“Because communion with God is so vital, the enemy seems constantly to introduce errors into the church’s understanding of prayer. Every generation at every time faces the necessity to purify a corrupted and confused comprehension of prayer.” John MacArthur

Why Do We Pray?

God is Worthy

Revelation 5:12

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”

I Am Needy

Psalm 40:16-17

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the LORD!” As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!

How Do We Pray?

Matthew 6:9-15

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 6:9

Pray then like this…

Four Movements to Prayer

1. Reverence: Who is God?

Matthew 6:9

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

1 Peter 5:7

…casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

2 Corinthians 1:20

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

Psalm 145:18

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Matthew 6:9

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…”

Reverence from Psalm 46

Psalm 46:10-11

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.

The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

2. Response: How should I respond?

Matthew 6:10

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

“Prayer is not asking God to do my will. It is bringing myself into conformity with His will. It is asking Him to do His will and give me the grace to enjoy it.”
John MacArthur

Response from Psalm 46

** Psalm 46:2**

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea…

Psalm 46:5

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.

Psalm 46:7

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

3. Requests: What do I pray about?

Matthew 6:11-12

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Requests from Psalm 46

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:9

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth…

4. Readiness: Where do I go from here?

Matthew 6:13

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Readiness from Psalm 46

Psalm 46:11

The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.