All That Jesus Taught (Bible Study – 22 of 80) - Zac Poonen
Summary
Jesus taught a pattern for prayer, emphasizing that believers should address God as 'Father' because of the privilege of being God's child in the New Covenant. Furthermore, when praying, one's priority must be God's kingdom and His needs, rather than immediately listing personal or family requests. The structure of prayer should reflect this focus on God's glory first.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
How to Pray as Jesus TaughtContinuing the mandate from Matthew 28 to teach everything Jesus commanded, we examine how Jesus instructed His disciples to pray in Matthew chapter 6.Matthew 28:20
The Privilege of Calling God FatherUnlike Old Testament believers who approached God with formal titles like Lord Almighty, New Covenant believers are children of God who can intimately call Him Father.
Our Father Who Art in HeavenAddressing God as our heavenly Father combines two great truths for faith: He loves us intensely, and He is Almighty with the power to solve any problem.
Putting God's Needs First in PrayerWhile we can ask God for everyday needs, Jesus taught us to give priority to God's kingdom and righteousness, making the first three requests about His name, kingdom, and will.
Delivered from a Self-Centered LifeJesus came to save us from the self-centered life inherited from Adam, teaching us to pray using plural pronouns like 'us' and 'our' rather than focusing solely on 'me and my family.'
Asking for Daily Bread to Do God's WillMaterial requests like daily bread are linked with desiring God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, ensuring we live to please Him.
The Condition of Forgiving OthersJesus underscored that if we do not forgive others their transgressions, our heavenly Father will not forgive us, illustrating this through the parable of the unmerciful servant.
Asking Deliverance from TemptationPraying 'do not lead us into temptation' expresses our human helplessness and humble dependence on God, recognizing that evil is far too strong for us to overcome on our own.
The Kingdom, the Power, and the GloryThe prayer concludes by acknowledging that the kingdom, power, and glory belong entirely to God forever, reminding us to always keep praying and never give up.
