Prayer That Pleases God

Introduction:
Sin is so terrible! It will destroy the human soul! It can dog our steps—wherever we go. It is a result from a state of heart. It can result from self worship; self adoration—rather than God. It can affect us even when we engage in our highest activities—including prayer! A wonderful privilege enjoyed by Christians is prayer. See Heb. 4:14-16; Phil. 4:6-7. But, not all prayer is pleasing to God. (Prov. 28:9) The Bible teaches that God does not hear the prayers of all men. (Isa. 59:1-2; 1 Pet. 3:12) Do we know what qualifies as “prayer that pleases God?”

I. God is displeased when:
    A. We are interested in _______ as the one who is praying. (6:5; Lk. 18) How can this be seen in us?
        1. A desire to be _________ by others as one who prays.
        2. An actual desire to be _________ praying.
    B. We concentrate on the _______ or the ________ of prayers. (6:7-8) vain repetitions…
        1. NT Christians must watch out for:
            a) praying things only out of _________ w/o realizing what we say.
            b) forgetting that God is not swayed by the ____________ of words—but the __________ of the heart!
        2. This does not mean that it is wrong to repeat things in prayer!
            a) Both Jesus & Paul did—Mt. 26:36-44; 2 Cor. 12:7-8
    C. 6:2—they will have their ___________.
    D. Jesus is not condemning all _____ praying! Jhn. 11:25, 41; Acts 27:35

II. Prayer that Pleases God is:
    A. Prayer with the proper ____________. (6:6)
        1. _______ is the object of our prayer!
    B. Prayer done in _________.
        1. It is personal time; one on one with God! Psa. 86:11-12.
    C. Prayer with a _____________ of who God is!
        1. God is Almighty; absolute; ___________; eternal; great; mighty
        2. See Psa. 33:6-9; Heb. 12:29; 1 Jhn. 1:5
        3. We have a unique relationship with Him!
            a) address Him as a ________ to a __________.
            b) 6:8—he knows our needs before we ______.
            c) 1 Pet. 5:7—he ________ for us.
            d) He wants to bless us more than we want to be blessed!
    D. Prayer with a __________ ______________.
        1. As with the simple confidence of a child!
        2. He wants us to seek; knock; to pray without ceasing.

Conclusion:
    A. Jesus had other things to say about prayer: persistence; faith; and humility are just a few examples.
    B. But here, Jesus stressed that,
        1. Prayer is to be seen of God, not man.
        2. Prayer is to be heart of God, not man.
    C. Let’s make sure we offer the kind of prayer that pleases Him!



Prayer That Pleases God Introduction: Sin is so terrible! It will destroy the human soul! It can dog our steps—wherever we go. It is a result from a state of heart. It can result from self worship; self adoration—rather than God. It can affect us even when we engage in our highest activities—including prayer! A wonderful privilege enjoyed by Christians is prayer. See Heb. 4:14-16; Phil. 4:6-7. But, not all prayer is pleasing to God. (Prov. 28:9) The Bible teaches that God does not hear the prayers of all men. (Isa. 59:1-2; 1 Pet. 3:12) Do we know what qualifies as “prayer that pleases God?” I. God is displeased when: A. We are interested in _______ as the one who is praying. (6:5; Lk. 18) How can this be seen in us? 1. A desire to be _________ by others as one who prays. 2. An actual desire to be _________ praying. B. We concentrate on the _______ or the ________ of prayers. (6:7-8) vain repetitions… 1. NT Christians must watch out for: a) praying things only out of _________ w/o realizing what we say. b) forgetting that God is not swayed by the ____________ of words—but the __________ of the heart! 2. This does not mean that it is wrong to repeat things in prayer! a) Both Jesus & Paul did—Mt. 26:36-44; 2 Cor. 12:7-8 C. 6:2—they will have their ___________. D. Jesus is not condemning all _____ praying! Jhn. 11:25, 41; Acts 27:35 II. Prayer that Pleases God is: A. Prayer with the proper ____________. (6:6) 1. _______ is the object of our prayer! B. Prayer done in _________. 1. It is personal time; one on one with God! Psa. 86:11-12. C. Prayer with a _____________ of who God is! 1. God is Almighty; absolute; ___________; eternal; great; mighty 2. See Psa. 33:6-9; Heb. 12:29; 1 Jhn. 1:5 3. We have a unique relationship with Him! a) address Him as a ________ to a __________. b) 6:8—he knows our needs before we ______. c) 1 Pet. 5:7—he ________ for us. d) He wants to bless us more than we want to be blessed! D. Prayer with a __________ ______________. 1. As with the simple confidence of a child! 2. He wants us to seek; knock; to pray without ceasing. Conclusion: A. Jesus had other things to say about prayer: persistence; faith; and humility are just a few examples. B. But here, Jesus stressed that, 1. Prayer is to be seen of God, not man. 2. Prayer is to be heart of God, not man. C. Let’s make sure we offer the kind of prayer that pleases Him!