LIES WE BELIEVE
I Can’t Pray – I Don’t Know How
Sunday, January 29, 2023 – Pastor George Dupree
NEVER compare yourself and your prayers to anyone else, it’ll mess you up.
First of all, God never grades your prayers on how many words or your choice of words, it’s not the technique; it’s the heart that matters.
1 - Let’s Sterilize The First Lie That Has You Saying “I Can’t Pray”
What is prayer in its simplest form – It’s
Maybe the I Can’t Pray comes from a PERMISSION aspect, in other words, you feel like “who am I to pray” “I can’t pray, I’m a sinner” “I can’t pray, I’m unworthy”
God says you can pray and He says He
1John 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.
Jesus Encourages Us to Pray –
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, “Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, “Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8
2 – Let’s Sterilize The 2nd Lie That Has You Saying “I Don’t Know How To Pray”
According to Luke 18:8 Jesus is equating our prayers with our faith
Let’s remember what the Bible says concerning faith
2Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight
Romans 10:17 …faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 12:3…God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Pray Humbly, Not With Pride
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
Jesus
WHEN YOU PRAY, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, WHEN YOU PRAY, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. WHEN YOU PRAY, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
JESUS SAID – In this manner, therefore, 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 this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:5-13
As we conclude this message the most important take-away for us is this:
We sterilize the lies of the enemy with the truth of God, which is His Word, please for the sake of your faith, and the will of God get to know the Word of God.
MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND TONIGHT’S PRAISE & PRAYER NIGHT @6PM