Outer Banks Community Church

Are You That Witness Series – Matthew 6:9-13

Intro: This passage is often referred to as the Lord's Prayer. In reality, it is the Disciple's Prayer. It was given to them as a pattern for them to follow when they prayed. This model prayer has a pattern to follow; however, the disciple cannot allow this pattern to become so repetitious that it becomes a mindless repeat. This pattern can when properly follow be used as a framework to build a prayer life that is offered to God, heard and answered by Him, and one that glorifies His Name. “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2

Text: Matthew 6:9-13 (NKJV)

“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

Application: The basic definition of prayer is “communion with God,” and if He is not involved there is only the pretense of prayer.

Jesus’ earthly ministry was remarkably brief, barely three years long. Yet in those three years, a great amount of time was spent in prayer. The gospels report that Jesus habitually rose early in the morning, often before daybreak, to commune with His Father. In the evening He would frequently go to the Mount of Olives or some other quiet spot to pray, usually alone. Prayer was the spiritual air that Jesus breathed every moment of His life.

1. Our Prayers Should Be to a Person: Vs. 9-10

“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

The who in this pattern implies a relationship with our heavenly Father: “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13 This person is Jesus Christ and there must be a belief and a saving knowledge of Him.

This person has a position of sovereignty and our faith should be based on this throne room in Heaven. This person is worthy of our faith. Faithlessness has no place in our prayer lives. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

There are things we should remember when we come before His presence, “Hollowed” reminds us of His Holiness. When we come before Him, we need to remember that our only access to God lies in that name which is above every name. Jesus is our only access and road of approach to the Father.

The pattern of prayer includes an awesome concept, there is a Kingdom to come and our prayer must continue to focus on that understanding, He will return and He will rule and reign upon the earth in perfect glory, peace and righteousness! He must have the key to every room in our lives! Another way God's Kingdom is brought to the earth is when a new soul is brought to Him through salvation. When we pray for the lost, we are praying for God's Kingdom to expand in the earth! This persons will is “Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” Prayer moves Heaven in the earth! The key is to be lost in His will! Our prayer should be to a person.

2. Our Prayers Should Include Petitions: Vs. 11-13

“Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

Just two weeks ago the message from Matthew spoke of the importance of physical as well as spiritual bread. We should pray about physical needs. Our prayer and the pattern we follow should include petitions for our daily needs, but leave tomorrow’s need until tomorrow. To worry over tomorrow is a sin – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:33-34. God's call is for us to rest in Him to today and trust Him totally for tomorrow!

We should pray about our spiritual needs which means; Forgiveness for Self, “sin, trespass, shortcomings, resentments, what we owe to God, or anything we have done wrong.” When we spend more time in His presence, we become more aware of His holiness and our sinfulness. You are never more like God than when you forgive - What kind of God do we serve? He is loving, gracious, kind and forgiving! When we forgive others, we are exercising true godliness - What is being done in Heaven? Worship, Exaltation of Jesus, Forgiveness of sin! You are literally bringing Heaven to earth when you forgive a brother in Christ. Temptation and evil are a part of our daily life, how we handle this has all to do with prayer and the pattern we follow. Our prayer should include petition.

3. Our Prayers Should Include Praise: Vs. 13b

“Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

He is to be praised for the King He is. He deserves to be glorified. He is sovereign and we cannot afford to forget that. He is to be praised for His abilities and for the times in which He has demonstrated His power in our lives! He demands and deserves all the glory in every situation in life. He should be glorified on earth as He is in Heaven!

Conclusion: Our praying can be defined as an activity that must include ACTS.

A - Adoration - God must be worshipped
C - Confession - Our sin must be dealt with
T - Thanksgiving - We must always possess a thankful heart before Him.
S - Supplication - There is room to tell Him what we need.

Another letter could be added to the front, and that is the letter F. It stands for Faith, without which we can expect nothing from God. How's your praying look when it is compared to this pattern? “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.” Romans 14:23