For What Shall We Pray? (2)

Part 6 of Series on Prayer

2001008

Subject: Prayer

Introduction:

A. This morning we talked about what we need to keep in mind when we pray for others.

1. Hope that we will use prayer as a tool to grow closer to each other.

2. More importantly, I hope we realize the spiritual necessity/responsibility we have in this area!

B. But,…what should we pray for when we pray for ourselves?

1. Sometimes – we neglect our own needs for the needs of others.

2. A good thing – but need to make sure that we pray for our own needs – and believe that God will look out for us.

3. He will supply our every need! He will hear our prayers & will answer accordingly.

C. I think the 5 pts to be covered in tonight’s lesson will aid us greatly in our prayer life. Let’s go over them now.

I. We need to pray for our temporal needs.

A. Mt. 6:11 – daily bread – only place in Bible where this term used in the Greek.

1. Daily bread: simple necessities of life – food, shelter, clothing, health.

2. pray for all things that are needful for the body.

B. Pray for these things – even if God knows we have need of them.

1. Mt. 6:8, 31-32 – God is aware of what we need – but still expects us to ask Him to meet our needs.

C. This suggests that we must learn to depend upon God for our material needs. This helps us worry less. See Mt. 6:25-32.

D. Bottom line: It is scriptural to pray for material things. But also note, out of 6 things mentioned to pray for in Mt. 6:9-15 – only 1 involves the physical.

1. Note as well: pray for our needs one day at a time. Pray for what we need:

2. Burton Coffman: prayer is not for cake, wine, or luxuries, but for break & only one day at a time.

3. Moderation is suggested. J.H. Newman: I do not ask to see the distant scene, one step is enough for me.

E. Prayer is also to be substitute for work.

1. See Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10; 1 Tim. 5:8 – must work & pray!

2. Js. 1:17 – Every good thing is from God!

II. We must pray for protection from harm.

A. Again: it is scriptural to pray for physical things.

1. Mt. 24:20 – note Jesus’ exhortation as the destruction of Jerusalem approached.

2. Extreme hardship would be found if traveling in winter….Jews would be restricted to travel on the Sabbath.

B. Must remember: God’s hand is involved in the affairs of this world – need to pray for protection from physical disaster.

III. Pray for deliverance from temptation.

A. Mt. 6:13 – pray that not lead us into temptation.

1. give into temptation when we give into our own lusts – Js. 1:13-15

2. need to pray for strength to withstand. Need to pray for wisdom that we do not place ourselves in position to be tempted. Can happen quickly. Slip up on us!

B. 1 Cor. 10:13 – not tempted above that which we can handle!

1. God provides us a way of escape!

2. Let us actively look for a way of escape. Takes faith! Sheer determination! Will power!

IV. Pray for forgiveness.

A. Mt. 6:12 – to ask God to forgive us of our own sins.

1. Forgiveness of God – conditional!

2. Depends upon our confession & repentance.

a) 1 Jhn. 1:8-10 – confession – confess to one we have sinned against.

b) Acts 8:22-24 – repentance necessary.

B. Our receiving forgiveness is also dependent upon our forgiving others – see Mt. 6:12b; 14-15.

V. Pray that God will use us in His service.

A. God has sent us out into His harvest!

1. Mt. 28:18-20

2. This verse is applicable to all Christians today – not just to a select few!

B. See also Mt. 9:38 – God is sending each of us to gather His harvest!

1. Not only involves personal work

a) although everyone of us can do some sort of PW (personal invites; etc., etc.)

b) Can’t neglect this responsibility.

3. But working w/in congregation – edification/encouraging each other.

4. seeing to the needs of others.

C. If we not gathering for His harvest – might as well stop praying until we see the need to do so!

Conclusion:

A. These are but a few things we can pray for when we pray for ourselves.

B. Hope this lesson has helped you!

C. I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;

1. I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

2. I asked for help, that I may do great things;

3. I was given infirmities, that I might do greater things.

4. I asked for riches, that I might be happy;

5. I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

6. I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;

7. I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

8. I asked for all things, that I might enjoy all things.

9. I was given life, that I might enjoy all things

10. I got nothing I asked for, but everything I hoped for.

11. Almost inspite of myself, my unspoken prayers were answered, I am among men most richly blessed.

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



For What Shall We Pray? (2) Part 6 of Series on Prayer 2001008 Subject: Prayer Introduction: A. This morning we talked about what we need to keep in mind when we pray for others. 1. Hope that we will use prayer as a tool to grow closer to each other. 2. More importantly, I hope we realize the spiritual necessity/responsibility we have in this area! B. But,…what should we pray for when we pray for ourselves? 1. Sometimes – we neglect our own needs for the needs of others. 2. A good thing – but need to make sure that we pray for our own needs – and believe that God will look out for us. 3. He will supply our every need! He will hear our prayers & will answer accordingly. C. I think the 5 pts to be covered in tonight’s lesson will aid us greatly in our prayer life. Let’s go over them now. I. We need to pray for our temporal needs. A. Mt. 6:11 – daily bread – only place in Bible where this term used in the Greek. 1. Daily bread: simple necessities of life – food, shelter, clothing, health. 2. pray for all things that are needful for the body. B. Pray for these things – even if God knows we have need of them. 1. Mt. 6:8, 31-32 – God is aware of what we need – but still expects us to ask Him to meet our needs. C. This suggests that we must learn to depend upon God for our material needs. This helps us worry less. See Mt. 6:25-32. D. Bottom line: It is scriptural to pray for material things. But also note, out of 6 things mentioned to pray for in Mt. 6:9-15 – only 1 involves the physical. 1. Note as well: pray for our needs one day at a time. Pray for what we need: 2. Burton Coffman: prayer is not for cake, wine, or luxuries, but for break & only one day at a time. 3. Moderation is suggested. J.H. Newman: I do not ask to see the distant scene, one step is enough for me. E. Prayer is also to be substitute for work. 1. See Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10; 1 Tim. 5:8 – must work & pray! 2. Js. 1:17 – Every good thing is from God! II. We must pray for protection from harm. A. Again: it is scriptural to pray for physical things. 1. Mt. 24:20 – note Jesus’ exhortation as the destruction of Jerusalem approached. 2. Extreme hardship would be found if traveling in winter….Jews would be restricted to travel on the Sabbath. B. Must remember: God’s hand is involved in the affairs of this world – need to pray for protection from physical disaster. III. Pray for deliverance from temptation. A. Mt. 6:13 – pray that not lead us into temptation. 1. give into temptation when we give into our own lusts – Js. 1:13-15 2. need to pray for strength to withstand. Need to pray for wisdom that we do not place ourselves in position to be tempted. Can happen quickly. Slip up on us! B. 1 Cor. 10:13 – not tempted above that which we can handle! 1. God provides us a way of escape! 2. Let us actively look for a way of escape. Takes faith! Sheer determination! Will power! IV. Pray for forgiveness. A. Mt. 6:12 – to ask God to forgive us of our own sins. 1. Forgiveness of God – conditional! 2. Depends upon our confession & repentance. a) 1 Jhn. 1:8-10 – confession – confess to one we have sinned against. b) Acts 8:22-24 – repentance necessary. B. Our receiving forgiveness is also dependent upon our forgiving others – see Mt. 6:12b; 14-15. V. Pray that God will use us in His service. A. God has sent us out into His harvest! 1. Mt. 28:18-20 2. This verse is applicable to all Christians today – not just to a select few! B. See also Mt. 9:38 – God is sending each of us to gather His harvest! 1. Not only involves personal work a) although everyone of us can do some sort of PW (personal invites; etc., etc.) b) Can’t neglect this responsibility. 3. But working w/in congregation – edification/encouraging each other. 4. seeing to the needs of others. C. If we not gathering for His harvest – might as well stop praying until we see the need to do so! Conclusion: A. These are but a few things we can pray for when we pray for ourselves. B. Hope this lesson has helped you! C. I asked God for strength, that I might achieve; 1. I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey. 2. I asked for help, that I may do great things; 3. I was given infirmities, that I might do greater things. 4. I asked for riches, that I might be happy; 5. I was given poverty, that I might be wise. 6. I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men; 7. I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God. 8. I asked for all things, that I might enjoy all things. 9. I was given life, that I might enjoy all things 10. I got nothing I asked for, but everything I hoped for. 11. Almost inspite of myself, my unspoken prayers were answered, I am among men most richly blessed. C. I N V I T A T I O N