How to Pray!

Staying Connected through Prayer

How TO and NOT TO Pray!

Discussion Question?

Does God hear the person who prays loud over the one who prays soft?

THOU SHALT NOT'S IN PRAYER

Matthew 6 and Mark 11

1. Thou Shalt NOT in Prayer

• Don't be As Hypocrites

• Matthew 6:5“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

Definition of a "Hypocrite"

•  a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.

What was Jesus saying?

• That as believers, we should ensure our ACTIONS are in line with our BELIEFS

• The intent/motive of our HEART when praying should be pure

Multiple Choice

Who searches the heart of man according to Jeremiah 17:10

• Pharisees and Scribes

• Jeremiah

• Elias

• The Lord

1.Thou Shalt NOT in Prayer

• Matthew 15: 1,7-8-vs :1-Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,

• vs 7-8-Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

What was Jesus saying?

Jesus referred to the Scribes and Pharisees as " Hypocrites" because they had the proclivity to act contrary to their beliefs. They often do this in prayer and in worship. Their hearts were not focusing on God.

2. Thou Shalt NOT in prayer

• Do not use vain repetitions'

• Matthew 6:7-But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

What was Jesus saying?

• Get to the point.He knows what you are going to ask him for before you even ask

• Matthew 6:8-Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

What was Jesus saying? -CONT

*No need to babble and repeat yourself.Unbelievers do that

3.Thou Shalt NOT in prayer -

• Don't have Unforgiveness

• Mark 11:25

• And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Multiple Choice

According to Matthew 6, What are the two " THOU SHALT NOT'S IN PRAYER"?

• Do not be hypocitical and do not be unwise

• Don't use vain repitions and do not be judgemental

• Don't use vain repitions and do not be as the hypocrites

• Don't be too smart with God

Multiple Choice

Fill in the blanks according to Matthew 15:8-This people draweth nigh unto me with their -------, and honoureth me with their ------; but their ------ is far from me.

• lip, heart, mouth

• heart, lip , mouth

• mouth, tongue ears

• mouth, lip, heart

Multiple Choice

True or False. Jesus referred to the Scribes and Pharisees as hypocrites.

• True

• False

THOU'S OF PRAYER

Matthew 6 and James 1 and 5

1.THOU'S OF PRAYER -

Pray in Secret

Matthew 6: 6- But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

What was Jesus saying?

• Find a private place to meet God like Jesus did. Luke 6:12...  In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.

• Your secret place could be your closet, car, etc..Find some alone time..

2.THOU'S OF PRAYER -

Pray one for another

• James 5:16 - Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed....

3.THOU'S OF PRAYER -

Pray Fervently and Effectively

• James 5:16 -....The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

• Fervent - having or displaying a passionate intensity.Hot.

3.THOU'S OF PRAYER - CONT.

• Effective - successful in producing a desired or intended result.

THOU'S OF PRAYER-CONT

Pray with Faith and NOT DOUBT

• James 1:6-But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Multiple Choice

Identify one "Thou of Prayer"

• Pray Fervently and Effectively

• Pray loud

• Pray in a robe

• Pray in a soft voice

Multiple Choice

True or False: When you pray in secret, God will reward you openly.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Complete the following scripture:A double minded man is ....

• will die

• unstable in all his ways.

• unfruitful in their desires

Benefits of " Thou Shalt in Prayer"

• Open Reward( Recognition)

• You may be healed when your forget about YOUR problems and pray for someone else

• Your effective Prayer has worth. You will /should see results

Benefits of " Thou shalt NOT'S in Prayer"

• You will only be rewarded by those who you seek to impress..( MAN)

• Matthew 6:5“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; ... so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

Summary

Key Points:

1.Ensure the motive of your heart is right when you PRAY

2.Ensure you have a secret place to meet with God

Summary-CONT

3. Pray for others

4. Forgive those who've wronged you before YOU PRAY

5. Your PRAYER should produce results

6. Have Faith and NOT DOUBT

Multiple Choice

Though it wasn't discussed,select three things that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 6?

• Alms, help, food

• Prayer, love, kindness

• Alms, Prayer, Fasting

• Fasting, Judas, death

Multiple Choice

Quote Mark 11:24

• Pray without ceasing

• Jesus wept

• Do not worry about what you shall eat or drink

• Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Multiple Choice

Which passage in the bible would you find the Lord's prayer:

• Matthew 6

• Luke 2

• James 5

• Mark 11