KINGDOM PRAYING

Summarise - SOM “What human life and human community look like when they come under the gracious rule of God.” “How we are meant to live as citizens of God’s kingdom.” “How the glory of God will be revealed to the world through his people.”

Disciples’ question: “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11)

Matthew 6 v “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 evil.”

Verses 5 to 8 Hypocrites use prayer as a vehicle for their own glory. Godly prayer takes place in secret. True prayer is not mindless repetition.

Genuine prayer: Sincere as opposed to hypocritical. Thoughtful as opposed to mechanical. “Deepening of our relationship with a Father who truly cares about us!”

Our Father in heaven …. Personal (“Abba” or “Daddy”) “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4 v 6)

Loving “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” (Hebrews 1 v 3)

Powerful “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they are doing wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5 v 1,2)

START FROM A POSITION OF PEACE NOT PANIC!

Hallowed be your name …. To sanctify or set apart To revere or hold in high regard To make or keep holy To be considered special as against common To be held in awe and wonder

Your kingdom come …. Kingdom = reign & rule of God our king! Advancing and growing through the church’s witness. People submitting their lives to King Jesus! “Transformed lives, transforming our world!”

Your will be done … “Life on earth may come to approximate more nearly to life in heaven!”

Questions: Are we following Jesus’ model? Do these kinds of petitions fill the majority of our prayers? Are we preoccupied with a passion for his glory? Is our prayer life filled with requests for God to meet our personal needs?

Errors to avoid! Letting our personal needs dominate our prayer life. Not mentioning our needs at all! (I.e. don’t want to bother God with such trivialities!”)

Expressing our humble dependence on Father’s grace! Material needs – physical life Mental & emotional needs – human activity and relationships Moral needs – maintaining integrity in the face of evil and temptation

Key Truth A glorious preoccupation with God and his glory!”

Prayer at City Church Sunday morning (Pre-service) Friday morning (Ladies) Saturday morning (Men) Church Together (Monthly) Half-night + fasting (Once a Term) Growth Groups (Weekly)