EFFECTIVE PRAYER

 

PRAYER IS...

 

1.  For God’s Glory and our benefit, in that order – just like everything in the Christian life.

 

2.  A Privilege to bring the whole of our finite existence into the glory of His infinite Presence.

 

3.  One means He uses to bring things to pass in this world; God Himself does NOT change.

 

4.  An acknowledgement of our dependence on Him for everything, to His glory.

 

 

PATTERN OF THE LORD’S PRAYER … 

 

  • OUR FATHER – Remember the intimate relationship we have with God; this is also the corporate privilege for the entire body of Christ.

 

  • WHO IS IN HEAVEN – God is omnipresent, yet above the finite limits of this world.  There is intimacy with God, yet an element of separation remains.  He is holy in heaven.

 

  • HOLY BE YOUR NAME – He is holy, and we are not.  There is an infinite gulf between our sinfulness and His majesty.  No casual flippancy before God in prayer; fearful respect of God instead.   Pray using His names from the OT...

 

  • YOUR KINGDOM COME – Our character as we live a redeemed lifestyle in the Kingdom of God.  Pray for the manifestation of the reign of Christ and the emergence of His kingdom.

 

  • YOUR WILL BE DONE – Prayer for obedience on the part of God’s people, we who are His must obey as we strive to do what He wants done in this world.

 

  • ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN – The angels in heaven do as He says and desires; His people on earth do not always.  God is honored by our obedience.  Foremost, we must properly honor, adore, and exalt Him. 

 

  • GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD – God provides the necessities, but not always the niceties.  Acknowledge that God is the One who gives us all we have in the ultimate sense. 

 

  • FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US – God judges us as we judge others.  The golden rule must be acted out.  We must forgive both others and ourselves after God forgives us as well.

 

  • LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE – Ask the Father to build a protective hedge around us - not to avoid trials, but to protect us from Satan’s attacks.  This is so we can carry forth His kingdom. 

 

  • YOURS IS THE KINGDOM, POWER, AND GLORY FOREVER AMEN. – Again acknowledge that all is from God, for God, and that He hears our prayers.