Our Attitude in Prayer

2001006

Topic 455 (prayer)

Introduction:

A. One cannot pray acceptably w/o an awareness of the divine laws that govern prayer & make it acceptable to God.

1. We must strive to pray w/a proper understanding of the characteristics, conditions, & the contents of prayer.

2. We cannot pray acceptably w/o an awareness of God’s divine laws that govern prayer.

B. While there is no list spelled out on any one page spelling out the things to do and not to do in prayer, we can learn through proper study the things that please God and what does not please Him

1. Some things may be of little consequence – others may be absolutely essential!

C. Prayer may be engaged in any place; at anytime; & in any posture.

1. Note the chart:

D. Obviously, we should live so close to God, be so filled w/admiration for Him, that our spirit is always one of thankfulness.

1. Attitude = everything in prayer!

E. For the remainder of this morning’s lesson – we will examine some essential qualities we must have when we pray.

I. Humility is a Necessity!

A. This = quality of life that MUST characterize our every thought/activity!

1. Bible says humility = critical ingredient for spiritual success.

2. Just as pride = cause of spiritual failure. See Scriptures in Proverbs warning of pride:

a) 16:18 – leads to destruction

b) 29:23 – brings one low

c) 13:10 – leads to contention

d) 11:2 – brings about dishonor.

B. Js. 4:1-10 – James links humility to prayer!

1. Some FC Christians experiencing problems w/prayer!

a) 4:2b-3 – note some praying w/wrong motives!

b) As you read all 10 verses together – seems that those to whom this book addressed – puffed up w/pride/worldliness and covetousness!

2. 4:6 – God gives grace to the humble – from Prov. 3:34

3. 4:10 – God will exalt the humble

4. 4:7-8 – The Humble person will submit to God & draw near to Him!

C. Look to Jesus’ teaching on this matter – Lk. 18:9-14

1. Clear contrast between two men here = pride vs. humility.

2. The Pharisee felt feeling of excellence in religious attainment; the tax collector felt a feeling of unworthiness due to a deep sense of guilt as a sinner b/f God.

a) Pharisee – self glorification

b) Tax Collector – shame of sin committed against God.

D. Bottom line: for prayer to be acceptable before God – it must be characterized by humility!

1. Weaver: the mark of true prayer is a heart completely emptied of self reliance.

II. Love is an Essential Quality.

A. Love not easily defined.

1. Best understood in what it does. See 1 Cor. 13 as Paul gives a description & not a definition. He described it by what it does – not by what it means.

2. When the Bible talks about love in connection w/prayer it does the same thing.

B. Mt. 6:12 – God’s love must echo in us b/f we can realize the benefits of His love in us.

1. 6:14-15 – mercy given only to those who show mercy to others. See also Js. 2:13 – need to look at this verse closely!

C. Mt. 18:21-35 – question here: is there a limit to forgiveness?

1. Peter knew need to forgive others of sin – but what if the sin continual?

a) Jesus: 70 x 7 – or that there is to be no limit set in forgiveness.

b) God’s mercy unlimited toward us – we must show unlimited mercy toward those who wrong us. Illustrated in parable in 18:23-25.

2. 18:24 – man owed large sum – one talent was more than 15 years worth of labor – this man owed 10,000! Could never repay!

a) 18:26 – fell prostrate – have patience/compassion on me!

b) 18:27 – king forgives debt.

3. 18:28-30

4. 18:32-33 – king turned man over to torturers b/c of his wickedness.

E. What’s the lesson here?

1. For one to pray for forgiveness & yet be unforgiving himself makes his request to God a farce – futile!

2. Must learn to forgive others – even if the hurt is deep!

III. We Must Pray With Expectancy!

A. If we wish to offer up true prayer – we must expect God to look favorably upon our requests!

1. Mt. 17:14-20 – disciples unable to cast out demons in boy. Why? Answer in 19-20.

2. Statement: moving mountains – was a proverbial statement for overcoming difficulties!

a) Isa. 40:4; 49:11; 54:10

b) Meaning of Jesus here: that which seems impossible with men may be accomplished through faith in the power of God.

B. Mk. 11:22-24 – Jesus uses same illustration in conversation w/Peter.

1. 23b-24 – Jesus emphasizes the need for genuine faith in prayer.

2. If we question whether God will in fact grant our needs – we have made it impossible for God to grant them!

3. See also Js. 1:6-7

C. We must have the conviction/assurance that EVERYTHING is possible w/God! We must know that He gives what He promises!

1. All things are possible in believing prayer!

a) not our every want/dream

b) But…He will answer our prayers in a way that will be best for us!

IV. Must Pray with Watchfulness.

A. Mt. 26:38-41 – Jesus went to pray – all 3 times returned to find P, J, & J asleep.

1. Contrast here: sleep vs. watchfulness.

2. Admonition given to watch throughout the Scriptures – often connected w/prayer.

a) Lk. 21:36; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2

B. Watchfulness needed so we can always be ready for Lord’s return – Mk. 13:33

1. Needed to guard against temptation – Mt. 26:41

C. When we fail to watch in prayer – our mental/spiritual awareness is impaired.

1. See Peter’s statement – 1 Pet. 5:8-9

2. Faith is implicit in watchfulness!

Conclusion:

A. These are just some of the major attitudes we must have when we pray!

1. Don’t pray w/these attitudes – all the prayer in the world is useless or futile!

2. Don’t let YOUR prayers be HINDERED by possessing one of these attitudes.

B. Not a Christian? It is my prayer that you will see the need to get your life right w/God.

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Our Attitude in Prayer 2001006 Topic 455 (prayer) Introduction: A. One cannot pray acceptably w/o an awareness of the divine laws that govern prayer & make it acceptable to God. 1. We must strive to pray w/a proper understanding of the characteristics, conditions, & the contents of prayer. 2. We cannot pray acceptably w/o an awareness of God’s divine laws that govern prayer. B. While there is no list spelled out on any one page spelling out the things to do and not to do in prayer, we can learn through proper study the things that please God and what does not please Him 1. Some things may be of little consequence – others may be absolutely essential! C. Prayer may be engaged in any place; at anytime; & in any posture. 1. Note the chart: D. Obviously, we should live so close to God, be so filled w/admiration for Him, that our spirit is always one of thankfulness. 1. Attitude = everything in prayer! E. For the remainder of this morning’s lesson – we will examine some essential qualities we must have when we pray. I. Humility is a Necessity! A. This = quality of life that MUST characterize our every thought/activity! 1. Bible says humility = critical ingredient for spiritual success. 2. Just as pride = cause of spiritual failure. See Scriptures in Proverbs warning of pride: a) 16:18 – leads to destruction b) 29:23 – brings one low c) 13:10 – leads to contention d) 11:2 – brings about dishonor. B. Js. 4:1-10 – James links humility to prayer! 1. Some FC Christians experiencing problems w/prayer! a) 4:2b-3 – note some praying w/wrong motives! b) As you read all 10 verses together – seems that those to whom this book addressed – puffed up w/pride/worldliness and covetousness! 2. 4:6 – God gives grace to the humble – from Prov. 3:34 3. 4:10 – God will exalt the humble 4. 4:7-8 – The Humble person will submit to God & draw near to Him! C. Look to Jesus’ teaching on this matter – Lk. 18:9-14 1. Clear contrast between two men here = pride vs. humility. 2. The Pharisee felt feeling of excellence in religious attainment; the tax collector felt a feeling of unworthiness due to a deep sense of guilt as a sinner b/f God. a) Pharisee – self glorification b) Tax Collector – shame of sin committed against God. D. Bottom line: for prayer to be acceptable before God – it must be characterized by humility! 1. Weaver: the mark of true prayer is a heart completely emptied of self reliance. II. Love is an Essential Quality. A. Love not easily defined. 1. Best understood in what it does. See 1 Cor. 13 as Paul gives a description & not a definition. He described it by what it does – not by what it means. 2. When the Bible talks about love in connection w/prayer it does the same thing. B. Mt. 6:12 – God’s love must echo in us b/f we can realize the benefits of His love in us. 1. 6:14-15 – mercy given only to those who show mercy to others. See also Js. 2:13 – need to look at this verse closely! C. Mt. 18:21-35 – question here: is there a limit to forgiveness? 1. Peter knew need to forgive others of sin – but what if the sin continual? a) Jesus: 70 x 7 – or that there is to be no limit set in forgiveness. b) God’s mercy unlimited toward us – we must show unlimited mercy toward those who wrong us. Illustrated in parable in 18:23-25. 2. 18:24 – man owed large sum – one talent was more than 15 years worth of labor – this man owed 10,000! Could never repay! a) 18:26 – fell prostrate – have patience/compassion on me! b) 18:27 – king forgives debt. 3. 18:28-30 4. 18:32-33 – king turned man over to torturers b/c of his wickedness. E. What’s the lesson here? 1. For one to pray for forgiveness & yet be unforgiving himself makes his request to God a farce – futile! 2. Must learn to forgive others – even if the hurt is deep! III. We Must Pray With Expectancy! A. If we wish to offer up true prayer – we must expect God to look favorably upon our requests! 1. Mt. 17:14-20 – disciples unable to cast out demons in boy. Why? Answer in 19-20. 2. Statement: moving mountains – was a proverbial statement for overcoming difficulties! a) Isa. 40:4; 49:11; 54:10 b) Meaning of Jesus here: that which seems impossible with men may be accomplished through faith in the power of God. B. Mk. 11:22-24 – Jesus uses same illustration in conversation w/Peter. 1. 23b-24 – Jesus emphasizes the need for genuine faith in prayer. 2. If we question whether God will in fact grant our needs – we have made it impossible for God to grant them! 3. See also Js. 1:6-7 C. We must have the conviction/assurance that EVERYTHING is possible w/God! We must know that He gives what He promises! 1. All things are possible in believing prayer! a) not our every want/dream b) But…He will answer our prayers in a way that will be best for us! IV. Must Pray with Watchfulness. A. Mt. 26:38-41 – Jesus went to pray – all 3 times returned to find P, J, & J asleep. 1. Contrast here: sleep vs. watchfulness. 2. Admonition given to watch throughout the Scriptures – often connected w/prayer. a) Lk. 21:36; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2 B. Watchfulness needed so we can always be ready for Lord’s return – Mk. 13:33 1. Needed to guard against temptation – Mt. 26:41 C. When we fail to watch in prayer – our mental/spiritual awareness is impaired. 1. See Peter’s statement – 1 Pet. 5:8-9 2. Faith is implicit in watchfulness! Conclusion: A. These are just some of the major attitudes we must have when we pray! 1. Don’t pray w/these attitudes – all the prayer in the world is useless or futile! 2. Don’t let YOUR prayers be HINDERED by possessing one of these attitudes. B. Not a Christian? It is my prayer that you will see the need to get your life right w/God. C. I N V I T A T I O N