Prayer that Pleases God

2001057

Subject: prayer; sermon on the mount

Introduction:

A.     6:1 – Jesus’ statement.

1.      6:2-4 – involved almsgiving.  Discussed in lesson earlier in the year.

2.      Now we look at prayer; communion; fellowship w/God.

B.      Easy to look at Pharisees.  Easy to look at their hypocrisy.  But…if we only focus upon tem – do not look at ourselves – we miss the point.

C.     Sin = terrible!

1.      destructive effects on human soul

2.      dogs our steps – follows us wherever we go.

3.      often a result of a state of heart.

4.      results from self worship; self adoration – rather than God.

5.      Can affect us even when we engage in highest activities – even in our prayers.  Affects our attitudes; etc.

D.     Wonderful privilege enjoyed by Christian = prayer.

1.      Heb. 4:14-16 – can find help/mercy/grace to help in time of need.

2.      Phil. 4:5-7 – can be a source of peace.

E.       But, not all prayer = pleasing to God.  See Pro 28:9

1.      Bible teaches that God does not hear the prayers of all men.

a)      Isa 59:1-2; 1 Pet. 3:12

2.      Remember the instructions here are for disciples not the people of the world.

3.      Do we know what qualifies as “prayer that pleases God?”

a)      Jesus had much to say about prayer – esp. that which pleases Him.

b)      What kind of prayer is that?

c)       First, we will take a look at that which is displeasing to Him.

 

I.  God is displeased when:

A.     We are interested in self as the one who is praying.

1.      6:5 – think also of the point made w/the Pharisee & the publican in Lk. 18.

a)      at certain times of the day they offered prayer wherever they were – would stop and offer prayer.  They regarded it as proof of their piety.

2.      Different ways this can be seen in us:

a)      a desire to be known by others as one who prays.

b)      An actual desire to be seen praying.

B.      When we concentrate on the form or length of prayers.

1.      6:7-8.  Vain repetitions:  think Catholicism.  Hail Mary’s etc.

2.      But, NT Christians must watch out for:

a)      praying things in prayer only out of habit w/o realizing what we say.

b)      Not remembering that God is not swayed by the quantity of words – but the quality of the heart!

c)       This does not mean that it wrong to repeat things in prayer.

1)      Jesus did – Mt. 26:36-44

2)      Paul did – 2 Cor. 12:7-8

C.     Jesus says (6:2) that they will have their reward.

1.      They will be seen of men.

2.      But that will be the extent of their reward (praise of men).  They will have no reward/blessing from God!

D.     Jesus is NOT condemning all public praying. 

1.      Jhn. 11:25; 11:41 – Jesus prayed in public.

2.      Mt. 27:35 – Paul prayed in public.

 

II.  Prayer that pleases God is:

A.     Prayer w/the proper motives – to be seen of Him.  See 6:6.

1.      God = object of our prayer.

2.      Jesus gives us detailed instructions on how to pray.

B.      Prayer done in secret.

1.      We must shut everyone out but God.

2.      Prayer = personal time – one on one w/God!

a)      Psa. 86:11-12

b)      There should be someplace where we may go that no one will hear us but His ear and no eye can see us but his eye.

c)       Unless we do this – secret prayer will not be long or strictly maintained.

C.     Prayer w/a realization of who God is.

1.      Need to recognize His majesty.  Eldred Stevens: we should feel that we are in the presence of the God of the universe.

a)      God Almighty; He is absolute; perfect; eternal; great; mighty.

2.      Consider Psa. 33:6-9; Heb. 12:29; 1 Jhn. 1:5

3.      We need to address Him realizing the unique relationship we have w/Him.

a)      we address Him as a child to a father. (w/respect)

b)      6:8 – He knows our needs before we ask!

c)       1 Pet. 5:7 – He cares for us.

d)      He has ambitions for us; programs for us.  He wants to bless us more than we want to be blessed.

e)      If we were only to pray w/a child like trust – the windows of heaven would be opened.

D.     We must pray w/a special confidence.

1.      As w/the simple confidence of a child.

2.      He wants us to ask/seek/knock; to pray w/o ceasing.

3.      But we need not fool ourselves into thinking

a)      we’ll be heard for our many words

b)      or….that we need to use vain repititions.

c)       Or….pray w/doubts – Js. 1:5-7

 

Conclusion:

A.     This not the only occasion where Jesus taught on prayer.

1.      Lk. 11:5-13; 18:1-4 – persistence; faith; humility in prayer.

B.      But here, Jesus stressed that;

1.      prayer to be seen of God – not man.

2.      to be heard by God – not man.

C.     Let’s make sure we offer the kind of prayer that pleases Him.

D.  I N V I T A T I O N