Knowing prayer

Message by Sis. Alrina

Matthew 6: 9-13

There is a manner of prayer

Before Jesus explains about how to pray. He gives a caution.

"Do not be like them" - Don't pray like the Pharisees who prayed, fasted and gave just for people to see and recognise them.

There is a right manner to pray and what is that manner (v: 9-10)

1. Our Father in heaven

We should direct our prayers to God the father. For that we should understand our relationship with God. He is our heavenly Father.

2. Hallowed be your name

God's name is to be hallowed. His Name is holy and we are asking for help not to dishonour His name.

3. Your Kingdom come and Your will be done

God's will is in His church and His Kingdom is in it. Purpose of our prayer is for His kingdom to come and be established. When we pray this we are asking Him to align us to His plan

4. Request in prayer (v: 10-13)

Give us today our daily bread- Dependence on God for the day for all spiritual, emotional and physical needs

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sinned against us- Let go off the debts of others so that God will forgive us. We need to forgive others because He forgave us more.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil- Do not lead us not into testing but deliver us from all evil. However if God leads us through testing, we should ask God for His strength. Testing is painful but it searches the intentions of the heart.

5. For Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever

Proclaim and reiterating the sovereignty, centrality and supremacy of Christ forever. For eternity. This is the prerequisite for prayer

6. Amen

Complete surrender to God.

Our prayers should be Christ-centered and not me centered. Our prayers should be kingdom focussed and for His glory alone.