When You Pray - Pray Like This

If you are of a certain age you may well remember what we know as ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ being recited each morning before the school day began. Others will remember it being a core part of Sunday services.

Sadly the model prayer as it is given to us both in Matthew and in Luke’s Gospel is no longer a part of school life and is not often repeated by church congregations either.

Jesus knew the importance of prayer, he valued the moments with His heavenly father, he witnessed how prayer was misused and abused, and so he wanted his disciples to know the importance of a vital relationship with God in prayer.

Whether we come to this prayer knowing it by heart or only with a vague familiarity, it is how Jesus recommended his followers to pray it opens the door to a considerable wealth of advice and guidance from scripture that can enrich our prayers lives corporately and individually.

How Not To Pray - Matthew 6: 5-8 & Luke 11:1 - Adrian Armstrong (Video)
Evening Service, Sunday, May 7, 2023
There were no shortage of people who enjoyed praying, and yet Jesus makes clear how they prayed and what they prayed had no eternal value. Before considering what prayer ought to be, it is important to consider what was wrong with the examples being set.
When You Pray Begin - Our Father - Matthew 6:9a - David Knowles (Video)
Morning Service, Sunday, May 14, 2023
It is a significant privilege for the Christian to be able to call the God of Creation “our Father” An expression with great significance and great intimacy that sets the soul off in the right direction.
Worshipping Prayer - Matthew 6:9b - David Knowles (Video)
Evening Service, Sunday, May 21, 2023
The first petition of the prayer is that we “hallow” God’s name. The fact that it is first indicates its priority. God’s name is significant and how we use it also significant, it indicates the source and object of our worship and everything else we pray for.
The Priority of God’s Will and His Kingdom - Matthew 6:10 - Jon Gemmell (Video)
Evening Service, Sunday, May 28, 2023
God is King the Psalmist proclaims, Kings have Kingdom’s and would be used to having their will’s obeyed by their citizens. Recognising that as Christian’s we become part of God’s Kingdom places us in a position of both privilege and responsibility as we seek to obey our King.
Daily Dependence - Matthew 6:11 - Florence Meme (Video)
Evening Service, Sunday, June 4, 2023
This is the first petition that focuses on the needs of the one who prays rather than the priority to focus on the one to whom we pray. It is a broad and basic request for what we actually need for life.
Forgiven Sinners are Forgiving Sinners - Matthew 6:12, 14 - 15 - David Knowles (Video)
Evening Service, Sunday, June 11, 2023
We all know the tremendous debt for which God has forgiven; Jesus knows that we need to know daily that sense of forgiveness. However we so often fail to forgive others preferring to retain our grudges. It is impossible to grow in Christian life whilst unforgiveness has a hold on us.
Daily Deliverance - Matthew 6:13 - Alex Warren (Video)
Evening Service, Sunday, June 18, 2023
Each of us will be familiar with temptation as the evil one seeks to disrupt and divert us from the Lord’s path. The fact that Jesus didn’t just know this but had experienced it underlines its inclusion in this prayer. Deliverance from evil is available when we ask.
A Great Way to End - 1 Chronicles 29 v 10-13 - David Knowles (Video)
Evening Service, Sunday, June 25, 2023
We are used to finishing the prayer with the words “yours is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory”. These words are not normally to be found in the Bibles we read but it may well have been that these words were part of the prayer. Even if they were not they are an excellent way to finish the prayer as they widen out the simple phrase. Amen.