TITLE: Teach us to Pray

TEXT: Luke 11:1-13

PROPOSITION: We must learn how to pray.

Introduction:

1. Prayer is a special opportunity to commune with God.

2. There are two essential parts:

   1. Obligation – we are bound to do our duty toward God.

   2. Dependence – like a child, we depend on God.

3. Jesus teaches us to pray

The MODEL Prayer Includes:

1. Reverence – Our Father in heaven

2. Submission – Your will be done

3. Dependence – Daily bread

4. Forgiveness – Forgive us our debts

5. Guidance – Lead us not into temptation

6. Praise – Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.

Persistence in Prayer

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing

2. Parable in Luke 18:1-8 They ought always to pray, and not to faint

3. Friend at midnight – Luke 18:5-8 because of his persistence

Who should I pray for?

1. Civil government – local, state, national, international

2. Enemies – who you dislike, who dislike you

3. Preachers, missionaries – like or don't like, local or in mission field

4. Wisdom – in all choices you make

5. Furtherance of the gospel – goal of church = preach to every creature

6. Forgiveness – of your sins, of those who wrong you

Things to Avoid in Prayer

1. Putting on a show – to be seen of men

2. Making announcements – “Lord, please help ladies remember the shower this afternoon at 2 pm in the fellowship hall.”

3. Bargaining with God (as if at a garage sale) - “Lord if you will get me out of the hospital, I will be at church every time the doors are open.”

4. Preaching, quoting scripture – “We remember your promise in Matthew 28:20 that you would be with us always even to the end of the world.”