Generations Of Prayer

Show Notes

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-8

SHOW NOTES:

We look for lessons and examples from Scripture to guide our walk with God. In the first part of this series, “The Power of Prayer,” we examined many examples from the Old Testament. Now, we turn to the pages of the New Testament. In today’s lesson, we will explore Jesus’ words in Matthew 6.

Jesus warns the disciples about hypocrisy. Yes, we are to live righteous lives, but “Watch out!”

“You are the light of the world … let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:14-16). We are to perform good deeds openly in front of a watching world, not for our praise, but to draw attention to our Heavenly Father and give Him glory!

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others.

– Matthew 6:5

Again, “Do not be like the hypocrites.” He references the Pharisees and Sadducees, the two main religious groups. They are obsessed with what others think of them. They seek recognition for their “good and righteous acts.”

We pray for the same reasons children talk to their parents. We share concerns. We have a relationship and seek fellowship. We want help when facing tough times and confusing situations in life. Children need the wisdom of a Father and Mother.

Lord, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea! Do not turn away from me in my time of distress. Bend down to listen and answer me quickly when I call to you.

– Psalm 102:1-2

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Show Notes

Scripture: Matthew 6:9 / Luke 11:1-2

SHOW NOTES:

Prayer is a vital part of our Christian life. We communicate with our Heavenly Father and seek His wisdom, guidance, and direction. Jesus’ disciples traveled with Him for three years. They listened to His teachings, witnessed His miracles, and heard Him pray. Many times, He would go off to pray in the evening or early morning hours.

In today’s lesson, the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. He responds with the prayer we often call The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-15) or The Disciples’ Prayer (Luke 11:2-4). This prayer is the example or model Jesus gave to His disciples.

One day, Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of his disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name.’”

– Luke 11:1-2

God’s “name” reflects His nature. Jesus called God His Father. We also call Him our Heavenly Father to give Him glory and praise.

But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.

– 1 Peter 1:15

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Show Notes

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-11 / Luke 11:2-3

SHOW NOTES:

Do you remember when you first memorized The Lord’s Prayer? How old were you?

This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

– Matthew 6:9-10 (NIV)

As children of God, we have a personal connection with our Heavenly Father. Each of us can approach Him to share our requests and burdens. He is holy and deserving of our praise.

See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us his children, and that is what we are!

– 1 John 3:1 (NLT)

The Kingdom of God is a fundamental concept in Christian theology, representing God’s rule and authority over His creation, especially among believers. It represents God’s presence and power, both now and in the future. During His earthly ministry, Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God. People’s lives are transformed and renewed as they turn away from their sin and follow God’s will.

Kingdom Come –

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Show Notes

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-11 / Luke 11:2-3

SHOW NOTES:

During His earthly ministry, Jesus spent time praying, and the disciples asked Him how they should pray.

Once, Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Jesus said, “This is how you should pray.

– Luke 11:1-2

He has given us an example, a pattern to follow. We approach our Heavenly Father, acknowledge His holiness, and remember the promise of His coming kingdom.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

– Matthew 6:10

Jesus then taught that we can bring our needs and struggles to our Father in prayer. We can ask for what we need and for provisions. We confess our sins and offer forgiveness to others. Finally, it is important to stay alert against the schemes of the evil one and ask the Lord for His protection and strength during times of testing.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

– 1 Peter 5:8

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Show Notes

Scripture: John 17:1-5

SHOW NOTES:

Today, we start a study of Jesus’ prayer in John 17. This prayer is often called “Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer.” It illustrates the high priestly ministry that Jesus officially began when He ascended into heaven.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

– 1 John 2:1

Many believe this was spoken before Jesus and His small group of disciples left the Upper Room or while they walked across the Southern Steps on their way to the Garden of Gethsemane.

After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you.

– John 17:1

Jesus looks toward His Father in heaven and prays. He acknowledges that the time of crisis has come – “The hour has come.” This is not a hopeless prayer; instead, Jesus looks ahead to the cross and recognizes that this is the work the Father has given Him. Jesus alone can complete this task.

I brought glory to You here on earth by completing the work You gave me to do. Now, Father, bring Me into the glory We shared before the world began.

– John 17:4-5

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Show Notes

Scripture: John 17:6-19

SHOW NOTES:

Jesus delivered this powerful prayer on the evening before He was betrayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. Some believe He was in the Upper Room, while others think He was on the Southern Steps of the temple as they walked toward the garden. Jesus’ purpose and focus was to bring glory to His Heavenly Father.

In the second part of this prayer, Jesus expresses His concern for the disciples. This is the longest section of His prayer. He knows they will face intense spiritual battles. The disciples spent three years with Jesus during His earthly ministry. The disciples watched Jesus perform many miracles, and they listened to His powerful teachings.

Now I am coming to You. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so that they would be filled with My joy. I have given them Your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do.

– John 17:13-16

Jesus came to earth with the message of God’s love and forgiveness. He faced trials, danger, and death on the cross. The disciples would encounter many of the same challenges. Jesus did not ask the Father to remove them from danger or trials, but instead asked the Father to protect them from the evil one. Their mission was to proclaim the Good News to the whole world.

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