“HOW TO PRAY GOD’S WAY“

Exod 3:1-6  Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, [even] to Horeb. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush [was] not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here [am] I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest [is] holy ground. Moreover he said, I [am] the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

Josh 5:13-15  And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, [Art] thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but [as] captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD’S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest [is] holy. And Joshua did so.

Eccl 5:1  Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

In our teachings about the Exodus, we pointed out the moment when Moses came to the burning bush at Horeb.

• Horeb means “barrenness”
• Moses had been forty years in the wilderness since he first presumed to deliver Israel from Egypt in HIS WAY.
• Forty years is the period of a generation.
• An “old” Moses had died.
• The presumptuous, immature Moses was now gone.
• He came to “barrenness,” so far as MOSES accomplishing anything on his own went.

We all need to pass through our wildernesses and get to the place where we do not presume to do anything without having first heard from God as to how to do it.  What part does He want me to play.

Your wilderness period will be as long as it takes for you to see your “old” ways to die, and for as long as it takes for you to become barren in yourself, knowing you cannot conjure any of YOUR OWN plans that will ever work.

• When you abandon all attempts to do it the way YOU think it should be done, then you are ready to leave the wilderness and be used of God.
• You are ready to hear it the way God wants it to be.

Every patriarch of Israel, who was the father of the great nation that exists today, the beginnings of this nation of millions, had a wife who was barren.

• So that it would be said that this nation came about not by natural means but by God’s power.
• Until you are barren in yourself, and realize it, God cannot use you, because you would otherwise cause people to think YOU did the great work and not God.

When Moses came to the burning bush, God struck him with a sense of reverence.

• God told him to remove his shoes for he was on holy ground.
• He was to walk on this ground, but he was to watch how he walked.
• This was God’s House.

When a person entered footing that was special, they had to remove their shoes that are used for walking on filth and dirt and common ground.

• Shoes protect us from common ground.
• But to be told to remove one’s shoes is to be told that one is not on just any old ground.
• This is clean ground.
• Do not insult the homeowner by wearing your shoes that you wear on an old, dirt road.
• One cannot walk just any old way.

Joshua entered holy ground and was told the same thing.

Psal 100:1-4  A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.  Know ye that the LORD he [is] God: [it is] he [that] hath made us, and not we ourselves; [we are] his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name.

We are told that we enter God’s house and must watch our steps.

And then we are also told that we enter God’s house with thanksgiving and praise.

• So it is a spiritual house that we are entering and not a physical house.
• This physical church building that we are into day is not what the Psalmist is talking about.
• He is talking about entering the spiritual presence of God, not by walking with your physical feet, but by praising God and thanking God from your heart.

We will do things God’s way, and not our own.

• We will watch our step here.
• Take your shoes off, this is not ordinary territory.
• WATCH HOW YOU WALK HERE.

God is leading us as a people who are hungry for His will and for revival.

• And many new souls are coming to know the Lord in a real way.
• I want to teach this morning about prayer.
• Our prayer meetings are going wonderfully for those who are involved.
• And to make the most of our prayers, we need to know how to pray.
• We are going into God’s presence when we pray, and God told us to watch our steps when we enter His house.
• There is a certain way to enter.

God does not want you to say any old sloppy prayer.

• We are going into the presence of a king.
• And there is certain protocol in entering a kings’ presence.

2Chr 32:23  And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.

You bring gifts to the king.

Matt 6:9-13  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Jesus gave us a MANNER to pray.

• A WAY or STRUCTURE to pray with.
• And after saying this He went to explain each part of that prayer and gave His own commentary on each part.
• Every time we pray, we need to keep this STRUCTURE in our minds and pray accordingly.

1. IN HEAVEN

• Matthew 6:19-23 gives commentary for this part.
• Heaven is the abode of God.
• Let us place our hearts and desires towards the things of Heaven, and not on the earth.
• When you begin to pray, get your priorities straight.
• You must be one who seeks the things of Heaven more than things on earth.
• Worship Him – Hallowed be thy name.
• Start praying by worshiping God and getting your heart in reverence and proper attitude about Heavenly priorities.

2. OUR FATHER

• 6:23-32 gives the commentary for this part.
• Jesus explains here that when you begin to pray, understand that your FATHER knows that you have need.
• Jesus encourages us that God loves us so much, because He is our Father, that we ought to pray in faith, believing that He will give us what we need.
• In fact, Jesus said in verses 25 and 28, why do we take thought for raiment and food?
• God knows we have these needs.
• So He is saying that when we seek needs, make them spiritual needs.
• God is going to take care of our clothing and food without us having to tell Him.
• How many of you, when you were kids, said, “Dad, I think you ought to buy me some new pants.  These ones have about 15 patches on them now.”
• Your parents knew you had need of those things.
• How many of you had to tell your parents, “Dad, I know you enjoy a good steak, but we’ve been standing here for seven days without a bite to eat and would like you to buy us some food, too”?
• So Jesus is saying have some faith that He is our Father, and PRAY FOR SPIRITUAL NEEDS.

3. THY KINGDOM COME

• Commentary: Read Verses 33-34.
• This is the first request we pray for.
• So, Jesus said SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
• This ties in with the former thought.
• Father knows what we physically need.
• So do not seek these things, but seek first the kingdom of God, and then these other things will automatically be added to you.
• Why?
• Because God knows you have need of these things.
• What is the Kingdom of God?
• Romans 14:17.
• Righteousness, joy and peace amongst one another in the Holy Ghost.
• SPIRITUAL NEEDS.

4. THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

• Read Matthew 7:1-6
• Whenever the will of God is referred to without explaining exactly what that will is, generally speaking, it is the following:
• Matthew 22:37-40
• Love God with all your heart, and love your neighbour as yourself.
• So next you must begin to pray that God’s will be done in you, (Adam was made of earth), in earth.
• And that is the reason Jesus speaks of judging not and not giving holy things to dogs, or people who will only mock you.
• If you love God then you will love people.
• If you cannot hate people, you cannot say you love God.
• 1John 4:7-8.

5. GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD

• Jesus explains what this means in Matthew 7:7-11
• Notice that Jesus distinctly mentions that when we ask we shall receive.
• He increases our faith at this point, to again receive what we pray for.
• He previously said that we do not have to pray for clothes and food, but here He says there is something we must pray for.
• But when we pray, BELIEVE WE WILL GET IT.
• Pray with faith.
• Mark 11:24.
• If you pray you will receive.
• Since we are praying to OUR FATHER, Jesus said that which father of you would give a stone to his son who asked FOR BREAD.
• This shows that if we would give bread, then how much more will our Father give us bread?
• Compared to God, our love for our children is a shadow.
• ASK FOR THINGS BELIEVING THAT YOU WILL GET THEM.

6. FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS

• Jesus explained this in Matthew 7:12.
• The prayer tells us that we can only pray to be forgiven if we will forgive others.
• And this is exactly what Jesus says here.
• Whatever you want men to do to you, whatever you want GOD to do to you, then you do to men.
• THE GOLDEN RULE.
• If you want God to forgive you, then you must forgive people.
• If you want to be treated mercifully by God, then you better treat people mercifully.
• If you’re mistaken and want people to understand you did not mean to do a wrong, then you better have understanding and realize that perhaps people did not mean to do you wrong when they did you wrong.
• This is the only part of the Lord’s prayer mentioned THREE TIMES.
• 6:12; 6:14-15; 7:12.
• THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!

7. LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION

• Jesus explained this in 7:13-14
• Leading speaks of walking after.
• So Jesus speaks of the narrow road and the broad road.
• Pray that God keep you on the narrow road and not be tempted to go the broad road.
• Pray you live right and that God strongly urge you to repent when you do wrong.
• Ask God to let you know beyond the shadow of doubt that you are in error if you are.
• GOD WILL ANSWER YOUR PRAYER!

8. BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL

• Jesus explained this in 7:15-19.
• Verse 17 mentions good fruit and evil fruit.
• Evil fruit is false teachings of false prophets.
• Pray that God let you recognize false doctrine when it comes your way.
• So many have been led astray by deception in false prophets.
• Eve was deceived and ate EVIL FRUIT.
• Pray that God teach you to discern error.

9. FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM…

• Jesus explained this in 7:21-29
• It began with praying for the Kingdom to come, and it ends with proclaiming that the Kingdom is God’s kingdom, AND NOT OUR’S.
• We prayed in this manner, as Jesus taught, because the Kingdom is His, and if we are involved in His kingdom, then we should think to do things HIS WAY.
• Jesus ends His commentary by discussing HIS  Kingdom and obeying HIS WORDS.
• In other words, we pray like HIS WAY because we want to enter His eternal Kingdom in glory one day.
• We are in the Kingdom now, but we want to appear with Him when He comes again.
• So Jesus discusses people who will not enter.
• He speaks of those who did many wonderful works in His name and does not deny they were genuine miracles.
• Many think these were false miracles.
• Jesus did not say that.
• He simply said He never knew these people.
• Jesus knows the thoughts of all souls, so it is not speaking of literally thinking of them.
• TO KNOW in the Bible infers an intimate relationship.
• ADAM KNEW EVE AND SHE CONCEIVED.
• These people were doing things in the name of Jesus without having a RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.
• They did things in their own ways.
• That is why Jesus then says that the one who hears THESE SAYINGS of His and DOES THEM, is like a wise man building a house on a rock.
• WHAT SAYINGS??
• The very explanation of what He said as to how to pray.
• If you pray the way Jesus prescribes, then you cover all the bases.
• You prayed (1) with Heaven as your priority, (2) In Faith to God as your Father who WILL give you your necessities, (3) Seeking spiritual things of God above all other things, (4) Seeking to love God and your neighbour as yourself, (5) Having faith in what you ask for, (6) Forgiving others so you can be forgiven, (7) Staying on the narrow road, (8) Recognizing false doctrine so as not to be deceived.
• YOU CANNOT FALL IF YOU PRAY FOR THESE THINGS.
• You are like a man building your house on a rock that stands against storms.
• You are not like those who think they are saved just because they pray for healings but never think to have a relationship with God and do things His way.
Moses was told to remove his shoes and be careful how he walked.
• He walked HIS way forty years earlier.
• At the burning bush he heard God’s way.
• Many will come to Him thinking they did just fine, but will find out they should have thought to seek God and learn HIS WAY.