How to PrayHow to PrayPart 5 – The plan of prayerPart 5 – The plan of prayer

Mathew 6:9 to 13Mathew 6:9 to 13

I – INTRODUCTION - REVIEW

A.) The Priority of Proper Prayer

B.) The purpose of prayer – It’s all about God

C.) The Pattern of proper prayer

D.) The Paternity of Prayer

E.) The Priority of Prayer

F.) The Program of prayer

a.) Praying for the Kingdom to comeb.) Preaching the Kingdom messagec.) Practical points in prioritizing the

kingdom of God in prayer

VIEW 1: THE ABSOLUTE SOVERIENGTY OF GOD - No matter what we do, whatever things happen, happens because God wills it to happen. No amount of earnest prayer can change his will (CALVINISM)

II – THE PLAN OF PRAYER – THY KINGDOM COME

“Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” vs. 10

A.) The Paradox of God’s sovereignty

VIEW 2: MAN CAN OVERRIDE GOD’S WILL – Acknowledges that God is sovereign but that man can somehow change his will. (ARMINISM)

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David . . . Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” – Acts 4:23 to 31

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. – Mathew 6:7 and 8

SUPPORTING VERSES FOR VIEW 1:

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” – Mathew 7:7 to 11

SUPPORTING VERSES FOR VIEW 2:

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” – Luke 18:1 to 8

B.) A wrong understanding of God’s will (Misinterpretations of the verse)

1.) A Resentful interpretation – What’s the point of praying when God imposes his will

2.) Passive resignation – No need for earnest effort or even expectancy in prayer since God’s will run its course

Biblical illustration: Acts 12:1 to 16

3.) Neglect - Some people utterly disregard this verse and insist that prayer is a means of bending God’s will to their own

C.) A right understanding of God’s will

1.) A right understanding of God’s will is to have a sincere desire for his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven and be in righteous rebellion. (Biblical illustration John 2:14 – 16)

2.) A right understanding of God’s will is to pray in faith believing God will hear and answer our prayers.

“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” – Mathew 21:22

2.) A right understanding of God’s will acknowledges the three aspects of his will

a.) God’s will of purpose –God’s sovereign plan.

“The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:” – Isaiah 14:24

b.) God’s will of desire – Within his will of purpose and completely consistent but more specific and focused. However unlike his will of purpose God’s will of desire is not always fulfilled.

Biblical illustration: Luke 13:34

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!”

c.) God’s will of command – God’s desire for his children to completely obey him.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1 and 2)

Most of the Notes in this slide are lifted from John Most of the Notes in this slide are lifted from John MacArthur’s Bible Commentary on the book of Mathew. MacArthur’s Bible Commentary on the book of Mathew.

For Bible study Guide notes, sermon notes and the For Bible study Guide notes, sermon notes and the audio message audio message

of this series by John MacArthur visit of this series by John MacArthur visit www.gty.orgwww.gty.org. .

Other inputs and notes are done by Zigfred DiazOther inputs and notes are done by Zigfred Diaz

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