The Way We Should Pray - Zac Poonen - May 31, 2019
http://rlcfchurch.org/way-we-should-pray River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that prayer is not merely a ritual but a persistent communication with God, drawing lessons from parables about persistence. He argues that the proper way to pray, as taught by Jesus, is to center the focus on God's glory, kingdom, and will first, rather than immediately listing personal needs. True prayer involves seeking God's will, which ultimately leads to a life lived in alignment with God's glory.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What does the Bible teach about prayer?Jesus taught that we must pray always and not lose heart, using parables to illustrate persistent faith in asking for the right things.Luke 18:1
Lord, teach us to prayWhen the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He gave them the Lord's Prayer, warning against meaningless repetition.Luke 11:1
The six requests of the Lord's PrayerThe Lord's Prayer contains six requests divided into two halves: the first three concern God, and the next three concern our needs.
Getting rid of self as the centerSin made self the center of man's life, but Jesus taught us to pray in a way that makes God the primary focus of our existence.
Our Father who art in heavenTrue faith is based on two fundamental pillars: that God loves us immensely as a Father and that He is Almighty to rule the universe.
A continuous way of lifePrayer is meant to be a constant way of life like breathing, where God's name and glory remain uppermost in everything we do.
Your kingdom come and your will be doneWe pray for God's government to rule every department of our lives and for His will to be done on earth just as angels wait on the Father in heaven.
Faithfulness with money and true spiritual richesBeing faithful with money is a crucial test of doing God's will, and it directly determines whether God will entrust us with true spiritual riches.
Give us this day our daily breadAfter putting God first, we have the right to ask God for all our physical necessities, including food, clothing, housing, and education for our children.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive othersJesus heavily emphasizes the condition attached to this specific request: God will treat us and forgive us in the exact same manner we forgive others.
Forgiveness versus fellowshipWhile we must 100% forgive everyone unconditionally, forgiveness and personal fellowship are two different things governed by walking in the light.
Deliver us from evil and forever give God the gloryWe acknowledge that only God can deliver us from sin and evil habits, concluding our prayer life by attributing all kingdom, power, and glory to Him forever.
