In 1994 Harper Collins published, “the Book of Prayers.”
This book was marketed as being “a treasury of prayers throughout the ages.”
This book contains prayers from a wide variety of people and religions.
Even prayers from people who didn’t believe in Christianity are found in this book.
The unusual thing about this book is that it does not contain a single prayer from a Bible character.
Neither is there a single reference to the Lord’s praying or His teachings about prayer.
Some people use the wrong resources to learn about prayer (Richards, p. 130).
THIS MORNING WE WANT TO USE, AS OUR RESOURCE, THE INFORMATION IN MT. 6:5-7.
A. This information has been labeled “Jesus’ first principles of prayer.”
B. There are some simple but key points about prayer in the first part of Mt. 6.
C. Let’s look at the first one.
D. In the first four verses of Mt. 6 Jesus spoke of giving money.
E. The “alms” were a form of benevolence.
F. Jesus spoke of people who helped others but they made a show of it.
G. People aided those who needed help and then bragged about what they had done.
H. The Lord said these people “had their reward” (2b).
I. If we help people we should keep quiet about what we do (verse 4).
J. Notice that the 5th verse has the conjunction, and.
K. This tells us that the information in verse 5 is joined with the preceding material.
L. The subject changes from helping people to prayer, but the thought is continued.
M. Since the thought in verses 1-4 is putting on a show, this is what Jesus meant concerning prayer.
N. Some try to show off when they pray.
i). In the Lord’s day some tried to show off by standing on the streets (verse 5b).
ii). People drew attention to themselves in the synagogues when they prayed (5a).
iii). People wanted to be “seen of men” when they prayed (5c).
iv). Jesus said this type of prayer was useless.
v). Those who prayed in this way had “received their reward” (5d).
vi). I have heard—and I am not talking about here—people pray like Mt. 6 describes.
vii). In public some altar their voice to sounds high and mighty.
viii). A rather sanctimonious tone is used.
ix). Others use some novel techniques when pray in public.
x). In some places when prayers are led people wave their hands and sway.
xi). Others make some type of verbal utterance that is wrongly labeled as tongue speaking.
xii). When it is time to pray some churches, during prayer time, look like a giant wave.
xiii). Most or all the worshippers are rocking back and forth.
xiv). Arms are swinging in the air.
xv). Almost every time I conduct a public Bible study at the jail people like to wave their hands.
xvi). Some of those fellows hold their hands high and stand on their toes.
xvii). We may not do these things, but we probably know someone who does.
2. Mt. 6 asks those who involve themselves in these practices a simple question: why?
3. Why put on a show during prayer?
A. Perhaps some would deny that these actions are a show.
B. Many might allege they are doing what is natural.
C. If these things are natural, how many stand on their toes and wave in private?
D. How many sway in prayer when the are by themselves.
4. What we see people doing during times of public prayer is inconsistent with what Jesus said.
5. The Lord said (verse 6), “go into thine inner chamber and pray.”
A. This passage has puzzled some people.
B. Some have asked how this type of prayer can be harmonized with public prayer.
C. There is no conflict between public prayer and the information in the 6th verse.
D. The information in verses 5-6 forms a contrast.
E. How many people swing their arms and wave back in forth when they pray in private?
F. I cannot name a single person.
G. People appear to only brandish their arms when they are in a group.
H. When people get into some type of worship service their approach to prayer changes.
I. They adopt a different posture and this is exactly what Jesus condemned.
J. Praying in private means that we are supposed to avoid a show when we pray.
6. When we understand this principle of prayer we can show others a basic principle about prayer.
7. That is, any form of prayer which is for show is condemned.
8. Waving our arms and standing on our feet has no purpose.
9. Forming a giant wave in the assembly is not what God wants.
10. When it is time to have a public prayer some act like they are at a rock concert instead of worship.
11. This approach has already been tried and Jesus said that God rejects it.
12. To use Jesus’ words, people have their reward.
13. LET’S LOOK AT A SECOND BASIC PRINCIPLE FROM PRAYER.
A. This principle is found in verse 7 of Mt. 6.
B. Here is another facet of prayer that is important
but sometimes misunderstood.
C. In the first century there were many who believed in
pagan gods.
D. Sacrifices were offered to the gods.
E. People also prayed to these false gods.
F. It was believed that if people prayed to a false god
for a long enough time they would be answered.
G. Remember the story a few weeks back about Elijah and
the false prophets of Baal (1 Kgs. 18)?
H. The prophets of Baal prayed for an entire day.
I. They had the type of thinking described by
Jesus.
J. They thought their “many words” and cutting
themselves would force Baal to hear them.
K. The information in verse 7 contains some useful
information for us when we pray.
i). First, we do not need to long prayers to make prayer
an effective tool.
ii). At times people may say to us, “I heard you the
first time.”
iii). This is true of God.
He hears us the first time.
iv). Thus, there are prayers we may say one time and
never say again.
v). Some prayers do not need to be repeated.
vi). Let’s take a for instance.
vii). Tomorrow someone here uses foul speech.
viii). They realize this was wrong and they turn to God and
ask for forgiveness.
ix). God heard the prayer the first time. There is no need to pray about that sin again.
x). Other prayers, however, may be repeated.
xi). We may prayer for the sick time after time. Is this vain repetition? No.
xii). I realize that some hesitate to repeat prayers
because of Mt. 6:7.
xiii). If this passage has ever discouraged you from
repeating a prayer, write down a verse.
xiv). Jesus was near the end of His life. He was praying.
xv). Concerning this praying Matthew records this in Mt. 26:44.
xvi). Jesus prayed more than once and He used the
same words.
xvii). Jesus not only prayed about the same thing,
He used the same words.
xviii). Thus, saying a prayer more than once is not vain
repetition.
xix). Using the same words when we pray is not a vain
repletion.
14. The word “vain” means senseless
or babble.
15. It describes prayer that does not involve any
thought.
A. If we handed out a prayer to those who worship here
and said, “Use this” it would be vain prayer.
B. Those who said the prayer would simply be reciting
the words.
C. The are religious groups that make up prayers for
their worshippers to (repeat).
D. There are religious groups that say that people pray
when they recite certain words.
E. When these prayers are said it is basically a ritual that is condemned
by Mt. 6:7.
F. What Jesus said tells us to pray from the heart.
G. If we pray from the heart about the same matter for
the next year we are not guilty of vain repetition.
H. If we use the same words, and they come from the
heart, we are also not guilty of this sin.
I. There are only so many ways to word a prayer.
J. If we are praying for someone’s safety during a year
long trip,
K. And we pray for this person each day, can we come up
with 365 different prayers?
L. If we pray for the person twice a day can we come up
with 730 different prayers?
M. There are only so many ways to pray that someone
will have a safe trip or get better.
N. We do not want Mt. 6:7 discourage us from praying
about the same thing or from reusing words.
O. The key to avoiding problems is to see if our prayer
comes from the heart.
P. Are we thinking about our prayers or do we simply
say things to God without thinking?
Q. Thoughtless prayer is condemned
16. WHAT ABOUT ANOTHER PRINCIPLE?
A. This is found in verse 9. Jesus spoke of praying to the Father.
B. The Lord added that the Father is “in heaven.”
C. This information is significant.
D. We are not in heaven. If the one who hears our prayers is in heaven
we need to gain access to Him.
E. Somehow we need to reach the heavenly Father.
F. We need entrance (admittance) into where the Father
is. How do we do this?
G. The Bible says that this access is gained through
Christ.
H. Remember Jn. 14:6?
No man cometh unto the Father but by Christ.
I. If we are joined with Christ we can have access to
the Father.
J. If we are not with the Lord there is no access to
the Father and our prayers are ineffective.
K. How do we become united with the Lord? Rom. 6:4 says we are buried with
Christ in baptism.
L. This process allows us to be “united” with Christ
(Rom. 6:5).
M. When we become a Christian we gain access to the
Father.
N. When we think about prayer we are reminded that we
need to be a Christian.
O. We may add that we need to be a faithful Christian
if we want God to respond to us.
P. Both testaments teach that God cannot fellowship
sin.
Q. If we fail to live as the Bible describes we are not
in fellowship with the Son.
R. If we are out of fellowship with the Son we will not
have access to the Father.
S. Once we have fellowship with the Son we have access
to the Father.
i). This Father we have access to is unusual.
ii). The Lord said He knows what we need before we ask.
iii). If we have some memories of our father there are
some times when dad didn’t get it right.
iv). Our Fathers made mistakes. There were things they didn’t know.
v). They didn’t always have the best plan.
vi). Maybe they were unable to do a thing or two.
vii). Our heavenly Father is in heaven where all power and
all authority is.
viii). If we abide by the principles He has given for
prayer He hears us.
ix). He has a willingness an a desire to help.
x). He makes no mistakes, always gets it right, and
knows all.
17. For this reason we should want to know the truth
about prayer and practice what is right.
18. Our Father can be approached but we must approach
Him on His terms.
19. Is this what we are doing?
20. Do we have access to the Father because we have been
joined to the Son through baptism?