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The Teachings of Jesus : Lesson 10

Text: Matthew 5:5-15
28 February 2016

THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER

  1. This practice of seeking God in prayer goes back to the most ancient days

  2. Prayer and worship interwoven

a) Cain and Abel         Genesis 4:1-15

b) Noah                          Genesis 8:20

c) Abraham                  Genesis 12:8

  1. Practice of prayer (Old Testament)

a) Priests
b) Prophets
c) Psalmists
d) Community
e) Individuals

  1. Practice of prayer (New Testament)

a) Jesus (individual)
b) Jesus (as our great High Priest)
c) Apostles

  1. The degeneration of the practice of prayer in the days of Jesus

a) Praying publicly to impress people Matthew 6:5
b) They have their reward Matthew 6:5

  1. The true and correct practice of prayer

a) Pray to your Father             Matthew 6:6
b) In secret                                  Matthew 6:6
c) God will reward openly     Matthew 6:6

  1. Wrong practices to be avoided especially

a) Vain repetition                                         Matthew 6:7
b) As “the nations” (“heathen”)             Matthew 6:7
c) Many words                                              Matthew 6:7

  1. Modern day problems

a) Similar problems as above
b) Prayerlessness
c) Claiming of promises
d) Demanding things
e) Bargaining with God
f) Poor Biblical basis