspect of this element is the ability to make us pure before Him.
{4x4 Prayer Model} The Outward Stroke: Readiness
Matthew 6:9-13
(Upward)
Reverence
(Inward)
The outward stroke reminds us of the spiritual contest and work we have when we finish praying. Even more importantly the resources we have within us. “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil,” God is able to deliver us from the attacks of everyday life. (Outward)
Requests
Readiness
(Downward)
Response
{4x4 Prayer Model} The Upward Stroke: Reverence
Matthew 6:9-13
(Upward)
Reverence
(Inward)
We should always come back to where we started. The prayer ends with high praise “For Yours is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.”
(Outward)
Requests
Readiness
(Downward)
Response
Confused? Let’s Try This… (Let’s Try Another Color As Well…)
{4x4 Prayer Model}
Matthew 6:9-13
Who?
What?
Where?
How?
{4x4 Prayer Model}
Who?
Who is God? (Upward)
Reverence
Matthew 6:9-13
{4x4 Prayer Model}
Who? How Should I Respond? (Downward)
Response
How?
Matthew 6:9-13
{4x4 Prayer Model}
Who? What should we do about it? (Inward)
Requests
What?
How?
Matthew 6:9-13
{4x4 Prayer Model}
Matthew 6:9-13
Who?
What?
Where? Where Do I Go From Here? (Outward)
Readiness
How?
{4x4 Prayer Model}
Matthew 6:9-13
Who? Always End Back Up With God. (Upward)
Reverence
What?
Where?
How?
{Recap}
RE AD
PRAYER IS…
{More than just communication! That’s so pre-school! }
A devout petition to God or an object of worship. A spiritual communion with God or an object of worship, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration or confession.
FOUR TYPES OF PRAYER
{And, NO, not on your knees, standing up, in church and before you eat! }
Supplication: Humble Prayer, Entreaty or Petition Thanksgiving: The act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgement of benefits or favors. A Public Expression. Adoration: The act of paying honor to a diving being; worship. Confession: Disclosure of sin; formal profession of belief and acceptance of doctrines.
{4x4 Prayer Model}
Matthew 6:9-13
(Upward)
Reverence
(Inward)
(Outward)
Requests
Readiness
(Downward)
Response
{4x4 Prayer Model With Clarity} (Upward)
Reverence
Matthew 6:9-13
Who is God?
What should we do about it? (Inward)
(Outward)
Requests
Readiness Where do we go from here?
(Downward)
How should we respond? Response
So…
{Your Assignment For Next Week}
Develop 3 Prayers that follow the 4x4 Prayer Model. Make sure to include each step in your prayer Reverence, Response, Requests, Readiness. Or if it helps You can do Who?, How? What? And Where? Whatever way you get it best, develop 3 Prayers. Be ready to share one of your prayers in class. (Yup!) Type out your prayers to pass in next week.
Also your journal assignment for the week. Write in your journal 2 nights this week. Any topic you want to. Hint: When you pray, use your journal to journalize what you pray about. Hint2: Your two journal entries are different than your prayers.
Next Week: • Prayer Review and Exercise • Begin Teaching on Worship