03/15/2018: HOW NOT TO PRAY

In the scriptures we read where the disciples asked Jesus how to Pray. Remember that prior to Jesus Christ and His appearance on the earth people did not know how to pray let alone who to pray to. Prayer was something the Priests were supposed to do not mere men. So, when Jesus said: *“And when you pray!”, He messed up their minds because they had never heard of prayer before. This was a new concept to them. He taught them how not to pray also.
 
*MATTHEW 6:5
And when you pray, you are not to be as the
Hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray
In the synagogues and on the street corners,
In order to be seen by men.
 
MATTHEW 6:7&8
“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless
Repetition, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose
That they will be heard for their many words.
Therefore do not be like them; for your Father
Knows what you need before you ask Him.
 
            Isaiah 58 speaks of Fasting, but you can also put it as Praying. Read this chapter and insert Praying in the place of Fasting.
           
ISAIAH 58:3-5
3 Why have we PRAYED and Thou dost not see?
Why have we humbled ourselves and Thou dost not notice?
Behold, on the day of your PRAYERS you find your desire,
And drive hard all your workers.
4 Behold, you PRAY for contention and strife and to
Strike with a wicked fist. You do not PRAY like you do today
To make your voice heard on high.
5 Is it a PRAYER like this which I choose, a day for a man
To humble himself? Is it for bowing one’s head like a
Reed, and for spreading out sackcloth and ashes
For a bed? Will you call this a PRAYER, even an
Acceptable day to the Lord?       
 
            Prayer is a vocabulary between one self and God. Beware how you Pray and what you Pray. The Words of your mouth will make the difference as to the answers to your Prayers. One of the best Prayers to know will be found in the Book of John chapter 17. Jesus went by Himself and Prayed to the Father, and this is the recording of His Prayer.
 
            Jesus told this to His disciples as a teaching method of Prayer. I do not believe He meant it as a Prayer to be Prayed always, but a method as to how to Pray.
 
MATTHEW 6:9-13
9 PRAY, THEN, IN THIS WAY:
Our Father ( acknowledging God as Our Father)
Who art in Heaven,(stating that by Faith we KNOW that He `God’ is in heaven)
Hallowed be thy Name. (admitting ourselves that His Name is Holy.)
Thy Kingdom come, (Desiring His heavenly Kingdom to come here on earth.)
Thy Will be done, (admitting we need His will)
On earth as it is in heaven. (imagine how great it would be to have it here)
Give us this day our daily bread. (asking for sufficiency)
And forgive us our debts, (asking for His Favor)
As we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory
FOREVER.
 
PRAY THIS PRAYER
Heavenly Father
I Pray that my Prayers will be as Your Prayer is
And that I will know Your affection for this Prayer.
I Thank You for the guidance You have set before
In teaching me to Pray. May You be Glorified
Through my Prayers.
In the Name of Jesus Christ I Pray
AMEN.
 
Pastor Larry Pinkerton