The Heart Of PrayerThe Heart Of Prayer

Matthew 6:5-15Matthew 6:5-15

• Our righteousness must be for God, not man.Our righteousness must be for God, not man.• There is a proper way to pray.There is a proper way to pray.

– John the Baptist taught his disciples to John the Baptist taught his disciples to pray. pray.

– Jesus’ disciples ask Him to teach them Jesus’ disciples ask Him to teach them pray. pray. Luke 11:1-4Luke 11:1-4

• They understood it’s value.They understood it’s value.• The Greatest picture of man in the The Greatest picture of man in the

presence…presence…

Is on his knees!!!Is on his knees!!!

The Heart Of PrayerThe Heart Of Prayer

• Sin will follow us into the presence of God. Sin will follow us into the presence of God. Exo. 3:5; Zac. 3:3; Isa. 6:5Exo. 3:5; Zac. 3:3; Isa. 6:5

• Sin defiles us before God.Sin defiles us before God.• Sin did not originate on Earth. Sin did not originate on Earth. 2 2

Pet. 2:4; Jude 1:6Pet. 2:4; Jude 1:6 • Sin will try to follow us into Heaven.Sin will try to follow us into Heaven.• Sin is a disposition of the heart. Sin is a disposition of the heart.

Acts 8:18ff; Isa. 7:10-13; 1 Sam. 15:18ff Acts 8:18ff; Isa. 7:10-13; 1 Sam. 15:18ff • Sin is self-worship and self-exaltation. Sin is self-worship and self-exaltation.

1 Sam. 15:301 Sam. 15:30

Bringing Sin Before GodBringing Sin Before God

• They are praying to a different god.They are praying to a different god.– Greek gods were selfish with cold Greek gods were selfish with cold

hearts.hearts.– Not concerned with the needs of Not concerned with the needs of

humans.humans.– Pharisaical god was loveless, cold and Pharisaical god was loveless, cold and

legalisticlegalistic

Self-Glorification Before Other Self-Glorification Before Other god’sgod’s 1 Kings 18:25-29; Acts 17:16-341 Kings 18:25-29; Acts 17:16-34

• Used many words, babble.Used many words, babble.– Thought many words could overwhelm their god.Thought many words could overwhelm their god.– ““maybe he didn’t hear me” attitude. maybe he didn’t hear me” attitude. 1 King 1 King

18:2818:28

• They were praying without thought.They were praying without thought.– ““honor with lips but not heart.” honor with lips but not heart.”

Isa. 29:13; Matt. 15:8Isa. 29:13; Matt. 15:8

• Physical activity over substance.Physical activity over substance.

Self-Glorification Before Other Self-Glorification Before Other god’sgod’s 1 Kings 18:25-29; Acts 17:16-341 Kings 18:25-29; Acts 17:16-34

Scheduled Prayers

The Wailing Wall

Prayer Beads: Rosary

Prayer Beads:Buddhist Mala Beads

Prayer Flags

Prayer Flags

Prayer Wheels

Prayer Wheels

• Worship Programs over substance.Worship Programs over substance.– Liturgical forms of worship.Liturgical forms of worship.

• They think they will be heard.They think they will be heard.• ““Don’t be like them”, Jesus Don’t be like them”, Jesus

declares. declares. – Praying without the mind engaged.Praying without the mind engaged.

Self-Glorification Before Other Self-Glorification Before Other god’sgod’s 1 Kings 18:25-29; Acts 17:16-341 Kings 18:25-29; Acts 17:16-34

• We Must Exclude.We Must Exclude.– Forget about everyone else.Forget about everyone else.– Forget about yourself.Forget about yourself.– Place one hand over your mouth. Place one hand over your mouth. Job 40:4Job 40:4

• We Must Realize…We Must Realize…– Whose presence you are entering. Whose presence you are entering.

Psa 68:8,145:5-ff; Hab. 2:20Psa 68:8,145:5-ff; Hab. 2:20– He is your father.He is your father.– He fulfils the ideal of fatherhood. He fulfils the ideal of fatherhood. Eph 3:20Eph 3:20

Preparing Your Heart For Preparing Your Heart For PrayerPrayer

• Have Confidence.Have Confidence. Heb. 10:19Heb. 10:19

– of a child-like faith.of a child-like faith.– Never think that God is blocking my Never think that God is blocking my

desires.desires.•He wants to fulfill our desires.He wants to fulfill our desires.

Preparing Your Heart For Preparing Your Heart For PrayerPrayer

• Glorify God, forget self, 9.Glorify God, forget self, 9.• Yearn for God’s will to be Yearn for God’s will to be

accomplished,10.accomplished,10.• Remembering our dependence on God.Remembering our dependence on God.

– Give us, 11.Give us, 11.– Forgive us, 12.Forgive us, 12.– Deliver us, 13.Deliver us, 13.– Glorify God, 13.Glorify God, 13.

““Lords Prayer” Is Only a Lords Prayer” Is Only a TemplateTemplate

• Beware of Bring Sin Before God.Beware of Bring Sin Before God.• Glorify God, not self.Glorify God, not self.• Keep Your Heart Prepared for Keep Your Heart Prepared for

Prayer.Prayer.– Exclude.Exclude.– Realize.Realize.– Confidence.Confidence.

The Heart Of PrayerThe Heart Of Prayer

• When Was The Last Time You When Was The Last Time You Prayed?Prayed?

• Did He Hear You?Did He Hear You?

The Heart Of PrayerThe Heart Of Prayer

Acts 2:38-39 “…Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…”

Come To JesusCome To Jesus