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How to Pray?

How to Pray?

Words of Faith 8-16-18

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2018

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Luke 11

     [5] Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, [6] because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'

    [7] "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' [8] I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

    [9] "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

    [11] "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? [12] Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? [13] 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 the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

 

        Jesus taught the disciples why they needed to pray and He shared with them what they should pray, a model for regular prayer.  Now He teaches how we should pray.  Jesus used the image of a friend asking for bread in the night to show the manner of prayer.  We are to pray with persistence.  The NIV translates this boldness.  The Message translation says:  "But let me tell you, even if he won't get up because he's a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors, he'll finally get up and get you whatever you need.  Keep on praying!”     

         One Messianic interpreter of the passage translates this word as chutzpah.  It is a Yiddish word that means "with bold audacity, gall, brazen nerve, presumption, arrogance and just plain guts."  In essence, this is what Jesus calls us to.  We are to pray with Chutzpah, a bold audacity, until we get an answer. 

         How does that work? 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.  People sometimes say, "I hate to bother God with that."  Jesus says, bother?  It is no bother because this is your heavenly Father who loves you and who desires to protect you, provide for you, and care for you. 

         "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 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 the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"  

         Jesus is clear.  I know my Dad.  Keep knocking.  Keep asking.  Keep seeking until God the Father gives you an answer.  The answer may be Yes, No, or wait.  But you will still have peace in that answer.  Until you have the peace that only comes with an answer, keep praying.

       We have heavenly Father who loves us.  He loves to give us good gifts.  Especially the gift of the Holy Spirit Who strengthens us, empowers us, gifts us and fill us with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. 

 

        So let’s pray.

        Lord we hallow Your name.  We proclaim that Your name is Holy, that in Your name is strength, in Your name is safety, in Your name is power and glory.  You are our rock and our fortress.  You are our provider, You are our peace, You are our deliverer, You are our healer, You are our banner and hope.  We praise Your Holy name not just because of what you have done for us but because of Who You are. 

       Lord we pray for Your Kingdom to come.  We pray that Your Kingdom would be manifest in Your church.  We pray that Your Kingdom would be manifest in our church body.  We prayer that Your Kingdom, Your rule and reign would be manifest in our lives.  Rule now in this place.  Manifest Your Kingdom principles in our lives.  Give us the humility to rise to the place that is last.  Give us the humility to rise up and demand to serve others.  Give us the compassion to think of others as more important than ourselves.  Lord, give to us the gift of Your Holy Spirit-- that Your Kingdom may be manifest in us.  O God, pour out Your Spirit on all flesh that we may have Your vision and Your Kingdom love. O God, pour out Your Spirit that we may manifest the fruit of Your Spirit-- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. 

         Lord give us daily bread.  Give us the needed provision for our homes and families. There are those who are in a financial struggle.  Lord, provide the daily bread.  Lord, for those hungry today in this world, provide the daily dread.  Lord, provide us with the spiritual bread that we need daily.  Give us the manna of Your Word.  O God, feed our souls.

          Lord, forgive us our sins.  Many are our sins, the things we have done in disobedience.  Things we have neglected to do in disobedience.  O God, forgive us.  Lord, give us a spirit of forgiveness for those who have sinned against us.  Lord, give us grace to forgive those who have wounded us, slandered us, stolen from us material things or reputation or things even more precious.  

        Lord, lead us NOT into the place of temptation.  Protect us from the darts of the enemy.  Shield us from the attacks that come against our families.  Protect our families from the thief that comes to steal to kill and destroy.  Protect our families from the temptations that can tear us apart.  Protect the church family and church leadership.  Protect us from the temptations that often distract churches from You.  O God, we focus upon You.  We follow You.  We honor You. In Jesus' name.