January 29, 2006
Prayer That Can Change Your Life—Part 1
A Prayer of Praise
Matthew 6:9-13
1. A Prayer of Praise begins with sincerity.
"Lord, teach us to pray..."
—Luke 11:1
"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words."
—Matthew 6:7
For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
—1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJ)
2. A Prayer of Praise begins and ends by focusing on God.
"Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done..."
—Matthew 6:9-10 (KJV)
"For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen."
—Matthew 6:13 (KJV)
3. A Prayer of Praise contains praise and thanksgiving.
- Praise is a response to the greatness of God.
- Thanksgiving is a response to the goodness of God.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
—Psalms 95:2 (NKJ)
4. A prayer of praise recognizes that God is our Father and our Abba.
"Our Father..."
—Matthew 6:9
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father...
—John !7:1
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
—Matthew 7:7-11
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
—Psalms 107:1
5. A prayer of praise recognizes that God is the creator of the universe!
"...which art in heaven..."
—Matthew 6:9 (KJV)
Four attributes of God:
- Omnipresence: God is everywhere.
- Eternal Nature: He's the Beginning and the End.
- Omniscience: He knows everything.
- Omnipotence: He is sovereign.
6. A prayer of praise focuses on the purity of God.
"...Hallowed be thy name..."
—Matthew 6:9
Lifework
We must approach the throne of God with sincerity. We must open the door of prayer with our focus on God, and acknowledge His goodness, greatness, and purity with praise and thanksgiving. Something supernatural transpires when we offer the sacrifice of praise from our hearts to Him. When we as believers acknowledge God in the beauty of His holiness, then windows of heaven are opened.
"...For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."
—Matthew 6:13 (KJV)
A Prayer of Praise
Personal and Small Group Study
Getting Started
- Please use the "Powerful Prayer" cards found in your bulletin as a resource for your devotion/quiet time this week.
Digging Deeper
- Read the first 3 chapters of the book, How to Pray by R. A. Torrey.
- For your small group study, review the message and discuss the chapter reading for this week.