HOW NOT TO PRAY: In the New Testament Jesus gives specific instructions about prayer. The Lord’s Prayer, given in Matthew 6, (See also Luke 11:1-4) is repeated in corporate and private worship by literally tens of thousands of believers at any time of the day or night all over the world. But notice that Jesus teaches first how not to pray. He speaks to the heart attitude of the one who prays thus: “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him”. (Matthew 6:5-8) The core problem with which Jesus deals here is self-centeredness. There is a temptation in corporate or public prayer to want others to hear, agree and esteem us. The Lord says in effect, “Well, if others think better of you for your prayers, that’s what you get and that’s all you get! Look to praise from men and you may win their praise. Look to praise and glorify Me and you will rejoice in My love.” Jesus says that rather than trying to be seen or heard in prayer it is better to talk to the Father in secret. Even though you cannot see the Father, He is watching and listening and prepared to answer. This does not mean that it is wrong to pray in public. Some of the great prayers we will study were given in corporate worship. We are admonished not to be repetitive in prayer, saying the same thing over and over until we become numb to it. And the Lord reminds us that we don’t have to tell God all the details when we bring our requests before Him. He knows about it, even knew about it before we did. You may wonder, “If God knows what we need before we ask, why then do we pray?” Good question! The Father wants us to admit our neediness and our helplessness to Him. He wants to hear our hearts cry out to Him saying “Abba, Father.” He commands us to pray and as His children we are to obey that command. Luke 18:1 says: Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
HOW TO PRAY: Jesus does not say necessarily what we are to pray, but gives a pattern or model for prayer. In Matthew 6:9 He says, “This then is how you should pray. (Emphasis added) Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13, KJV) (Note: The last line appears in the KJV and is still used by many denominations, but it is omitted in most modern translations.) When we pray, we must approach the throne of grace with a proper perspective - acknowledging who God is: The great “I Am”, Holy God, Ruler of the Universe, Sovereign Lord and Master, “Our Father,” that is Father of those who have been adopted into His family by faith. Then we can begin our petitions for provision; remembering that just as He provides for the lilies of the field, he provides for us. But He bids us to come and ask! (See Matthew 6:25-34) We must also ask for pardon from sin, for we all sin (See Romans 3:23) and need forgiveness. It is well to notice that we will be forgiven in the same way we forgive others. Be warned! Every child of God also needs protection from the evil one, for the devil is out to attack all believers. (See Ephesians 6:10 and following verses.) It is fitting in the King James Version that the prayer ends in abundant praise. Then Jesus admonishes us further regarding forgiveness: For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:14-15) This is a serious charge. The one who is holding on to anger and bitterness against another person makes no room for God’s forgiveness.
WHEN WE DON’T KNOW HOW TO PRAY: When a child of God is adopted into His family they are filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul explains the role of the Holy Spirit in our prayer life. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. (Romans 8:26-27)Here God’s Spirit is praying to God the Father with unspeakable words on our behalf. He is, in effect, translating our groaning to God. These words bring great comfort to us when we are overwhelmed with the difficulties of this life. We can rest in the Lord, through His precious gift of the Spirit, and be sure that God knows all the details and is working them out for our good. (See Romans 8:28) We are to come as we are, including all our doubts and frustrations.
GOD SPEAKS FIRST: Dr. Stedman says, “[This] is the biblical picture of prayer -- it begins with God. That is why, when we feel a need or a desire to pray, or to set up a disciplined habit of prayer, it is God who has begun that. He has planted that desire in us and we are responding.” I hope you were encouraged by the study in the first three chapters of Genesis. Clearly, God’s involvement with His crowning creation, (that’s you and me), is an indication of the personal relationship He longs to have with us. This blows away any theories that He created the world, wound it up and then let it go. Even when Adam and Eve leapt off the cliff of safety into the abyss of sin, God was there to break the fall, asking pertinent questions to bring them back to Himself. He disclosed His secret and mysterious plan of redemption through a prophecy (Genesis 3:15) and through the act of covering His fallen, naked and shivering children. What mercy! What grace! What a wonderful God and Father! What a wonderful Savior!
THREE QUESTIONS: God asked Adam and Eve three questions when they came out from behind the bush. Question #1 - Where are you? God was not asking their location, but their condition. Of course God knew both their location and their condition, but He wanted them to know that even though they were still in paradise, everything about them was forever changed. God’s aim with people who are lost is that they should be found. This was a gracious invitation to the couple to see their sin, repent of it and return to Him. “If sinners will consider where they are, they will not rest until they return to God.” (Matthew Henry) Although Adam did not admit his sin, he did admit to guilt and shame which came from his sin. Question #2 - “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” As before, God knew the answers to His questions, but He wanted Adam to hear his own voice acknowledging his blatant disobedience and to be humbled by his own guilt and shame. Question #3 – “What is this you have done?” Notice that this question is addressed to Eve. Because Adam was placed in leadership over Eve, he had to bear the responsibility for their sins. But God was very direct in confronting the woman, even though she was deceived by the serpent, for influencing her husband to go against God’s commands. There is no doubt that both of them knew the limitations that had been placed upon them.
CONSEQUENCES OF SIN: The Bible Knowledge Commentary states this perfectly: “The effects of sin are punishment and provision. Whereas the man and the woman had life, they now had death; whereas pleasure, now pain; whereas abundance, now a meager subsistence by toil; whereas perfect fellowship, now alienation and conflict.”
PERSONAL APPLICATION: So, in these three questions we can learn a lot about God’s conversation with the first couple and about ourselves too. What is your spiritual condition? Are you walking in the light of God’s word? Are there some secret areas in your life that you do not want exposed? God knows about them and is ready to strengthen you and forgive you from any unrighteous or ungodly thoughts or deeds. We must acknowledge where we are honestly, and submit to change and growth. The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (See Romans 3:23) Knowing where we are is agreeing with this statement. Only then do we realize our great need of a Savior and what Christ’s blood can and will do for us. Remember that the serpent is still out and about, tempting us to believe his lies. It is important to avoid influences that can corrupt our thoughts and actions. We are bombarded with messages all day that encourage us to be discontent with our mates, our appearance, our bank account, etc. That you can find fulfillment in these things is a lie from the pit. Question #3 asks what we have done. I find that a penetrating question. Who and what influences me, and on whom do I have influence? How does my faith in Christ look to others? What have I done with the knowledge I have of Jesus Christ and His gospel of salvation?
ACTION: Are you faithful to pray, to serve, to give of yourself. Do you love Him above all else. Are you looking for opportunities to share what you have with others? The day is coming when we will stand before the throne and answer those questions in an ultimate sense. In the meantime God has sent His Holy Spirit to live in and with us, to guide us, convict us of sin, to remind us of truth and to intercede for us.
CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD – STUDY QUESTIONS - LESSON TWO
1.: Read the notes and all the scripture references. Underline those thoughts that were new or meaningful to you so that you can share them with the class.
2. How did last weeks study affect the way you think about and practice prayer?
God had a lot of conversations with Father Abraham, each one developing his faith, for which he is particularly remembered. Regarding Sodom and Gomorrah we need to gather some background information before we focus on Genesis 18.
3 What do you learn about Abram, Lot and their family in the following scriptures? See Genesis 11:27-31, 12:1-5.
4. Read Genesis 13:1-18 and tell in your own words what more you learn there about Abram and Lot. What does the scripture say about Sodom?
5. In Genesis 14:8-16 Abram rescues Lot. Describe the circumstances. What was Abram’s heart attitude toward his nephew? Do you think Lot deserved Abram’s kindness?
6. Read Genesis 18:1-15 where we are told that the Lord appeared to Abraham to tell him again that he would indeed have a son. Briefly relate the story in your own words.
7. Read Genesis 18:16-19. Here we get a beautiful glimpse into the mind of God. What two reasons does He give for His decision to tell Abraham his plans for the city of Sodom? What do you learn about God’s heart toward Abraham?
8. In Genesis 18:20-22 God said He must go down to see if what He had heard about Sodom was true. Who went? Do you think God knew? Why do you think He stayed and talked with Abraham?
9. Read Genesis 18:23-33. (a) Who started the conversation this time? (b) What is Abraham’s attitude as he starts this conversation and how does he try to convince God of his own opinion? (c) How do you see his attitude change as the conversation continues? (d)What is the Lord’s response to him and what impression does that make on you? (e)Why did Abraham stop praying? (Read Chapter 19 for rest of the story.)
10. (Challenge question) - What did you learn about God, about Abraham and about prayer from this interaction for the city of Sodom?
11. Write a prayer to God thanking Him for His patience and love. Bring him your requests with humble expectation.