Text: Matthew 6:5-15

Introduction: Some neighborhood thugs stop a car driven by a Baptist pastor. They pulled the pastor out of the car and told him to stand in a circle they drew on the ground and not to move out of it. The thugs then proceeded to smash all of the headlights and taillights on the car. The men looked at the pastor who is still in the circle to see that he is smiling. Upset that he is not angry, the thugs began to smash all of the windows in the car only to see that the pastor is smiling even bigger. Then the thugs in frustration slashed all of the tires. They looked at the pastor who was just beaming with joy. They came over to him and asked, “We don’t get it. We just destroyed your car and all you do is smile. How come?” The pastor replies with a smile on his face, “Well, while you were trashing my car, I stepped out of the circle 12 times.”

 

Following instructions is very important. When I was in elementary school our report card had a box that said follows instructions well. Mine was seldom marked with a check.

 

In the passage before us this morning, we find Jesus giving some very important instructions to His disciples and to us concerning prayer. Following along as I read from Matthew chapter 6.

 

“"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. "This, then, is how you should pray: "‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Mt 6:5-15 NIV)

 

I posted this on Face Book…

Let me ask you, all of my FB friends...what does prayer look like to you? Please respond. I got these responses...

Sharon DeLong: Lots of answers to this. Maybe you should be more specific in your question. J
Personally, prayer is often done on the bus in the morning. It is 50 minutes of uninterrupted time....at least I hope for uninterrupted time. lol!

I pray while I drive a lot. (I would say “so do those that ride with me” but you are looking for serious answers) J Unfortunately, I often let other things distract me from praying and my mind just runs when I drive so I might as well make good use of the time. Prayer is time set aside to be alone with god and time, when I am busy with other things, that I remember a need and pray for it. Prayer is also a time for praise and to be thankful. I have to say I never pray on my knees and I think there may be something to submission of myself if I would. I should seriously consider that.

Pat Uttley: Prayer looks like a moment when your needs are met at the exact time you didn't expect an answer. Prayer looks like an all day long interjection into whatever is going on in our life. Most of all prayer looks like a conversation with Jesus with my eyes closed so I can see his face and know I will be answered. ♥

Nancy Bailey: Prayer looks like a time when I am very, very quiet and let my Heavenly Father get through all the noise and speak to me.

Mary Kristian Chester: A prayer is a few precious moments in the quiet of the morning to spend with my Father in conversation and reflection. A prayer is time with my family before each evening meal when we all take the time to thank God for His grace. A prayer is a few minutes each day with my husband as we reflect on the scriptures before us.

Sometimes, my head is bowed in quiet contemplation and sometimes my face tilted up to the sky to feel his Grace on me. Sometimes, my prayers are heartfelt cries and pleas for understanding and forgiveness and others are cries of joy, thanksgiving, and happiness. 

A prayer is a song lifted in voice in church. A prayer is a small child knelling down by her bed each night to give thanks for her day and express her love for her family. A prayer is the strong voice in your heart that speaks when you can find no words.

Ø Now let’s see what Jesus has to say about PRAYER.s my long-running and daily dialogue with God which helps me get through the day. A prayer is a few minutes each day with my husband as we reflect on the scriptures before us.

Sometimes, my head is bowed in quiet contemplation and sometimes my face tilted up to the sky to feel his Grace on me. Sometimes, my prayers are heartfelt cries and pleas for understanding and forgiveness and others are cries of joy, thanksgiving, and happiness.

A prayer is a song lifted in voice in church. A prayer is a small child kneeling down by her bed each night to give thanks for her day and express her love for her family. A prayer is the strong voice in your heart that speaks when you can find no words.

 

A.    Don’t be like hypocrites. Who are the hypocrites?   Let’s get a description:

a.       a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion

b.      a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings ^[1]

B.     Don’t do it for what others may say. A mother was tucking her five‐year old into bed and usually the mom prayed for her, but tonight the little girl wanted to pray. She began to pray softly, and then got softer still until only her lips were moving. When the girl said, “Amen.” The mom said, “That was nice, dear, but I didn’t hear a word you said.” “That’s OK,” said the girl, “I wasn’t talking to you.”

C.     Don’t do it to be seen of men. If we are praying in public to be praised by others then we are doing it for the wrong reasons. I may be guilty of doing this. On the national day of prayer last May, I went to city hall and knelt down at a bench in front of the building. I was sincere in my praying but perhaps insincere in being so “in your face” about it. As I was kneeling there, a man came by and asked if I was OK. I think he thought I was sick or dead.

 

A.     Get alone with God. That’s what Jesus is telling us to do when He says, “enter into thy closet.” Or as the NIV puts it—your room. That special place where you and God meet on a personal basis.

B.     Shut the world out. When Jesus said to shut the door, He was saying to close out all of the distractions so you can concentrate on Him. Like in the song from “Gilligan’s Island”—No Phone, No Lights, No Motorcar, Not a single Luxury—that means no cell phones, no emails, no Wii, no DS, no “angry birds”, nothing that would detract from our time with God. 

C.     Pray in secret. I have a problem with Pastors who ask God to supply them with a car or money in the public forum or tell people about the specific prayer. Then when someone (someone rich or wanting to get a tax deduction) gives the pastor a car or money. Let God reward the secret prayers. Now if you feel impressed to give your Pastor one of those without him telling you about, then it must be from God. Maybe.

 

A.     Acknowledge who God is—Our Father

B.      Ask for your daily needs—daily bread

C.      Ask for forgiveness—my trespasses, as I forgive others

D.     Ask for protection—lead away from temptation and the devil

E.     Ask for God’s will to be done—His is the kingdom

F.      A simple acronym is ACTS. Adoration of God, Confession of Sin, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.

 

A.    Forgiveness is the key. Jesus’ closing remark about prayer is found in verse 15. “But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Mt 6:15 NIV) What if God forgave you in the same way that you forgive those who have wronged you? Does that put it in a different perspective?

B.     Be careful for what you pray for because you just might get it. “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (Jas 4:3 NIV) Ask for God’s best for you. It might not be what you think you need but God will take care of you as you yield to Him.

Appeal: As a church, we ought to be a praying people. As an individual, I need to be a praying person. I think we all have the best of intentions but often get distracted and fail to follow through with prayer. You have in your hand a card that is a “Call to Prayer.” This card is not a magic wand that will enable you to go prayer at a prescribed time but it will serve as a reminder that when you pray, here are some areas to be concerned with.

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