Here is the outline of a recent message presented by Pastor Scott at Christ Covenant Church’s annual July camping trip. The text is the Disciple’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:5-15:
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 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.
1. Prayer is one of the ways that we practice righteousness. v. 1,5
1John 3:7-10
2. Prayer is the means to getting God’s blessing/promises. v. 4,5,6,7
A lack prayer = a lack of necessities James 4:2
A lack of prayer = a sign of judgment Jeremiah 1:16; 11:14; 14:11 John 17:9
A lack of prayer = a loss of hope Luke 18:1
A lack of prayer = a lack of confidence in God Luke 22:40-46
3. Prayer is ineffective where there is hypocrisy or manipulation. v. 5,6, 7, 8
Proverbs 28:9; Psalm 66:18; Luke 6:12; Luke 18:6-8; 1Timothy 2:1-4
4. Prayer is only effective where there is covenant and commitment. v. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Our Father
The only one’s who can relate to God in this way are those who are in covenant with Him. Father is a covenant term. Isaiah 63:15-19; Malachi 1:5,6
Your kingdom come
A request to be used in the advancement of the kingdom: Ephesians 1:22-23.
give us this day our daily bread
A request for the meeting of daily needs, provision: Matthew 6:33-34; Philippians 4:6-7.
forgive us our debts
A request for pardon, forgiveness and cleansing 1Thessalonians 5:15; Mark 11:25; Luke 17:3-4; Matthew 18:34-35
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
A request for protection from external temptation and for delivery from the evil one: 1John 5:19; 2Timothy 2:26; 2 Peter 2:8-10; 1Thessalonians 5:22-24; 1Corinthians 6:11,18; 10:14.