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THE MODEL PRAYER – Matthew 6:11 – Part Three – Bible study

THE MODEL PRAYER – Matthew 6:11 – Part Three – Bible study

THE MODEL PRAYER

Part 3 – Matthew 6:11

by Cooper P Abrams III – *All rights reserved

    INTRODUCTION:  

      1. We continue our series on prayer with this the third message. There are two accounts in the New Testament in which the Lord Jesus gave the Model Prayer.

        In the Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 6:5 and when asked by the disciples how they were to pray. See Luke 11:1-4.

      2. This is the Model Prayer and is not properly named “the Lord’s Prayer” The Lord’s prayer found in John 17

      3. There are two activities the Child of God is to be a part of every believer’s life.

        The Study of the Word of God and Prayer.

        In the Bible God speaks to us……
        In prayer we speak to the Lord…..

      4. We are to be continually in prayer. Pray without ceasing. .(1 Thessalonians 5:17)

      5. “After this manner” in Greek literally means: “Thus or therefore” It does not mean “use the exact words. “Along these lines pray” Jesus was saying “along the lines or this is the outline for prayer” The model prayer is a skeletal outline for all prayer.

    I. The First Four phrases of the Model Prayer.

      A. “OUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN.” Matt. . 6:9

        Who is your prayer directed toward? You are praying to the Lord God our Creator. . Note is starts “Our”. This prayer is only for a child of God.

      B. “HALLOWED BE THY NAME.”

        Thus we need to have a holy and reverent regard for the name of God.

      C. “THY KINGDOM COME” Matt. 6:10

        When we pray, and sincerely hope for the Lord’s Kingdom we are affirming our part in it.

      D. “THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.”

        The Kingdom and God’s will are tied together. Doing God’s will in my life is an important part of God’s kingdom. It is seeing ourselves as a part of God’s work on Earth and eternal plan.

    I. “GIVE US OUR DAILY BREAD.” Matthew 6:11

      A. We live in a country of plenty. Though there are poor people in this country, few in America have need to pray, “Lord give me food for this day” because we are hungry. However, this is a vital element in praying to God as it recognizes our dependency on Him and where our substance truly comes from.

        1. The first three petitions of the Model prayer deal with God’s glory or our worshipping Him and recognizing Him as our God and Savior.

          “Our Father which are in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name, Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven” is a statement of worship.

        2. The Second three petitions deal with man’s need and recognizing our dependency on the Lord:

          “Give us our this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive others. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:11-13)

      B. Both in fact deal with worshipping the Lord, because God does provide for our needs, forgive our sins, and leads in our lives. Our prayer of thanksgiving shows we recognize He is our Creator and His power and purpose in our lives.

      C. People take two sides to the issue of asking petitions of God.

        1. One side: We are to never ask God for anything They say: We plead with God for things we want, and He does not answer and we then question God and that is sin. Also might ask for things outside His will.

        They conclude that God only does that which brings glory to himself. The intent of this thinking is to recognize that God is sovereign, and God is not to be manipulated by man. Clearly this is a misguided view of God’s sovereignty. It is a response to the “health and wealth” preachers who teach a false concept of prayer and seeking God’s help.

        No we cannot manipulate God, but asking in faith is not manipulating God. God is not at our beckon and call to do our bidding. He has not promised us health and wealth, but salvation, forgiveness of sin, heaven and His continuing presence in everything in our lives. The “health and wealth” false preachers say you can manipulate God. By the way…the way to get God to bless you is to send them money! I cannot understand how people can be so gullible as to be conned by these false teachers.

        2. Another side: Biblically we are to ask God for what we need, want or desire. He is a loving God and will answer our prayers to our best interest. Psalm 37:4-5 says,

          “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”

          James 4:2 says the believer has not because he does not ask.

          Matthew 21:22 “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

        Doesn’t this sound like God is telling us to share everything with Him. Note there is the condition of delighting one’s self in the Lord and committing thy way unto Him.

        3. I believe both are valid:

          We are not to pray as the once popular song: “Lord give me a Mercedes-Benz.” We are to pray in God’s will. God is not there to respond to our every beckoning a call, but to be there with strength, guidance and direction. The Holy Spirit give us wisdom to handle every situation if we ask. Many people think of God only when they have problems. Often the problems are caused by themselves. They call on God to bail them out. That is not God’s way. Think about this. Suppose every time someone went wrong or not the way we wanted we could ask God and —ZAP— He would fix it? That is foolish thinking. God wants us to grow and mature. James tells us:

            “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:1-4)

          Prayer is a personal communication with God, and we should express the things on our hearts and that would include our needs. We should trust Him to answer our prayers to our best advantage.

          We also must recognize that if we are disobedient to God He cannot bless us and He will not answer our prayers.

          James 4:3 “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”

          1 John 3:22 “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”

          More will be said about hindrances to prayer in a later message.

    III. PRAYING FOR OUR DAILY BREAD IS A GENERAL REFERENCE TO OUR NEEDS.

      A. “BREAD” is a term used to refer to all man’s PHYSICAL needs. That which sustains us is in the category of “bread.” It refers to “necessities.”

      B. Understanding that this is a model prayer we know that “Bread” is a general reference to our needs. The specifics of our needs are addressed in our personal prayer which is patterned after this prayer outline.

        1. We first recognize God as our Creator and God, we then show honor and reverence, and acknowledge that we want to be comforted to His will. We know it is best.

        2. We continue by acknowledging our dependence on God. Knowing He sustains us.

          The world says “I built this, I produced this, I worked hard for this, look what I did, I don’t need anyone.

          The Child of God says, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; . . . For we are also his offspring”. (Acts 17:28)

          The Child of God knows all things come from God, and in prayer show his recognition of that fact.

    IV. PRAYING FOR DAILY SUBSTANCE IS ACCOMPANIED WITH THANKSGIVING.

      A. Paul said about the end times that man would put religious restrictions on others, “. . . commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:3-5)

      The principle is that nothing is evil within itself. There is nothing evil in eating meat if it eaten with thanksgiving. But think about this? Is it sinful not to be thankful for what God gives us? Not being thankful to the Lord is a sin.

      B. Do you pray at meals? Does the family have prayer when you sit down to eat?

        1. Whether it is a banquet or a meager meal are you grateful?
        2. Many times our attitude is I have nothing to be thankful for if I don’t have something extra or more than normal. I can be grateful for steak, but not for oatmeal. Personally, I enjoy calves liver better than steak. But where a fine meal or even bread and water, it comes for God and we are to be thankful for it.

        It translates into our lives as well. I can be thankful for a new car, but not for my old one. For a nice brick home and not a mobile home. I can be thankful for good times, but when things are not so good I cannot be thankful.

      C. The question is “Do you bite the hand that feeds you? and are you truly grateful to the Lord”

        We are totally dependent on God whether we want to accept it or not. Note how David expressed this in 1 Chronicles 29:10-14:

        “Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine}; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” (1 Chronicles 29:10-14)

      D. God gives the ability to get material things. Yes, you work for your salary and earn your money…if you are honest. But the ability, health and intelligence to work comes from God who created you.

      “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth. . .” (Deuteronomy 8:18)

        1. There are two kinds of people who receive from the Lord. Those that are thankful and those that are unthankful.

        2. The lost person refuses to acknowledge God as his Lord. Rejecting salvation it the highest form of being ungrateful.

        3. There are thankful Christians and unthankful ones.

        4. Private and public prayer for meals is but one indication of inward condition of one’s heart. It is awkward at times to pray in a restaurant or when lost friends or relatives come to eat with us.

        Yet, it is a great mistake to discontinue prayer because someone is present who does not know the Lord. Folks, they need to see you pray. They think you a hypocrite when you don’t. Most people, if you ask them, would it be alright if you gave thanks to God for the meal will agree and will bow their heads while you pray.

        ILLUS: Carolyn worked as a controller in the seventh largest chemical company in the USA. She flew in their corporate jet to meeting in other cities where the company did business. Often she had expensive, elaborate meals with the executives of the company. They of course did not pray at their meals. She would simply bow and thank the Lord for her meal. They noticed and after a while they asked her to pray before they ate. Folks in that she honored the Lord. It was a little awkward….YES, but honoring the Lord always will present a good testimony of our faith in Jesus Christ. The people she worked with respected her for that.

        You may ask if those present would like your to offer thanks for the meal, and other times you might just bow you head and pray by yourself. You do not need to make a scene, be piteous, or draw attention to yourself, but simply bow and pray a short silent prayer to the Lord. Also if you pray aloud, do not pray a preachy prayer…recognize that what you are about to eat came from the Lord and thank Him….and make it short.

        Praying at meals is a very important part of raising children and building a God honoring home and family.

    V. PRAYING FOR DAILY SUBSTANCE IS AN ACT OF FAITH.

      A. But without faith it is impossible to please him}: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that the is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

      “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” (Mark 11:24)

      “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (Psalms 37:4)

        1. God wants to give us good things. But there are conditions.
        2. We are to pray for God’s blessing in faith, depending on Him to provide.
        3. More will be said later.

      B. Faith involves living for the Lord. If involves obeying God and taking Him at His word. God instructs to give generously to the Lord. Our offering is a thanksgiving offering to Him showing our faith and gratitude to Him by also it is expressing our gratitude to Him.

        1. I have had many people over the years to tell me the loved the Lord and believed in Him. Yet, many would not give an offering or at least a tithe unto the Lord. Many gave only a small pittance to the Lord. Are these people truly living by faith? It is obvious they do not believe that God is able to take care of their physical needs, because they often say they do not have the money to give the Lord an offering. Most times that is simply an excuse. They always have money for entertainment or eating out. Saying one has faith and yet not acting on it shows the faith is not real. Many give assent to the truth, but will not live by it. Faith that is real will produce action. God clearly teaches in the Book of James that faith without works is dead.

        I will later preach two message on what the Bible teaches about giving. However, simply stated….no one can truly worship the Lord if they do not come to the Lord being thankful and God has provided that our giving to Him tests and proves whether our thankfulness is real or not. God does not need our money….but we need to give our offerings in thanksgiving to Him…He then takes the money and uses it preach the gospel and teach believers in the congregation and we receive the blessings of God.

        2. We should not except God to bless us and the Holy Spirit to fill us if us do not show gratitude and obey the Lord. God has provided that giving is a way we test our hearts and express our gratitude to Him.

        Many say they have faith, yet are not faithful to their local church. Again, everything we do must be by faith and God only answers the prayer of faith. The worship of God is a matter of expressing our thanksgiving to Him who sustains us.

        ILLUS: Often over the years I have known people who had a spiritual needs in their life. The word of God deals with their need and their preacher faithfully addresses it in his messages. Yet, they missed that Sunday having other things to do. They pray for the Lord to help them, and He had His preacher give the instruction……yet they were not there to hear it. Do you think that prayer is answered. God has many ways to answer our prayers and it is always through His word.

        “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21)

        Paul writing to Titus said, “But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour” (Titus 1:3)Think about this….a person has a financial need. Yet, they are not thankful for what the do have and do not give the Lord any thanksgiving offering. Can God answer their prayer when they are not obeying Him? Can He reward their disobedience?

    CONCLUSION:

      1. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

      2. Do we glorify God in recognizing where our substance comes from? Do we ignore that God provided all that we have? Home, health, material procession? All this came from God.

      3. How do you handle what God has given you?

      Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (Matthew 5:6)

      It is not saying do not work to provide for yourself it is addressing our attitude about what we have.

      If what I have came from God, then I am willing to let God use it, and that I am a channel for blessing that God can use.

      If I truly worship the Lord and love Him I will be willing to use all my procession for the work of the Lord. I won’t hoard them, or be tight fisted. I will give and be happy to be a part.

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    *All rights reserved. This work is reserved in its use only to preserve the author’s ownership of his work. Any part of this work may be used without the author’s permission. All that he asks is that proper credit be given. (All quotations are from the Authorized Version – The King James Bible. )